My VR Setup for IL-2: Great Battles - OpenXR - Quest 3 - Settings and tips

[@SheriffsSimShack]

I just go over my VR Setup and Settings for IL-2 Great Battles and the Quest 3. This Video is not suppposed to be an all encompassing tutorial, its just supposed to show my settings and my thoughts on them. How to setup the Headset itself, how to get OpenXR etc running in the first place is already explained elsewhere. Let me know if you are interested in a quick overview over my recording process as this is another animal. This video was already long enough and will prolly be not really watched :)

[@gregsutton2400]

Thanks for the great video sheriff

[@Quetzal_Bolt]

Thank you for working on this and sharing

[@longbowdt]

Why did you decide to return to VR after giving it up for 2D?

[@SheriffsSimShack]

@@longbowdt I will do a video at some point, but essentially is the recording process with the Q3 is 100000x easier than with the Reverb G2

[@TheClassicalSauce]

Brilliant. Been fiddling with IL2 and VR for a while now. I'm happy with it (and there's nothing like it for immersion) but like you said in your "giving up VR" video, you never stop trying to improve it. Lots of good suggestions here that I will try, especially looking forward to running through openXR. We have similar hardware so I'm hoping for some good gains, everything is still a bit blurry on my end and I can get nowhere near 90hz at that resolution even though I'm running a 7800xt (comparable to a 4070) and a great CPU too. Hopefully I'll see some improvement due to your video. Thanks for the links and compilation of information. I hope this video bring you success.

[@priest9235]

Thought I’d leave a comment just to say THANK YOU Sheriff, I had no idea the standard of VR I could be getting out of even my quest 2 and 6800xt! Followed your guide + the ones you so kindly lumped all together and my god the difference is night and day! Appreciate the effort man!

[@tataa51]

26:20 The target FPS option is disabled for VR users because it will automatically set it to your HMDs refresh rate. I guess they did it so it's one less option to think about for those who don't know it and might set it up wrong. So the dynamic res option still works and is a good thing to enable imo for VR users because holding fps is more important than resolution in VR.

[@tomshackell]

Good info. Also for those that don't know "Dynamic Resolution factor" is telling IL2 how much you will allow the game to reduce the resolution to improve fps. So at 0.5 it will drop resolution by up to 50% in order to hit the target fps, and at 1.0 it won't drop resolution at all.

[@theanalogkid4171]

Interesting to see you back into VR Sheriff! Thank you for sharing this information!

[@WarmasterHorus96]

While it is not a tutorial per se I really enjoyed that one. Especially for people like me who want tap into VR it's a good overwiev & good step in the right direction :) Pretty sure I will come back when my VR is on the way & look it up again! Thanks for your time & effort!

[@lobonskerva5441]

Thanks for this i found this very helpful, now fully up and running, also ref,d the other sites you recommended .. I do find a few differences but all in all this was invaluable and saved me a lot of hassle ..danke

[@Sneaking]

This just solved all my vr issues !! You rock Sheriff 🙂

[@lobonskerva5441]

Thanks for the link to the hardware setup…perfect that’s me off to buy a quest 3 happy days!!

[@Atlascm]

Appreciate your time and information.

[@pikasmax]

Das sieht ja wirklich sehr schön aus 🤩🤩🤩 Ich hatte mir mal eine Pico3Link gekauft aber wurde enttäuscht damit 🤷‍♂️ hatte riesige Probleme mit der Gegner Findungen in der Ferne. Erst im sehr nahen Umfeld Bereich konnte ich was erkennen. Aber um sich zu positionieren brauche ich schon etwas mehr Sicht in der Ferne ! Das gab mir die Pico3Link leider nicht. Wie sieht es mit der MQ3 aus 🤔 könntest du mir kurz berichten? . Vielen Dank im Voraus schon mal 🤩👍🏻

[@darrenpaech1342]

I knew you’d be back to VR!

[@SheriffsSimShack]

I never said that I wont.

[@Runk3lsmcdougal]

Yassss more IL2 content

[@1SaG]

And just because you made me buy a Q3 (and I now, in turn, made a squaddie also get one and dump *his* Reverb): Best ... VR-decision ... ever. I can't believe not just the difference in clarity and the lack of a sweet-spot I'm getting, but also the much reduced stutters and/or lag. In fact, I just did a career mission on Kuban with ...errr... 6 to 8 109s and 6 or 8 IL-2s and 6 P-39s showing up over a LW airfield. 30 minute mission and I even slightly increased my in-game settings beforehand and ... zero stutters. I had 90/91 FPS all mission long with no hiccups whatsoever. That mission would've made my G2 drop down to 70, 75 FPS in certain situations, for sure. And all that while being able to glance down at the dashboard and being able to read the instruments without having to move my entire head. And a much clearer view through the Revi and at the game in general. Granted: I only went up to 1.3x res in the Oculus app for starters, but I suspect I could get away with slightly more. But even if that isn't the case (I'm only on a 4070 Super, after all), I'm already *very* happy with the results I got today. It's also quite interesting that now my GPU maxes out much higher WRT usage and power-draw - I don't think it ever went above 90% usage and 190W on the G2 - now it's more like 99% and 230W.

[@sammael187]

hi, tried out virtual desktop yet? Of course, you'll have to buy it(guess 20€ in meta store, if i remember right) and of course its just usable via wifi(wifi5 or better) but it has in my opinion two advantages:less cpu-load because there is no more need of oculus-software on the pc and you have the option for using the headsets gpu/cpu to support your pc to increase performance - so far as i understood. Just a thought for optimazation - for me and my setup(rtx3080/i11900k) it runs well

[@gregprouse1173]

Hi Sheriff. Wie Gehts? I have a adopted your headset and applied the settings. I would like to thank you for your video and Im feeling truly inspired now with my improved flying ability. Im totally in love with the German aircraft. I always loved the Spit being originally from Britain but I have found a new love with the German aircraft energy fighters. Ive even started to read Biographies of German aces for further inspiration. Thanks for all your work on your channel and keep it up. Its really one of the best in my opinion. Maybe one day we can fly together. Im actually on a 4090 gpu but stuck at 37 fps in OpenXR Stats but 70fps in Virtual desktop with Space warp on. Im not wired but again using Virtual desktop with 1200mpbs Wifi 6. Im not sure however how to get 90 fps in Open XR stats. Ive got a top end rig also with a 4090. and did you make any further changes to your settings? Thanks and happy new year.

[@SheriffsSimShack]

I fear I cant help with virtual desktop. But there must be an issue. A 4090 should get easily to 90fps. There is a fps drain somewhere

[@gregprouse1173]

@@SheriffsSimShack Im thinking it could be that my open xr res is at 4000xsomething. I believe I may have that on. If not any suggestions what else could be the cause of the fps drain?

[@jodroboxes]

@@gregprouse1173 The openxr res override is per eye, i'd crank that waaaay down if i was you or turn off the override completely. I have a 3090 and get a pretty solid 90fps in single player dogfights, the CPU is always the bottleneck for me. Try no override in openx and pick the "High or Ultra VR Graphics settings' in Virtual Desktop Menu. "Ultra is rated for a 3090 but i dropped it to High and got some 10 extra fps and can hardly notice a quality difference.

[@devo229]

do you still need metalink softwear?

[@PlumberGuy-ez9wx]

nice, I'm downloading this again for the first time in a while. I wonder how the tanks are in VR

[@pikasmax]

Top Sicht nach Hinten 👍🏻 auch so sieht das im Spiel so aus , wie ich es auch gern hätte 🤷‍♂️ Nur habe ich keine super Hardware sprich CPU und Gaka . Deshalb muss ich erstmal bei TrackIR bleiben.

[@Cnicbr]

Going from Hp reverb G1 to Quest 3, and wow what a differnce. I copy your setting but skip the nvidia setup(only change the power settings). Anyway thank you sherriff.

[@gregprouse1173]

Do you find it easier to fly in vr than trackir competitively on combat box or other mp servers? Also do you have a switch to check your 6 without hurting your neck potentially? Good to see you in VR as once I think I saw a video that you werent too keen a while ago... and I assume you use it mostly now for flying in il2? Great video thanks

[@SheriffsSimShack]

in some ways its easier and some others its harder. Dead Six checking is harder for example. But imho this is compensated or equalised by better situational awareness. I find spotting easier against the ground, easier to see distant targets and when in a close quarter brawl its also easier to track aircraft. Its easier to track where they are going and its easier to see stuff in the corner of my eye. Its also easier to quickly look left and right. I don't use any software to help looking back since that is first very unpleasent (the view changes without me moving my head) And it looks very bad on recordings. I use a normal office swivel chair. I worked a little on my flexibility as well. I can check my six just fine, it requires more work than on 2D ofc. Most points why I wasnt keen about VR were solved for me. I still need to do a different video about that. But the Quest 3 is way easier to use and i can record with relative ease.

[@gregprouse1173]

@@SheriffsSimShack Thank you kindly for this response. I am struggling with something. I have a pico 4 and varjo aero with a 4090. I am finding that spotting aircraft is not that easy like on the flatscreen especially against the ground.....its so hard to spot as they just blend in. Would you pls be able to advice on this as I would love to experience what you see in terms of ease of spotting aircraft etc. I do agree with the depth perception and dogfighting Im much better it seems and everything feels very natural. Would there be a way we could also connect and I could pick your brains on the topic. Thanks in advance.

[@daviddobson1056]

Hi Sheriff, is it still worth installing open XF toolkit now it is not supported?Used only for flight and driving sims. Thanks for your tutorials👍

[@SheriffsSimShack]

i still use OpenXR

[@SheriffsSimShack]

and its the tool kit which is not further developed OpenXR is a standard.

[@daviddobson1056]

@@SheriffsSimShackThanks

[@mikemunk3495]

I have a quest 3 and was using open composite flawless and totally bypassed steam vr. Recently I was playing a game that needed Steam VR and now going back to using open XR I can not run IL2 in open XR. Steam VR is now always launching. I am not sure what happened. Any advice or recommendations?

[@SheriffsSimShack]

Yeah switch back to OpenComposite in the Opencomposite Software. Its probably set to göäobal SteamVR currently

[@mikemunk3495]

⁠@@SheriffsSimShackyeah I’ve tried that. It says that its “using” open composite, and yet steam vr is launching…

[@alexanderkonitzko9628]

Didn't you flew with a hp reverb g2 before? Is the quest 3 much better? And thank you for the video!

[@SheriffsSimShack]

I briefly tried the G-2 in 2021 but ditched it quickly due to difficulties getting good footage for me video. The Quest 3 is much better in that regard, but I also like it more over all.

[@mobius7089]

19:58 Here the biggest thing that those options affect is the render/draw distance

[@SheriffsSimShack]

draw distance of what? Not the terrain, not the planes and not the building. Planes are rendered at 30km or more. and can be seen in the right lighting conditions.

[@Geox93]

it actually does have a huge effect on render distance for trees and some other terrai details. Especially for trees I really hate when you can clearly see them disappear closely. also its easier to see cities from afar

[@JoKenobi]

Sorry but is it possible to use VR without Open Composite in IL-2 since I have the stand alone game. Really don't want to install steam just to play IL-2. Headset is Pico 4 and I can play DCS with Virtual Desktop + OpenXR, but doesn't work for IL-2.

[@SheriffsSimShack]

Should work for il2, too

[@JoKenobi]

@@SheriffsSimShack Can't figure it out. Maybe need Open Composite but thought Open Composite was only for Steam Users.🙁

[@SheriffsSimShack]

I dont think so. But I am not expert neither

[@JoKenobi]

@@SheriffsSimShack It's working! Open Composite did the trick and no Steam. Purring like a kitten too. Thanks!!!

[@1SaG]

Tach auch! You're using an RTX 4070 Ti Super, correct? Performance seems to be very smooth in your recent VR videos, but would you say that the Ti Super is an adequate card for the Q3 at your res/settings? I'm currently running a non-Super 4070 and an i7 14700KF to drive a Reverb G2 and despite all my fiddling with the settings and dropping native resolution by quite a bit (to 75% currently, IIRC), I'm still getting the odd FPS hiccup when flying offline career missions with a lot of AI planes. I'm currently thinking of upgrading to either a 4070 Super or 4070 Ti Super and I wonder if the Ti S is worth the added cost or if the 4070 S might be enough to run IL-2 VR.

[@SheriffsSimShack]

I suspect that what you are seeing is more a limitation of the game and its CPU utilasation. Many AI planes cause stress on the CPU, and the game will always have some hickups close to the ground, with many AI planes, many ground targets and over cities. But overall i have a smooth experience.

[@tomcatvrkalisz820]

Thanks, I'm surprised that you don't change that much in ODT (link sharping, encoder witdh). Anyway where you reduced the headset brightest?

[@SheriffsSimShack]

In menue in the set before you start occulus link

[@enjoypaintmore3462]

i have successfully used open composite up until a few days ago until it updated & now it wont seem to launch have you had the same issues Sheriff??

[@SheriffsSimShack]

I havent played for a month now, exept once a week ago. But that worked fine. I havent updated anything tho.

[@tomshackell]

Yes this is a known problem, the fix is to install an old version. Sadly I can't post links (because KZbin) but if you look for "il2 sturmovik dont update open composite" you'll find the right post in the forums with instructions on how to fix.

[@bagameplaysbrasil6270]

Do you thing an RTX 3080 and I7-11700 vanilla can run IL-2 on medium settings on VR?

[@GeekosdeTablero]

Is there a way to play the game using the quest controllers?

[@SMOKEY-Junior]

Have you tried running il2 on Virtual desktop?

[@jodroboxes]

Works great for me with Virtual Desktop, also running Openxr.

[@SMOKEY-Junior]

@jodroboxes sorry for the daft question what's Openxr?

[@jodroboxes]

@@SMOKEY-Junior it bypasses steamvr giving a huge performance boost.

[@SMOKEY-Junior]

@jodroboxes oooo i look into it. I really appreciate your time mate 🍻

[@jodroboxes]

@@SMOKEY-Junior No problemo

[@gregsauer8330]

Hey I just went with your opencomposite and openxr toolkit setup last week and it was working wonderfully. Now Meta sent out an update yesterday and opencompsite won't work for me anymore on the quest 3. If I revert back to steamvr il2 launches fine. Are you experiencing the same issue?

[@SheriffsSimShack]

I played last long the weekend and needed to download the newest version of open composite the in app update was not enough for some reason. Since I havent played since then i dont know if another update broke it again.

[@1SaG]

Plus another one after I've fiddled around with the settings a bit more: 1. I don't quite understand why you can't get away with higher resolution setting in the Oculus app - I have mine set to the maximum it'll allow (5400-something) at 90 Hz which is one resolution-step higher than what you use but my card is only a 4070 Super. Maybe performance has improved with more recent versions of the app? Which would make sense as 5400xsomething is 1.5x for me and it's 1.7x in your video. Which shouldn't be the case as my card is weaker than yours and these numbers, AFAIK, aren't real multipliers but more like indicators how hard the setting is to run on one's hardware. Based on what I'm getting with my card, you should be able to max out that slider, especially since you don't super-sample in OpenXR toolkit and your in-game settings seem relatively conservative for your GPU. 2. Folks have been telling me that the slider in the Oculus app is probably the most important adjustment you can make to achieve a better picture - and I tend to agree, with perhaps one exception (MSAA). 3. I have switched down to 80 Hz now and reduced my SS quite a lot - not quite back down to default as I've forgotten what the default value was at my render-res.. :D All that just to be able to run MSAA x2 - because I found it makes the game look even nicer and crisper than whatever else I tried with FXAA x4 and/or super sampling in OpenXR toolkit. I *think* you should be able to get away with MSAA x2 and 90 Hz on a Ti Super - perhaps leave Oculus on 5152x and reduce viewing distance to 100km in-game. I would definitely recommend you try that out as MSAA was one of those settings where I could immediately see a jump in quality. 4. This probably differs from person to person, but I don't really see a difference between 80 and 90 Hz. Haven't tried 72 yet, but the difference between 80 and 90 is nothing like the difference between 60 and 90 on the Reverb (obviously) - where 60 Hz was a total immersion-killer for me. Perhaps give 80 Hz another go as I could imagine that too has changed - maybe? - with more recent versions of the Oculus/Q3 SW/firmware?

[@SheriffsSimShack]

I could get higher. But I need some wiggle room for my recording. I need to avoid 100% GPU utilisation. Otherwise video recording stutters like mad.

[@SheriffsSimShack]

Maybe I can try 80hz again. But in the past I got tired really quickly with anything lower than 90hz

[@1SaG]

@@SheriffsSimShack The capturing-thing makes sense, yes. I tried it myself last night with Oculus Mirror and GF Experience and it was like recording with FRAPS to an HDD in the bad old days. Very stuttery - which I never had with either the Rift-S or G2 - although I was capturing to an older SATA SSD, not to my M.2s. How do you capture? GF Experience? And Oculus Mirror or just the monitor window that IL-2 produces anyway?

[@SheriffsSimShack]

mirror but with obs and nvenc. With multiple audio tracks. Totally different animal. I believe that the stabilisation in oc mirror also needs some performance. It's currently smooth and looks good so I dont touch a running system.

[@ekoksk]

Thanks for video. Are you use necksafer?

[@SheriffsSimShack]

No. I dont use that. I disliked it very much.

[@m00se67]

@@SheriffsSimShack so you just turn your head ? with the lack of sideview it must be tiring?

[@SheriffsSimShack]

My game sessions are rarely longer than 2h. And it's tiring in the sense that it's physically more demanding. But nothing beyond a car drive where you drive backwards often.

[@m00se67]

@@SheriffsSimShack ok i may try it ..thanks

[@madigorfkgoogle9349]

@@SheriffsSimShack and actually it is a great workout for the stiff neck of current generation of people used to be very static and look into a computer screen all day long. Im 50 and my neck is much younger if I fly in VR often. Also I find the necksaver same cheating as the TrackIR+wide view, yes its advantage in competitiveness but I prefer more reality over that. We still cheat not having G-forces...

[@SMJ495]

Are you able to play single player campaigns in VR without any slowdowns?

[@SheriffsSimShack]

yes. The singleplayer missions are about equally demanding on the GPU than the MP Missions. However the CPU needs to do more.

[@Juliet-26]

HELP REQUEST 3090ti, 64GB Ram, i9: Followed all the steps but have two major issues. #01: no more sound in game. Check windows settings and verified integrity of the files in steam as a back up and nothing. #02 I can’t access any aircraft they are all locked while bypassing steam like it isn’t seeing my purchased DLCs. Relogged into my il2 account via the game and same issue. Maybe I should take all my setting back to the way it was before?

[@SheriffsSimShack]

Don't start the game via vr but through steam

[@Juliet-26]

@@SheriffsSimShack I will give it a shot! Thank you Sheriff!

[@Zoomie932]

I keep thinking I will go VR and then I remember that I don't need another fkn pain in the a$$. Glad to know that nothing has changed.... VR aspirations, still on indefinite hold.

[@richardschaffer8740]

You're missing out, after setting it up its as easy as putting on the headset, starting PC-link and starting the game and you're playing. And once you see the game in VR you will never want to go back to flatscreen.

[@c0pe777]

OpenXR toolkit doesnt even have IL2 as a listed game. I cant get it to come up in my openXR. I see all my other games, but not IL2. Then i go to openxr website, supported games, and IL2 isnt listed. What do you know that I dont?

[@madigorfkgoogle9349]

you have to use OpenComposite with it to bypass the StemVR, otherwise its not working. The default key to bring up the menu is left CTRL+F2...

[@Danny1024DM]

Can someone help me on this. How do you get the 120hz option? I've seen it keeps maxing at 90 and there's no 120hz option available.

[@SheriffsSimShack]

It came with an update for the quest 3

[@Danny1024DM]

@@SheriffsSimShack Thank you so much for the quick reply!

[@calypso976]

Hello Sheriff. I do not understand english very well . Tell me again which VR model are you using. Tha nk you.

[@SheriffsSimShack]

Meta Quest 3

[@calypso976]

OK. I have hp reverb g2. It is better or not for you?

[@SheriffsSimShack]

@@calypso976 I used the G-2 for a bit and didnt like it much. Mostly because of the WMR Plattform. I liked the Q3 more from the get go.

[@calypso976]

@@SheriffsSimShack thank you for your answer

[@madigorfkgoogle9349]

@@calypso976 the Quest 3 has better lenses, the G2 has slightly higher resolution and betters sharpness in the middle, much better stock headstrap day and night better audio, and has no picture compression since it is using display port. Dont see why I would upgrade from G2 to Quest 3, maybe something else will catch my eye in future...

[@AgaashSchwarz]

Hey can someone maybe help me?So I have Ghost of Tabor on the oculuspcvr version and it’s connected with the openxr companion app.But if I’m ingame the menu won’t open.Can some help and send maybe the discord link from the openxr toolkit.Great Video btw.

[@ekoksk]

Hello. I am using Quest 3. OpenComposite and others are installed on my computer. But when I select OpenComposite from the switch, SteamVR is blocked. But VR starts like a PC screen, not 3D. I tried everything but in vain. I have a 6800xt card and I need savings. There is no question about installing these programs on the computer. If you have the chance to make a video, I would be grateful. Thank you.

[@SheriffsSimShack]

there are plenty around.

[@madigorfkgoogle9349]

it will start as flat PC game until you enable the VR headset in IL-2 game menu.

[@MikiLaggard]

@@madigorfkgoogle9349 Hey man, just bought IL-2 CLoD, same setup as Sheriff and can't get VR to work - Steam or oc. Where is there a VR option in the game's menus? Can't find it.

[@madigorfkgoogle9349]

@@MikiLaggard Sorry mate but IL-2 BoX has VR support, the IL-2CLoD does not have one.

[@MikiLaggard]

@ Thanks for the swift reply mate. I thought by now it would have VR-support. I know that it's only a very small team if not one person only but since it's been a long time... Anyhow, will not refund this and keep my hopes up.

[@gungriffen]

Mine's pissing me the fuck off. It runs at a locked 72FPS no issue for about 15 minutes then drops to 4 FPS till I crash the plane then it hovers around 15FPS till I restart the game!

[@drkcyd1]

OpenXR is no longer being supported/developed and has since stopped functioning on most games as of Oct 28, 2024. The Oculus tray tool is now automatically overriden by Meta's App when using Airlink or Quest link cables, so that's basically useless now too unless you have the skills to do some hoop jumping via virtual dekstops.

[@SheriffsSimShack]

So far it's still working for me. It did at least a couple of days ago.

[@stahlwolle8342]

Ah tought you would leave IL-2 after your "state and outlook" video - glad you did not, i like this videos a lot! And to be honest - by all things to complain about il-2 (yes, the graphics dont look top notch anymore) there is no alternative product out there which offers better ww2 flightsim experience. DCS has better graphics but is very limited in ww2 aircrafts and dont offers variants, so things gets a bit off in compareability - does not make much sense to fight in FW-190A6 against the P-51D because the FW-A did not fly as fast as the late-war aircrafts. Il2 doesnt go as deep in tech thing but is tons of fun and i love it in VR. Hope the il-2 team could bring it on a newer engine and bring the models and textures to today-standards but in VR you are right - there is no limit - even the 4090 is getting very quickly to its limits if you upscale the image to have a crisp experience. That you cannot tell much enough. The most important thing in VR is to upscale the render-resolution to 150/160 percent (i think it has something to do with the barrel-distortion of the lenses).

[@SheriffsSimShack]

I never said that I leave. I said I fly less and create less videos. That is what I still do. I tried to get DCS running but until a couple of days ago VR broke there, so I lost interest :D

[@stahlwolle8342]

@@SheriffsSimShack Thats true! I have read that the problem with the quest devices is fixed since last update so maybe give it a try - i can tell that the VR experience in DCS is absolutly worth it. the P-47D and the Mosquito in DCS are second to none - absolut top notch!

[@bird.9346]

@@SheriffsSimShack Yeah, I had to use steamlink instead for a while. The issue was just with the oculus desktop software. DCS isn't perfect, and it's focused more on modern stuff, but it's a great sim

[@anigamh102]

Ta 152 h1