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Here is a nice review about what il2 is and delivers for all those, who are asking what do they get for the money. Enjoy the reading https://www.polygon.com/2020/9/22/21449885/microsoft-flight-simulator-combat-il-2-sturmovik-battle-of-bodenplatte

Hello! We continue our movement toward the release of Battle of Bodenplatte, but even near the finish line we still find opportunities to improve the entire project. This time we found a way to implement a significant optimization to part of the graphics engine that is responsible for displaying the clouds. In addition to a significant increase in FPS on existing cloud settings, this allowed us to add an additional setting for the cloud quality called "Extreme". This option is named so because it combines somewhat increased performance with a significant reduction of the “boiling” clouds effect which appears when looking sideways from the direction of movement. We have also significantly increased the clarity of cloud shapes and boundaries. Our clouds always looked nice on the high settings, but with the addition of this new option their visual quality and realism has significantly increased. However, it is better to see an example: Work on the Tank Crew project is still in full swing, and new additions can be expected in the coming months. First, at the end of October, the project acquires its main gameplay component- two Scripted Campaigns based on historical events of the Battle of Prokhorovka. Second, our next update will include new command functionality for the tank and tank the platoon commander. Third, before the end of the year, we expect our partners from DigitalForms to complete two new armored vehicles - the Soviet self-propelled artillery SU-122 and the German medium tank Panzerkampfwagen V "Panther". The 3-dimensional model of the Panther exterior is in a high degree of readiness whereas the SU-122 has already been completed and work is underway on texturing the interior and creating its crew animations: You can discuss the news in this thread

Dear Friends, After the recent release of the update 3.102 many of you wondered "why there are no new Bodenplatte planes"? There is nothing strange about it: the remaining three player-controllable fighters and AI-controlled bomber are the most complex and difficult to produce objects in the entire history of our team. But the more difficult is the task the more interesting is the result. At the moment we plan to make all these four planes available to you in the next huge update at the end of September that will also bring the important new features we're working on at the moment. Here's the rundown on their current statuses: P-51D-15: cockpit texturing and flight model is in development. P-38J-25: cockpit texturing is nearly finished, the flight model is finished, it will go to beta testing soon. Tempest Mk.V ser.2: 3D model is finished, the flight model is nearly finished, it will go to beta testing soon as well. B-25D (Mitchell II): 3D model is finished, we’re working on the last bits of texturing and turret animations, the flight model is in development. The work on the Rhineland map for Bodenplatte is also progressing well and we'll show you some of it in one of the coming DDs. We're working on the new Career timeframe 'Battle of Rhineland' in parallel. Now let's list the features that are at the final stage of development at the moment: Switch to the newer F-MOD API version which we hope will fix the disappearing sounds issue right away or in the near future. An advanced model of pilot physiology that includes complex fatigue modeling that takes into account G-overload fatigue, overload frequency, alternation of positive and negative overloads, wounds, having a G-suit, lack of oxygen and oxygen supply system. The model will also simulate a loss of consciousness and ability to control an aircraft after experiencing too sharp or too severe overloads. The algorithms it is using are based on the research of various institutes. The introduction of this model is likely to change the flow of air combat, especially in multiplayer. However, those who find it too difficult and unfamiliar will be able to switch it off as realism option (it will also be a server setting). Air Marshal mode that is being developed especially for multiplayer will also enter the testing stage soon. When this happens, we'll dedicate a special DD to it. Improved AI maneuvering in a dogfight. Our new programmer is working on this (the recent formation keeping improvements are his work), but remember there is still a long way to go in this area. Improved visibility distance of planes and ships. The main difficulty in the development of this feature was making the dynamic objects show at great distances without a steady stream of data reporting their position and orientation. Another important thing is to model the lighting of the airplane even at long range - we discarded the idea of having just black dots at these distances, where the visibility of an object is determined by the position of the sun, brightness and hue of the sky, haze, etc. All this is impossible to model having only a black dot. The distant planes flying at high altitudes will have contrails and ships will have visible wakes. It is also important to have more or less equal terms for owners of different monitors. Having completed all these tasks, we'll increase the maximum visibility distance for planes and ships from 10 to 100 km and the resulting visibility distance will realistically correspond to the lighting and weather conditions. As you can see, the Bodenplatte project is at the final stage and nearing release. Numerous changes and additions to be seen in the final version are more or less close to being finished. Therefore, the update 3.102 included the content that was ready and a minimal amount of changes - at the final stage nothing should divert the team from the main target. We don't want our words to sound empty or unfounded, so today we can show you the in-game exterior shots of the P-38J-25 Collector Plane (that is included in Bodenplatte Premium, only version you can get at the moment), the cockpit of the British Tempest Mk.V ser.2 and the new German pilot in Summer 1944 uniform: You can discuss the news in this thread

News, put together by Stormbirds IL-2’s Lead Producer, Jason Williams, revealed plenty of new information today in a post on the IL-2 forums with plenty of far reaching details on the release order of content coming to the IL-2 series including some surprise changes to the order of new materials. There has long been speculation on the order that content will release in for IL-2: Battle of Bodenplatte (not to mention Tank Crew and Flying Circus). In the post that went up a few hours ago, we’ve learned about each of the three titles and what content is releasing and when. Me262 coming sooner than expected Though long thought to be the last aircraft to be released, 1CGS has apparently made tremendous strides in getting the required flight model changes and jet engine modeling inserted into the engine – to that point that the Me262 will now release alongside the FW190D-9. That means that the FW190D-9, already well known to be coming next, will come with the Me262. That is incredible news and a change of plans from 1CGS on release order compared to what we previously knew. Here’s the new order: Me-262 and Fw-190 D-9 P-51D B-25 (AI) Tempest Mk.V P-38J Excitingly, the P-51D is next in the line-up but it does mean that we’ll be waiting for a while yet for another two highly anticipated types: the P-38J and the Tempest Mark V. Tanks will be coming in larger packs Eight more tanks are coming in 2019 for Tank Crew – Clash at Prohorovka. While the tanks themselves have been well known for over a year now, the actual release order has been only guessed at based on what we’ve seen from the work in progress images. The next release for Tank Crew will include: M4A2 PzKpfw IV Ausf.G T-34 model 1943 PzKpfw III Ausf.M Following that, a second release will include: SU-122 PzKpfw V Ausf.D SU-152 Sd. Kfz. 184 I would suggest to those unclear about this that it is very likely that there will be large gaps in between these releases as the models for these tanks are worked on. Two additional vehicles will be offered as Collector Vehicles (like Collector Planes) and they are: GAZ-MM + 72K Sd. Kfz. 10 + Flak38 These two mobile flak vehicles will provide a whole new aspect for the IL-2 series with a new mission – firing back at aircraft attacking ground targets and tanks. One thing is certain and that is Tank Crew will be growing immensely from its currently very early access state into a complete package over the coming months. Flying Circus aircraft still to come We already knew that the Fokker D.VII and D.VIIF were coming alongside the Sopwith Dolphin. From there we were only making educated guesses, however, according to Jason Williams, the order will go as follows: Fokker D.VII and D.VIIF and Sopwith Dolphin Albatros D.Va and S.E.5a Bristol F2B and Halberstadt CL.II and CL.IIau Flying Circus has four aircraft that have helped prove and cement the concept of bringing Rise of Flight’s aircraft to the next generation of the Digital Warfare engine – letting people experience VR WWI air combat and enjoying the benefits of years of development on the series’ engine. The rest of the aircraft line-up will help further sell the concept I think – and it leaves me hopeful for a future Vol 2 follow-up too. Map release order too We now have information on the release order for the new maps coming as well. Bodenplatte Map Arras Map Prokhorovka Map Last in the order is the recently revealed Prokhorovka map which is interesting because we’ve seen this map in development while the Arras map for Flying Circus has not yet been seen in work in progress screenshots. Many months ago we saw the first images of the Bodenplatte map followed up by images of new city layouts that would help the 1CGS team quickly populate the largest (and most densely packed) map in the series’ history. Of course, the Bodenplatte map isn’t just one theme as it comes with all four seasons – summer, autumn, winter, and even a spring thaw version of the map that is something we’ve not really seen before. And those other features Sometimes I think we get so caught up about seeing our favourite aircraft or tank added that we sometimes forget that the thing that helps propel all of this along are those “other features” that are so essential to making something like the IL-2: Great Battles Series compelling. 1CGS has no shortage of that planned. Bodenplatte Career Bodenplatte Scripted Campaign Another Payware Scripted Campaign or two from 3rd Parties Tank Crew Scripted Campaigns American and British Radio Calls Air/Field Marshal Feature Object Viewer New MP Lobby (Fingers crossed, this one won’t be easy) PWCG Online Co-Op Campaign (Go chew on Pat about this) and hopefully many other tweaks and fixes etc. as we go along. Things like a Career we’ve come to expect from the 1CGS team who delivered that feature in March of 2018 and which has, in my mind at least, transformed the single player experience. Other things like the Air Field Marshal and a new Multiplayer Lobby have the potential to be game changing for the multiplayer experience. We’ve got a lot to look forward to in the IL-2 series this year and I think we’re in for another transformative year for IL-2: Great Battles. And who knows… 1CGS always has a few surprises rolled up their sleeves. Original source https://stormbirds.blog/2019/01/15/new-2019-il-2-great-battles-content-release-info/

Update 3.007 Dear friends, We just published another IL-2 Sturmovik update - 3.007. In this update we release 4 new aircraft: P-47D-28 and Bf 109 K-4 for Bodenplatte and Sopwith Camel and Pfalz D.IIIa for Flying Circus. But of course, these planes aren't the only addition - the two months weren't spent in vain and we have added numerous improvements to the sim. First, as announced before, we're adding new mission types to the Career mode. Second, there are many fixes that should make the multiplayer experience smoother. Third, important changes in the game stats adjust the kill registering logic. Fourth, the damage modeling of simple AI controlled vehicles is much more detailed now. Fifth, FM now takes into account the compress-ability of the air at high speeds - this complex modeling was required for late war aircraft, but it works for any plane in our sim. Sixth, pilot AI has been improved. There are other numerous changes in graphics, user interface, physics and aircraft systems, etc. Some words on the new aerodynamics feature presented in this new update: Our physics engine now includes the aerodynamic effect of air compress-ability at high Mach numbers. Our lead engineer has done the hard work of adding this phenomenon to the simulation so we take another step forward in our physics engine. As it is well known, when an aircraft’s speed approaches the speed of sound, many aerodynamic characteristics change; the drag increases a lot, the lift changes in a complicated way, the center of pressure and the aerodynamic center moves backwards. All of these factors affect the maneuverability, the stability and control-ability of the aircraft. When this happens the available G-load factor goes down, the turn rate decreases while the radius of trajectory does up and when pulling hard the airplane enters a stall earlier. Some airplanes have a tendency to become unrecoverable while in a dive at extremely high speed. As we plan to have high-speed piston and jet airplanes in Bodenplatte we could not ignore this aerodynamic effect. However, all airplanes in the Great Battles series now has this feature. So, dog-fighting at high altitude and high speed is getting another step closer to reality You can read the whole list of 100+ improvements that come with 3.007 below: Main features: 1. P-47D-28 "Jug" available to all Bodenplatte owners; 2. Bf 109 K-4 "Kurfürst" available to all Bodenplatte owners; 3. Sopwith Camel available to all Flying Circus Vol. 1 owners; 4. Pfalz D.IIIa available to all Flying Circus Vol. 1 owners; 5. New mission type for Career mode: Cargo paradrop for Ju-52/3mg4e; 6. New mission type for Career mode: Special squad paradrop for Ju-52/3mg4e; 7. New mission type for Career mode: Free Hunt for fighter planes; 8. Major FM change: air compressibility at high speeds now modeled; 9. New late war Luftwaffe pilot models added to Bf 109 G-14 and Fw 190 A-8; 10. Multiplayer: a kill will be awarded immediately only if an enemy pilot was killed, bailed out or his aircraft crumbled; 11. Multiplayer: a kill won't be awarded if a pilot manages to return and land at a friendly airfield (with the exception of point 12, see below); 12. In mission statistics, an aircraft will be scrapped only if its fuselage or a wing at its base has been ruptured; 13. New, more detailed damage modeling is used for simple (AI controlled) vehicles - it is now possible to damage their engines, wheels or tracks, crew and ammo rack; Multiplayer changes: 14. Engine sounds of other players planes won't randomly disappear; 15. Gunfire sounds of other players planes won't randomly disappear; 16. Net traffic generated by multiplayer clients has been optimized, which should improve the performance of multiplayer servers; 17. Other players position prediction routine has been optimized, resulting in a smoother multiplayer experience; 18. The delay between a player pushing the fire button and other players actually seeing his aircraft fire has been minimized to the best possible extent; 19. Other players gun convergence displayed correctly; 20. APHE and HEAT rounds fired by other players won't generate a double sound effect; 21. Server ping values appear correctly in the server list; 22. The coalition flag in the game world switches correctly; 23. Binary mission logs are now saved correctly (needed for mission stats debugging); 24. An exploit linked to navigation markers on the fullscreen map has been fixed; 25. Right Ju-52 engine animation fixed; 26. AA searchlights function correctly in multiplayer; Visual changes: 27. FPS in forest areas with lots of trees visible has been improved a lot thanks to the tree rendering optimization; 28. Aerobatics smoke effect has been improved; 29. Wrong 'black debris' effect issue while hitting enemy planes has been addressed; 30. Distant forests won't appear too white in morning or evening fog; 31. Water drops now appear on the pilot goggles in VR; 32. Water drops on windshield have been removed during winter (unrealistic); 33. Oil drops from the damaged engine will appear on the pilot goggles only if he peeks out around the windshield; 34. Engine start effect has been improved; 35. Flying Circus aircraft now has the new fire and leak effects like the rest; 36. Mission designers can place colored smoke signals in custom missions; 37. Too subtle sun glare effect has been improved on the Moscow winter map; GUI changes: 38. Tank Crew commands now have their own input settings section; 39. Starting altitude shouldn't reset in QMB; 40. Wrong aircraft type issue in QMB has been fixed; 41. Air turbulence and wind direction randomness work correctly in QMB; 42. Wind direction randomness near the ground works correctly in QMB; 43. Precipitations during bad weather work correctly in QMB once again; 44. Mission track records will be named correctly; 45. Mouse pointer won't disappear after opening Settings menu while replaying a track record; 46. GUI shouldn't flash after alt-tabbing anymore; 47. With Imperial units selected in settings, the atmospheric pressure is indicated in mm Hg in Career missions forecast; 48. Speed tooltip appears correctly while hovering the mouse cursor over a waypoint; 49. Career interface won't glitch after exiting a Career briefing using the top navigation buttons; 50. Chat messages delay in singleplayer has been corrected; 51. A possible crash bug tied to changing settings during a mission has been fixed; 52. Technochat has been optimized, making the game smoother in many situations; 53. Technochat tips have been moved to the main chat area; FM and instruments changes: 54. Engine oil in case of a leak or engine failure won't be splattered on the windshield or pilot goggles for P-39; 55. Aircraft fuel tanks may detonate (the probability depends on the amount of fuel left); 56. Fuel tank explosion correctly nullifies the fuel reserve; 57. You need a greater sideslip motion to put off the fire on Flying Circus aircraft; 58. Collimator reticles look better; 59. Revi 16B sight reticle made more authentic (Bf 109 G-14 and Fw 190 A-8; 60. In addition to critical aircraft damage or loss of controls on one axis (lateral or longitudinal) the tip suggesting to bail out will appear in the following additional cases: - no fuel left, - engine damage makes a horizontal flight impossible, - fire on board; 61. Artificial engine assistant now uses different mixture control lever positions: - He-111 H6/H16: decreased from 10 to 5 positions, - Hs-129 B2: increased from 4 to 5 positions, - Spitfire Mk.VB: decreased from 3 to 2 positions, - Spitfire Mk.IXe: decreased from 4 to 2 positions; 62. Artificial engine assistant now uses less different cowl flaps positions on Fw-190 A5 and А8 (3 instead of 5, like on other aircraft); 63. Radio direction finders corrected for all aircraft (inverted); 64. An error in aerodynamic momentum calculations while pushing the Bf-109 G14 rudder to the left has been corrected; 65. Spitfire Mk.VB and Mk.IXe coolant boiling temperature increased from 115°С to 140°С (MSL) and for MiG-3 increased from 115°С to 120°С (MSL); 66. Different mixture error that appeared while controlling Bf-110 G2 left and right engine throttles separately and that caused the power difference between them has been fixed; 67. Bailing out tip added for Fokker Dr.1; 68. Indication errors corrected in Fokker Dr.I fuel and speed gauges; 69. Fokker Dr.I and SPAD 13.C1 descriptions corrected; 70. Bomb lever delay fixed on SPAD 13.C1; 71. The default amount of fuel in GUI corrected for different aircraft; 72. All FLying Circus airplanes ground collision made more detailed; 73. Fokker Dr.I and SPAD 13.C1 visual damage appearance corrected; 74. SPAD 13.C1: erroneous speed, water temperature and fuel tank pressure readings corrected; 75. SPAD 13.C1: upper wing fuel tank leak and fire effects added; 76. SPAD 13.C1: bombs can be dropped only one after another; 77. Oil leak effect added to all Flying Circus planes; AI changes: 78. AI fighters, AA guns, etc. will continue to engage a target even if is criticaly damaged; 79. AI planes pursuing a target evade the ground better; 80. AI wingmen following the leader evade the ground better; 81. AI pilots check their speed and altitude before attempting Split-S and downward spiral maneuvers; 82. AI maneuver more efficiently after passing each other in a dogfight; 83. AI wingmen keep formation a bit better; 84. AI pilots take off correctly from Nizhny Balikley airfield in Stalingrad Career; 85. Turrets aiming at enemy planes corrected; 86. AIs controlling detailed (Tank Crew) tanks takes into account the different ballistics of various ammo types; 87. AIs aim the tank guns better; Other changes: 88. Pilots bailing out from Flying Circus planes are animated better; 89. IL-2 mod. 1943 gunner bails out correctly; 90. Sound volume balance between engine and wind sound has been adjusted; 91. The issue when the first login attempt resulted in failure message has been addressed; 92. Burning fuel tanks sound added; 93. Mouse control pointer (in mouse control mode) won't disappear if aircraft suffers heavy damage; 94. MG fire heard from inside of a tank has been made different and more realistic; 95. Blazing Steppe campaign: secondary task labels removed, scenarios #3, 7 and 12 containing Ju 87 groups have been corrected; 96. Steam locomotive explosion power has been reduced; 97. Destroyed Pz 38t and Marder III H burn correctly; 98. Iron sights textures won't blink on IL-2 mod. 1943; 99. Water drops correctly appear on all He 111 H-6 windows; 100. Ju 52/3mg4e gauge dials made clearer; 101. Rogue (enemy) Pe-2 won't appear while playing for USSR after January 16th in Stalingrad Career. Please discuss the update in this thread.