[Terra-jin]

When playing through the FS1 campaign on medium, I'd be a commander at the end of it. With FS2 however, I'm not even a lieutenant. Why does it seem to be harder to gain ranks in FS2? It seems to be because you only get points for killing stuff, while in FS1 you also got points for completing mission objectives (I think). Anyone else noticed this?

[Commander Zane]

I'm a Lieutenant Commander at Clash of the Titans II on Medium.

[da1edwin]

When playing through the FS1 campaign on medium, I'd be a commander at the end of it. With FS2 however, I'm not even a lieutenant. Why does it seem to be harder to gain ranks in FS2? It seems to be because you only get points for killing stuff, while in FS1 you also got points for completing mission objectives (I think). Anyone else noticed this?

Well, there are missions in FS1 that grant automatic promotions for completing them. I think Black Omega is an example of that. But I'm pretty sure FS2 gives points for completing mission objectives too.

[sigtau]

Coming from a campaign designer's point of view, yes, FRED does allow the campaign designer to award points to the player for completing an objective.

Typically, I do this with secondary objectives and, more prominently, bonus objectives.

[General Battuta]

That's not always good practice for user-made campaigns, because you might get promoted, and then you'll have Petrarch or whatever reading your promotion text, which sounds a bit odd.

The Procyon Insurgency handled it better, using a custom points system with training messages.

[sigtau]

It's good practice when you have good voice actors.

[Snail]

Which 90% of campaigns don't have.

[sigtau]

Which 90% of campaigns don't have.

This is true.

I think FS1 handled goals better than FS2 did, to be honest.

[General Battuta]

Frankly, FS1/2-style promotions are dumb, and custom campaigns that include them shake my suspension of disbelief just a weee bit. Pilots should be promoted once, maybe twice, throughout a campaign, and never up past the rank of Captain without serious effort by the campaign designer to make it believable.

[Solatar]

Commodore up to Admiral is a nice sounding rank and all, but it does make it unbelievable. If I was really promoted to Commodore, what the hell am I doing in a fighter? A Commodore, by definition, commands warships.

[da1edwin]

Commodore up to Admiral is a nice sounding rank and all, but it does make it unbelievable. If I was really promoted to Commodore, what the hell am I doing in a fighter? A Commodore, by definition, commands warships.

Well, in terms of believability, shouldn't the fighters be piloted by enlisted GTVA service members? A real-life U.S. Air Force or Navy Lieutenant wouldn't be flying an F-16 around, I don't think.

[Solatar]

I might be wrong, so if somebody who has experience in the air force comes along and corrects me, don't be surprised. I thought fighters were only piloted by officers, actually. Obviously once you get beyond a certain point, you won't be flying a fighter anymore, but I could have sworn fighter pilots could attain the rank of captain.

[The E]

Yes, they actually would.
Don't know about the USAF, but the german Luftwaffe's fighter pilots are exclusively officers, most in the Lieutenant - Colonel range. I don't think the USAF handles these things differently.
During WW2, there was a "Flying Sergeants" program that allowed people to get into a fighter without the need to go through Officer training, but that is no longer in effect, I believe.

[General Battuta]

Commodore up to Admiral is a nice sounding rank and all, but it does make it unbelievable. If I was really promoted to Commodore, what the hell am I doing in a fighter? A Commodore, by definition, commands warships.

Well, in terms of believability, shouldn't the fighters be piloted by enlisted GTVA service members? A real-life U.S. Air Force or Navy Lieutenant wouldn't be flying an F-16 around, I don't think.

Incorrect. Aircraft are exclusively flown by officers, including ranks like Flight Lieutenant.

[Commander Zane]

What he said.

[Woolie Wool]

Frankly, FS1/2-style promotions are dumb, and custom campaigns that include them shake my suspension of disbelief just a weee bit. Pilots should be promoted once, maybe twice, throughout a campaign, and never up past the rank of Captain without serious effort by the campaign designer to make it believable.

I dunno, if I was in an air force and racked up 400 kills in the space of a few months I would think they would name me their new god and sacrifice virgins in my honor.

[The E]

This being the military, they would probably just rearm your fighter, give you a pat on the back, and send you up again. Or send you off to Flight training to teach others.

[SpardaSon21]

Frankly, FS1/2-style promotions are dumb, and custom campaigns that include them shake my suspension of disbelief just a weee bit. Pilots should be promoted once, maybe twice, throughout a campaign, and never up past the rank of Captain without serious effort by the campaign designer to make it believable.

I dunno, if I was in an air force and racked up 400 kills in the space of a few months I would think they would name me their new god and sacrifice virgins in my honor.

All hail our new god, Alpha One!

[Commander Zane]

I...don't think that's an electable position.

[SpardaSon21]

What, you mean the position of God, or Alpha One?