Dangerzone

"Mothers Day sale" maybe? Which is 3 weeks away for us here down under.

Thanks Nineline for the update Given the above (emphasis mine) - it sounds like CTLD hasn't even been started on yet, which answers a question I've had regarding will it be CTLD functionality at release. Even though disappointing, I very much appreciate knowing now, so I can plan future mission designs accordingly as I dream about how I can look at implementing this into existing and future multiplayer server campaigns. We don't always get the answers we want, but fore-knowledge is far more helpful than silence. Thanks again for the update! I'm very exited to get my hands on this module, and dare say (subject to more info being released), I'll be looking at buying this in June, and look forward to the more details as you have them to share.

Thanks MAXsenna for the suggestion. Unfortunately though that doesn't actually solve the problems I've listed: New peripherals added where DCS 'automatically assigns' buttons and axis as DCS 'guesses', leaving us with additional axis assigned we don't want. Copying back a 'backup' won't get rid of the default bindings on the new peripherals where those files don't exist in the backup, and If doing a device replacement, or a computer upgrade - doing a copy/paste doesn't work either. Then the GUID's need to be also changed - and even then, it's not just a matter of changing the GUID on the filename either; Where modifiers have been used, these references need to be changed in the content of the individual .lua files - making in my example above, a search and replace for every different GUID/Device where they're used in 75 files). Duplicating the import and export options that we already have in DCS, but having it for 'all' instead of 'per peripheral' (say that 3 times fast ) I think would really be of some help to a number of people, as would an option that stops new peripherals auto-assigning.

Which do you prefer using, and why?

There is no correct answer to this question, because everyone's reason for flying DCS will be different to the next - and all will have valid reasons to justify their opinion based on their 'world view' of how they use DCS or how much they project their view upon others with similar expectations. Factors related to what monitor size and resolution, (vs VR), to GPU capability, to purpose for flying DCS, etc will all add variables to this question. For example - by definition, a cheat would be something that's not in the game that some people have added to give themselves an advantage that other people don't have access to. With that definition, no - zoom is not a cheat as it's available to everyone. But using a similar definition someone could argue a 70" monitor/TV running 4K and a 4090 GPU is a 'cheat' for the person who's playing on a 22" monitor with a 2060 at 1080p - and I doubt few would say that's a cheat either, as DCS allows for different resolutions, and PC's allow for different sized screens and peripherals. FWIW - the more features DCS can have that counter for the fact that we're missing out on stuff compared to real life (which includes resolution of eyes vs monitors, etc), the better. Honestly though -when people start going on about 'cheats' or unfair advantages in DCS because someone does something differently, or has access to different peripherals to what they do, they lose me real quick. (Not saying that's what the OP has done- but I've seen others argue against workarounds to graphical issues in VR because they already complain that having VR is an unfair advantage and get worked up on little things).

Thanks all. It seems from my tests DCS will run fine without 'Administrator' except for one issue I have - and that is the VR window upside down in my headset, but OK on the desktop. I think this may be an issue with XR Neck Safer - and I recall now that I may have enabled 'run as administrator' way back when installing that to get it to work correctly. If I could find a solution to why it works correctly when running DCS 'as administrator', but flips inverted when I don't run it as administrator, I could stop running DCS as administrator completely.

Are you sure about that? Yes - it's not possible to go from stand-alone to Steam, but I was under the impression you could go from Steam to Stand alone. Is that no longer an option? While that is true - with ED most modules you can get a 2 week trial (resets every 6 months too). For me, having 2 weeks to try out a module gives me far more time to evaluate than less than 2 hours. I have had the same understanding too (but don't have any statistical evidence, just the amount of steam players that have asked me for help for repairs personally, vs those with stand-alone installs has given me the impression that steam can be more troublesome). The only real benefit I see of steam is that I would be protected by your own countries laws. (So here in Australia, steam buyers might have a legal 'backup' to be able to get a refund through steam for the F-15 under our consumer laws if the F-15 falls flat, but with ED their not in our jurisdiction, so we're more at the mercy of ED. However the last time I checked, steams currency conversions were significant and buying direct through ED gave me a much better currency conversion than Steam. Steam also logs the hours played (man - I wish I had a real logbook of multi-player stats). So that untested protection through steam comes at the cost of not being able to have a 2 week trial (compared to a 2hr game play refund through steam), less access to sales, more expensive currency conversion, and no ED miles/credits towards future purchases, plus (from my own personal experience with others) what appears to be more difficult trouble-shooting than a standalone install. With the number of modules I've purchased (more than a few) - I've already calculated that I've saved more through ED miles and currency conversions buying direct that I can afford to lose a module and still be in front having purchased through ED Directly. Of course, depending on your country of origin, currency conversion rates on ED's store vs Steams, and how many modules you buy - YMMV, so it's best to double-check these things for yourself. Oh - there is one other reason NOT to purchase through steam. Steam were great game developers. Half Life. Half Life 2. HL2 Ep 1. HL2 Ep2. Then they found out they could make a tonne of money through their distribution platform and never made HL3. That in itself is a reason NOT to support steam IMO. I've been waiting 2 decades to see how that story continues - and I'm still waiting!!!!! I believe the talk is about 'licensing' - and transferring licensing from one platform to another. You can add non-steam games into steam, but only as a launch - not as being fully maintained as a steam based distributed install.

I use ESET. As much for the firewall as for anything else. (I like to keep an eye on what software (and the OS) is doing, and ESET allows me to do this well. Unfortunately ESET is one of the antivirus programs that have flagged false positives with DCS. In saying that, I don't think it matters what antivirus you get - if you get one that has advanced threat detection, there's a risk that you can get false positives. If you get one that only has the basics, well... you can turn off various advanced threat protection features in the advanced as well. If your PC is only for DCS use, and the network you have it on is well protected - you'll probably be fine as Dragon1-1 has mentioned with windows defender. Regardless of what security you have, nothing works as well as having good backups on the stuff you don't want to, and/or can't afford to lose.

So... do we start seeing some Video's from Wags soon?

I dream big. As a simmer (and pilot) - I really appreciate the realistic full fidelity flight models of the aircraft in DCS (over something like WT). As someone who enjoys 'game play' too - I have enjoyed some servers where there is an ongoing 24x7 campaign where CTLD has as much of an affect on progress as what blowing stuff up does. Honestly - this is where DCS has more potential than anything else I've ever come close to. Sim along with game play 'in one'. The potential the CH-47 and C-130 have to bring to DCS is huge. My 'wish list' above are the things that I simply have wished for in the past while coding scripts, creating missions or simply playing DCS. I know I'm dreaming, but I kinda hope that some on the 'inside' at ED have had similar thoughts and have considered some of these points as viable and worthy development opportunities too. I guess you could say I dream big, or I dream 'onwards and upwards'.

indeed. What would be epic is if it included the following functions: Ability to load up weapons for transfer of items that affects warehousing. Ability to drive 'player drivable' vehicles in and out. Ability to load nearby non-player drivable cars in and out using menu. (With animation) Ability to load and unload troops, both by ramp on ground, as well as repelling by air (with animations) The ability to use as a mobile FARP. (Refuel & rearm) - with mission editor options as to whether it deploys as a full farp with unlimited weapon and fuel quantities, or only the warehouse quantity that it first flew with and/or what other logistic units carry there to add. The ability to fly it to a destination, unload a player drivable vehicle, and then switch to and drive that vehicle around using CA, and then later return as pilot to the Chinook at a later time. The ability to fly it to a destination, and then spawn into another aircraft separately with the Chinook remaining at it's current location as a milk cow. (And ability to spawn back into it at a later date and re-take control of Chinook) The ability to act as a dynamic spawn point (FARP) for other players to spawn aircraft in at the location that it sets up as a FARP. (Dynamic / portable spawn location). Some of those I see as likely, others I see as maybe, and others I think I'm fantasizing about, but would still be epic to have.

I don't think that's entirely correct. We have transported AIM-120C's and other munitions before from one airport to another that affects the warehouse logistics. (By arming an aircraft with them, and then 'unloading' them the other end by disarming said aircraft), so the provision for the logistics already exists for using aircraft for transport. It's a matter of whether ED has the foresight of allowing the loading of these same munitions into the CH-47 (as cargo obviously because the CH-47 can't use said munitions) . As a coder I wouldn't imagine this would be too difficult to include during development of the CH-47 - but as a coder I also understand that assumptions from the outside of relative ease don't always reflect the truth when people can't actually see the code in question too. With 2 new major CTLD players on the horizon (CH-47 and C-130), I'm really hoping that ED have put some forward thinking into expanding DCS. Having a vehicle in the Chinook already hints that ED may have already been focusing on this. How far it goes we really won't know until they announce more information, or until after launch, but they seem to be holding their cards close to their chest (for now).

DCS currently has the ability to clear bindings on a per-aircraft per-controller option which is quite helpful and appreciated. However there are two persistent issues with control bindings that could be optimized. The first is when DCS defaults bindings (especially in the axis area). It would be nice when a new controller is added that these aren't automatically bound by default - or to have a option to clear bindings for an individual peripheral across the board (not just on a per-aircraft basis). Secondly, it would be great to do an import and export of all control bindings into a single file. For instance, at present I may have 15 different aircraft, with 5 peripherals. This means I currently need to save 75 different individual files, and then go to the right section to load those 75 files back in when re-importing. Being able to do a global save and import would be extremely helpful. The function would need to cater for the fact that different GUID's may exist between the computer that the file is saved and imported, so if the name/description and GUID could be included in the save file, and then when the file is loaded a dialog that says "Please select the device you want for "VKB Modern Combat Grip {000-111-222....}" when it's not found on the import, that would be extremely helpfull. Thanks for considering.

FAT cow will indeed be epic - however just keep in mind that This thing is Early Access, so may be limited in what it has available, and Eeven after modules have been promoted out of early release, they still may not have all their features (aka - the FA18 that's now out of EA and doesn't have it's DTC yet). ED seem to be holding the cards close to their chest as to what the CH-47 will be capable of during release. I really hope I'm wrong and this can be used to create dynamic FARPS on release.

You don't have to own the same modules as each other to play online and see each other, however you can only use the modules that you have purchased. ie: If you put the supercarrier on, and you own it but your friend doesn't - he will be able to see the supercarrier, but will not be able to trap/land on it. (The arresting wires just won't work if he tries). However he can definitely see you, and fly with you. The only time you need to own the same modules in order to fly multiplayer is that you need to own the same maps/terrains. In regards to the supercarrier, I thought ED was working towards everyone being able to act, but those without the supercarrier module would only see a normal carrier, without the crew, and could interact, but wouldn't get the supercarrier's functions - just the old Stennis's functions - but I don't think we are there yet.

I don't know if this is of any help - but I've noticed if I run dcs "as administrator" - XR Necksafer works OK for me - but if I don't, it runs upsidedown and inverted. (in MT mode).

Would other controllers (such as the HP reverb's controllers) work, and be interchangeable, or do you need the controllers to match the headset?

I don't think there's much ED can do about this. I've run into similar problems with my own apps that are flagged falsely. We as a community have more control over this by us submitting these files to ED as flagged falsely.

OK - tried running "not as administrator" this weekend and didn't get far. VR image is flipped upside down. (Mirror on monitor appears to be the right way up). From what I can tell, this may be related to VR Necksafer, so this maybe the reason I ended up finding I needed to run as admin mode in order for things to work properly.

Are you running DCS using 'run as administrator' mode? I have a problem where I notice if I run as administrator, it works fine for me, but if I don't run as administrator I have this weird upside down issue.

Don't have an answer for you regarding the reasons, but if you want a quick check try the following: Navigate to your saved games folder. In there find the DCS or DCS.OPENBETA folder. Rename this to DCS.OLD. Then navigate to your DCS install's BIN directory and type in "dcs_update repair", and go through the repair process. Then boot up DCS. All your settings will be lost (don't worry - you have them saved in DCS.OLD). This is only a test to see IF this fixes the issue or not. If DCS runs fine, then you can close out, navigate to your saved games folder. You will have a new DCS or DCS.OPEN BETA folder. Delete it and then rename your DCS.OLD back to DCS or DCS.OPENBETA (whatever it was before). Re-run DCS. If it crashes again - you know the problem is with your settings or a mod. Fear not: If that happens, close DCS again, and rename DCS to DCS.OLD again. Then copy across only the things you really need (such as your config\input directory so you don't need to rebind all your things). Restart DCS and make sure it doesn't crash. Then one by one (if you want) re-install your mods until you find the culprit, or.. it otherwise just works fine without crashing. FWIW - I would recommend using OVGME or another mod manager to manage mods, as it's far easier just to uninstall the mods using this to do a repair, and then place them back after the repair. TL;DR - With DCS closed, rename the DCS folder in your saved games directory to DCS.OLD and try running DCS. If it fixes the problem, you know it's a setting you had. You can recover your settings by renaming DCS.OLD back to DCS again if you want, or managing individually (per above).

Yes - it could be flown with an X-Box controller (and some have) - however YMMV is a key factor in this. What they are satisfied with, or the time, skill, etc that they put into it may differ from you. It's a bit like air to air refueling. Some now say it's "easy" and enjoy it, while others say they can do it but it's still hard work, and they don't enjoy it, while others never master it no matter how much time they put into it. Personal ability, mindsets, and preferences is a key factor. The best solution IMO would be to take out the 2 week trial, and give it a go for yourself. That will take all the guesswork out. ED have very generously and wisely granted us the ability to try modules for 2 weeks to see whether we're happy with it - I'd suggest you take advantage of that opportunity. It'll give you the best idea compared to us randoms saying 'yes' or 'no'.

Just to let you know, this isn't the case. Mine is in my c:\users\<myname>\saved games folder, even when running in Admin mode. Thank you for the information regarding VoiceAttack / VAICOM. I tend to try avoiding installing games and game related installs in program files anyway, so it sounds like I'm already doing best practice. I haven't had the chance to test with 'run as administrator' turned off, but hopefully will get a chance this weekend. Security was my #1 consideration TBH - as not only DCS is running in admin, but I need discord (for PTT) to be admin when DCS is focused, and that's not ideal at all. The trend here certainly seems to be "Run as administrator" is not required - so that's definitely promising. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Locked files in the saved games directory. I guess that happens if DCS is run 'in Admin' mode, but things liek voiceattack/vaicom aren't. For me - I had Skatezilla's launcher running 'as administrator' - so everything else followed suit. It sounds like it's no longer needed (or desired) anymore, so I might look at removing the 'run as administrator' from Skatezilla's launcher and see how things go - considering no one has replied here with a definitive answer as to why it is needed now.

Whoa! Shut the front door! Is this fair dinkum? I didn't realise that. This does indeed add a spanner into my logic. And to answer your question - I've never had a VR with eye tracking / DFR. I still wonder how much of an upgrade going from Reverb->Crystal Light will be, compared to Reverb-> Crystal (with DFR) and whether the upgrade is worth the $699, or whether I put that 'towards' a full Crystal. It's harder because, as you mentioned the Crystal has the battery, and the extra weight. It's kinda like they're missing the 'sweet spot' of the market. Given that they've also announced the upcoming Crystal Super later this year, it's unlikely that they're going to have another option, so unless a competitor comes out and fills that sweet spot, I have decisions to consider. Thanks again for enlightening me on the Reverb's pixel count.