Daidlalos Team, why is the Steam version still at 4.12.2?

[JCTiggs]

While I only play with a fully modded IL-2 1946 that requires v4.12.2, I feel that Steam should update IL-2 1946 to the latest offical patch, currently v4.13.4. There are a number of reasons for this.

The gamers who mod IL-2 1946 already know how to downgrade back to v4.12.2 to be mod compatible, where as the average gamer who buys this on Steam will be unaware of the additional offical patches, fully expecting the Steam version to be the current version, as is pretty much the case with every other game available on Steam.

Daidalos Team spent a lot of extra time providing support for their game long after release, something they didn't have to do. It seems like a huge disservice to them for Steam to NOT provide the latest official updates.

Currently Steam users have to find this site (or another third party website) in order to download all 4 remaining official patches individually (along with the 4.13.1 supplemental add-on) in order to get up to v4.13.4. Why should someone who bought the game on Steam have to go through the trouble of patching it themselves let along even know they have to do this? It doesn't make any sense. This has to be one of the only games on Steam that isn't automatically patched to the most current version.

Now of course many people who mod the game (myself included) would prefer v4.12.2, but as stated above it's easy to downgrade. Steam could also provide the older version through the beta tab.

Any thoughts on this?

[Sita]

Originally Posted by JCTiggs

While I only play with a fully modded IL-2 1946 that requires v4.12.2, I feel that Steam should update IL-2 1946 to the latest offical patch, currently v4.13.4. There are a number of reasons for this.

The gamers who mod IL-2 1946 already know how to downgrade back to v4.12.2 to be mod compatible, where as the average gamer who buys this on Steam will be unaware of the additional offical patches, fully expecting the Steam version to be the current version, as is pretty much the case with every other game available on Steam.

Daidalos Team spent a lot of extra time providing support for their game long after release, something they didn't have to do. It seems like a huge disservice to them for Steam to NOT provide the latest official updates.

Currently Steam users have to find this site (or another third party website) in order to download all 4 remaining official patches individually (along with the 4.13.1 supplemental add-on) in order to get up to v4.13.4. Why should someone who bought the game on Steam have to go through the trouble of patching it themselves let along even know they have to do this? It doesn't make any sense. This has to be one of the only games on Steam that isn't automatically patched to the most current version.

Now of course many people who mod the game (myself included) would prefer v4.12.2, but as stated above it's easy to downgrade. Steam could also provide the older version through the beta tab.

Any thoughts on this?

we thought about it few years ago, before 4.13.1 release ... even have conversation with persons from 1C about it... add latest version of patch to steam .. but as you surely pointed most people who use mods prefer 4.12.2 as most known version ...

most big pack based on that version.. like UP or HSFX or any other big good compilation ... and at that moment we have thought that if we update steam version to latest 4.13.x ... it could damage many custom il2 build ... we don't want to do it... because it's really unplesant to players and to us too ...

[Sita]

btw ... on GOG il2 4.13.4 ... GOG support update il2 to latest version

[JCTiggs]

Originally Posted by Sita

btw ... on GOG il2 4.13.4 ... GOG support update il2 to latest version

Thank you for the reply!

Yes, GOG does support latest v4.13.4 and I think Steam should too.

There is a great 'unpatcher' tool someone at the SAS forum made which easily and quickly returns a v4.13.x version back to v4.12.2. I've tested it myself and it works great! Link below:

https://www.sas1946.com/main/index.p...c,55464.0.html


Now, I see your point about Steam, however, the problem with only offering 4.12.2 on Steam is the average gamer who buys your game probably doesn't use mods, and currently they aren't playing the best and latest version of IL-2 1946. They are most likely unaware they are playing an outdated version or how to patch it manually.

The modders on the other hand, almost all of them have moved their IL-2 directory outside of Steam since this is the proper way to mod and the recommended method by the mod site admins. So an update to the latest official version on Steam would not affect most modders. And if it did they can easily unpatch v4.13.4 back to v4.12.2 with the above tool. The link could also be provided as a sticky in the Steam IL-2 1946 forums.

Another option is to update Steam to v4.13.4 but have the option to download v4.12.2 in the beta TAB (some other games do this too). This solves the three biggest issues when updating the Steam game to v4.13.4

1) all Steam owners of the game get to enjoy the latest official version of IL-2 1946 with all the fixes and improvements. You guys worked hard on these additional patches and continue to support the game which is awesome!. This may even help sell more copies since you can make a big announcement about it on Steam along with the next point #2...

2) those who want to keep using v4.12.2 for the available mods can easily do so and have two available options. Either use the above tool to quickly unpatch their game or by downloading v4.12.2 through the beta tab.

3) The gamers who use mods know what they're doing. They will have no problem with either of the available options above to go back to 4.12.2. On the other hand, by not having the latest version of IL-2 1946 on Steam you are punishing the average gamer who simply wants the latest version, all patched up and ready to go. As I mentioned previously, I play with a modded IL-2 (BAT modpack), but looking at the bigger picture, it seems like the wrong choice to not offer the latest version on Steam.

In the end, I feel the above points bring an acceptable solution to the Steam patch issues.

I still remember the first time I played IL-2 Sturmovik almost 17 years ago. The feeling of flight and the overall combat atmosphere where incredible. And of course over the years the sim just kept getting better and better. There is no doubt that Team Daidalos is one of the best developers around. For you to continually support this game and STILL, after all these years, offer improvements, fixes etc with these patches is awesome. It really says a lot about the company and means a lot for the gamers who keep playing this great sim.

[Tolwyn]

To "downgrade" back to 4.12m from 4.13.4m, the ONLY two files you need are:

dt.dll
and
files.sfs

That's it.

Heck you could write two batch files and easily go between 4.12m and 4.13.4m. Actually, if tomorrow 4.14m was released, the same batch file would work to go BACK to 4.12m.
Going backwards is easy.

[JCTiggs]

Looks like Team Daidalos agreed with me and just uploaded v4.13.4 to Steam! Thanks for listening TD!

https://steamcommunity.com/app/15320...7088102887289/