TFS - February update 2025

[AWC]

TFS February update
 

Here's some progress from the last month of Team Fusion's work. We’re now on our 23rd testing build for Cliffs of Dover’s VR implementation, and things are moving forward steadily! Our closed beta group has been providing valuable feedback across a range of headsets and PC setups, helping to refine performance and stability. The development team has made significant progress especially with the addition of an automatic crash reporting system. This new tool is giving them more data than ever before, helping to pinpoint and resolve stability issues efficiently. To ensure a rock-solid foundation, the latest testing build was stripped back to its core. The team is now carefully reintroducing elements one by one, making sure each part is stable and optimised before moving forward.

 

The new Channel map has also had all airfields brought up to 1942 specifications with our main map maker now fleshing out each airfield with objects to make them look more 'lived in'. An updated sound effects package will be also added to the VU/VR update, with new, more realistic weapons and engine sounds currently being prepared for this. More detail will be shared about both of these features next month.

 

Finally, we have some new images of the KMS Scharnhorst which will be part of our Fortressess and Focke-Wulfs DLC (the Royal Navy flags are placeholders). We plan for players to fly scenarios based on Operation Cerberus, better known as the Channel Dash. This daring operation saw the Kriegsmarine battleships/battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, and heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen dash through the Channel to prevent a British invasion of Scandinavia. You will be thrust into the action as you try to sink the German warships or try to slip past British defences!

 

[Enceladus828]

The Lucky ship

[II./JG27_Rich]

I heard that too

 

KMS Scharnhorst-Keep on Sailing

 

Swastika warning

 

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

[AtomicP]

I appreciate the regular updates, thank you.

[Mysticpuma]

Remember the days when an update would produce pages and pages of replies? 5-days, 3 replies.....what went wrong?

[AndyJWest]

2 hours ago, Mysticpuma said:

Remember the days when an update would produce pages and pages of replies? 5-days, 3 replies.....what went wrong?

 

Most likely people got fed up with reading the same old repetitive back-and-forth sniping from the same few people, and have found better things to do with their time. 

[Mysticpuma]

I recently withdrew from the Beta.

 

Lenny is doing some great work with the Ai and missions. The Single Player content is all being reworked and the landscape is having lots of work done, including making the airfields come to life.

 

That said, since the debacle last year of V6 will be released in the 4th quarter at the latest", then with 3 days left, the revelation that "actually,we're nowhere near"...

 

 

3 months later, what news of any progress?

 

Simply put, unless you are part of the team, you don't need to know. You are a customer. You aren't important.

 

Blademeister was a solid follower of the team and had unwavering belief that TFS would deliver. Eventually the clock runs out for listening to the continual silence.

 

 

I became jaded a lot sooner but was invited to the Beta. I agreed to help, but years later, I just can't be bothered any more. Beta updates are so infrequent, contact with the team is so infrequent, I now find myself having less time in front of the computer and when I do...I just don't find myself having the passion for it.

 

I honestly thought by now V6 would be out and conversation at the time was how important it should be to get the B-17 expansion out to tie in with "Masters of Air".

 

The reality is, the aircraft list for "Fortresses and Focke Wulfs" is as follows:

 

New Aircraft

 

Focke-Wulf 190A-1

Focke-Wulf 190A-2

Focke-Wulf 190A-3

Messerschmitt Bf-109G-2

Messerschmitt Bf-110F-1

Messerschmitt Bf-110F-2

Junkers Ju-88C-6

Junkers Ju-88A-4

Spitfire Mk VC

Spitfire Mk VC 'Clipped Wing'

Spitfire Mk IXA

P-51A-83

P-51A-91

B-17E

Wellington III

Beaufighter VIC

Typhoon Mk IA

Typhoon Mk IB

 

At the very end of December (31st), we got this status update regarding WiP:

Aircraft for TF 6.0

Active in production:

- Typhoon Mk IA/IB (complete and in game).
- Fw 190A-1/A-2/A-3 (externals complete awaiting import, cockpit WIP).
- B-17E (external complete awaiting import, cockpits WIP).
- Morane MS.406 AI (externals complete, awaiting import).
- P-51A (externals and cockpit WIP, two modelers working simultaneously).
- Spitfire Mk IX (externals have begun).
- Ju 88A and C (externals and cockpit have begun).
- Spitfire Mk Vc (adaptation of Spitfire Vb is WIP).
- Swordfish Mk I AI (externals WIP)

 

In February we got an update showing "KMS Scharnhorst".

 

As it stands at the moment, from all the reported content due for V6...and which was due for the end of December 2024...only images of the Typhoon have been shown in game and that was September 2023! So the current status as it stands for V6 being released (as VR, Truesky and Speedtree are still not in the Beta), has to be a long way off. There are still no images of any aircraft for V6 in game, and once they are in game, they still have to be tested.

Realistically, there months of work ahead yet before V6 sees the light of day.

VR beta testing, Speedtree beta testing, Truesky beta testing, Speedtree+VR+Truesky beta testing.

Speedtree+VR+Truesky+All new aircraft individual and collective beta testing including FM+DM.

Then Release Candidate 1, then fixes.

Then Release Candidate 2, then fixes

Then Release candidate 3.... hopefully as good as it will be.

Then Gold and release.

 

Anyone think that will be in the next few months?

[Blitzen]

Fingers crossed ...in the meantime I test the CloD DW beta soporatically,hoping for the best, and fall back on my careers in Great Battles for fun ( it works BTW,)...sigh....

[Lorena_Scout]

I don't suffer from anxiety, so all good for me.

 

[Dagwoodyt]

For all practical purposes DW-T is the end of the line.

[BENKOE]

3 hours ago, Dagwoodyt said:

For all practical purposes DW-T is the end of the line.

TFC's 'Unfinished' DLC No.2 🫧 🫧 🫧

[Dagwoodyt]

TFS has to keep promising 'carrots' in order to sell DW-T.

The extreme secrecy surrounding state of the VR component of  the 'beta' may indicate that they are deathly afraid VR crashes will resurface at any moment or already have in their in-house testing.

[dmdiman92]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SULFtNEy3z4

will weather and clouds replace? How to enable such a menu?

[354thFG_Leifr]

3 hours ago, dmdiman92 said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SULFtNEy3z4

will weather and clouds replace? How to enable such a menu?

 

Never, lol.

[dmdiman92]

16 минут назад, 356thFS_Leifr сказал:

 

Never, lol.

Why?

[Hiuuz]

Strange to see, that two years ago the state was that advanced. Looks like the whole process is: 90% is the fast part, 10% is the suck part.

[Avimimus]

On 3/19/2025 at 3:33 PM, Mysticpuma said:

Simply put, unless you are part of the team, you don't need to know. You are a customer. You aren't important.

 

In my experience customers are important for only two reasons. The first is that sales fund development. The second is that artists and programmers often genuinely want people to see and enjoy their work (thus providing motivation).

 

However, from a development perspective - unless you are part of the team you don't need to know. In fact, many team members don't need to know what other team members are doing - it only matters from a perspective of management/coordination or where collaboration is important (e.g. ensuring consistent art, ensuring the 3d models meet specifications, ensure that UI changes match other changes in the code etc.)

 

That is just a fact about software development, a reality. Unless we're making it, we're not important until release.

 

That said, there is a role for fans in perhaps making the individual artists and programmers feel appreciated by us - and we should appreciate their skills, talent, and effort.

[Aapje]

There is a lot of value in getting feedback from customers*, which is why a lot of companies have beta programs (there is even a company that gets paid by companies to test and that in turn pays testers).

 

* Mainly after something has been made, since people tend to have poor imagination and a bad model of their own real preferences.

[Dagwoodyt]

9 hours ago, Avimimus said:

In fact, many team members don't need to know what other team members are doing

So if a member of any development team states that excellent progress is being made it might represent a meaningless boast🤔

[Josp]

12 hours ago, dmdiman92 said:

Why?

Hi dmdiman92,

 

if you look at 356thFS_Leifr's posts here, you will see who he is and what he wants. It could give you the answer. I don't think 356thFS_Leifr will respond to you.

 

There are people who come here not because they are interested in this filght simulator. They come just to cause controversy and quearrels, to attack the developers and others who don't share their negative attitude. 356thFS_Leifr is one of these people.

 

The video you're asking about in your first post is from a beta version which is still in a testing phase. It is not available publicly yet. But it was possible to become a beta tester and get access to this beta version and the features you can see in that video. Maybe it is still possible. You can learn more here - https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/77434-vr-beta-now-available-on-steam-for-registered-testers/

 

Josef

 

[ST_Catchov]

 

It's hard to believe people engage in such behaviour on the internet.

[BENKOE]

The message of the TFC - February 2025 Review may be interpreted cautiously positive:

What makes a flight simulation a flight simulation?

A Flying Battleship! Regards to Richard Wagner.

 

Edited March 24 by BENKOE

[Dagwoodyt]

I don't understand how a direct personal attack denotes positivity.

[dmdiman92]

4 часа назад, Josp сказал:

Привет, dmdiman92,

 

Если вы посмотрите на посты 356thFS_Leifr здесь, вы увидите, кто он такой и чего он хочет. Это может дать вам ответ. Не думаю, что 356thFS_Leifr вам ответит.

 

Есть люди, которые приходят сюда не потому, что им интересен этот грязный симулятор. Они приходят только для того, чтобы вызвать споры и ссоры, напасть на разработчиков и других, кто не разделяет их негативного отношения. 356thFS_Leifr - один из таких людей.

 

Видео, о котором вы спрашиваете в своём первом сообщении, относится к бета-версии, которая всё ещё находится на стадии тестирования. Она пока не доступна публично. Но можно было стать бета-тестером и получить доступ к этой бета-версии и функциям, которые вы видите в этом видео. Возможно, это всё ещё возможно. Подробнее вы можете узнать здесь — https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/77434-vr-beta-теперь доступна в Steam для зарегистрированных тестировщиков/

 

Джозеф

 

Thank you very much for the adequate answer! I am a regular player! I like this simulator! There is also IL 2 Great Battles but there are problems with performance! Cliffs of Dover has excellent performance)

Edited March 22 by dmdiman92

[354thFG_Leifr]

12 hours ago, Josp said:

Hi dmdiman92,

 

if you look at 356thFS_Leifr's posts here, you will see who he is and what he wants. It could give you the answer. I don't think 356thFS_Leifr will respond to you.

 

There are people who come here not because they are interested in this filght simulator. They come just to cause controversy and quearrels, to attack the developers and others who don't share their negative attitude. 356thFS_Leifr is one of these people.

 

The video you're asking about in your first post is from a beta version which is still in a testing phase. It is not available publicly yet. But it was possible to become a beta tester and get access to this beta version and the features you can see in that video. Maybe it is still possible. You can learn more here - https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/77434-vr-beta-now-available-on-steam-for-registered-testers/

 

Josef

 

 

Some of us have been flying Cliffs since the original Steam release, and have simply grown far too jaded in the efforts of Team Fusion to deliver anything in even an untimely manner. I am excited to fly with the Visual Update (amongst many other things), and have several friends who are looking forward to flying Cliffs in VR, but let's not pretend that anything we're looking at is ever going to arrive within a span of time that is agreeable even for a part-time team, if it ever arrives at all.

 

I gave the man a truthful answer.

[major_setback]

16 hours ago, ST_Catchov said:

 

It's hard to believe people engage in such behaviour on the internet.

It is all too easy!

[BOO]

4 minutes ago, major_setback said:

It is all too easy!

 

and in part understandable. 

[No.54_Reddog]

There are broadly speaking four camps;

 

The dev team themselves

The blind faith believers

The "lost opportunity" sceptics

The completely or mostly ignorant

 

The numbers of the first 3 are dwarfed by the latter, and that's the audience the dev team are praying will make any eventual release worthwhile.

(To be clear, I do not use ignorant as an insult of any kind, I mean it purely in the sense of they know nothing about Clod, it's history, its trials and tribulations and ongoing development)

 

Very slowly I think we are seeing some movement between the believers and the sceptics, as former ardent members of the first transition to the second group as time continues to slip by and promises go by unfulfilled.

 

Ultimately it has been proven time and time again, nothing anyone writes here has any effect on the overall delivery. No dev has ever quit saying they didn't like hurty words being posted, no dev has ever posted that they've worked extra hard as a result of something here either.

 

What will be, will be. I have spent the last goodness knows how many years trying to call attention to what I believe the core problems to be and hope that they will be addressed. CLOD still represents some of the most immersive and engrossing online gameplay I've ever had. But it's time to stop harking back to the past. It's done, it is never coming back IMO. 

 

[354thFG_Leifr]

57 minutes ago, No.54_Reddog said:

 It's done, it is never coming back IMO.

 

Reported for hate speech.

[BOO]

42 minutes ago, 356thFS_Leifr said:

 

Reported for hate speech.

 

Reported for stirring up controversy

 

I see who you are and what you want  🙂 

[Mysticpuma]

Maybe the March update will give us an idea of ....... anything 😁

[AWC]

10 hours ago, Mysticpuma said:

Maybe the March update will give us an idea of ....... anything 😁

 

Currently getting things together.

[Buffo002]

I don't understand why some people are starting to dig and have stupid taunts again... the last update was published on 27.2.2025 and now it's only 24.3.2025 until the VR crap is solved, it will be about coding problems and other things that affect VR. I don't need VR, and just because some simulators aren't VR doesn't mean it's not an experience to play (or some games are VR, but players like me don't use VR) For example: WINGS OVER FLANDERS FIELDS isn't VR and what have those 2 people done with it over the years, modified graphics, sounds and effects, and many others, it's a really great sim from WW I, the AI behaves very realistically there and the missions (campaigns) are really well done... and they were based on CF sim 3. And in how long did the graphics change? So it takes time when you make a 2D game into 3D, be patient... if IL-2 CoD was only 2D, the FORTRESSES AND FOCKE-WULFS - DIEPPE addon would have been released long ago, and maybe other models or maps, and of course other 4K effects, True sky... So, especially VR players, please don't complain too much...
I wish the TFS team a lot of success in their work.  

[BOO]

Im less interested in future and more interested in the current and what I paid for but is now degraded,namely in TFS unscrewing what got screwed up in 5.042 and 5.044.

 

Sooner firm news on that being rolled back than some pipe dream render for TFS 106.

[DD_Arthur]

10 hours ago, Buffo002 said:

For example: WINGS OVER FLANDERS FIELDS isn't VR and what have those 2 people done with it over the years, modified graphics, sounds and effects, and many others, it's a really great sim from WW I, the AI behaves very realistically there and the missions (campaigns) are really well done... and they were based on CF sim 3.  

 

Oh dear. Not a great comparison to make.

The two amateur guys behind WoFF and it's WW2 equivalent and what they've managed to do with an abandoned engine over such a short time span - and in their spare time - kinda highlight all the shortcomings in the project management behind TFS....

[Buffo002]

5 hours ago, DD_Arthur said:

 

Oh dear. Not a great comparison to make.

The two amateur guys behind WoFF and it's WW2 equivalent and what they've managed to do with an abandoned engine over such a short time span - and in their spare time - kinda highlight all the shortcomings in the project management behind TFS....

Mr. Smart, it was only an example of 1 sim, I meant a more advanced simulator where there is VR, so I only play 2D, but there the developers counted on it from the beginning with VR in these newer games. CoD developers started in 2D, but I didn't want to discuss it. And if you thought about it, the post is about waiting until VR is solved. And if we are talking about "amateurs" from WOFF, then it was maybe 18-20 years ago when they started on the first thing, Phase 1 was called it, and where they have reached today, the popularity is great. And I play this game more often than IL-2 Sturmovik: Flying Circus and Rise of Flight, because the AI in WOFF behaves better depending on what machine you have, the campaigns are extensive here, lots of options to choose from, change the types of aircraft in the game... yes, I play IL-2 Sturmovik: Flying Circus and Rise of Flight sometimes too, of course in 2D, but all the aircraft, no matter what structures, behave like invincible acrobats, I'm not saying that it would fly straight like a donkey, but such maneuvers with a Fokker EIII would break apart in the air, DH2 and others, that's just an example... But it's my opinion, I apologize for going off topic, but I don't like it when someone says about someone that they are amateurs and yet they have so many years of experience and, above all, lots of players. They didn't give VR because it probably wouldn't be possible, maybe yes, but there would be minimal complications like now with CoD.

All these years the TFS team has been reporting problems with VR encoding with 4K graphics, but again, problems with VR and True SKY also has problems with VR, so why do you keep asking when it will come out... 

And read carefully, I wrote about WINGS OVER FLANDERS FIELDS, it's a sim from WW I, you meant WINGS OVER THE REICH, it's from WW II, but I didn't talk about that, they haven't been working on this project for that long. 

 

https://overflandersfields.com/index.html

Edited March 25 by Buffo002

[Dagwoodyt]

On 2/27/2025 at 1:37 AM, Soto_Cinematics said:

To ensure a rock-solid foundation, the latest testing build was stripped back to its core. The team is now carefully reintroducing elements one by one, making sure each part is stable and optimised before moving forward.

This process could, quite literally, take forever. If the update process roadblocks we are unlikely to be informed. I understand that, from a promotional standpoint, it is desirable to describe the VR/VU WIP as a "beta", but the reality is that "beta"status is aspirational only.

      I doubt that anyone would object to an interim public beta that does not allow VR activation, if trueSKY and ST8/9 were included. TFS' anticipated response to such a proposal though would be that there is no way to get there from here.

    Beat on VR as much as you need to, but inability to offer a real VU/VR beta after more than three years gestation points to more disappointments to come. If singling out VR as villain makes someone feel better, I can understand 🙂

[DD_Arthur]

16 hours ago, Buffo002 said:

Mr. Smart, it was only an example of 1 sim, ......

 

All these years the TFS team has been reporting problems with VR encoding with 4K graphics, but again, problems with VR and True SKY also has problems with VR, so why do you keep asking when it will come out... 

 

 

Hello Mr. Deluded. Mr. Smart here.🫡

Don't worry, I never ask when it will come out because it's become obvious that under TFS 'leadership' it will never come out....

YOU mentioned WoFF, I merely pointed out the obvious; what remarkable progress a team of two can make - without all the ludicrous chest beating -as opposed to TFS's lumpen progress over the past twelve years.

Not sure what the rest of your wide ranging ramble is about but best wishes x.😍

[ST_Catchov]

WoFF is very good. And their BoB and BoF ain't too shabby either. Of course, it's not to everyone's taste because of no VR (or MP). But then CLoD's getting VR soon for those types of chaps so it's all good.

[Buffo002]

7 hours ago, DD_Arthur said:

 

Hello Mr. Deluded. Mr. Smart here.🫡

Don't worry, I never ask when it will come out because it's become obvious that under TFS 'leadership' it will never come out....

YOU mentioned WoFF, I merely pointed out the obvious; what remarkable progress a team of two can make - without all the ludicrous chest beating -as opposed to TFS's lumpen progress over the past twelve years.

Not sure what the rest of your wide ranging ramble is about but best wishes x.😍

 

7 hours ago, DD_Arthur said:

 

Hello Mr. Deluded. Mr. Smart here.🫡

Don't worry, I never ask when it will come out because it's become obvious that under TFS 'leadership' it will never come out....

YOU mentioned WoFF, I merely pointed out the obvious; what remarkable progress a team of two can make - without all the ludicrous chest beating -as opposed to TFS's lumpen progress over the past twelve years.

Not sure what the rest of your wide ranging ramble is about but best wishes x.😍

Very briefly. VR is a big problem for the original 2D game, that's why it's taking so long. But I don't see any reason why it couldn't work out under the leadership of TFS, at the beginning of the year they released a schedule of what they're working on and you just have to trust them and you shouldn't be impatient. WOFF I just wanted to point out that there are great games even without VR and many players don't use VR anyway, but unfortunately due to problems with VR coding it takes time for the guys from TFS to catch the bugs so that everything works as it should. And if you don't trust them, don't insult them here and no one is forcing you to buy it, so play other VR flight sims for now, there are plenty of them.  

I don't play VR, nor will I, and I'm not insulting TFS, because if they hadn't worked on VR, a lot of things could have come out and I don't blame them, you just have to wait and believe. Just the fact that they picked up an abandoned project years ago and took it on, that they would work on it, and I believe that at that time they didn't know that they would get as far as they are now. Originally, they only wanted to work on the online community and then started to address the single player (although it's not finished yet) but they will also address it, both dynamic campaigns and static ones... just trust them and give them the opportunity to do their job. Sorry, I didn't mean to offend anyone, I'm just sorry that some players are impatient and then show their negativity towards TFS.