Callsign112

I think @DD_Fenrir not only makes a good point, but his point would be well supported by the community in general, especially for the MP crowd. First there is the historical aspect itself that is worth preserving, and then having Allied/Axis planes from a similar time period also helps balance on-line game play. It doesn't guarantee success, but there are a lot of good reasons why it is important and makes sense. Having said that, I am sure its happened more than once that an I-16 has shot down a K4 on a DCS server. But as an assets pack, or as flyable modules in general, their use is entirely up to the person using them regardless of SP/MP game play. The problem I have with the strict confinement to the Normandy invasion date is that I can only recreate that scenario so many times, and from so many angles before it starts to get a little old. I would love to be able to recreate Dunkirk for example, but lack so many of the assets that it is almost impossible to make it look believable. I think one of the easiest ways ED could make DCS WWII more relevant would be to make more of WWII accessible.

I think the first step is to take your time learning, and let your interests guide you in that. If you already have FC3 + the A10C II, then I think you are really well setup in terms of modules that will help you achieve the goals of your interest, assuming your A10C purchase is an indication of your interests. What I did to help me through the learning curve that is DCS was to initially learn as much as I could using the free Mustang trainer with practice supplemented by instructional YouTube videos (lots of them out there), before adding gunnery to my experience in the paid Mustang module. In your case, you could use the A10A, and Su-25 FC3 modules to learn a lot about how things work before adding to your experience in the A10C and Su-25T. If I understand correctly, one of the intentions behind the FC3 modules is to help people with the learning curve a little. Of course you can also work at learning other modules like the free mods, but without knowing how well mods are supported with instructional documentation, damage models, bug reports ect... I can't say if they will be as helpful in the teaching process as a fully supported DCS module. Good luck and enjoy, I plan to follow you in the A10A.

The WWII Mariana Islands will be a real treat. Thank you ED!

@upyr1, I appreciate the heads up though, because I was about to purchase FC3. Now I'm not sure if I should get it, or just get the 2 modules I am really interested in just to have a look see. A number of people have really good things to say about the Russian jets mind you, and if I like the F15/A10A I would probably end up getting the other modules as well anyway so its a coin toss at the moment. But if I'm not mistaken, I think I might have already gotten the SU-33 when I bought the SC. I would actually have to check and see if it was just the Ai jet, or the actual flyable module. The other side of this for me at least is that my main interest is WWII/ground war. As I look more into the jet era, my interests seem to be leaning more towards an F-86/F-5 vs MiG-15, 19, 21 type setup plus the A10A with anything rotary to bring it closer to the ground war. I am pretty sure about the A10A, just not everything else. I don't know if ED has ever considered how the Me-262 could help people with a strong interest in WWII develop more of an interest in the jet side of DCS. Certainly in my case it would. Wink wink, nod nod in case ED is listening.

Great suggestions everyone, I completely get the request for the much needed air frames. @DD_Fenrir, I totally get the logic behind the desire to have assets linked to a specific time and place especially when it comes to MP scenarios with competing planes. My hope though is that as DCS grows and we get more areas mapped out, that we would have all of the WWII assets in one place. I wouldn't complain if they came out with an assets pack for each theater, but it would make more sense IMO to keep the WWII assets together. Great suggestions all the way around BTW. I would especially like to see a PzIII added. Even if we stay just within the confines of Normandy, they weren't there in large numbers, but they were there. Mostly as command units.

Taking your request the other way, anyone that purchased all the standalone modules included in the FC3 pack should probably have the FC3 pack marked as owned. In the end what we are really talking about here is simply the wall paper that you have access to when you purchase the module separately. FC3 pack = 6 jets/1 wall paper for $50 individual modules = 6 jets/6wall papers for $90 I would say that is a pretty expensive wall ... which is okay if you simply want to support DCS.

Agreed. On the one side, you save $40 by purchasing all 6 modules in the FC3 package, but in my case ED would be gaining $20 because I am really only interested in the A10A, and the F15. Maybe I should just buy the two modules I am interested in then. Just curious why you didn't include the A10A in your title. Was that just an oversight, or is there some other reason you didn't?

And my understanding is a lot of the aircraft on that list are popular on MP servers. But like the OP already pointed out, the A10C has more of a learning curve which is a good reason to pick up FC3. I should help me get some of the basics down in the A10A before getting into the A10C.

Just went through the entire thread, very interesting discussion! Sort of neat to be able to follow all the discussion points like that as the topic evolved over a decade. I don't think there is anyway to even guess on a time frame, but given the complex nature of what they are aiming for, my guess is we will hear about updates before we hear about a release date.

For me the best way would be to add more capable Ai infantry units. There are currently no MG's and no way for Ai infantry to deal with armor. Adding infantry with MG's and AT weapons would be the #1 value addition to the pack IMO. Second would be Russian assets. It would be nice to see the WWII assets pack expand beyond the boarders of a specific time and place.

In a recent update, the smoke animation meant to simulate bore evacuation of fumes for WWII tanks was removed. Could it be added back to the tanks that actually had it? The Panther for example used a system of compressed gas to clear the bore of fumes after firing. Also, most WWII tanks in game had turret ventilation systems. It would be nice to see an animation for this added. Tanks

Not just for vehicles, but infantry could use smoke grenades too. But yeah there is a lot of work left to do in the ground/sea element of DCS World, but doing it will enhance the simulation for everyone.

+1 Yeah somewhere between $25 - 30 would be my guess, and I think they can see its a win-win. Ground units will initially attract people interested in armored warfare who will then have a good chance of further developing an interest in flying in the same way pilots have a good chance of further developing an interest in tanks. For me at least its obvious the more they integrate air, land, and sea, the better the simulation gets.

Love the DCS model of this beautiful piece of aviation history. Really one of the best valued modules in DCS, and the incoming updates are going to double down on that. Looking forward to the patch.

+1

Thanks. My question wasn't about core features, but I think what your trying to say is that weapons are treated as a system unto itself regardless of what, or the number of planes/jets that can use it. So if there was an update to a Maverick variant for example, any module capable of carrying that variant would see the update.

Very nice, thanks.

Thought I would bump this to share with anyone new and just starting out like me.

Planning on getting FC3, and wss wondering if relevant weapons updates in the SIM are also applicable to FC3 jets?

+1 I know its not the newest box on the shelf, but people are still planning on buying it you know.

I am pretty sure that VR is not the only reason for the upgrades, but it is definitely one of them.

Not a bad suggestion, but including animated crew with ATG/mortars is not that it is hard, it just takes the resources needed to do it. ED has to make a conscious decision to bring the ground war more to life. My feeling is if they do, it will pay off in spades. The ground war is more important to pilots than most here realize is my feeling. My own take on whats taking ED so long is not a lack of interest, direction, or know-how, it is the passion to get it right. No one feels the frustration of waiting more than I do. At least that's probably what everyone here is thinking, and what we are all telling ourselves. But in taking a step back to try and get a glimpse of the bigger picture, I can't help but be amazed at the scope of what it is they are attempting to tackle and how much they have accomplished. The linked video discusses 4 decades of Russian SAM systems included in the SIM. That in itself is a pretty impressive list of equipment. Are things perfect? No! Is there room for improvement? Yes! Could we use more types of improved Ai infantry? Yes! But as a quick fix, I really like your suggestion.

A lot of really good insight/questions. For me at least, the OP's suggestion is a really good one. Just from the standpoint of a game mechanic alone, requesting a new plane would be more realistic than the current magic repair. It doesn't change anything, it just makes the scenario your playing the SIM in more believable. After all, it is still a computer simulation meant for enjoyment. Not many would find waiting for repairs in real time very enjoyable. But you guys raise some really good points that could be considered as ways to add more immersion to the SIM, especially for MP scenarios.

I completely get everything you said. Maybe its because I haven't been here long enough, but thought the WWII assets pack had some improved vehicle model additions in the last couple of years? And it seems to me that some of the graphic/sound effects have also seen improvements, as well as some path-finding issues and the ability to drive up a hill. We also got leopard variants and a whole slew of other ground vehicles. One of the touches that I really like is the sound of the Leopard and Abrams tanks. I think they captured it really well. My hope is that we at least start to see more frequent updates/fixes/additions to ground units/Ai infantry. I know your point was more about the actual physics model which is the most important part, and your right, a complete overhaul would be no small task, but making bite sized improvements would be better than no improvement at all.

Thank you!