Brief Room Episode 36: Year in Review

[LukeFF]

Hey everyone! In today's dev brief, we take a look at the past year and what is upcoming in 2026.

 

[FTC_Oakwoodson77]

Regarding the CBT, is that something users will be randomly selected for or will an application open at a later date?

[Panzerlang]

It's all looking stunningly good. 🙂

[Aapje]

They asked on the old forum for volunteers, so presumably they have already selected a group of testers.

[FTC_Oakwoodson77]

20 hours ago, Aapje said:

They asked on the old forum for volunteers, so presumably they have already selected a group of testers.

Yes, after giving it another listen, it does sound like the shortlist is already finalised.

[Dash,Polder]

They mentioned an early access again with a pre-order, might help to explain exactly what is meant by that.

[FTC_Oakwoodson77]

6 hours ago, Dash,Polder said:

They mentioned an early access again with a pre-order, might help to explain exactly what is meant by that.

Early access, which comes after CBT's conclusion, will be granted to everyone who pre-ordered the game. That's pretty much it I believe?

___

What I found quite interesting about this episode, was the fact that the devs alluded to all the five aircraft in the 2026 DLC being unified by a mechanic. It's fairly clear that it's a carrier DLC, so I'm wondering if all of the aircraft in this DLC will be carrier-based/related. I don't think 1C ever did a DLC before which only brings aircraft to one faction exclusively. Then again, NK, Chinese and the Soviets didn't have nearly as exotic and varied an aircraft lineup as did the UN forces. 

Edited December 26, 2025 by FTC_Oakwoodson77

[BlitzPig_EL]

So...

Corsair

Skyraider

Panther

Sea Fury

Firefly

 

Make it so Number One!

[Avimimus]

6 hours ago, FTC_Oakwoodson77 said:

Then again, NK, Chinese and the Soviets didn't have nearly as exotic and varied an aircraft lineup as did the UN forces. 

There won't be that much left. The Tu-2 could be made flyable. The La-9 could be added (similar to the La-11 but lighter and with an additional cannon), and the Po-2/U-2VS.

I somewhat feel that the Po-2/U-2 would add quite a bit in terms of being able to explore the map low and slow - it'd contrast a lot with the jets.

I do feel that a B-26 Invader is a higher priority though! The Meteor F.8 might also be interesting for contrast (a non-American and non-Russian jet)!

[ArgonV]

Quite the tease!

[Kongo]

On 12/26/2025 at 4:26 PM, BlitzPig_EL said:

So...

Corsair

Skyraider

Panther

Sea Fury

Firefly

 

Make it so Number One!

my bet would be instead of the firefly, the Banshee. They were introduced in august 1951

[migmadmarine]

Honestly, I would be a little surprised if the first 5 has Sea Fury and Firefly, even though Sea Fury has been discussed, as they would have to then also make an RN carrier, but hey I am open to being surprised. 

[BlitzPig_EL]

Even if there is no RN carrier, they could still launch off an Essex class.  Some carrier is better than no carrier if it gets us those two interesting birds.

 

*Listens to the heads of the purists popping in the distance...*

Edited December 28, 2025 by BlitzPig_EL

[Mysticpuma]

Skyraider would be enough for me 🙂

[Reaper0518]

On 12/24/2025 at 12:37 PM, LukeFF said:

Hey everyone! In today's dev brief, we take a look at the past year and what is upcoming in 2026.

 

I wanna be able to contact them so I can ask them to put a family member’s name on a certain aircraft (as like a skin) that he served in but I do not know how

[Reaper0518]

On 12/28/2025 at 1:44 PM, BlitzPig_EL said:

Even if there is no RN carrier, they could still launch off an Essex class.  Some carrier is better than no carrier if it gets us those two interesting birds.

 

*Listens to the heads of the purists popping in the distance...*

They were also used in marine a naval airbases and they were based on land

[Aapje]

2 hours ago, Reaper0518 said:

I wanna be able to contact them so I can ask them to put a family member’s name on a certain aircraft (as like a skin) that he served in but I do not know how

I would send a PM to @LukeFF

[migmadmarine]

Failing that, a community made skin can always be made post release. 

[Reaper0518]

2 hours ago, Aapje said:

I would send a PM to @LukeFF

 

44 minutes ago, migmadmarine said:

Failing that, a community made skin can always be made post release. 

I’ll send him a private message but otherwise thank you guys

[Reaper0518]

2 hours ago, migmadmarine said:

Failing that, a community made skin can always be made post release. 

I would probably do that if it isn’t made public but I do want it to be public

3 hours ago, Aapje said:

I would send a PM to @LukeFF

I sent a message thank you