My first air combat sim was Microprose's F15 Strike Eagle, waaaay back in the 80's. Targets and runways were depicted as purple triangular lines, with moving grid lines representing the ground... and we loved it, because it was cutting edge for home consumers... It was..., MAGIC!
Fast forward some 35 years, to DCS and the AH64... Warts and all, hats off to the DCS team...! The Apache in VR is beyond my wildest dreams of 35+ years ago... Despite the growing pains of early access, from my well aged perspective, The DCS Apache is, IMHO, the best combat helo sim ever produced for desktop rotorheads, and I've logged lots of time in pretty much all of them...
DCS AH64 newbs should expect a good deal of challenge and frustration while climbing the learning curve. as this module is clearly breaking new ground... While this may sound negative, the satisfaction grows proportionally as you learn to master this spirited beast, and is well worthy of the investment of time in learning, tweaking, and adjusting...
Using the forums to HELP the DCS team is a noble gesture, whining and nitpicking is not... Perhaps a bit of introspection of each individual's expectations would be in order....
I believe that the DCS team has consistently pumped out the best products to the best of their abilities, for their very livelihoods depend upon it, and I, for one, pop tall and salute them for their efforts...!
If you are bent out of shape because you feel that they have made bad decisions or compromises, then I suggest you learn how to code, raise lots of venture capital, and show them how it is done... I have lots of money for you once you succeed...!
I don't have to wonder how the Army would react to a perspective Apache pilot in training telling them they needed to change something because they didn't agree with the way the Apache was designed, or it was too hard... Adapt and overcome soldier...!
Sims will always have compromises due to the fact that they are, well, simulations... At least you get a do-over when you die... How "REALISTIC" do you really want it to be...?
I, for one, will keep things in perspective, and enjoy watching and flying as the Devs polish this work of art... It's magic...!
