Any new updates?

[Mike Force Team]

Hello Heatblur,

Countless virtual pilots would love to know the latest update on the F-4 phantom.  Besides the "we are working on it" response, please give us more specific information on how the development is progressing.  Additionally, when will the Phantom be available?  I am asking for an estimate time of completion, which is likely to be sometime in 2023. 

Mike Force Team

[RaisedByWolves]

Last I hear we are looking at two weeks.  Also, free beer tomorrow.

[RevampedGrunt]

I doubt we will see any info regarding a change of release plans until later in the month. If delayed, there will most likely be an apology, explanation as to why it happened for those who didn't already know of the main issues that set the development back, and maybe some images of the model if we are lucky. I doubt we would see a release plan though due to them being optimistic about 2022 and things obviously not going as expected. It's probably best to not set something like a date,  publicly at least, in case something happens again. 

[303_Kermit]

51 minutes ago, RevampedGrunt said:

I doubt we will see any info regarding a change of release plans until later in the month. If delayed, there will most likely be an apology, explanation as to why it happened for those who didn't already know of the main issues that set the development back, and maybe some images of the model if we are lucky. I doubt we would see a release plan though due to them being optimistic about 2022 and things obviously not going as expected. It's probably best to not set something like a date,  publicly at least, in case something happens again. 

I also do think so. It's ok. It's christmass. Heatblur did great job these year, thank you guys for that. Next year I'll start asking about Phantom again.

Personally, I check ED forum everyday with hope I hear something. I watched every movie about Phantom II in YT, I ordered and red most books available. For now i suggest... jump to planes. Time passes by much faster once you're in the air.

Merry Christmas Everyone
 

[dcsil2pilot]

The last patch of the year is tomorrow is it not?

 

Meaning they're going to either release it or not and the bandaid will be ripped off then.

 

Either way, it wouldn't be right to drop it right before Xmas and then have the team bug fixing all holiday season. They're people too, if it comes it comes but if not, it'll be here next quarter I'm sure.

[Heinlein]

Highly doubt we get it tomorrow unless they pull a sneaky one on us. I mean I would cream myself if it happens but taking into account what happened the last year a delay is expected.  

[303_Kermit]

For some of the more impatient guys:

God ... someday it's all came to DCS, and I'll be there to fly USN Phantom II

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGhTuz5axs0

 

 

Edited December 16, 2022 by 303_Kermit

[bucklehead]

I seen that video earlier this week. Very well done. I think perhaps while researching the F-4E, Heatblur ran across F-105D documents and got sidetracked starting work on the Thud - hence the delay of the Phantom. 

[Manhorne]

23 minutes ago, bucklehead said:

I seen that video earlier this week. Very well done. I think perhaps while researching the F-4E, Heatblur ran across F-105D documents and got sidetracked starting work on the Thud - hence the delay of the Phantom. 

LOL!!!! I wish that was the case... I would accept a delay for the F-4 if we would get a Thud....

[Q3ark]

People are talking about delays but I hadn’t realised that they had set a release date, I’ve been out of the loop due to work. 

[JayTSX]

They didn't set a specific date but set their target to this year and well the year isn't too long anymore

[Czechnology]

I'm just calling it again, I think we'll get our status for new years videos.

[Kalasnkova74]

On 12/23/2022 at 6:46 AM, JayTSX said:

They didn't set a specific date but set their target to this year and well the year isn't too long anymore

Given the challenges 2022 offered , it’s fair to say they are not going to make a Dec 2022 deadline. So be it. 
 

Just like the airplanes they’re modeled after, delays and overruns are inevitable for a quality DCS product. When it’s ready, it’ll come. I’d rather get a finished product in December 2023 then a rushed release at 11:58pm December 31st that’s a buggy mess. 

[Manhorne]

2 hours ago, Kalasnkova74 said:

Given the challenges 2022 offered , it’s fair to say they are not going to make a Dec 2022 deadline. So be it. 
 

Just like the airplanes they’re modeled after, delays and overruns are inevitable for a quality DCS product. When it’s ready, it’ll come. I’d rather get a finished product in December 2023 then a rushed release at 11:58pm December 31st that’s a buggy mess. 

Its true  that they were hit by many things totally out of their control and if I understand what I have read in this forum they have tried to work around those issues. That being said not making any official statements up to this point if in fact they 100% know it will not be released anytime soon is wrong IMHO. They should have just said months ago that due to situations out of our control we cannot release this until some time after the first of the year or until Q2 , Q3, or Q4...Instead they have continued to give vague statements and hinted that it will still be released by the end of 2022 ( which I in no way believe). I have the feeling they are not going say anything at all and ED will not say anything either since it is not their Module. They are just going to go into the new year and leave everyone in the same place we are at now. Speculating , arguing , and frustrated. We will see what the next few days holds. If we hear nothing at all this Friday then We will not hear anything anytime soon.

[Rudel_chw]

1 hour ago, Manhorne said:

They are just going to go into the new year and leave everyone in the same place we are at now. Speculating , arguing , and frustrated.

 

But why is that the only option? why speculate and argue about any upcoming module?  ... I just take note that such and such module is under development and then forget about it, instead flying and enjoying what we already have, impossible to get frustrated that way.  On my case, I'm happy experiencing the Ka-50 update and the Saab Sk-60 user Mod .. no need to get so focused on future modules 

Edited December 28, 2022 by Rudel_chw

[Kalasnkova74]

4 minutes ago, Manhorne said:

Its true  that they were hit by many things totally out of their control and if I understand what I have read in this forum they have tried to work around those issues. That being said not making any official statements up to this point if in fact they 100% know it will not be released anytime soon is wrong IMHO. They should have just said months ago that due to situations out of our control we cannot release this until some time after the first of the year or until Q2 , Q3, or Q4...Instead they have continued to give vague statements and hinted that it will still be released by the end of 2022 ( which I in no way believe). I have the feeling they are not going say anything at all and ED will not say anything either since it is not their Module. They are just going to go into the new year and leave everyone in the same place we are at now. Speculating , arguing , and frustrated. We will see what the next few days holds. If we hear nothing at all this Friday then We will not hear anything anytime soon.

We all share your frustration. Truth is there’s no good answer they can give. If they issue a statement and don’t give an ETA, they’ll be roasted for the delay and lack of ETA. If they don’t issue a statement they’re roasted for lack of transparency. 
 

When it comes to good DCS modules , we should approach these projects just like their real world equivalents. The F-4E, F-15, F-16, Su-27, Su-57,  basically every tactical fighter jet fielded in the last fifty years (save the Mig-28) had overruns and delays. An accurate representation of these aircraft will experience similar levels of delays and complications.