F-4E Phantom II Development Update and Release Delay Announcement

[giullep]

yeah I hope this is the time to have an update from HB about the delay and the release date....

[Punkmonkey22]

It's a digital plane to fly around in for fun. It's not going to ruin your lives if it releases three months from now instead of TODAY, just because you want to use it. The people like myself who paid for it already got a discount, THAT is the reason to order early.They never gave any contractual promises that you could use the product at a given date. They said "we are hoping it will be released winter '24".

I think a lot of people here need to really re-evaluate how they are reacting to what is a complete non-issue, and let the developers just get on with fixing the product so you can enjoy it better when it releases. Which it will, when it's ready.

I say all this as a massive fan of the aircraft, but there is honestly far more important things to worry about in the world than when a digital plane gets to be flown.

[Zimmerdylan]

"It's a digital plane to fly around in for fun. It's not going to ruin your lives if it releases three months from now instead of TODAY, just because you want to use it. The people like myself who paid for it already got a discount, THAT is the reason to order early.They never gave any contractual promises that you could use the product at a given date. They said "we are hoping it will be released winter '24".

I think a lot of people here need to really re-evaluate how they are reacting to what is a complete non-issue, and let the developers just get on with fixing the product so you can enjoy it better when it releases. Which it will, when it's ready.

I say all this as a massive fan of the aircraft, but there is honestly far more important things to worry about in the world than when a digital plane gets to be flown."

 

 LOL!! Exactly!!! I still enjoy coming to this thread and seeing how everyone fidgets over it, contemplates it, argues over it's release, complains about it, panics over it, and vents frustration over it like a bunch of teenagers. Sorry guys, but hey....If the shoe fits....... It really floors me when people get so worked up over something that's not (for all intents and purposes) real. It's a genuine testament to the state of our species. Absolutely no ill feelings intended fellas. 

Edited April 16, 2024 by Zimmerdylan

[Tom Kazansky]

By definition, "Phantom pain" refers to painful sensation perceived in a part that is not present.

 

[ricktoberfest]

20 minutes ago, Tom Kazansky said:

By definition, "Phantom pain" refers to painful sensation perceived in a part that is not present.

 

Like in certain F4’s when they forgot the gun pod. 

[Jacknemo]

Who said "we are hoping it will be released winter '24"?  If so, then these videos they have been releasing must be CGI or something.

[SgtPappy]

4 hours ago, Zimmerdylan said:

"It's a digital plane to fly around in for fun. It's not going to ruin your lives if it releases three months from now instead of TODAY, just because you want to use it. The people like myself who paid for it already got a discount, THAT is the reason to order early.They never gave any contractual promises that you could use the product at a given date. They said "we are hoping it will be released winter '24".

I think a lot of people here need to really re-evaluate how they are reacting to what is a complete non-issue, and let the developers just get on with fixing the product so you can enjoy it better when it releases. Which it will, when it's ready.

I say all this as a massive fan of the aircraft, but there is honestly far more important things to worry about in the world than when a digital plane gets to be flown."

 

 LOL!! Exactly!!! I still enjoy coming to this thread and seeing how everyone fidgets over it, contemplates it, argues over it's release, complains about it, panics over it, and vents frustration over it like a bunch of teenagers. Sorry guys, but hey....If the shoe fits....... It really floors me when people get so worked up over something that's not (for all intents and purposes) real. It's a genuine testament to the state of our species. Absolutely no ill feelings intended fellas. 

 

While I mostly agree, judging people with an air of superiority and lack of empathy is the real reason why we can't have nice things.

I'm willing to bet if someone dug deep enough, they'd find something you're not so secure about - which is a normal human thing.

It might be better to aid a discussion with encouragement and professional explanation rather than shame. Adults are all basically big kids who need therapy and blast it out online (myself included). Our community is tiny enough. Can we at least pretend to get along?

Edited April 17, 2024 by SgtPappy

[giullep]

From the type of response and from the way one writes, unfortunately, frustration and petty aggression to be vented hidden by a monitor are highlighted... and then we talk about pastime and fun... well I enjoy it and for me it remains a pastime... yes must relax and be polite and less frustrated and aggressive. and since I have fun... have a good life

[draconus]

14 hours ago, Zimmerdylan said:

I still enjoy coming to this thread and seeing how everyone fidgets over it, contemplates it, argues over it's release, complains about it, panics over it, and vents frustration over it like a bunch of teenagers.

Exaggerate much?

Different people have different limits if they have to wait for something, esp. after they paid for it. It's normal and it doesn't matter if it's a digital toy or something really important in life. You'd think different if the delay was 1 year or 2 years. It'd finally get to you too.

I appreciate that there are people with less patience - they're the ones that actually push the developers

Edited April 17, 2024 by draconus

[Horns]

On 4/16/2024 at 2:09 PM, _Milan_ said:

It is pointless to have this debate again and again.

There is no standard for the meaning of early access in general. With DCS modules, EA usually means that the functions of the module are continually completed over the course of the EA phase. EA in DCS does NOT mean that we get access to software that contains bugs that make it impossible for some users to use it, whether it affects 50 percent or just 5 percent.

As a rule, it has always been that way and I am convinced that it will continue to be that way and complaining about it, in my opinion, shows a great lack of understanding for the work and effort of a small indie studio.

Dont get me wrong, of course I want my F-4 and of course I would take it woth some small bugs and a few lags but this are not the demands HB has to itself and that is what the benchmark is in this case.

Cheers Milan

Agreed. I think it bears repeating that HB have offered a refund ('No Questions Asked' I believe) to anyone who is dissatisfied, so if anyone is so uncomfortable with the situation that they want out all they need to do is tell Heatblur. I don't know how that could be fairer.

[Omega417]

2 hours ago, Horns said:

Agreed. I think it bears repeating that HB have offered a refund ('No Questions Asked' I believe) to anyone who is dissatisfied, so if anyone is so uncomfortable with the situation that they want out all they need to do is tell Heatblur. I don't know how that could be fairer.

Yeah but the people who are buying the Phantom want to fly it and drop ordinance with it. Is there an alternative to doing that that isint Warthunder, or a mod with limited servers?

[felixx75]

2 hours ago, draconus said:

I appreciate that there are people with less patience - they're the ones that actually push the developers

That is nonsense. They will release it when they think it's good now and not because people are screaming and crying...

Edited April 17, 2024 by felixx75

[draconus]

Just now, felixx75 said:

That is nonsense. They will release it when they think it's good now and not when people are screaming and crying...

I meant they just push the devs to work, not to release it. If everybody was so happy and cool with devs delaying things they'd start to be lazy in no time.

[Horns]

2 minutes ago, Omega417 said:

Yeah but the people who are buying the Phantom want to fly it and drop ordinance with it. Is there an alternative to doing that that isint Warthunder, or a mod with limited servers?

No alternative I'd bother with, which is why I'm still on board with this. I was just pointing out that if people would have chosen not to preorder the Heatblur F-4E had they known about the extra wait they have an out. Personally I think it's worth the extra wait for sure.

[_Milan_]

vor 10 Minuten schrieb draconus:

I meant they just push the devs to work, not to release it. If everybody was so happy and cool with devs delaying things they'd start to be lazy in no time.

Just a thought experiment:

What would drive you to do your work? The money you earn, the fun you get from your job, your sense of duty or rather the fact that your customers are impatient?

I personally don't like it, when customers start do get impatient. When they are understanding and friendly, I usually work with more energy and passion.

[YSIAD_RIP]

The wait will be worth it.  

[Cab]

3 hours ago, Horns said:

Agreed. I think it bears repeating that HB have offered a refund ('No Questions Asked' I believe) to anyone who is dissatisfied, so if anyone is so uncomfortable with the situation that they want out all they need to do is tell Heatblur. I don't know how that could be fairer.

…AND if you take the refund, I think I remember (but am too lazy to check) they will give you two weeks after EA release to buy it again at the same pre-purchase price. 

[giullep]

In march after the dalay on HB site

“As we have just over two weeks until the end of march and the end of our stated release window, we have made the exceptionally tough decision to postpone the release of DCS: F-4E until early Spring, with an absolute worst case scenario launch in May. We are aiming for an April release, and are working with our partners to get the Phantom to you all as soon as possible.”

And then we dont have others different infos..correct..? this is the actually situation? 

[Tiger-II]

Well...it is April 17th, the DCS patch dropped, and no F-4.

By HB's own statement, they are now into "an absolute worst case scenario" of May release, which given the reason it is delayed in the first place (a silly idea to incorporate a web browser into DCS, which for some inexplicable reason only blew up on test computers) really is not good.

Considering they knew about this problem in December, and it is now April (four months later), I'm doubtful they will magically get it working in just 4 weeks time, especially as there is zero news about how it is going, that they think it is now fixed internally, or that it is in hardcore testing ready for release.

I'm betting a minimum of two more months, or June.

My biggest problem with this narrative is that no dev computer, or the F-4 demo computer apparently showed any hint of a catastrophic failure. I'm not entirely believing what they have to say about the problem.

Edited April 17, 2024 by Tiger-II

[Q3ark]

14 minutes ago, Tiger-II said:

My biggest problem with this narrative is that no dev computer, or the F-4 demo computer apparently showed any hint of a catastrophic failure. I'm not entirely believing what they have to say about the problem.

 

 

No you’re right there, they’re totally lying and making stuff up just to mess with you, it’s personal and you should ask for a refund and stop playing DCS entirely 

[Mike Force Team]

When I saw screenshots of various F-4s, I hoped for the plane's release by the end of April.

Mike Force Team

[Cab]

1 hour ago, Tiger-II said:

Well...it is April 17th, the DCS patch dropped, and no F-4.

By HB's own statement, they are now into "an absolute worst case scenario" of May release, which given the reason it is delayed in the first place (a silly idea to incorporate a web browser into DCS, which for some inexplicable reason only blew up on test computers) really is not good.

Considering they knew about this problem in December, and it is now April (four months later), I'm doubtful they will magically get it working in just 4 weeks time, especially as there is zero news about how it is going, that they think it is now fixed internally, or that it is in hardcore testing ready for release.

I'm betting a minimum of two more months, or June.

My biggest problem with this narrative is that no dev computer, or the F-4 demo computer apparently showed any hint of a catastrophic failure. I'm not entirely believing what they have to say about the problem.

 

Ask for a refund. You have nothing to lose.

[freehand]

2 hours ago, Q3ark said:

 

No you’re right there, they’re totally lying and making stuff up just to mess with you, it’s personal and you should ask for a refund and stop playing DCS entirely 

I understand some liking this post because of giggles but who would thank you for such a post.  

[bfr]

2 hours ago, Tiger-II said:

Well...it is April 17th, the DCS patch dropped, and no F-4.

By HB's own statement, they are now into "an absolute worst case scenario" of May release, which given the reason it is delayed in the first place (a silly idea to incorporate a web browser into DCS, which for some inexplicable reason only blew up on test computers) really is not good.

Considering they knew about this problem in December, and it is now April (four months later), I'm doubtful they will magically get it working in just 4 weeks time, especially as there is zero news about how it is going, that they think it is now fixed internally, or that it is in hardcore testing ready for release.

I'm betting a minimum of two more months, or June.

My biggest problem with this narrative is that no dev computer, or the F-4 demo computer apparently showed any hint of a catastrophic failure. I'm not entirely believing what they have to say about the problem.

 

It may well be that it was something like lower end kit (which they might not have tested it on much until thrown to a much wider testing pool) that it ended up as being unusable on. Its hinted at it was an OS v hardware thing. Wasn't there a thing with people still on Windows 10 and certain CPUs and scheduling that was a bit hooky in the past?

Edited April 17, 2024 by bfr

[Horns]

1 minute ago, freehand said:

I understand some liking this post because of giggles but who would thank you for such a post.  

That would be me. They succinctly phrased more or less what I was thinking, therefore I was grateful.