Developers' Plans for the "Il-2" Series in 2026
Recently, developers from 1C Game Studios shared their plans for 2026 regarding the "Il-2" flight simulator series. The main event in these plans is the release of the game "Korea", which will be a third-generation project featuring not only improved graphics and simulation but also new features, such as a career mode for an entire air regiment.
However, the "second generation" is not forgotten, to which the game "Great Battles" with numerous expansion modules belongs. In the second quarter, the module "Defense and Liberation" will be released, dedicated to battles over Odessa and Leningrad.
Korea. Il-2 Series
The developers state that this project represents a new era, and not without reason. It's not just about a new engine that provides higher detail and physics simulation, but also about the very theater of operations. The war between South Korea and North Korea marked the use of the first jet fighters, which had speeds previously unseen in propeller-driven aircraft. Although guided missiles had not yet replaced guns and machine guns, the art of aerial combat during that era reached its peak.
Given the higher speeds, the scale of battles has also increased, so the maps in the game will reach sizes of 500 by 500 kilometers. They will feature not only airfields, military bases, connecting roads, and ports, but also peaceful settlements and even cities, where players can see civilians on the streets. Although the simulation of life won't be fully fleshed out, destruction on the map will be preserved for some time and will even affect how vehicles navigate.
There will also be more detail in the aircraft models. Damage will not only affect appearance but also aerodynamics. For example, with damaged landing gear, players will have to land directly on the belly, which also creates a risk of further damage and even harm to the pilot.
By the way, as a pilot, players can exit the cockpit and walk around the airfield. Additionally, players will be able to control ground vehicles. Although, of course, it won't be as detailed at this stage. At least for now — if "Korea" succeeds, it will develop just like the previous "Il-2".
Of course, graphics will be improved, weather simulation enhanced, and all vehicle models (primarily the eight aircraft players will fly) will be recreated based on blueprints, historical photographs, manuals, and museum specimens. All instruments and sights in the cockpits will operate like their real-life counterparts.
Here are the main features of the game promised by the developers:
• 8 legendary aircraft of the atomic era: F-86A Sabre, MiG-15bis, F-51D Mustang, Yak-9P, F-80C-10 Shooting Star, F-84E Thunderjet, La-11, and Il-10
• A huge map of the Korean Peninsula from the early 1950s
• An interactive museum
• Career mode for a regiment commander
• Multiplayer mode
The project recently got a Steam page
Il-2 Sturmovik: Odessa and Leningrad - Defense and Liberation
Such a long title. And this is not including the name of the game itself "Il-2 Sturmovik: Great Battles" (or "Il-2 Sturmovik: Battle for Stalingrad", as it is known on Steam and VK Play), of which this module is an addition.
As per the title, the module contains maps of Odessa and Leningrad. A campaign will be included, divided into three time periods:
• Defense of Odessa (August 11 - October 16, 1941)
• Siege of Leningrad (September 26, 1941 - January 6, 1942)
• Odessa 1944 (June 9 - August 19, 1944)
This will be the longest campaign in career mode, but during the third quarter of 2026, expansions will be released for it:
• Early War period: the campaign on the Odessa map will begin from the first day of the war, June 22, while the campaign on the Leningrad map will start on September 6, 1941, and end on April 30, 1942.
• Late War period: the campaign on the Odessa map will extend to April 5 - August 24, 1944, and a new period on the Leningrad map (January 14 - September 4, 1944) will be added.
• Leningrad: additional cities, villages, airfields, roads, bridges, etc., needed for the extended time period will be added to the map.
Final content of the module:
• Eight meticulously recreated aircraft: I-153 "Chaika", LaGG-3 Series 4, Yak-1 Series 23, Yak-3 Series 9, "Messerschmitt" Bf 109 E-4, Ju 87 D-5 "Stuka", La-7, and Il-2 Model 1944
• Map of Odessa (parts of the Ukrainian and Moldovan SSR and Romania)
• Map of Leningrad (parts of Finland and Leningrad Oblast)
• Pilot career mode (several time periods)
• "Quick Start" mode
• Single scenarios
• Multiplayer mode
The module is already available on Steam as an addition to Il-2 Sturmovik: Battle for Stalingrad.