Cobra847 Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 Heatblur F-14 - Q1 Mini-Update Dear All, Greetings to you all in 2020. We’ve had an amazing year in 2019 at Heatblur, which saw the launch of the F-14! We still can’t believe it - and all of it has been thanks to all of you, who have supported us throughout development and beyond. Thank you for a wonderful year! 2019 was no doubt a hectic year for the team. Not only with the launch of the F-14 itself, but with the post-launch roadmap, and trying to squeeze in as many improvements over the course of the year as possible. While we’re proud of what we’ve achieved and the state that the F-14 launched in, we had a number of unfortunate and significant misses towards the tail end of the year. These include: The launch of the Forrestal The launch of AIM-54 improvements and TWS-A The launch of crew-position overhauls Launch of JESTER LANTIRN ..a few other more minor bits and bobs While there are numerous causes for these features being delayed, the primary reason has been the interwoven and difficult nature of some of these additions. Both AIM-54 additions and TWS-A were developed together, in one leading edge development branch that was very close to launch last year. Unfortunately, we suffered a large setback with the new missile API in DCS not working as intended in Multiplayer. Decoupling all of the features that were to launch combined together proved an insurmountable task, and we hectically backtracked and pushed stripped down builds of the F-14 in the last patches of 2019. These kinds of issues are frustrating to deal with. We’re now working to decouple the features that are working properly from each other and begin to get the rollout of the above features back on track. We’ve also involved our partners at Eagle Dynamics with regards to the missile API, but we unfortunately cannot offer any ETA on the AIM-54 changes and associated system issues. Our current major efforts are focused almost exclusively on the above, and we intend to begin shipping features throughout Q1. We’ll soon be coming up on the 1 year anniversary of the launch of the F-14; and we intend it to be a year of product improvements that we can stand behind and are proud of. Beyond that; we do not want to see a second Tomcat anniversary without a completed product. As an addendum, for the first time in a long time, we decided to take some quality time off from development over the holidays. We haven’t properly done so in many years; and approaching 2020 in a recharged state will allow us to more effectively deliver on our roadmap. Stay tuned for more information soon. We’ll also be starting to discuss the F-14A much more thoroughly as we steam through Q1. Sincerely, Heatblur F-14 Team Nicholas Dackard Founder & Lead Artist Heatblur Simulations https://www.facebook.com/heatblur/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mongoose McMoose Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 Will the Forrestal contain any of the ED Super Carrier tech like deck crew etc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StandingCow Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 Glad you guys took some time off, often times consumers and sadly some companies expect devs to be some sort of superhumans that work almost 24/7 with no time off so they can get their new toy. Crunch and overworking is a very bad thing that nobody should wish on others. Looking forward to what comes from HB in 2020, you guys are amazing! 5900X - 32 GB 3600 RAM - 1080TI My Twitch Channel ~Moo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donut Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 Thank you! Some additional questions.... Great update and thank you! Very exciting times ahead for the Tomcat! The Forrestal looks incredible and it's nice to see the A-6 make an appearance as well. Could we maybe get a list of what is still to be implemented, on top of the big ticket items? For example: Updated/finished B cockpit instruments and details Improved external lighting Improved/additional wing vapor effects Additional official skins for the B Additional Jester callouts and comms One big question in regards to the Forrestal...if the Supercarrier is purchased, will it's comms/ATC work with the Forrestal as well? Thank you again for the Tomcat and all the incredible work you do! i5 7600K @4.8GHz | 1080 Ti | 32GB 3200MHz | SSD | DCS SETTINGS | "COCKPIT" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reflected Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 Thanks a lot for the update. Software development is often like this: lot of work under the hood with no "visible" results, or one that can be shown off to the customers, but this is just as important nonetheless. Am I wrong to get the feeling that we probably won't see the Forrestal in Q1, and the "A" model before Q3-ish? Just to manage expectations... Facebook Instagram YouTube Discord Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tread_Head57 Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 Hmmm...the picture at the top of your post looks just like an A-6 Intruder wing root. :music_whistling: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swordsman422 Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 Good catch Tread Head. That is definately the port side wing root of an A-6 Intruder. The vent below the canopy is a dead giveaway. It might be a KA-6D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuldoonX9 Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 Thanks for the update and great to hear! Happy to know you all took time off to recharge. I've been burned out by crunch and long hours before so I hope y'all stay healthy in 2020! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkillyJ Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 I love the little sneak peak of the Intruder, I still pray every day that we'll see it as your next module! I hope your vacations all went well and I really look forward to what you give us in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uxi Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 So is TWS Auto still bound to the Phoenix or can it be released with the Phoenix as it is? Are there new targets for F-14A and Forrestal? Specs & Wishlist: Core i9 9900k 5.0Ghz, Asus ROG Maximus XI Hero, 64GB G.Skill Trident 3600, Asus RoG Strix 3090 OC, 2TB x Samsung Evo 970 M.2 boot. Samsung Evo 860 storage, Coolermaster H500M, ML360R AIO HP Reverb G2, Samsung Odyssey+ WMR; VKB Gunfighter 2, MCG Pro; Virpil T-50CM v3; Slaw RX Viper v2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jester986 Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 Thanks for the update! Happy woth the Tomcat and look forward to seeing it grow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
todd022 Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 Refreshing to have a realistic, concrete update. Thanks guys! Wish you had control of the whole thing! [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karon Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 I spent hundreds of hours studying, learning and researching the DCS F-14B, the entirety of my spare time for months for my blog. This wouldn't be possible without having an almost feature-complete EA. I felt a bit burnt out at some point and this just a hobby for me, not my job! Therefore, I'm very happy about you taking time off, it's something so needed yet so often neglected :) "Cogito, ergo RIO" Virtual Backseaters Volume I: F-14 Radar Intercept Officer - Fifth Public Draft Virtual Backseaters Volume II: F-4E Weapon Systems Officer - Internal Draft WIP Phantom Phamiliarisation Video Series | F-4E/F-14 Kneeboard Pack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Räy Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 Really happy to see the Update. Glad you guys took a break to recharge, Work-Life-Balance is a very difficult task and should be taken very serious. Menthal Healt is very important. Keep up the great work, I'm really enjoying the Tomcat so far :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dun_Aenghus Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 Nice update guys, great that you took some time off. [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodhound57 Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 Thank you. Great realistic update. -Steve ____________________________________________________ PC: ASROCK Z370 Gaming K6 | Intel i7 8700K | GeForce 2080TI | 32GB GeSkill 3200 RAM | GeForce 2080TI | 500GB Samsung 850 EVO M.2 | 1TB Samsung 860 EVO M.2 ____________________________________________________ FLIGHT STUFF: Rift S | Warthog Base | Virpil Base | Hornet Grip | A-10 Grip | Cougar Grip | Virpil F-14 Grip | Cougar MFD's | A-10C UFC | Saitek Flight Panels | MFG Crosswind Rudder Pedals Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zK_RazOR Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 I never asked for anything but for the love of the gods give us the A-6 Intruder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom88 Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 Y E S :D P L E A S E ! ! Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speckfire Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 Thank you for the hard work and the update. Much appreciated. Speed is life !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Kazansky Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 Glad to hear that it was a great year for you guys at HB. So it was for us bc of your excellent job. Thanks a lot. Looking forward to see all of those things to come up in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airhunter Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 (edited) Great stuff! Can we expect the numerous, small visual fixes for the 14 to be shipped fairly soon? (proper-B digital engine instruments, fixes to some spelling errors, the additional LAU-7 racks to be textured finally, ejection arming handle fix in the mirror etc.) Having the Forrestal class carriers and the 14A before summer would sure be a blast! Edited January 22, 2020 by Airhunter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pikey Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 Enlightening over the missile changes and makes a lot of sense, thank you for sharing. Obviously you dont want to point fingers, but I don't think you are the first developers to fully feel the way core changes to the game can really mess things up. We can only hope that you get a clear runway ahead, no surprises or ambush code to deal with. And you know We love you and what you did for us (and we will ask for more like the ungrateful swines we are!) ___________________________________________________________________________ SIMPLE SCENERY SAVING * SIMPLE GROUP SAVING * SIMPLE STATIC SAVING * Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shrike88 Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 Will the Forrestal contain any of the ED Super Carrier tech like deck crew etc? +1. Does anyone know ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Banzaiib Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 Delays are never pleasant, but I do like that the new missile API not working in multiplayer implies that they are fixing or at least working on systems that may fix the horrible desync in multiplayer. Thanks for all the hard work HB. I love the 14B, can't wait to kill myself in the 14A! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XPC Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 fix the right engine bug!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! before you do anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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