Hi all — hope this finds you well.
I don’t often post (unless it’s one of my many suggestion posts haha 😅), but I wanted to open a respectful and constructive discussion around the current state — and future — of Air Simulator Battles. While I haven’t been flying Sim for years, I’ve spent enough time in the mode to see both its strengths and the areas where it desperately needs love.
In recent years, we’ve seen the addition of some phenomenal aircraft: the F-15E, F-16C Block 52, Su-30SM, Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale, among others. The level of detail, flight model work, and weapon systems introduced in these jets is truly impressive — and players across all modes have taken notice.
But while these and previously added aircraft continue to receive strong integration into the broader game, Air Sim — the mode best suited for utilising their capabilities to the fullest — often feels left in the background. This is especially disheartening considering how consistently the Sim community has provided detailed, constructive feedback. Whether it’s BR adjustments tailored to Sim, feedback on spotting mechanics, or improvements to mission design, the input has been there. It just hasn’t felt heard.
We understand that Sim may not be the most broadly played mode compared to others — that’s fair. But for a mode that offers one of the most immersive and challenging experiences in the game, it’s difficult to feel valued when updates rarely seem to consider Sim-specific needs.
Recent economy changes have only made things more confusing. SB players were penalised in event payout changes due to behaviour from RB players entering Sim purely to grind event points, often zombing in, ignoring objectives and immersion entirely (some even J-ing out repeatedly to gain mission score). The current system rewards these behaviours because event progression is based on point acquisition, and Sim battles — due to the inherent multiplier — become a magnet for this.
If the bonus must be reduced, please consider reducing the payout bonus only for event-related actions, or adjusting it based on player behaviour, rather than applying a flat nerf to everyone. This would help prevent abuse while preserving fair rewards for those who play Sim as intended.
Even more refined approaches could be considered — for instance, tying mission score more closely to proper sortie behaviour: taking off, completing an objective, and safely returning to base. Those who J-out or crash without engagement could receive significantly less progress, encouraging more realistic participation.
Sim players do care about authenticity. While no one expects full-fidelity systems modelling, small immersive touches help reinforce the experience. War Thunder already features excellent visuals and lighting, and in low-light situations, even subtle environmental cues — like runway light behaviour adapting to visibility or conditions — can further enhance the atmosphere and sense of place.
We don’t expect miracles — just a sign that Air SB hasn’t been forgotten. A roadmap. A dev Q&A. A small Sim-focused blog. Even just a major patch with a sizeable part of it for updates to Sim would go a very long way to player satisfaction.
Thanks for reading, and I hope we can get a positive discussion going. 🙏