DCS World- An Overview

[Nefaro]

What's the latest version of Lock On: Flaming Cliffs?  Didn't they just re-re-release a new updated one, again? 

I need to check out the feature list on it, as I recall the original was a nice middle ground between the average flight sim and their study sims.  The complaint being that there was no random mission generator years ago - wonder if they added one (like they did in Black Shark 2)?

[Yskonyn]

FC 3 is the new version and is an upgrade to integrate FC into the DCS World architecture.
The way it now works is that DCS World takes care of the environment and all the modules (like FC3 now) add controllable platforms and sometimes new functionality. But DCS World is the core of the sim.
It can be updated seperately from the modules and vice versa. So regarding mission editing, everything that is present in DCS World you can use in the FC 3 module.
FC3 still is the middle ground between a study sim and a casual sim experience indeed, but you can now at least fly with, or make missions for flying with the study sims like BS 2 and A-10C, because all the module are tied together and are multiplayer compatible via DCS World.

[Huw the Poo]

(I guess this can be a catch-all thread for DCS sims?)

Right then, chaps.  It won't be long before I'm ready to dive into Black Shark.  What would you say is the best way to get started?  Will the in-game training scenarios teach me everything I need, for example, or am I going to need to watch tutorials on Youtube or something as well?

[Nefaro]

(I guess this can be a catch-all thread for DCS sims?)

Right then, chaps.  It won't be long before I'm ready to dive into Black Shark.  What would you say is the best way to get started?  Will the in-game training scenarios teach me everything I need, for example, or am I going to need to watch tutorials on Youtube or something as well?

There are only training vids in the game.  I suggest you find the copies of them, on YouTube, and take notes of the order in which the button-pushing happens for some of the essentials (attack run setup, etc).  Someone loaded them to YouTube awhile back because the in-game video player blows.  I couldn't find the pause/reverse commands or anything - it just played straight through - and the info can come pretty quickly.

[Yskonyn]

Yes too bad they stuck with the video's from BS1 and never made narrated training scenario's like in A-10C and P-51D.
But the video's are still a great starting point in learning the BS. And RTFM still applies. ;)

[Rekim]

Right then, chaps.  It won't be long before I'm ready to dive into Black Shark.  What would you say is the best way to get started?  Will the in-game training scenarios teach me everything I need, for example, or am I going to need to watch tutorials on Youtube or something as well?

I can't overemphasize how helpful this manual was when I started learning Blackshark:

Blackshark Tutorial: How to take off and blow up stuff
http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2626185/

[Huw the Poo]

Cool, thanks for the advice fellas.

[Nefaro]

Right then, chaps.  It won't be long before I'm ready to dive into Black Shark.  What would you say is the best way to get started?  Will the in-game training scenarios teach me everything I need, for example, or am I going to need to watch tutorials on Youtube or something as well?

I can't overemphasize how helpful this manual was when I started learning Blackshark:

Blackshark Tutorial: How to take off and blow up stuff
http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2626185/

That's a nice & quick tutorial on how to get into some action, although I'd think that some clarification of some things would probably help.  Despite all the tutorials, I still had to get some practice time with the weapons setup motions before I became comfortable with how to quickly switch between modes, and which could be skipped on short notice.  In other words, I kinda improvised my own methodology on weapons control after playing around with some different settings and getting a feel for how everything worked together.  I'm guessing that's how most everyone's experience went.. or do some of you do it "by the book" every time?

Sad thing is.. if I take even a short break from the game (which I do with all of them quite often), I have to relearn the motions, although it comes a lot faster after the intial hump. 

[Huw the Poo]

I watched some of the producer's videos (that guy says "I'm gonna go ahead and.." way too often).  The video on the trimming system has really put me at ease; I thought that if you don't centre the stick within 0.5 seconds the trim wouldn't be set correctly at all.  I can live with accepting input+trim after 0.5 seconds.

[Nefaro]

Ack!

I just bought A-10C today, since the DCS half-price sales are still running. 

But the damned download speed blows - not to mention you gotta download four different ~1.8GB DCS world files, along with another specific one for your game.   My dead granny moves faster than this!   

I see there's a torrent file, which would probably be faster, but I've already downloaded some so no sense in starting at the beginning (and hoping enough people have the torrent hosted too!).  >:(   Ahhh well.. doubt I'll play this until I get a decent HOTAS anyway.

[jomni]

Ack!

I just bought A-10C today, since the DCS half-price sales are still running. 

But the damned download speed blows - not to mention you gotta download four different ~1.8GB DCS world files, along with another specific one for your game.   My dead granny moves faster than this!   

I see there's a torrent file, which would probably be faster, but I've already downloaded some so no sense in starting at the beginning (and hoping enough people have the torrent hosted too!).  >:(   Ahhh well.. doubt I'll play this until I get a decent HOTAS anyway.

Download via torrent is more efficient.

[Staggerwing]

Yep. I was able to torrent (is that also a verb now?) the DCS World and P51 files twice as fast as the mirrored versions would D/L.

[Nefaro]

I figured it would be, after seeing that there were something like 90 people hosting it.  But I was halfway through d/l'ing it directly by then, so no biggie.

I'm busy playing Phantom Leader right now anyway (and still need a HOTAS).

Speaking of HOTAS.. what's a decent inexpensive set?  Does everyone still recommend one of the CH ones?  I used to have an old Saitek X45 years ago, but didn't play flight sims for quite awhile and sold it.  Don't think I want to splurge on the newer version.

[Staggerwing]

You can get a new x52 on Amazon for around $105 and a used x45 for around $55.

x52- http://www.amazon.com/Saitek-X52-Flight-Control-System/dp/B00030GSJY/ref=pd_sim_sbs_vg_3

x45- http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00005TOTG/ref=dp_olp_0?ie=UTF8&condition=all

Here's a cheap one: the Thrustmaster Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas X Flight Stick
http://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-T-Flight-Hotas-Flight-Playstation-3/dp/B001CXYMFS/ref=pd_sim_sbs_vg_3

I still have my old x45 but no room on my desk right now. Instead I've been using a cordless Freedom 2.4, not a bad little stick at all with 10 buttons, a hat, and throttle slider. And no wires!


http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00006OP9C/ref=dp_olp_0?ie=UTF8&condition=all

[Tuna]

This is what I use, it's not a Warthog, but it's 400 bucks cheaper! The Throttle can separate from the stick, which is how I use it.

Amazon Hotas X