Its been a while since i was active in the lockon community. So im slowly catching up. I see the appeal of the DCS series, but for me they're just too complicated to be enjoyable. The pick up and playability with FC is what i enjoy most.
Personally i think they've really screwed up. If i remember correctly FC2 was always mean't be future compatible with the then unamed DCS network.
Im not sure what FC3 can bring to the DCS series. Dumbed down avionics in FC3 will mean the FC players will have an unfair advantage in any engagment between platforms - and im sure the DCS simmers wont want to share a serve with us casual gamers. I also think it removes any chance of seeing the planes in FC "DCS'd" if they already exist in one form already.
On the other hand, if they release "DCS" FC3 then you lose all the players who prefer the sit and playability of FC. I certainly wouldn't buy it if the FC planes became as complicated.
I think they should release FC3 as a seperate (junior) series (via steam) based on the same engine but not compatible with DCS retaining the semi-real/arcadeness. Adding more planes as expansions. These planes will cost MUCH MUCH less to develop than the highly complex DCS ones, and could still easily be sold to FC fans like me for £10 ($15) ea. The money earn't from these can then be pumped into the development of the DCS series for the niche sim gamers.
Each expansion would consist of a new flyable, and single campaign for that plane. And add the plane online FC network.
Additional expansions for maps, and non-playable ground units, and campaigns could also be included.
Dare i say it, but FC could really compete and bite into the lucartive HAWX / ace combat market by adding that slightly more realistic FC edge (the same market that would run a mile from DCS)