It was only a matter of time before we knew what the next title in the IL-2: Great Battles Series was going to be and now we know that a big announcement is incoming thanks to a tease that showed up on the IL-2 forums earlier today.
Hidden in plain sight
Earlier today, an audio message appeared on the IL-2 forums that is 34 seconds long containing all Morse-code. The series of short and long tones, according to several members of the IL-2 community, contain the following message:
FLASH ALL PILOTS STAND BY FOR IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT 26 NOVEMBER
FLASH is usually reserved for high priority messages or emergencies (it’s surely the former) and we have clear indication that in 24-hours we’re going to know a whole lot more about the future of the IL-2 series.
What can it be?
There are about a dozen different scenarios swirling around out there. While everyone has their favourite scenario, the bottom line on whatever 1CGS is doing will be based on having credible and useful research information as well as a clear business case. Still, we can attempt to do some last minute speculation.
There are possibilities that the series may be going in a few different directions including the Pacific theatre and the Battle of Midway – a long stated goal by Jason and the developers. That direction has proven problematic due to research issues and it’s unclear if 1CGS has managed to solve that problem in the last two years.
Other western front scenarios such as Italy, Normandy and the Battle of France have all credibly been suggested by the community as having the aircraft and the name recognition to potentially be able to get people interested. While the Pacific is something that many are hoping for, a good number of people I suspect wouldn’t be disappointed if the next entry continued building on their western front work.
We can make some guesses. A few have pointed out that on November 26th, 1941, the Japanese carrier strike group set out for Pearl Habour. A Japanese logo appeared on the Axis aircraft list back two patches ago and Japan as a nation was added to the mission builder. The use of Morse-code also seems to be more of a Pacific theme
Recently a Typhoon showed up in the mission builder as a static aircraft too which could suggest a Normandy themed expansion to the series as well. This would dovetail really nicely with Bodenplatte and add more highly desired aircraft to the set.
What about Flying Circus and Tank Crew?
Back in 2017 when 1CGS announced their plans for the future, that announcement was widely expected to be about just one product but Jason and the team surprised us with three. Flying Circus and Tank Crew were added to the list and have since become established as part of the IL-2: Great Battles Series.
While I think there is a possibility for sequels to both of these titles, we don’t know what the economics are of these and if they will be able to drive both of these titles forward too. While Tank Crew could exist as it’s own thing without a sequel, there are plenty of possibilities to follow up with. Flying Circus, however, begs to be granted a sequel with a Vol 2 not only adding more aircraft but also hopefully redressing the missing single player experience of Vol 1 for both titles (not unprecedented for 1CGS).
Tomorrow’s update could address these questions or it could stick to just the mainline series.
Whatever the case, we’re going to know a whole lot more very soon!
Stormbirds 
Honestly, I’d love to see a Tank Crew Volume 2 either featuring Battle of the Bulge or somewhere in France to serve as a two fold purpose: expand the number of ground units available for BOBP and provide another volume for Tank Crew. There have been some surreal experiences in Tank Crew to be had in my opinion.
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That would be interesting indeed!
I did hear anecdotally that Tank Crew was really popular in 1CGS home market of Russia so it is possible that a future add-on continues with the eastern front theme. Hard to say!
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That frustration one feels when it’s already 26 November in your time zone but you’ve got to wait for the rest of the world to catch up! 😀
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We’re a bit slow ok? 😂
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So it turns out it’s a big sale, which is cool as I can buy the 3 collector aircraft I don’t already have… although it’s not working for me at the moment so I’ll give it some time.
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I don’t think that’s the announcement. Stay tuned.
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Yep, same here. Why do we always have to wait for the rest of the bunch?
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4.002 is great, but was hoping for something more strategic.
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Battle of Normandy has been announced. Look for more coverage later!☺️
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That was…it?
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Have you noticed how gorgeous the CloD Blitz map has become as TF 5.0 approaches? I wouldn’t be at all disappointed if Normandy were left for Team Fusion.
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Team Fusion is doing well but I think I hope they don’t do that. The progression through a campaign from Normandy through Bodenplatte would be valuable as if is for Moscow through Kuban.
TF will have plenty of detail to extract from North Africa.
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Didn’t think of that campaign – good point! On the other hand, there’s the air war over France and Britain 1940 – 1944.
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Normandy it is, and more! My dream map 😁
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We want the Italian war theater!!!!!!
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Wake up, Shamrock! We’re all going for Normandy!
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Wake up, Shamrock! We’re all going for Normandy!
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I’m still at work doing my real job. I’m looking forward to writing tonight however!
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Chill : We all appreciate your fantastic work on this blog.
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Thanks Blue 5. My comment was not intended to be aggressive though I have had several very long weeks at work and am looking forward to vacation.
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Apologies, I did not mean to sound rude! Hope you can get some time to rest and fly. I know what it’s like to have a a month or so of one thing after another.
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