While better known as a motorsports enthusiast, I confess to also being an avid flight simmer with a passion especially for World War I aviation history. Following my interest in that era of flight, I recently talked with the developers of Over Flanders Fields, also known as “OFF”, the just-released WWI total conversion for Microsoft’s Combat Flight Simulator 3. Here is my interview with OFF team representative, Mark “Polovski” Rogers.
Jens: I’ve been following the project since Phase 1, released in December 2005. In March 2007 you released Phase 2 and you just released Phase 3. Clearly this conversion is a labor of love on the team’s part, could you please start by introducing the team, the members, their main functions in the team, and tell me a bit more about your motivations for working on this project for such a prolonged period of time?
Mark: Well, I think I can safely say that everyone involved on the team (including past members) are doing this for the love of the historic period, WWI in the air, and their respect for those pilots. Several members are from SWWISA one of the key “modding” communities for the now legendary “Red Baron 3D”.
Core Team Members of OBD Software and work load (we all do research too):
Mark “Winding Man” Andrews
Lead Design and Concept, Terrain & Scenery, 3D Models, Weather, Sound, User Interface, OFF Manager, Database, Flight Models, Damage Modeling, Software PackagingMark “Polovski” Rogers
3D Aircraft Models, Flight Models, Damage Models, OFF Manager of the Artwork, Artwork, Voice Acting, Game Footage Movies, and Web SiteTed “Shredward” Harrity
Historical Squadron Database, Historical Research Data and CollationArto “Paarma” Karttunen
German Aircraft SkinsTerry “Makai” Kirby
German and Allied Aircraft SkinsTom “RexHannover” Milligan
Software Code Expert
(Including the stunning AI Improvements, Software Packaging and the Installer)Mike “Sandbagger” Norris
Allied Aircraft SkinsPaul “Nod” Norris
3D Aircraft Models and 3D Ground Unit ModelsJames “OvS” Romano
German and Allied Aircraft, Skins, Sounds, and Web Site
James is a former producer of “Hells Angels” mod for Red Baron 3D, SWWISA memberRob “Capt.Winters” Stevenson
3D Models, User Interface Textures, New Manuals, Allied Aircraft Skins
There are many other contributors and special contributors that made it possible too, and former members like Rob “Rabu” Hoag. Too many to mention here but we thank them all, and we have published full credits in the main manager and on the web site.