DCS Discussion

[CaptainKoloth]

What makes me really sad is that a lot of the community around DCS has gotten so toxic, so venomous, over this and other stuff that's caused the community to hyperventilate (e.g. selling the Afghanistan map in parts! Oh the horror!) For all the warts that ED may actually or at least from a public perception standpoint have, I can't help but think that DCS is the game we all imagined we were playing as we squinted at 320x240 CGA flight sims in the 80s on our $3000 rigs of the time. There's still a tremendous simulation and game here. I have for this reason pretty much checked out of the online DCS community and just... play the game. And have a blast doing it, generally. I know, weird, right?

That's a shame as I found the community to be a nice mix way back.

I think 95% of the people still are, but good luck having a conversation in some parts of a place like hoggit without ritually denouncing ED every five seconds. And if you don't, they'll go after you.

[Redwolf]

First rule of computer games: stay away from the official vendor's forum.

I find Hoggit to be reasonably pleasant.

[JudgeDredd]

JH - you were right about DCS. Years ago you mentioned how great the F-14 was but how you were struggling to get used to (or enjoy it perhaps) having such old tech compared to the F-18. I'm in exactly the same boat - I want to learn the F-14 so badly and enjoy it...but i cant get over the old tech.

[Redwolf]

Is anybody using a yoke (as opposed to a joystick)? I am frequently changing joystick hands because I use the mouse with the right hand. That's what a yoke is made for.

Any idea what a good one is? Preparing for a black friday refurbishment of my flightsim setup. Could also use pedal recommendations.

[Pete Dero]

Is anybody using a yoke (as opposed to a joystick)? I am frequently changing joystick hands because I use the mouse with the right hand. That's what a yoke is made for.

Any idea what a good one is? Preparing for a black friday refurbishment of my flightsim setup. Could also use pedal recommendations.

I think people using a yoke for DCS are a minority.  I'll stick with a hotas.

This is a YouTube channel I use to keep up with flight sim hardware (including yokes and pedals) : https://www.youtube.com/@SimHangerFS

These are getting good reviews :

https://flyhoneycomb.com/collections/hardware/products/alpha-flight-controls
https://www.smartflysim.com/product/smartfly-yoke/

[Toonces]

Is the DCS e-shop sale (if there is a Black Friday sale) going on now?  I see some items discounted, but am curious if that is the extent of the sale, or just what's usually on sale.

Also, should I stay away from RAZBAM products given their falling out with ED?

[Jarhead0331]

Is the DCS e-shop sale (if there is a Black Friday sale) going on now?  I see some items discounted, but am curious if that is the extent of the sale, or just what's usually on sale.

Also, should I stay away from RAZBAM products given their falling out with ED?

I think the autumn sale is on now. There will be a Christmas/winter sale too. The only razbam module I'd stay away from is the f-15E. The others, while certainly impacted, are in a very good state, like the harrier, mirage, etc.

[Toonces]

Ok, thanks.  I'm going to load up I think in preparation for getting my gaming cockpit set back up after a 3+ year hiatus.  There's a lot there - all the modern maps, F-4E, F-14, and F/A-18C for sure.  Maybe the Harrier if you say it's good to go.  Maybe FC4 too.  Geez, that's like $500 worth of stuff!

What are the must-have maps for multi-player?  Maybe I don't need "everything." 

[Pete Dero]

What are the must-have maps for multi-player?  Maybe I don't need "everything." 

I think most used are Persian Gulf and Syria.