3WA

Yes. One day, this is going to be THE Simulator.

Yes, this is what has always bothered me about DCS. Especially since I fly mostly the Shark. There just is no cover. Except for trees, and they don't seem to provide much at all. TOWs seem to zip through them like they were grass. Everywhere is so flat. I long for Arma or even Crysis like terrain, where I can take cover or ambush. The Maps DEFINITELY need work for any kind of decent Ground War. Right now, the tanks just roll at each other across the open prairie. If DCS wants to make the Apache / heli's and COIN type aircraft, we need much more varied terrain and concealing grasses / vegetation. I know a lot of people are oohhing and ahhhing over the Apache, but they're going to quickly realize the same problems we Shark pilots have with the terrain. There is no cover.

The only decent Tank sim is Steel Beasts. That's what I'm hoping DCS can develop in it's World one day. It's rumored they are why DCS didn't develop the M1A1 module. I see no reason DCS shouldn't compete with them. DCS has a MUCH better World, IMO. But first, all the AI assets to fill this World with. Vehicles, armor battalions, mechanized infantry, motorized infantry, many different types of regular infantry. SAMS, AAA, artillery. Command Structures and Networks. Military Bases. Orbital Weaponry I think the majority of players here could agree on that. That would fit into the Flight Simulation still, by giving the players a Living World below them. And, of course, the AI will have to become much better. Then, after this, DCS or Third Parties could start to make some of them into actual, fully fleshed out modules, like M1A2D Tank.

This is why the Ground needs to be looked at, after being neglected for SOOO long.

How's it going with the Russian Government and their new "law"?

I wouldn't call what the wingmen have "AI".

Well, there are the gamers like me. I played Arma with the ACE 2 mod, which tried to introduce a lot more realism into the game. A lot of us liked using that mod. The big problem for us Arma people was that we could never get any real flight sim in. It was FARRR beyond the abilities of that engine. Before that I played the UT mod Infiltration, and now Ground Branch ( realistic Infantry ). However, neither UT nor Arma ever had realistic vehicles which a lot of people wanted also. So this time, if we start looking at the Ground, we will just be approaching the problem from the other end, starting with flight sim. And to me, the flight sim is what no one could ever do. So, if you look at it, you guys have done the HARDEST part of the simulation. When you say "gamers" above, you're talking about the "Battlefield" types, and yeah, most of those just want an Xbox like game where they can blow steam. But there are many of us Arma, Ground Branch, Squad, etc. types who ARE looking for something more. A Realistic Arma type simulation. But for right now, I hope to get better ground graphics, a little more imagination in the maps, definitely MUCH smarter AI, and more realistic infantry groups, vehicle assets - including SAMS, Command and Control Networks, Electronic Warfare, etc. Realistic groups of vehicles and infantry that should go together, like Motorized and Mechanized Infantry groups, etc., that can be placed around the map in the Editor. At least this would start pushing towards more of an RTS sim down on the Ground, without having to get into vehicle modules and FPS yet. You've done a good job with the Sky (those new clouds are gorgeous), now start taking a look at the Ground, which has been really neglected.

What a lot of players on here are not realizing, is that there is a ground war going on already. Helicopter and Attack Jet pilots are not up in the clouds like all the jets. We're at most a few 100 feet above the ground ( usually MUCH closer ), and so yeah, we're looking for much more intelligence, infantry and vehicle variety, and scenery down there. Being a Shark pilot, a lot of times, I'm skimming about 7 or 8 feet above the ground, keeping trees between me and the enemy.

Good to know!

THAT WOULD BE DCS!

The fact that the law is so vague means it doesn't really kill anything. I see it as a shot across the bow and a warning to all, probably because some people in Russia were doing crooked stuff like selling secret information. The whole law looks like it has to do with spying and espionage. Looking at it, I doubt it has anything to do with ED. I'm sure if they keep up good relations with the companies that make these aircraft, tanks, etc., they will keep well within legal status. And they seem to be doing just that.

I really want Igla's. Even when I can get a lock on an enemy heli, a lot of times, the vhiker seems to miss it, and explode usually behind it (and right now there is no fragmentation modeled). The vhikers seem a little slow to take on aircraft (and of course, they can't take on a jet at speed). The real problem to me is the Shkval is just a simple script (placeholder), that doesn't work anywhere near realistically; and without FLIR, it is impossible to do night missions, which makes the Shark useless, as darkness increases it's stealth abilities. Not to mention, every tank down there has FLIR, and can see it, floating hot against a cold sky. So, without FLIR, it's at a horrible disadvantage.

I think most of us are good with this for now. First, much better assets and AI, then later, start thinking about making vehicle modules.

and wait...and wait...and wait..........

Lol, we'll, I'm not buying any "BS3" until they make a real Shkval. Contrast lock and all.

Does not sound promising.

Awesome! I really want to see you guys start building your World! And I'm sure many militaries would be interested in what you have to sell. As will Arma players, who are now realizing it's over for that game. They're looking for something new now, and DCS would be right up their alley, when the Ground is finally developed. Flight sim only is DEAD. Arma tried to make a World, but it was never realistic. In fact, it was pretty bad. You guys are WAYYY ahead of what others have tried to do, and I would say you have achieved the hardest part of it - the Flight Simulation. The new clouds are just amazing! I can hardly wait to see what you and 3rd parties will do with the Ground, as being a Shark pilot, that is where I spend all my time, zipping among the trees. Yeah, that's because Combined Arms is a joke that is worse than Arma. More like a small experiment that never got developed. Even I'm not interested in it, in it's current state. If you build it, they will come.

Yeah, but one) Few people play MP. Almost ALL people in this game are single players (and aren't as highly concerned about realism, want to just play and blow off steam more than anything). So, you're going to be WAYYY outvoted by those people. Two) If your playing MP, and you want realisim, you need to talk to the other side, and establish some rules. Or, just have the server itself establish the rules. Three) It's the same on the A-10. I fly with six Mavericks, because they are large, and six missiles is not many when your entering a large tank battle. I figure, by now, 2021, they should have fixed the wheel burning issues with the 5th and 6th Mavericks. If they haven't, some engineer is being lazy. It's nice to have options, and pick how realistic you want to be, in your own SP game. This also sells a lot more modules. Kind of how I'm turned off by BS2, because the shkval especially doesn't work against aircraft / heli's in the sky, and I can't load igla's to deal with them. Having the shkval fixed and igla's will be one of the key conditions to whether I buy BS3 or not. Especially since I see that the Ka-52 can carry Igla's ( what the experimental Ka-50 eventually became ). One of the things I look for in "realism" is, did other nations do it? Every one always talks about whether the USAF did it, and focus only on that. I focus on what ALL nations have done with an aircraft. For instance, other nations have put igla's on the Ka-50 ( Some even R-73 ). Other nations have put stingers on the Apache, and AIM-9 on the Cobra. i.e. It can be done, and is possible.

And as I said, whose' going to buy them at 80$ a pop? You're nearing the limit.

And now consider the fact that the other most popular "World", Arma 3, looks like it is done. People are wishing for an Arma 4, but the engine that ran A3 is being retired, as it never properly worked, and the engine that runs Day Z is being looked at. But Day Z can't run a big world. And is very limited. Now is the time for DCS to flesh out it's World. Otherwise, you might as well just call it DCS: Sky. There are a lot of gamers out there who want an Arma like World, but want a lot more realistic one, especially when it comes to the flight simulation part. Add vehicles and infantry to this game, and you have a replacement for Arma. That will bring in a LOT of players, many of whom will become interested in the flight simulation, especially helicopters and attack jets such as the A-10. Flight wise, I would say you are nearing the limit of what people want to buy for fighter aircraft. How many more fighter aircraft are there to model, that people actually want to buy? F-16 / F-18 are done. I hear the F-15E is being done. Now, you need to start looking at bombers, attack aircraft, and helicopters. Now is the time to start developing the Ground and vehicle modules. Stryker, M1 Battle Tank, M2 Bradley, BTR-90, Artillery, etc. Start first with Ground assets that don't just stand there like card board cutouts. And we need MUCH more variety. MUCH better AI. Now is the time to start bringing this sim from niche to Popular.

Lol, by REAL Shkval, I mean a constrast EO sensor THAT ACTUALLY WORKS. Try locking a dark aircraft in the bright sky. It can be coming straight at you. Maybe on the 20th time you try to lock it, with the gate down to the smallest diameter you can get, it "might" lock it. The current shkval is worthless, and is done worse than some arma trickery. Adjusting brightness and contrast knobs does nothing. They're just for show. As for IR, yeah I'd like to see FLIR as well, as the Shark was an experiment, and certain of the many models made of it had FLIR. That, and the copter that came out of it, the Ka-52, has FLIR. Not being able to fly at night makes the Shark half-worthless. The flare rockets are a good joke. And actually, it locks too well on the ground. Ground is basically an insta-lock. It should have a harder time doing that because of the camo paint, and any camo netting / cover put over command posts and such. Read this post to understand how the Shkval really works. Especially the posts by Fri13, who explains it well.

Yeah, same thing I understood. Right now, it looks like they want to start with better AI and models for ground troops / vehicles, and then get into Vehicle modules later when they are more comfortable with the DCS ground and code. Sounds good to me! VERY WELCOME!!

It basically looks like Putin ( who is behind this change in "law" ) can just basically do whatever he wants. I don't think there is any "law". I think ED is just being cautious, and is carefully putting out feelers with the companies that make these aircraft, on what is acceptable, and won't get them in trouble. Which is a smart move on their part. However, I can't see mid 90's level technology being "State Secrets" or simulating it damaging to Russia in any way. They display it all prominently at their airshows. America is WAYYY beyond this tech. As is Russia by now. Mainly, I just want ED to simulate REAL EO on the Shark, as they are going to need it for other aircraft anyway. And like I said above, America is getting strange as well. And Biden is acting a lot like Putin now.

And WE have precisely ZERO reason to buy from ED if they don't produce anything we want to buy. It works both ways, Tharos. That new "law" is beyond vague. Looks like Putin just want's an excuse to go after anyone he doesn't like. Russia looks like it's becoming a Dictatorship. I doubt if it matters what ED does, because if Putin ever wants to come after them, he can probably do whatever he wants no matter what laws are on the books, or what permissions ED had procured. ED has my sympathy. As a business, ED is just going to have to do what they can, to save their business. It's really in their hands. Not that America is doing much better right now. Looks like Biden and Congress are going batshit crazy. I'm just waiting for Texas, and the States between them and Florida to secede. Republic of Texas!