I'm asking this here because, as of yet, there is no Operation Bodenplatte section.Hope you guys don't mind. But, since I've yet to jump into the new il-2 world I thought I'd ask the veterans. The sim is expected to have an early release in the Spring. From past iterations of the game, how much can we expect to see? Have early releases been fairly polished? And I was wondering about content. Will we get most of the planes or just a couple while the rest are slowly released during the year? I'm sure the Spit 9 will be there as it's already built, and the Mustang, I would think. P-47 and P-38, too?
Was just wondering. I realize none of you know, but I figured that an educated guess, considering past releases, might be possible. Thanks.

Gernerally what happens is they start releasing planes as they become ready. About halfway through the planeset the terrain will be ready and they will release that. Then once they get down to 1-2 planes it will be time for the full release. Almost always the planes get released 1 or 2 at a time over a few months. Once the game is released the campaign and extra will be playable. They might or might not do a prelease version with that extra content before officially releasing.

But it's all subject to change.

Thanks Master. (That sounded wierd! lol). Not sure what you mean, though, when you say that halfway through the planeset, they will release the terrain. They release planes with no terrain? Maybe I'm misunderstanding.

The guys making the planes and the guys making the terrain are different groups AFAIK. So the terrain will get finished on a different time frame from any of the planes. Generally the planes will be first to release because they take less time and about half way through the planes the terrain will get finished and put up for testing. This is just based on previous games. BoM and BoK were like that. the Terrain for BoS was release with the first plane though since you couldnt test the plane without a place to fly

The way it works is more like RoF than most other games. BoS, BoM, BoK and BoBP are all the same game with different content. They all install into the same game folder. So if you preorder BoBP you will have access to the BoS, BoM, BoK terrains. So even if you only get the BP game you can still test the planes on the old terrains. (unless they changed it recently?)

Yeah I assume the Spit 9 and 109 G14 will be the first release, as they can just alter existing models ('just' lol, I'm sure it's not easy) and you will be able to fly them on the existing maps.

To clarify, you will need to own another of the BoX series to be able to fly BoBP aircraft before the BoBP map is released.

You only get access to BoX maps you don't own in multiplayer, and only if you already own another part of the series. For single-player modes, you need to own the relevant version.

You used to be able to use them in free flight / quick mission as well. That might have changed I guess. You cant use them in the campaign missions or single missions though.

So, then, when Bodenplatte is pre-released, I most likely wil not be able to fly anything because I do not have the previous installments of the serires. Correct? And won't be able to fly it until the terrain comes out sometime late next year. Damn....not sure I would've pre-ordered if I'd known that. Would have just waited. Leave it to me to buy first, then ask questions.

It's possible, but I would not call it a certainty at this point. For all we know, the team might release the initial aircraft with a small fictional map (there is one already in the game), so that people who have not purchased any of the Eastern Front titles can use the content that they've purchased.

As soon as they get one of the planes released as playable you should be able to fly it at least online if not in the quick mission free flight. (im 90% sure you can do free flight offline as I flew kuban there before I bought kuban)

Well, that would, at least,be something. Hope so. Thanks guys.

There is also a great 3rd party map (Velikiye Luki) which is free, a mini version of that (free) and a mini "Don Bend" section of the Stalingrad map - which is what we used in pre-order as the BoS planes came off the conveyor belt but the Stalingrad map wasn't ready. 'Twas an exciting time!

I don't know for sure, but I'd assume you'll be able to use those maps in SP, etc, while you're waiting for the Bodenplatte map. The devs' habit of releasing new aircraft as they're finished is great, and helps keep me, at least, hooked.

But in all honesty, the Kuban map is gorgeous, as is the planeset. Well worth the investment, if you've got the dosh to spare. The Spit Mk 5 is worth the price of admission alone. (In my humbles...)

Well...now that you mentioned that Sptfire 5, I have a question. Since that is a collector plane, can you buy it, no matter what module you own? Once Bodenplatte is released, can I add that to my plane set? I understood that the airplanes are interchangeable from module to module. I might have MISunderstood, of course. Hell, I've done that before. If they aren't they should do that. Would sell more planes.

Yes, think of the planes like RoF. You can buy the ones listed separate and fly them where ever you like. Some of the planes only come in a packed set though (the full game).

Okay, good. Then I will probably wind up picking up the Spit 5 eventually. It isn't like ROF, though, in that I can see planes that I don't own, as AI, is it? If I owned that Mark 5, would I be able to fly it against a 109F even though I don't own the 109F?

Pooch, I just checked my own line up. The 109F is a standard plane and I would assume you can use the map you have and set up a single player match with Spit 5 vs 109F.

Thanks for the answers. I can't believe how much I'm looking forward to this. The planeset and time period (Battle of The Bulge) reminds me of Janes WW2 Fighters. One of my favorite titles ever. Played that game for years.

Yes, you can. AlI planes are available as AI in QM's or custom made SP missions, see in my "peasant" BoS version:



E.g. My BoS don't have Fw 190 (hate this plane due all Luft'whiners moaning about) but I can shoot Fw 190 as AI.

Or, I don't own BoM, but in SP I can shoot down Bf 110 - that came in his version, or Ju-52 that is standalone "collector plane", not include in any Bo'X package.

And in MP I can fly as gunner in Bf 110 piloted be players that own BoM.

So their system is very flexible, similar do ARMA3 wheres you can't use DLC weapons that don't own, but can see and fight against then, but map's that I don't own (e.g. BoM) I can't use in SP.

Maps available in SP in my "peasant" BoS version:



And looking at this now I discovery that I can fly in MP in maps that I don't own, e.g. Kuban map (in backgroun of this picture):



Of course only using the planes of my "peasant" BoS version - without the padlock.

"E.g. My BoS don't have Fw 190 (hate this plane due all Luft'whiners moaning about) but I can shoot Fw 190 as AI.

Or, I don't own BoM, but in SP I can shoot down Bf 110 - that came in his version, or Ju-52 that is standalone "collector plane", not include in any Bo'X package.

And in MP I can fly as gunner in Bf 110 piloted be players that own BoM.

So their system is very flexible, similar do ARMA3 wheres you can't use DLC weapons that don't own, but can see and fight against then, but map's that I don't own (e.g. BoM) I can't use in SP."

This is a carry over over from ROF. I like it. There, even if you don't own one of the two seaters, you can still hop aboard as a gunner.
I have one last question and I'll stop bothering everybody! May be a stupid one. One of the maps is free. Luki? Now, let's say I buy that Spitfire 5 when it comes out, for 19.99. Seems to be what extra planes are going for. Can I download that free map, without having any other modules just yet, to use my Spitty on? And could I join you guys in multi-player while I wait for Bodenplatte? Don't laugh! Just asking.

That map isn't really "free." It was however a 3rd party map, so the free part is that the guy(s) who made it didn't get paid for it. You can't download it separately. So, if you want to fly anything, you will have to buy at least one module. And you don't have to wait for the Spitfire to come out, it's already available. (Although I don't know if you have to own "Kuban Premium" to get it.)

Cloyd

Ah....okay, guess I'll be wating for the Bodenplatte release. Thanks.

When BoBp was announced they promise a Demo version with 2 planes - probable from BoS, but can give a idea of what expect of a full module (old or new).

"In 2018 we plan to release a Free Limited Demo for Sturmovik that will allow new customers to easily try Sturmovik.
Users can then purchase content to turn their demo into their home-base for all things Sturmovik.
More details on the Great Battles Demo first quarter of 2018."

I knew Jason was going to wind up doing that, eventually. He did it with Rise of Flight. It's a good move. It shows that you have confidence in your product. If people get a taste of it they will want more. Good, it sounds as though I'm going to have plenty of room to fly my BoBp fighters before the map is released.

I didn't know what to expect with an early release either. Kuban was the first early release I bought and it came with the Kuban terrain which is partly mountainous. Then a few weeks after I bought it, an upgrade to the terrain came out as an update. I believe it was more detailed but to tell the truth I felt the original terrain I saw when I first bought it was pretty fantastic as the mountains were breathtaking!

The Kuban sim sounds looks like a good one. But I like that demo idea. I'm thinking of waiting until that's released and then spending my money on some collector planes that interest me. The Spitfire MK5, the P-40, and the Macchi.