RAZBAM’s monthly update series continues with their March update coming out yesterday and it included some new information on the priorities of the third party developer for DCS World. RAZBAM is focusing on their currently released aircraft now and intends to do so until they are complete is the word that we’ve now received.
Harrier focused
One of the complaints that has come out over the last couple of years, particularly since the release of the AV-8B Harrier, is surrounding the unfinished state of the modules and the outward appearance of there not being enough of a focus on finishing them.
It has been made clear in this month’s update that RAZBAM’s focus is very much on sorting out their three modules before they release any others. This is the statement:
RAZBAM are not going to release any more modules until the Harrier, Mirage and MiG-19 are complete.
RAZBAM March update
There are now four testers involved and their programmers we’re told are focusing on the the AV-8B.
Many of you have been pointing out, as recently as just a few days ago, that the module still has missing features (such as the JDAM) and that there are issues with the navigation system and coordinate entry. These need to all be fixed for the module to be considered complete. The RAZBAM art team is also fixing some AV-8B related issues as well and updating the cockpit to bring it up to the latest standard as pioneered by the MiG-19.
The M-2000C is getting an update too with system changes based on RAZBAM’s time with the Armée de l’Air. There’s also an art update planned too with a visual refresh of the cockpit. We don’t have a ton of updates on what that will all be like but it seems that here too the intention is to finish the module.
The MiG-19, despite its issues on release, is actually probably in the best shape here. The flight model updates and some of the art updates are now either online or have been shown to be fairly advanced and should be expected soon.
Watch the video
Those are my impressions from this month’s video update. Check it out right here:
Still some news on the future
No new announcements here but there are artists still working on future RAZBAM materials such as the South Atlantic map and theatre assets. One artist is working on the F-15E cockpit and another on the MiG-23 project so those haven’t stopped – and indeed its usually bad for companies like RAZBAM to stop moving forward in some way.
New projects help bring new revenue and that keeps the lights on and programmers and artists employed. It’s important to for the company to keep confidence up by finishing older modules and keeping them updated too. This will all go a long way towards filling the community with confidence on future module purchases.
What do you think? Are you optimistic that issues will be sorted out and these modules are finished? Do you feel otherwise? Let me know in the comments.
Stormbirds 
Best decision possible from Razbam.
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Completely agree!
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Little puzzled about the MiG-23. It is iconic-ish, but more known for having a poor combat record. A MiG-27 might have been more interesting, or MiG-25.
Still, nice that the Harrier is getting attention.
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Also know for having a very poor handling.
Some claim it’s important because it’s a good representation of the 3rd generation of Russian fighter, some others find it interesting, and yet some others find it beautiful. I think that’s the kind of aircraft that is just liked or disliked for very subjective reasons, so it’s hard to argue either way.
Personally I’ll skip this one, but I know many others who will be very happy to get their hands on it 🙂
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I’ve seen, anecdotally, that there are a fair number of MiG fans that are willing to snap up any Russian jet of just about any era. So it may end up going well.
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It is definitely nice to hear that the Harrier is getting attention!
The MiG-23MLA is actually not too bad. It’s a far better aircraft than the early versions. It may also be the “most advanced” Russian jet that the powers that be currently will allow to be simulated in a civilian flight sim.
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We will see. I’ve been there already.
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That’s absolutely fair. They’ve told us what they are planning to do – we definitely need them to follow through. My fingers are crossed!
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Hard to say for sure. They are doing a good job with their modules, obviously, but they are also so unpredictable and inconsistent, and apparently capable to come back on their promise.
I have no idea what their real intentions are, they have started a lot of projects in parallel and announced quite an ambitious roadmap, so it can’t be easy to manage everything at the same time. “No other aircraft will come out until x and y are complete”. But what is “complete”? Complete like the MiG-19P was supposed to be? 😉
The overall tone sounded more apologetic and placating than confident, perhaps they caught the trend of increasing reproach on the Mirage and the Harrier, and felt they had to give a response. But will they actually walk that path, and aren’t they a bit overwhelmed?
I think we can only wait and see.
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Certainly true. We can only wait and see if they follow through on their intentions. There’s certainly concern at this point that RAZBAM’s focused a bit too much on the future and not enough on unfinished modules they have already released.
They can’t keep going in that direction.
I will say that the MiG-19, though not finished (and you saw what I wrote about that), has improved in the last few weeks. They should have waited IMHO but I think the F-14 pressure was too much.
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Still think a MiG-25 would be better overall, especially give the F-14.
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I know some folks are interested in a MiG-25. I’m not all that interested but I’m willing to have my mind changed. The MiG-25 is exceptionally fast but very little else as I understand.
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