New Great Battles content in 2026: AI B-17 finally?

[kendo]

Ok. Been on my mind for a month or two. And I'm familiar with the oft-repeated reasons for why it can't happen and won't happen....

But, two developments recently. One is the new approach to AI developed for Korea, which simplifies the simulation of heavy bombers (B-29) and large formations.

Second was a slightly cryptic comment from the devs a few months back to expect "more engines" in upcoming Great Battles development.

So, is it possible that they may have decided to implement an AI switch for Great Battles based on their Korea work that will allow the same use of heavy bombers and large formations?

Such a decision would allow them to remedy, arguably, the last big and glaring omission from the Great Battles European war theatre - the Allied heavy bomber campaign and German defense against it. It would finally give a reason for high-altitude battles, and give a purpose for several German fighter variants. It would be hugely welcomed by the base and would sell well. 

This thread should obviously be filed in the 'wildly speculative' section (admittedly a very popular section around these parts), and could be completely off the mark.

But, if not this, what else could they possibly be considering for the further instalment in the series, which is apparently to be announced in the near future? I'm aware of a few Finnish aircraft being developed for the new map, but doesn't look like that would be enough to justify another module in addition to Odessa / Leningrad.

[BlitzPig_EL]

I'm thinking more along the lines of a flyable B25 or B26, since the exterior models already exist.  If they were doing an all new aircraft my bet is on the IL4.

[Avimimus]

I'd personally love it if they could transfer the new infantry technology back (most useful for Tank Crew and Flying Circus), and using their experience with the simplified AI B-29 from Korea to make a B-17 or B-24 would also be impressive.

I suspect anything that ambitious would have to wait until after Korea is released... if it is even possible.

There is also the issue of how to fund such enhancements? The art work alone for a B-17 interior would be very expensive, and thus it is likely feasible as AI only... but the developers have worked hard to make sure that all AI objects are available to everyone, as a way of avoiding incompatibility for mission creators and multiplayer servers. So if they added an AI B-17 or infantry, they'd essentially be doing it for free. So there would have to be a solution in this area.

So, I don't want to discourage hope - but I'd definitely expect that it is unlikely, at least in the near future.

[AcesDarthBubu]

14 minutes ago, Avimimus said:

I'd personally love it if they could transfer the new infantry technology back (most useful for Tank Crew and Flying Circus), and using their experience with the simplified AI B-29 from Korea to make a B-17 or B-24 would also be impressive.

I suspect anything that ambitious would have to wait until after Korea is released... if it is even possible.

There is also the issue of how to fund such enhancements? The art work alone for a B-17 interior would be very expensive, and thus it is likely feasible as AI only... but the developers have worked hard to make sure that all AI objects are available to everyone, as a way of avoiding incompatibility for mission creators and multiplayer servers. So if they added an AI B-17 or infantry, they'd essentially be doing it for free. So there would have to be a solution in this area.

So, I don't want to discourage hope - but I'd definitely expect that it is unlikely, at least in the near future.

They could do an asset pack module on AI units on heavy bombers from both eastern and western front,infantries,battleships and cruisers, and heck even some farm animals. Include enhancements on maps on top. Win win deal. It would sell to current base. 

[BlitzPig_EL]

AI units, air or ground, and other ground based objects have to be available to all, otherwise it will break the game.

[AEthelraedUnraed]

I think Han's comment was "more engines than usual" - the usual amount of engines in IL2 is 1 😉

My guess is a Blenheim IV for Karelia.

[sevenless]

5 minutes ago, AEthelraedUnraed said:

My guess is a Blenheim IV for Karelia.

Yep. Done by a 3rd-party. Would make most sense.

Karelia map discussion - Page 9 - Scripted Campaigns - IL-2 Sturmovik Forum

[Kubert]

Even if there will be simplified AI for bombers in Korea, I doubt that it will be transferred to GB in any form. Besides the mere existence of B-17/B-24 in GB, I find their implementation problematic. The Bodenplatte map does not have airfields for B-17/B-24 or their escort fighters. So they could only exist as enemies for the Luftwaffe and the career for the escort Mustang would still not exist. They would simply spawn/despawn on the edge of the map. In my opinion, this would be a good solution at least for playing as a German, but the developers have never done something like this before. It seems to me as a half-done job...not up to their standards. But who knows? 

[Avimimus]

There would be a limited use in Normandy perhaps, but you are right. They'd likely be AI only for that reason (as well as the cost of doing the interiors).

They might be more feasible for the Pacific though.

[Nickkyboy99]

I highly doubt they'll add an AI B-17. But a flyable B-25/B-26? Who knows....

[AcesDarthBubu]

On 11/29/2025 at 11:19 PM, BlitzPig_EL said:

AI units, air or ground, and other ground based objects have to be available to all, otherwise it will break the game.

I think there are ways to overcome this. Other games dev has come out with some creative ways to overcome. One i know is to give low fidelity units to all and high fidelity units to those who buys.

[AndyJWest]

17 minutes ago, AcesDarthBubu said:

I think there are ways to overcome this. Other games dev has come out with some creative ways to overcome. One i know is to give low fidelity units to all and high fidelity units to those who buys.

Low fidelity graphics, or low fidelity flight modelling? The former makes for extra coding, with no economic benefit (if high-fidelity model is already built, they gain nothing by not using it). The latter is incompatible with multiplayer, and would almost certainly result in inconsistencies in behaviour breaking  missions. 

[Aapje]

22 minutes ago, AcesDarthBubu said:

I think there are ways to overcome this. Other games dev has come out with some creative ways to overcome. One i know is to give low fidelity units to all and high fidelity units to those who buys.

That would be even more work, and making heavy bombers is already much more work than a fighter.

[AcesDarthBubu]

Referring to graphics, it works for other games. It may or may not work here, but I am alluding to the point that there are still ways to sell AI units while not game breaking.

[Avimimus]

I don't know... automatically applying a lime-green skin in single-player or something like that might not be too much work? I'm not sure it is a good idea, but it is certainly a new idea.

I do wonder if that might backfire should people upload videos of gameplay though... with viewers on youtube thinking these models were the best graphics possible.

[LuftManu]

I wouldn't like to purchase assets. Current model is good! 

If we get a B-17 as an AI, maybe with a rework for Bodenplatte map in the future? or with a collector aircraft pack?

Kind regards

 

[PanzerAce]

1 hour ago, LuftManu said:

I wouldn't like to purchase assets. Current model is good! 

If we get a B-17 as an AI, maybe with a rework for Bodenplatte map in the future? or with a collector aircraft pack?

Kind regards

 

Bodenplatte was in the process of getting updated but one of the memebers died so no idea if it got cancelled or not

[sandmarken]

2 hours ago, PanzerAce said:

Bodenplatte was in the process of getting updated but one of the memebers died so no idea if it got cancelled or not

As I understood, all that work was lost when he passed, sadly. I used some of the early work for projects in the editor, and even then, it looked really great!

[AcesDarthBubu]

9 hours ago, PanzerAce said:

Bodenplatte was in the process of getting updated but one of the memebers died so no idea if it got cancelled or not

Is this referring to the Clod team? Unless the upgrade is a free effort, don't see reasons why it can't continue if the team is being paid. 

[sevenless]

31 minutes ago, AcesDarthBubu said:

Is this referring to the Clod team? Unless the upgrade is a free effort, don't see reasons why it can't continue if the team is being paid. 

Nope. BoX. Sadly Hamaha15 passed away unexpectedly.

hamaha15 .. R.I.P. - General Discussion - IL-2 Sturmovik Forum

[Herodotus]

I asked of the crowd now working on "IL-2 Cliffs of Dover" why there were no Savoia Marchetti SM.70 Spaviero's (“Sparrowhawks”) in their “Tobruk” expansion/ DLC as they played such a vital role in the Mediterranean campaign, carrying torpedoes against Allied shipping. The answer I was given by them, was that they had not modelled multi-engine aircraft at that stage (the Sparrowhawk was of a trimotor design), thus only two-engined bombers, or in the case of the BF-110, fighters, were in the base game and DLC. Perhaps that is the case here?

 

 

 

[Avimimus]

On 12/2/2025 at 6:03 AM, Herodotus said:

I asked of the crowd now working on "IL-2 Cliffs of Dover" why there were no Savoia Marchetti SM.70 Spaviero's (“Sparrowhawks”) in their “Tobruk” expansion/ DLC as they played such a vital role in the Mediterranean campaign, carrying torpedoes against Allied shipping. The answer I was given by them, was that they had not modelled multi-engine aircraft at that stage (the Sparrowhawk was of a trimotor design), thus only two-engined bombers, or in the case of the BF-110, fighters, were in the base game and DLC. Perhaps that is the case here?

This is off-topic. It belongs in the Cliffs of Dover thread in the 'chit-chat' subforum.

[Herodotus]

7 hours ago, Avimimus said:

This is off-topic. It belongs in the Cliffs of Dover thread in the 'chit-chat' subforum.

I thought this was a discussion on the possibility of the B-17, and other multi engine aircraft, being present in Great Battles. I was only giving the argument for why they weren't in Clod, and why they weren't planned for. If this you find to be OT, apologies.

Edited December 3, 2025 by Herodotus

[Avimimus]

4 hours ago, Herodotus said:

I thought this was a discussion on the possibility of the B-17, and other multi engine aircraft, being present in Great Battles. I was only giving the argument for why they weren't in Clod, and why they weren't planned for. If this you find to be OT, apologies.

It was an interesting contribution - but a different development team, different product, different game engine, and different publisher... we're generally focusing on this sim in these forums... we've had past conversations which got very off topic when the discussion turned to Cliffs of Dover.

For what it is worth - Il-2 Great Battles has a three engined plane in it (the Ju-52)... so it is probably technically possible to do four engines.

[LukeFF]

The issue has always been the number of gunners, not the engines. RoF after all has a 4-engine plane.