PluckyUnderdog

I have been getting into this, the first mission I managed to (mostly) keep up with the AI when climbing etc, managed to shoot down a 190 (and felt pretty bloody chuffed) and got cocky on the way back to the coast, tried to shoot at some artillery and got turned into Swiss cheese. Riddled with bullets and crashed Determined to keep at it, though. The campaign is brilliant. I will add that the DCS AI climbing behaviour is bonkers. As is their sudden propensity to bank in different directions without warning!

Jesus wept. What a learning curve. Managed my fuel (or so I thought) and got to Nellis with 400lbs left couldn't even do the carrier break landing. Had to just do a straight in approach and landing. Below average grade, but to be honest I'm just made up to have gotten through the mission. The campaign is so well made, that the fact it's so damned difficult is actually part of the enjoyment. It makes you want to get better.

I thought I'd pick this up. Just in the process of downloading it (66GB!) I know it's a vast map, and there's a bit more positivity with it now with the updates that have come, and I'm sure are coming. There's a few missions and campaigns about that look good and flying a Harrier around there if nothing else will be iconic to a Brit like myself haha. All in all, I'm looking forward to trying it, and to some missions/payware campaigns that will hopefully be being developed for it in the future.

I'm far more excited for this than I am for the Eagle. The Phantom was my favourite jet as a child. The Tomcat is pretty close but not quite as iconic, for me.

That's what I heard too. Similar mindset to yourself, I was prepared to pre-order initially but they've made an absolute pig's ear of it in my view so it put me off a bit. Plus, I'm not paying money for thin air, with no definitive release date. It could conceivably be months before it's released under EA.

In my opinion (I stress it's my own, and pure speculation on my part) the developer knows they have a 'golden goose' with the Eagle and want to reap as much income as possible from it. Hence the 'pre-order' as well. Incidentally, that isn't a criticism as such, it's obviously just basic economics. It just understandably leaves a bit of a sour taste in the mouth.

Absolutely. People have the freedom to choose. And I've no doubt it's been a success for the developer. I personally think they've handled it badly. It does not mean I will cut off my nose to spite my face, so to speak. I'll still of course get it, it's just now I will wait, whereas say a few weeks ago, I would've pre-ordered without hesitation.

So to sum up, no miles able to be used - no definitive release date - no steam pre order release - bungled and repeatedly changed pre-order date. Own goal. I'll see what early access brings.

I use the ED site to buy but that Steam thing is really not fair at all.

All fair points, and I'm certainly not knocking the enthusiasm. I am looking forward to it immensely myself. It's just a bit of a step too far for me personally. If there were an actual, definitive release date, yes I'd jump on it.

I have to admit I don't get it, even though it can be 'pre-ordered' you aren't getting anything. And may not for a number of months. I get the early access thing and actually think it's a good thing, but this is weird to me. There's nothing tangible you can use, just a 'pre-order' with no definitive release date. But, that's just me. I mean don't get me wrong, I love the Eagle and will be getting it for sure during early access. But this...... is weird to me.

I do like the optimism, haha. I would be amazed if you're right though, I'm afraid.

It's an interesting take, but personally, no I just think they (Razbam) have handled this poorly.

Fair enough, thanks for clarifying.

I'm not judging them, I like them, a lot, I have two of their other modules. They're a great developer, imo. I'm giving what I think is reasonable criticism, on the face of the information I have. If there's a valid reason for the delay, fair do's. I don't think what I said is 'aggressive', really. And my low post count does not disqualify me from expressing my opinion, or said criticism.

I'm not a fan of how they've gone about this, at all. From the constant shifting of dates, to releasing stuff in chronological order that mirrors the jets' actual development (if I've got that right) they've scored an own goal with me. I'll certainly get it, there's no doubt about that. But I'll not be 'pre-ordering' it. I'll probably get it a few weeks into early access.

All of these guides are required reading, they're so well put together. An absolutely invaluable resource for anyone even remotely serious about using DCS. They have personally helped me a ton.

I think it's just brilliant, but I agree with this sentiment. If I could afford a Winwing set up, I would jump at it instantly!

If it helps, I had this exact same issue with the Viggen yesterday. Flew over a target, bombed it, and was in the process of swivelling my view backwards when DCS froze and I got a 'DCS has stopped responding' and the blue windows loading circle. I had no alternative but to end the program. First time in 6 months DCS has ever done that to me. And I only bought the Viggen a few days ago in the Halloween sale. Strange.

Hi everyone. New(ish) to DCS having used it for about 7 months, not new to simming in general. I thought I had a decent handle on flying through MSFS and X-plane but DCS has this habit of making me feel a little idiotic at times haha. It's so unforgiving, and there's so many things to remember. The learning curve with say, the AH-64, is just so steep. Having said that, I love it. Wading through Chuck's guides, constantly doing training missions, free flights etc, I feel that I am making slow but steady progress with the modules. To the point now where at least things like muscle memory with, say, the A-10 controls for example, is now there (I have the Warthog hotas, which helps). I'm also making good progress with the Viper, which is pretty intuitive in comparison with others. The Apache though...... Jesus. I still can't take off properly 100% of the time. It's all just so much fun though. So immersive, so time consuming, I really think that of course, bugs aside, it's a masterpiece of a sim.