Flogger23m

I know people who wrote off DCS due to the Su-25T flight characteristics and only got into it after acquiring a F-15/Su-27 months later. It was too difficult for them as they had no prior flight sim experience. The Frogfoot is on an entirely different level of difficultly when it comes to the actual flight characteristics. Even taking off is much harder. I suppose the easier to fly jets allowed them to ease into the game.

FC3 level Su-35S or Su-27SM2. Won't buy a study sim version of an FC3 aircraft.

My personal arguments don't have anything to do with "balance" or "what is good" in game. My point is to have a forgiving plane for people new to flight sims. While the Su-25T and TF-51D may be easy for some of us they aren't for people with little to no flight sim experience. Even the PFM Su-27 is far easier than those two planes. You would be surprised with how easy to fly aircraft can leave a better first impression on new players. Sadly there are no current flight games or light flight sims out there. You essentially have to jump right into study sim games. Most of us started with lighter flight sims and gradually moved up. This isn't an option for new players in 2015. There isn't even a decent arcade type flight game for sale on the PC that came out in the past decade. For most new players wrestling with the TF-51D as their first experience isn't going to be pleasant. I realize a lot of people in this community will just say "screw them, we don't need them anyways". And maybe ED can sustain itself on 15-20 year old flight sim enthusiasts. But I think it would be in their best interest to make the game leave a good impression on free users. The only real option for an easier free aircraft is the MIG-29A. MIG-29 enthusiasts will no doubt buy the MIG-29S for the additional capabilities. The free users who are retained will likely buy FC3. Likewise, at this point, I think most DCS enthusiasts already own FC3 which includes both variants. I don't think ED will get many sales from the standalone MIG-29A module. I believe most people will either buy FC3 or just the MIG-29S. I just don't see the A variant being an excellent seller as a standalone module when people can buy the S.

It would be although it would be a way of limiting the amount of free content while giving the option. And to be fair, paying customers are burdened with draconian DRM so I don't think it is too much of a big deal for free users. If they end up buying modules they'll have to manage 2-5+ more keys so they may as well get used to the practice. The main problem comes from ED and their customer support being bogged down with managing it which is not something we would like.

One possible way to go about this (although will be a pain I believe) is make the Su-25T paid. DCS accounts will then have an option of choosing between a free MIG-29A or Su-25T. One or the other. Of course the downside is players will have to manage CD keys for their free module, but it would be a nice compromise. Those who want to pick up something more forgiving can take the MIG-29A, those who want more of a challenge can take the Su-25T. Everything else they must pay for. If someone takes the MIG-29A, they must buy the Su-25T and vice verse.

The problem is that it is rather unforgiving, as is the TF-51D. I'd be in favor of making the Su-25T paid and making the MIG-29A free but that really isn't an option now that the Su-25T has been free for so long. I've tried to get a number of people into the game but they were dissuaded by the difficultly of flying the Su-25T. They don't realize that some of the planes are exceptionally easy to keep in the air, like the F-15C or MIG-29. Flight sims are a niche genre and do keep in mind they're more realistic than ever. Most of us started with simpler games, like Jane's titles, Flanker or LOMAC. Those were a little easier to get into. With no real replacement for those titles we're going to have a harder time getting newcomers into the game. And building the player base (customers) is important for the genre. Well there is still the S, which is what most people end up playing anyways. I do believe most people would pay for a more advanced variant. The A is unique in that it is stripped down with a second variant flyable which can be paid for. It would be unreasonable to develop a module to be entirely free. I don't see the logic in this. Were people requesting the A-10C to be free just because the Su-25T was free? The only reason people want the MIG-29A to be free is because it offers a forgiving and attractive aircraft to newcomers. I've seen a number of people write off the game because they assumed everything flew like the Su-25T which is an overweight bomb truck. I say this as someone who pre-ordered FC3 as soon as it was announced, so I don't gain anything from a free MIG-29A. Developing an entirely new module for free? That makes no sense and is unreasonable. We all agree on that. A free MIG-29A with a paid MIG-29S module? That is more reasonable. Aside from an easy to fly fast mover there doesn't need to be anymore free aircraft. And I'd like to know who spends $8-10 on coffee. :D

I'd like to see it free. It would give players an easier to fly plane and lots of people get into flight sims for dog fighting / air to air. The Su-25T and TF-51D are harder to fly and certainly scare off people casually trying the game. Something more forgiving upfront can attract customers. And like the TF-51D, there is a more desirable versions which are paid. The MIG-29S with an ECM and R-77 capability is certainly worth paying extra for. Likewise, an armed P-51D is worth paying for. The UH-1 does not have a "better" version to fall back on. In both the case of the TF-51D and MIG-29A the majority of the work is already done for the respective paid variants.

True, but if the goal is to maximize sale numbers then that isn't good. Comparing games to physical aircraft or training lessons is down right silly. Which AAA games have DLC that never goes on sale? Only a single one series, Mass Effect, fits that criteria that I can think of. Essentially every other title massively discounts addons/DLCs rather quickly. This depends on the game. DCS is an example of a game in which DLC will break the compatibility of multiplayer. Those that do not own the NTTR and future maps won't be able to play missions with those that do own it. That is my main concern regarding expensive maps. Some of the modules are now roughly twice as much as they used to be, so it isn't exactly 10% more now. I think the big problem is the discount amount over time. When the UH-1 came out it when down to $8 very quickly, which is rather awkward. That high of a discount occurred too soon. On the other hand, $24 for the A-10C, a title which is many years old and has been cheaper many times in the past isn't that great of a discount. I would prefer a system which starts out with minimal discounts and as the title aged became discounted more. It would be more in line with the rest of the industry and allows impulse buyers to grab a module or two on the cheap that they wouldn't have bought otherwise.

I don't think they will do those anymore which is too bad. Never played a LOMAC/DCS campaign and wish I had bought the Su-27 campaign when it was 3 or so dollars. Certainly low enough in the event I never actually play it. $8? I want it but I will pass.

How does one change the head position as in raising/lowering and moving the head to the edge of the cockpit via the keyboard? Obviously I know how to pan/zoom around. I recently figured it out but don't recall the key combination and don't see it in the options menu. Example of a screen I took recently. Moved the head up and to the right: Was nice to view the cockpit from different angles. Not sure why I forgot the key combinations.

My understanding is that this will be a payware title correct? Might want to edit the original post because it still mentions it will be freeware. Might confuse newcomers.

Enjoy brain dead AI or annoying humans whom you can only actually play with 4-5 hours a month. I just don't understand the appeal of multi crew aircraft, unless you some how have the whole day free 24/7 with a competent friend. Although I would love a Tornado Gr. 4 and ADV I simply don't trust the AI or other humans. Although it looks like information isn't available I'd like to see a Mirage 2000-5 or -9. Or Rafale C and M.

He doesn't understand much about modern aircraft or technology. He praises the F-15 for being a purely air to air fighter despite becoming a superb strike aircraft in later variants. He didn't want the F-16 to even have a radar however it has become an exceptionally good performer in both air to air and air to ground combat. And he thinks a MIG-21 will win the F-35 in a dog fight. :lol: Like many others on this forum, the only reason he and the general media hold the A-10 in high regard is for its ineffective 30mm cannon. The sheer weight and size can be utilized for more important things. Now the one point I do slightly agree with is why does the F-35A have the smaller wings of the B and not the larger wing size of the C? I suppose the wings are the same between the A and C and they wanted to only manufacture two wings instead of three.

Agreed. I lost yet another MIG-21 activation today, on a patch which broke more than it fixed. Not too happy as sometime next year I will likely have to re-buy my modules at the rate Starforce keeps making me reactivate. If I can no longer play the games I paid for due to patches, random bugs or because I upgrade/buy a new computer I will no longer be buying anymore products with said DRM. My oven doesn't stop working when I buy new plates or when I use my microwave. Software is no different to me. BTW, this thread is in the wrong section. Try the DRM area.

Same issue. Zero hardware changes, I just updated the beta. I seriously think LNS and ED need to re-think their stance on DRM. I do not think the extra layer of DRM is gaining them much in terms of sales but I do think the many issues that is causes for legitimate customers may strain the customer support services. Especially those like LNS who are comprised of only a few people. A one time activation (like Steam) would be more ideal. I think the current setup simply causes too many headaches for both the customer and developer. The past few times I've loaded up DCS I've had similar errors and it makes me less likely to sit down and play DCS.

Flaming Cliffs 3. No question about it, the planes are easy to fly and easy to learn. This doesn't hold true for just about every other module. Plus you get a wide variety of missions to play.

I voted for: 4th generation, multirole fighters However, I would like to make clear one thing: I would prefer these to be "FC3 level" much like the F-15C. PFM/AFM with simplified avionics. Sadly I do not have the time to map the controls and fully learn/remember all the controls in most study sim level planes. FC3 hits an excellent balance of realism while still allowing myself to utilize the aircraft in actual combat. I also realize finding info to make study sim level modern fighters may be hard or impossible, whereas simplified avionics have leeway in this area. I'd gladly take an F-16 or Su-35 at the FC3 level rather than not having them at all. Likewise, I will gladly buy them over any WWII plane as it is my personal area of interest.

And mine wasn't. :( Although I still like it: http://i.imgur.com/FeJUOyd.jpg

Maybe we'll get lucky. I'd prefer fewer sales with bigger discounts. Wish I bought the Su-27 campaign when it was a few dollars. Doubt I'd ever play it, but worth the gamble at a few bucks.

I figured it out. "Allied Radio Messages" I believe. I assumed it was subtitles which I unchecked and was wondering why I kept seeing subtitles.

Is there a way to disable radio message subtitles? Makes it a pain when you're trying to grab a screen shot.

Firecat NX39LW skin for the L-39C is now up for download: Download here. Frequently used in the real world at air shows. Enjoy it and let me know if you find issues with it. Don't have the module myself so I have not seen it much in game.

Is there a correct method to deactivate products? I deactivated before before installing the SSD, and now each product has at least 1 less activation (some more than that). I just deactivated them again because I am going to clone my Win install to the new SSD, so it looks like I'll loose at least 1-2 activations. I don't see why we should bother to deactivate if you loose 1-2 activations when you do it? Worried that eventually I'll run out, only to have to wait a month to use the products I paid for. And even worse, if I use an activation immediately after the one month wait period and get reset to zero. ED should reconsider their DRM practices, IMO. Maybe give us an activation a month before we hit zero so the chances of us having to wait weeks to utilize our paid content is less of a concern. I know I'll be upgrading my OS and hardware again in the next few months, so the reality of me being locked out of my software is very real.

Thanks for the tip. May re-upload if people have issues.

Version 1.0 uploaded, just have to wait for it to be approved. Some minor changes to be done in future versions. Excuse the poor screen shots, had to grab them as the AI flew because I don't have the module myself. If there are some big issues do let me know. Only saw it in game for a few minutes.