DCS June Newsletter!!

DCS World 2 Status

Despite our best efforts over the past six months, DCS World 2 has not yet achieved the quality level and features that we require for an open alpha release. Rather than release an alpha version that is potentially a disappointment for many users, we feel it best to keep it in the oven a bit longer to bake it more thoroughly. We fully realize that this is disappointing for some, but I can assure you that it pales in in comparison to our own. No one wishes to release our new baby out into the world more than us.

Some of the biggest remaining items that we need to address before an open alpha include:

New multiplayer GUI system that allows multiple players in the same aircraft and multiple player aircraft in the same flight. This is critical for multi-seat aircraft like the L-39, UH-1H, Hawk, etc.

Completing the move to use of a single executable. This will allow us to do long-desired features such as a satellite view in the Mission Editor, 3D objects in the Encyclopedia and Mission Editor, faster mission loading times, and a more stable product.

With the move to DX11, we are continuing to find ways to increase performance. This is even more important with the coming wave of VR gear that demands extremely high framerates.

We wish to improve several more of the effects before the open alpha. Although we have new smoke, contrails, lighting, shadow, and missile trail effects, there are more we wish to improve like better explosions and over-wing vapor.

Lastly, there are a few remaining crash bugs we need to resolve.

So, although we have been making tremendous progress in developing DCS World 2, there are a few more items that still need to be addressed in order to meet our quality standards. We can only ask for patience because we believe that it will all be worth the wait and DCS World 2 will usher in a new chapter in the world of Digital Combat Simulator.

DCS: Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) Status

While much of the team has been hard at work on getting DCS World 2 ready, our map team and engineers have been busy improving the NTTR map and fixing bugs. While we have made the significant step of moving the map into full testing, there are several important areas that need to be addressed before we can release it as an open alpha to everyone. Some of these items include:

Functional Air Traffic Control

Ground unit road movement

Performance improvements

Static object issues

TACAN and ILS

A couple of crash situations

When the map is available as an open Alpha, our plan is to still make this map available for free to those that purchased A-10C Warthog while it was in beta (prior to 21 February 2011). It will also be available for purchase from our e-shop for $39.99 USD.

DCS WWII

The Spitfire has begun internal testing within DCS World. The Spitfire has progressed past the P-47 due to the level of info in ED's hands for the Spitfire while research continues on the P-47. The model has been added to DCS World internally and testing of the Merlin 66's performance has started; next will be the prop performance. The Spitfire version will be an early production Mark IXc LF with clipped wings. As a possible bonus, it's planned (but subject to change) to have the option to select the long wing version; however, you will lose the benefit of the clipped version and its roll rate.

MiG-29 for Flaming Cliffs 3

To round out the collection of updated aircraft for Flaming Cliffs 3, the team is working on updating the MiG-29. This will include both a new, high-resolution 6 DOF cockpit and a new external model. After the F-15C, Su-27 and Su-33 Professional Flight Models (PFM) are complete, we also plan a PFM for the MiG-29.

The MiG-29 will have the same level of cockpit systems fidelity as the other Flaming Cliffs aircraft.

This will be a free update for Flaming Cliffs 3 owners.

DCS: L-39 Albatros

The L-39C Albatros is making good progress with new cockpit systems being integrated on almost a daily basis. The new L-39C external model is also nearing completion (the L-39ZA is further behind) as well as the Professional Flight Model (PFM).

DCS: F/A-18C Hornet

Work continues on the building the Hornet cockpit and air-to-surface radar technology. Most of the recent cockpit work has involved texturing and animation of cockpit elements.

Saw that... Looks like we still have a long ways to go.

Keep up the hard work ED; though I'm disappointed by the news, I do understand.

a lot of nice info in there, my highlights:

- satelite map on editor, YES!!!!!!

- mig-29 update

- hornet info, every bit makes me happy ;)

ED, disappointed, a bit maybe, but take YOUR time to finish it, and as much as i understand folks, please don't cry now, good times ahead, and summer is out there, so enjoy it meanwhile ;)

thanks for this newsletter ;)

regards,

RR

This is disappointing news in some aspect but good new announcements on the other hand (over-wing vapor and mig-29!) I am looking forward to the new era that DCS 2 will bring. Thank you for the newsletter!

Inevitable really.

Thanks for this update, what I see is really nice....Uhhh that Hornet cockipit, makes me feel good. And the model for the Albatros is simply stunning.

Keep your good and hard work, and I will be ready to enjoy all this goodies after the summer holydays..¡¡¡¡¡

Hope it will be ready by then, because I´m beginig to feel the eagerness.., but hey team, take your time to give us the best aerial simulation ever.

Keep up the good work!

I bought A-10C 06/13/2011. :mad: Few months too late.

Considering most companies these days pump out unfinished pay products, I find EDs integrity absolutely amazing.

Good on ya for having pride in your product.

Nice update.

First the Spit, then Thunderbolt. Now Spit is in the lead again it seems. :)

Thank you for the update and good luck with crushing the remaining show stopping bugs.

If possible and when it is ready, I'd like to see some info on that MP GUI mentioned here. Transferring controls etc.

I'd rather you take the time and get it RIGHT, than rush it out the door.

Excellent to hear about the Mig-29, and the PFM for the Su-33.

I am also going to get the L-39 once that is available, as I have been flying it A LOT in FSX-SE lately.

Keep at it ED. We can wait.

I understand waiting...I do, but my wife just can't take it anymore. These newsletters come out .....I plummet emotionally and she finds me curled up in the shower, wearing my Spiderman briefs, sobbing uncontrollably. BTW, its not easy finding size 36 Spiderman underwear.

Good newsletter and great work. I really hope we will see the fullwing spit though. It is my fav AC of all time and the clipped variant loses the grace of the famous elliptic wing. Even so- rock on ED. I'll wait:)

I understand, but i am crying out....:dunno:

All I ask....no BEG is for it to be released sometime in August so I'll have a little time before deploying to enjoy. ;)

In all seriousness though with it just getting into trunk recently for me this was expected. Images look great though.

This news made realize to not expect any releases until December. However there's a lot of stuff in ED's oven!!! That's great !!!!

Wow, the Hornet has 3 MFDs. That is really excellent. No more switching back and forth between the TGP and HSD.

Casually announces su 33 PFM!!

I'm more excited by that then the new mig 29 to be honest

Good update , no disappointed at all as it was already clear the end-of-june deadline could not be met due to the external testers gettting it just this month (im guessing 2-3 months)

anyways , like i said - good update , we good some nice screens and info on new stuff and we got a price for NTTR (39.99$) which is not bad at all.

p.s

i`m planning on buying a new PC no sooner than September (waiting for Skylake-K) so i`m ok :)

Casually announces su 33 PFM!!

 

I'm more excited by that then the new mig 29 to be honest

Saw that too.

Cant wait for the new 29.

Hopefully a clickable cockpit will find it's way into the 15, 27, 29, and 33 down the road.

Very good news

I bought DCS A-10C 10/04/2010

Cant wait:thumbup:

You do know you just jinxed yourself and it will drop the day after you leave :)

LOL as long as I've been itching for NTTR I figured that would happen anyways :D