We’ve got a new developer update for the IL-2 Great Battles Series and this one is focused on the work being done by third-party Finnish map team KarttaKomppania (if you want a refresher, check out my Q&A with the group). Their work on the Finnish Gulf map is a big piece of the Siege and Liberation update and we’ve go an official update on the latest efforts. Let’s have a look!

Leningrad takes shape

Leningrad will be the biggest city included in the Great Battles Series yet and much of that is thanks to both the detailed model work that is being done as well as performance improvements that have occurred over the last decade. You’ll remember that Moscow on the Battle of Moscow map is only simulated in low details in the distance and Paris is another large scale city only recently added to the Flying Circus series.

The team building the map have done a lot of work to get the points of interest added.

Choosing unique buildings was quite a challenge, as Leningrad is home to many UNESCO World Heritage landmarks. We selected the most notable and significant, in our opinion, large historical buildings and complexes, as well as some unique bridges. Perhaps we can expand this list even further. Currently, the Peter and Paul Fortress complex, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, Kazan Cathedral, the General Staff Building, the Hermitage, the Alexander Column, the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island complex with the Rostral Columns, the Admiralty, the Kresty Prison, and the KGB building have been implemented.

The update also indicates that Smolny Cathedral, the Church of the Savior on Blood, St. Nicholas Cathedral in Kronstadt, and several forts are being added too. The cities’ transportation network including roads and rails as well as its canals have all been modeled according to what they should look like during the time period.

Looking forward to flying over that myself to check out the details.

More information available here in the latest developer diary!


12 responses to “IL-2 Finnish Gulf map update focuses in on Leningrad”

  1. It’s amazing to see how IL-2 Great Battles has evolved from it’s first release with Battle of Stalingrad. Battle of Moscow could not have the city of Moscow itself when it was released in 2015 – yet ten years later they can now have Leningrad/St Petersburg as part of the Karelia map! I guess you have to put it down to technology evolving as well so theu could achieve such feets.

    I wish they could redo the Moscow map so they could have the city of Moscow in it. Maybe in the not so distant future in the new series they could redo Battle of Moscow (along with all other Great Battles titles – though it maybe wishful thinking at this point) so they can have Moscow City in it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. ShamrockOneFive Avatar
      ShamrockOneFive

      You’re right about a redone Moscow map likely being something that they do in the new sim at some point. I can see that happening.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. The Battle of Moscow was a significant victory for the Soviets and the first turning point of the war on the Eastern Front (the second one is the Battle of Stalingrad) so it might very well have to be done due to it’s significance.

        Can you also see a Stalingrad map happening? Or a Kursk map (in the new sim, of course)?

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I think that they’ll do something new first once they return to Europe. Probably Italy.

        Liked by 2 people

  2. That’s a nice looking map. Reminds me of the IL2-46 Leningrad map that would really take a bite out of your FPS but was still great fun.

    Unfortunately, I’ve kind of given up on this series. Between their obsession with releasing an endless series of -109s instead of new out-of-the-box planes, and the worlds worst mission editor that they absolutely refuse to improve – and that might even be carried into their Korea release – I just got tired of it.

    It’s a shame because at its heart it’s a fantastic sim! But it desperately needs a kick in its complacency.

    Like

    1. ShamrockOneFive Avatar
      ShamrockOneFive

      I’m reminded of the same map. The old sim really couldn’t handle a map of that size. Fortunately Great Battles can… I’m excited for that!

      We all burn out on our favourite sims. I keep coming back and having a good time with Great Battles. I’m not sure if the magic will extend to the next in the series but we’ll see.

      Like

    2. they said that mission editor will be same , to bad, old ME was fun, this one is like job

      Liked by 1 person

      1. ShamrockOneFive Avatar
        ShamrockOneFive

        Indeed! The one in the original IL-2 was easy, limited a bit, but you could make a lot of fun things happen. I made a half dozen campaigns and tons of multiplayer scenarios with the original. Great Battles mission builder was nearly impenetrable for me unfortunately.

        Like

  3. When the Finns?

    Like

    1. ShamrockOneFive Avatar
      ShamrockOneFive

      No release date yet on the map. I’m guessing maybe before the end of the year?

      Like

  4. i like Odessa map ill like this one from the looks of it, game needs more map more then airplanes (exept some bombers).

    Liked by 1 person

  5. I wish they could have also been able to do an Eastern Poland map as the front lines came to a halt for a few months between August and December 1944 prior to the beginning of the Soviet Vistula-Oder Offensive. Between then, there would have been a lot of aerial operations aimed at weakening the strength potential of both sides before the next one could strike. That would be my number one desire for Great Battles, but I think if it were to happen it would more likely be in the next series after Korea, the Pacific and possibly the Med.

    Like

Leave a reply to CanadaOne Cancel reply

Trending