ENGLISH Interview with IL-2 GB team In October 2022

[Gambit21]

1 minute ago, ww2fighter20 said:

Around the 10 minute mark it's mentioned other modules (except for Stalingrad) are around equally popular.

 

“Almost” is the exact quote.

 

 

Who knows what the margin is.

[[CPT]Crunch]

Thanks Enigma, outstanding interview very in depth.  Things I walked away with is there are really no limitations that can't be overcome with sufficient time and energy put into this engine, it's continually being rebuilt, and basically a sound foundation, there is really nothing better in existence for a combat simulation to be built better upon.  The next project is already locked in and will bring new tech and features, and these guys are proud of whats coming.  All works for me.

 

Hope they run with the special feature aircraft point for some extra pocket change, betting US variants of P-40, P-39, and early mustang would bring in some serious $$.

[CountZero]

18 minutes ago, ww2fighter20 said:

Around the 10 minute mark it's mentioned other modules (except for Stalingrad) are around equally popular.

This is quite an surprice since I got the impression Moscow was the least popular but it seems to be around equally popular compared to Kuban, Bodenplatte and maybe even Normandy (Not sure if Normandy is counted here since it was only recently released so it's likely too early to judge it's popularity with the rest).

Well do ppl buy more Spitfire V and P-40 because they dont like other 2 collector airplanes (Mc202 and Hs-129) and just buy standard + this 2 to save few bucks, or ppl just dont bather with BoM or BoK and buy west collector airplane from it only to save more then few bucks, and thats why they are popular ? or its because Combat box server start to run Normandy map with 1942 allied airplanes and you have to atleast have one of thouse two ?  its a mistery 

[Avimimus]

27 minutes ago, Gambit21 said:

“Almost” is the exact quote.

 

 

Who knows what the margin is.

 

Still somewhat promising - if modules are capable of still selling at a reasonable rate even if they aren't appealing to the largest market sectors it increases the likelihood that they'll still be making new releases in a decade... which increases the likelihood of us all getting what we want eventually.

 

 

  

22 minutes ago, [CPT]Crunch said:

Thanks Enigma, outstanding interview very in depth.  Things I walked away with is there are really no limitations that can't be overcome with sufficient time and energy put into this engine, it's continually being rebuilt, and basically a sound foundation, there is really nothing better in existence for a combat simulation to be built better upon.  The next project is already locked in and will bring new tech and features, and these guys are proud of whats coming.  All works for me.

 

Hope they run with the special feature aircraft point for some extra pocket change, betting US variants of P-40, P-39, and early mustang would bring in some serious $$.

 

I do wonder if making bundles of Collector Planes might do well? It'd encourage people to get several simultaneously (and try ones they might like but not realise they'd like)... but it also allows fleshing out the plane-lists without having to always include a new map. I could definitely see a combined Channel Map and Eastern Front expansion with missing aircraft from both for instance...

 

That said, apparently the 'Ace Expansion Pack' didn't do that well in terms of sales (back in the pre-1946 days)... and it was basically that concept.

 

I also wouldn't want them to use up aircraft that could be needed for future modules (e.g. Fw-190A4/A9, Bf-109G10)... as I'd like some future modules to still be viable and have balanced plane-sets. So that is a trade-off.

 

Certainly for more obscure aircraft though... a pack might be worthwhile. One could also do variant packs (Ju-87D-5, A-20G/Boston III, LaGG-3 late, Recon variants of various aircraft, a lightened Fw-190A8 'ace' fieldmod with less guns etc.)

[Guest deleted@83466]

15 minutes ago, CountZero said:

Well do ppl buy more Spitfire V and P-40 because they dont like other 2 collector airplanes (Mc202 and Hs-129) and just buy standard + this 2 to save few bucks, or ppl just dont bather with BoM or BoK and buy west collector airplane from it only to save more then few bucks, and thats why they are popular ? or its because Combat box server start to run Normandy map with 1942 allied airplanes and you have to atleast have one of thouse two ?  its a mistery 

 

I think they simply sell the best because they are iconic aircraft in Western Europe and North America.  I never built a model of a Macchi or an IAR when I was a kid, in fact never heard of them, but I sure built a Spit or a Warhawk.

[l_commando]

2 hours ago, Jade_Monkey said:

Key takeaways for next battle:

• It was a group decision
• They narrowed it down to 5 candidates that meet their criteria, and finally picked one.
• will not have heavy urban scenery
• Will be piston based
• Will bring something new to the sim scene

 

With all this in mind, if I were to hedge my bets I'd say Tunisia or Sicily if they stay in the West, or Karelia or Lake Balaton if they go back to the East

[Trooper117]

2 hours ago, Jade_Monkey said:

Best seller premium planes were mostly western (Spitfire V, P-40, P-38).

 

So, anything with a western flavour sells better than anything with a Russian flavour... Got it!  

[MajorMagee]

The Spanish Civil War would certainly be somewhat (it was done in a limited way as a mod to CFS3 in the ETO pack) new to the sim scene. It would provide us with some late 30s French, Soviet, German, and Italian aircraft that you don't see modeled very often. ?

 

The other pre-/early war settings that have had little to no sim coverage would be the Winter War between the Soviets and Finland, and the Japanese invasion of mainland China.

[Gambit21]

Enigma - aside from my remark about the game engine/4 engine bombers - I should also have thanked you for taking the time to post this interview with the English-speaking members of the senior development team.

 

I quite enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to in particular to watching where the game engine goes.

 

 

[DD_Crash]

I seem to remember issues about the way the game was going about the time of Battle of Moscow's launch

[willeverton]

Really good listen that. Can't wait for the next module, most likely somewhere in the Mediterranean is my guess. Battle of France would be another, chance for early spits and hurricanes, plus the likes of defiants, blenheims and French fighters. 

 

China/Burma would also fit in with the 'something new' category.

 

Hopefully not too long to wait.....

 

 

[JLean]

Thanks Enigma & Il-2 team for this interview!

It was really great to hear real people behind my favourite game that is stealing so many hours from my life. 

 

Great to hear that story will continue and next battle is coming. Also this gave more secured feeling that IL-2 BOX is on solid base and there is a future with it (unless some grazy one will  push that big red button ) .

 

 JLean

 

p.s. Enigma shame on...you really need to try VR. I was shocked that you have not yet done it here or in that other simulator.  

[kendo]

Interesting interview. Thanks.

 

The big takeaway for me is that much of what is said on the forums, with great confidence and as accepted truth, is actually complete b*****ks.

 

Apart from the commonly repeated '4-engine aircraft are not possible', we've had 'the engine is too old, can't be updated and needs to be replaced asap', Moscow didn't sell, Kuban didn't sell, key unresolved issues are because the engine was designed for light canvas WW1 biplanes and can't be changed to accomodate WW2 properly.

 

 

 

[CountZero]

3 hours ago, sevenless said:

 

Could be, could be...

 

 

https://www.naval-history.net/WW2RN17-194306.htm

"The M8 light armored car entered combat service with the Allies in Sicily in 1943. It was purpose designed to serve as the primary basic command and communication combat vehicle of the U.S. Cavalry Reconnaissance troops."

 

?

 

 

[sevenless]

14 minutes ago, CountZero said:

"The M8 light armored car entered combat service with the Allies in Sicily in 1943. It was purpose designed to serve as the primary basic command and communication combat vehicle of the U.S. Cavalry Reconnaissance troops."

 

?

 

 

 

Yep. Maybe we get Sicily (07/43) to Salerno (09/43) with british aircraft carriers and anti-shipment (torpedo) strikes. Many possibilities here.

• 2 fleet carriers (Rear Admiral C. Moody, RN)
  • HMS Illustrious
    • 28 Grumman Martlet fighters
    • 10 Supermarine Seafire fighters
    • 12 Fairey Barracuda torpedo bombers
  • HMS Formidable
    • 28 Grumman Martlet fighters
    •   5 Supermarine Seafire fighters
    • 12 Fairey Albacore torpedo bombers^[a]

[CountZero]

8 minutes ago, sevenless said:

 

Yep. Maybe we get Sicily (07/43) to Salerno (09/43) with british aircraft carriers and anti-shipment (torpedo) strikes. Many possibilities here.

• 2 fleet carriers (Rear Admiral C. Moody, RN)
  • HMS Illustrious
    • 28 Grumman Martlet fighters
    • 10 Supermarine Seafire fighters
    • 12 Fairey Barracuda torpedo bombers
  • HMS Formidable
    • 28 Grumman Martlet fighters
    •   5 Supermarine Seafire fighters
    • 12 Fairey Albacore torpedo bombers^[a]

You wont get carriers, so its not Salerno, on Sicily you can just not use them within the game map like this (this area i marked of ~400x500km is big enought to be biggest map in game and it bearly can cover Sicily invasion), as in this area you historicly dont have any bigger ship then DD and landing ships already made for BoN.

 

so out of two, Sicily is more probable with everything they said about carriers, and considering how big ships we have now, and map sizes in game.

 

Edited October 7, 2022 by CountZero

[=gRiJ=Roman-]

There is sth I don't get.

Have they ruled out Carriers for this new scenario? I couldn't see a clear answer.

In case there will be no carriers, how can you do a scenario in the MTO? It wouldn't make much sense IMHO ...

Maybe the new element would be introducing torpedo bombers????

Edited October 7, 2022 by =gRiJ=Roman-

[Jade_Monkey]

12 minutes ago, =gRiJ=Roman- said:

There is sth I don't get.

Have they ruled out Carriers for this new scenario? I couldn't see a clear answer.

In case there will be no carriers, how can you do a scenario in the MTO? It wouldn't make much sense IMHO ...

Maybe the new element would be introducing torpedo bombers????

 

Yes, they definitely ruled out carriers for the next project (link with timestamp)

 

My guess is that the "new element" is one of these:

• Recon (already hinted in DD and SPiptfire XIV bubble announcement as well as modification for Arado).
• Torpedos
• Night fighters

 

 

[=gRiJ=Roman-]

2 minutes ago, Jade_Monkey said:

 

Yes, they definitely ruled out carriers for the next project (link with timestamp)

 

My guess is that the "new element" is one of these:

• Recon (already hinted in DD and SPiptfire XIV bubble announcement as well as modification for Arado).
• Torpedos
• Night fighters

 

 

 

Thanks, it is clear now.

Now I will put all my chips on the MTO Italy: a new air force with Italy and many new aircraft, an end to the Western Front Trilogy, torpedoes, and as you said ... recon.

[CountZero]

21 minutes ago, =gRiJ=Roman- said:

There is sth I don't get.

Have they ruled out Carriers for this new scenario? I couldn't see a clear answer.

In case there will be no carriers, how can you do a scenario in the MTO? It wouldn't make much sense IMHO ...

Maybe the new element would be introducing torpedo bombers????

You dont need carriers for Sicily invasion, Malta is your carrier

 

They said next DLC is prop based, not population heavy, and something new.... Sicily fit that withing constrain of no carriers. Normandy didnt have Battleships and they bombarded the coastline and were well known for their participation there, they can even easyer justify not having carriers or big ships for Sicily invasion, by making map with area that dont include them historicly.

 

Also why would they randomly post picture of M8 that we already see, he could pick any other AI ground unit to show level of detail but he pick M8 at time when we look for any hint about new DLC.

 

 

[Gambit21]

Anything "New" does not entail "Germany VS X"

If it's this once again, then I don't care what the goddamn map is or what other aircraft are involved...it's not "something new" - period.

 

Also, food for thought.

BobP is "prop based" as well but includes two jets.

 

I hate "just sayin"...but just this one time... just sayin.

Leaves room for Korea.

 

 

 

[sevenless]

40 minutes ago, =gRiJ=Roman- said:

 

Thanks, it is clear now.

Now I will put all my chips on the MTO Italy: a new air force with Italy and many new aircraft, an end to the Western Front Trilogy, torpedoes, and as you said ... recon.

 

Yep. And lots of Sicily planes could be used on BoN and BoBP map single player careers also. Wellington, Beaufighter, Blenheim, Beaufort, A36, etc..

I guess we will learn within the next four weeks.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Husky_order_of_battle#Eastern_Naval_Task_Force

Edited October 7, 2022 by sevenless

[Guest deleted@83466]

The best post of the day, sevenless, was your DD, not theirs.  As far as what’s going on with IL-2, I don’t feel like I know anything more at all.

[CountZero]

38 minutes ago, Gambit21 said:

Anything "New" does not entail "Germany VS X"

If it's this once again, then I don't care what the goddamn map is or what other aircraft are involved...it's not "something new" - period.

 

Also, food for thought.

BobP is "prop based" as well but includes two jets.

 

I hate "just sayin"...but just this one time... just sayin.

Leaves room for Korea.

 

 

 

Korea is jets in mineds of ppl, its MiG-15s vs Sabers, i know of all props that were there but its remenbered as first big jet vs jet DF air battle, this is how its depicted in media, this is how most ppl see it, if they plan to do korea they would not say next DLC is prop centric, they would say nothing about prop or jet based... To say Sicily is another German vs X so its same as we have , but to also say Korea is prop based is biased view on things, but i belive there is 0% chance its Korea based on whats said by them last few days.

 

[Gambit21]

7 minutes ago, CountZero said:

Korea is jets in mineds of ppl, its MiG-15s vs Sabers,

 

 

'sigh'

You have a knack for pointing out the obvious...I'm speaking with my "developer trying to be cagey and not give anything away" hat on.

You're a lot of work recently.

[CountZero]

20 minutes ago, sevenless said:

 

Yep. And lots of Sicily planes could be used on BoN and BoBP map single player careers also. Wellington, Beaufighter, Blenheim, Beaufort, A36, etc..

I guess we will learn within the next four weeks.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Husky_order_of_battle#Eastern_Naval_Task_Force

Also Jason is probably doing reserch in Italy on Italian airplanes so thats why hes not on forums so mutch ?

 

[Enceladus828]

 

• They narrowed it down to 5 candidates that meet their criteria, and finally picked one.

In regards to this statement, here are 5 candidates which based on this alone would be potential to cover next: Finland, Sicily, Bagration, Berlin and Guadalcanal or another Pacific battle.

• Will not have heavy urban scenery and will be piston based

With that, Berlin is out as the area from Western Poland to the Eastern part of the Rhineland map would be a heavy urban area but more importantly, as an He-162 would likely be in a Berlin installment as a Collector plane and the next installment is piston engine based then Berlin is out.

• Will bring something new to the sim scene

Doing a Finland installment would bring Finnish planes and could add Soviet planes like the I-153, early Yak-1, and some more bombers such as the IL-4 and SB-2; Sicily would bring the MTO and Italian planes as well as torpedoes; Bagration wouldn't really bring anything new so it's out; Guadalcanal would bring the Pacific... nothing more to say about that save for that there won't be carriers. One could argue that you can't do the late war Western front without 4 engine bombers, well, the devs have been able to do just that without 4 engine bombers so therefore you can do Guadalcanal or another land-based battle without carriers. Oh, and just because a carrier battle like Midway is out doesn't mean that the PTO. The PTO is not out in my mind until it's clearly stated by the devs that they won't do the Pacific or when the next installment is announced and it isn't a PTO battle.

 

The podcast between Enigma and Sneaksie states that the Pacific won't be next.

 

Final candidates: Finland and Sicily and Guadalcanal.

 

Edited October 8, 2022 by Enceladus

[CountZero]

1 hour ago, Enceladus said:

 

• They narrowed it down to 5 candidates that meet their criteria, and finally picked one.

In regards to this statement, here are 5 candidates which based on this alone would be potential to cover next: Finland, Sicily, Bagration, Berlin and Guadalcanal or another Pacific battle.

• Will not have heavy urban scenery and will be piston based

With that, Berlin is out as the area from Western Poland to the Eastern part of the Rhineland map would be a heavy urban area but more importantly, as an He-162 would likely be in a Berlin installment as a Collector plane and the next installment is piston engine based then Berlin is out.

• Will bring something new to the sim scene

Doing a Finland installment would bring Finnish planes and could add Soviet planes like the I-153, early Yak-1, and some more bombers such as the IL-4 and SB-2; Sicily would bring the MTO and Italian planes as well as torpedoes; Bagration wouldn't really bring anything new so it's out; Guadalcanal would bring the Pacific... nothing more to say about that save for that there won't be carriers. One could argue that you can't do the late war Western front without 4 engine bombers, well, the devs have been able to do just that without 4 engine bombers so therefore you can do Guadalcanal or another land-based battle without carriers. Oh, and just because a carrier battle like Midway is out doesn't mean that the PTO. The PTO is not out in my mind until it's clearly stated by the devs that they won't do the Pacific or when the next installment is announced and it isn't a PTO battle.

 

Final candidates: Finland, Sicily and Guadalcanal.

 

They say in video that PTO is to risky for next DLC and thats why they will not do it now, so its sure not Guadalcanal.

Also i think Leningrad fits definition of heavy urban area, as that big city is on no maps in game.

So we again come back to only option is Sicily ?

 

Before this video i was sure Normandy 43 is next DLC, but it cant be from what they said in this video, so next obvious option is Sicily 43.

 

Edited October 7, 2022 by CountZero

[dburne]

6 minutes ago, CountZero said:

They say in video that PTO is to risky for next DLC and thats why they will not do it now, so its sure not Guadalcanal.

Also i think Leningrad fits definition of heavy urban area, as that big city is on no maps in game.

So we again come back to only option is Sicily ?

 

Before this video i was sure Normandy 43 is next DLC, but it cant be from what they said in this video, so next obvious option is Sicily 43.

 

 

I will do my best to curtail all my excitement on that possibility...

 

[Guest deleted@83466]

 

1 hour ago, Enceladus said:

 

• They narrowed it down to 5 candidates that meet their criteria, and finally picked one.

<snip>  Oh, and just because a carrier battle like Midway is out doesn't mean that the PTO. The PTO is not out in my mind until it's clearly stated by the devs that they won't do the Pacific or when the next installment is announced and it isn't a PTO battle.

 

Final candidates: Finland, Sicily and Guadalcanal.

 

If there is a misinterpretation that there will be no PTO, it’s the podcast translator’s fault. Without looking at it, it say something like ‘we realized that Pacific equals Carriers, and we can’t do carriers”.  I mean, right?

[Jade_Monkey]

6 minutes ago, SeaSerpent said:

If there is a misinterpretation that there will be no PTO, it’s the podcast translator’s fault. Without looking at it, it say something like ‘we realized that Pacific equals Carriers, and we can’t do carriers”.  I mean, right?

 

What translator? the interview is in English. Have you listened to it?

[Guest deleted@83466]

2 minutes ago, Jade_Monkey said:

 

What translator? the interview is in English. Have you listened to it?

the previous one, under the thread ‘Translated QA.’

Edited October 8, 2022 by SeaSerpent

[Jade_Monkey]

2 minutes ago, SeaSerpent said:

the previous one.

 

 

I see. But in this one he pretty much confirmed it below (Timestamped).

He doesnt say carriers, says pacific. They considered the Solomon Islands though, but sounds like it didnt make it.

 

 

[Guest deleted@83466]

All good, man, but you can see why there is a lot of confusion.

 

edit: just fyi, no I didn’t listen to it.  I relied on other posters to give me the details, and nobody indicated that PTO was still possible, except Enceladus. I figure it would have been a BFD, if it was still on.

Edited October 8, 2022 by SeaSerpent

[MajorMagee]

The MTO was pretty well covered by two outstanding mods for CFS3. MAW, and MAW1943, so that's not really new to the sim scene.

[Skycat1969]

So... they can't do MTO because an unofficial mod covered it 15 years ago?

[MajorMagee]

Sure, they can do anything they want because it will be new to all the 14 year olds... ?

Edited October 8, 2022 by MajorMagee

[US103_Baer]

Would've loved to hear the devs thoughts on Flying Circus.

Working with a 3rd party, the legacy RoF FMs, the challenges that a shared engine for WW1 and WW2 creates,  and how they plan to overcome these.  

 

A good interview though.  Thanks. 

 

Edited October 8, 2022 by US103_Baer

[Gambit21]

12 minutes ago, US103_Baer said:

Would've loved to hear the devs thoughts on Flying Circus.

 

 

 

Yeah I'd like to hear about FC, time dilation, PBR textures/engine update, higher res meshes bringing this sim closer to DCS.

[spreckair]

No large cities?  The Solomons and New Guinea didn't have a single large city!  Something new--Japanese!  Well, we can hope and dream.

 

I wonder if the engine is fine but our best gaming rigs are still too far behind.  Maybe an Intel I-9 25900 and an RTX 9090i will enable fleets of Fortresses.