Korea: IL-2 Series Early Access Start Date Announcement

[javelina]

(Early access)   Now that's a carrot to entice, nice!  

[JaMz]

On 6/5/2026 at 3:13 PM, Avimimus said:

Using Steam:

- Doesn't add any features.

- It removes the ability to fly the sim in without an Internet connection (basically, you get an extra layer of DRM that removes the offline feature).

- It means the developers get less funding (as Steam takes a sizeable share).

So you can probably guess which option I chose! Also, the devs have been quite reliable - I've never had issues in over fifteen years with their launcher.

This

[Leifr]

The only benefit of Steam over the native launcher, for me, is the download speed. The GB launcher has always been painfully slow and I've never been able to resolve why...

[Ramstein]

On 6/5/2026 at 9:37 AM, dryheat94 said:

In theory, yes, but if you have a failed update you can find yourself in need of doing a full reinstall to fix it. Sometimes removing the update folder will work, but not always. Steams file verify is much more robust.

failed update is the death feature. save the important folders and files before you delete anything. Steam verification is really good, but I don't use steam for everything.

Edited June 15 by Ramstein

[Catch]

3 hours ago, Leifr said:

The GB launcher has always been painfully slow and I've never been able to resolve why...

Quality is not bound by earthly time constraints. One simply accepts it without complaint or investigation. Whilst waiting on the launcher, I'll often ride the perimeter of my estate looking for poachers and upon my return, it is done.

[Kiffin_Rockwell]

Will Korea have a separate launcher or will the existing launcher suddenly have an option to explore the Korean peninsula on the 25th?

[AndreiTomescu]

Different game, different launcher, different install

Very important and smart since it will be seen as a different game in adrenalin/nvidia gpu software and different settings can be applied.

[Kiffin_Rockwell]

Thank you - will we be able to preload before the 25th?

[AEthelraedUnraed]

On 6/5/2026 at 4:13 PM, Avimimus said:

Using Steam:

- Doesn't add any features.

- It removes the ability to fly the sim in without an Internet connection (basically, you get an extra layer of DRM that removes the offline feature).

Your second point is straight-out false. You can play offline just fine.

Your first point is debatable. Steam doesn't add any in-game features, but it does offer a lot of things on its own. These may or may not be relevant to a particular individual, but features they are.

[Avimimus]

On 6/16/2026 at 8:57 AM, AEthelraedUnraed said:

Your second point is straight-out false. You can play offline just fine.

Your first point is debatable. Steam doesn't add any in-game features, but it does offer a lot of things on its own. These may or may not be relevant to a particular individual, but features they are.

Ah, yes - I posted that briefly during the period where 7.007 didn't work offline in Steam. It was true for a couple of weeks! But, yes, offline mode now works again for both clients.

[3instein]

Hey guys, will we be able to preload before the 25th? If not what will be the procedure for D/L the client?

 

Thanks, Mick.

[Echo-2]

What time?

[HarryM]

Also curious about installation size. Will have to uninstall some things most likely...

[Dash,Polder]

42 minutes ago, HarryM said:

Also curious about installation size. Will have to uninstall some things most likely...

The press version was around 36 Gig from what I've seen, so much smaller than current Great Battles.

[HarryM]

I just uninstalled a bunch of large stuff, should be fine...