DCS World 1.5 and 2 Discussion

[mwd2]

Well, that sucks then. It was said that those that backed the WW2 kickstarter would be able to build maps with map SDK. Limited to certain size of the map but still. I very much doubt it that Wags would grant someone 3rd party status if that person just wants to be creative and do something for himself.

 

That was said from Ilya, not ED!

[dartuil]

You talk about me?

No if I success with this my map will be public and maybe free.

[Raven68]

Well, that sucks then. It was said that those that backed the WW2 kickstarter would be able to build maps with map SDK. Limited to certain size of the map but still. I very much doubt it that Wags would grant someone 3rd party status if that person just wants to be creative and do something for himself.

 

That was said from Ilya, not ED!

 

It is true that Ilya did make the statement, but was ED not included in the decision making process? He mentioned "We've discussed it." in the post below, but was this among his team or ED??

 

You've asked for it. We've discussed it. Now we're very happy to announce that we will be releasing the EDGE landscape engine SDK to Kickstarter backers.

 

The SDK can be used to create new landscapes for the DCS WWII project. It's an all-in-one tool that combines a 3D object library, texture manager, and a landscape editor.

 

With a full 24-hour day cycle, options for multiple seasons and time periods on the same map, and industry-best level of detail, EDGE is designed for and tested by real pilots to ensure it meets the highest standards of realism.

 

Please note that the Normandy landscape shown in the video is an early mock-up using temporary stand-in objects, mock-up trees, and low-quality placeholder textures.

 

We're really hoping that the community can organize a concentrated effort to design and create one or more new landscapes for DCS WWII. With the amount of time we have before the initial release, it should be possible to have them completed for the day-one release of Europe 1944!

 

A more detailed look at the tools and the technical details of the design process will be released at a later time. The SDK itself should be available later this year. Please note that the SDK will be released to project backers only and / or will require a signed NDA to use.

 

[cichlidfan]

It is true that Ilya did make the statement, but was ED not included in the decision making process? He mentioned "We've discussed it." in the post below, but was this among his team or ED??

 

I don't think any of that matters any more. ED has stated how it will work and I sincerely doubt they are going to change their mind, regardless what was said by Ilya.

[NineLine]

Ilya and RRG are off topic for this thread. Currently the only way to get the tools at this time are to have 3rd party status.

[lazduc]

April...any news on 2.0 release

 

I know its beating a old topic....just wondering if anyone has heard of the release date/time of 2.0 (Edge). Is it going to be a beta....or alpha release?

I would think that when its released that it will still be a few months of testing before a stable build. Understandable. :thumbup:

 

I am going to add to my fleet of FX and Xplane. Also I want to get into a few other sims that look like fun.

 

I am going to wait before adding any more aircraft to DCS as I do not want to get into a update, repair...etc for each plane and equipment to be compatible with 2.0. :D

 

I am also working on my pit....what are you doing while waiting for 2.0?? :D

[FlyingHighAU]

You can assume if there are no announcements, then there is no news :P

[joebloggs]

I am also working on my pit....what are you doing while waiting for 2.0?? :D

 

I'm working on my belly fat and I can sit and play NTTR for hours on end.

[Chivas]

Ilya and RRG are off topic for this thread. Currently the only way to get the tools at this time are to have 3rd party status.

 

I don't think DCS would stop an individual from gaining 3rd party status if they have a history of making decent maps in other sims. There might be an obstacle for an individual if there is a cost for 3rd party status, but if the individual is giving the map back to DCS for nothing I don't see a problem.

[NineLine]

I don't think DCS would stop an individual from gaining 3rd party status if they have a history of making decent maps in other sims. There might be an obstacle for an individual if there is a cost for 3rd party status, but if the individual is giving the map back to DCS for nothing I don't see a problem.

 

I think for the quality and effort that will need to be put into a DCS map, you wont see too many free maps, maybe bundles with aircraft and such, but I doubt, right now at least we will see people making free maps. I feel like ED wants to maintain some quality standards to maps that are put out right now, and the tools are quite complex and IMHO shouldnt be given away for how complex they are.

[secret1962]

I think for the quality and effort that will need to be put into a DCS map, you wont see too many free maps, maybe bundles with aircraft and such, but I doubt, right now at least we will see people making free maps. I feel like ED wants to maintain some quality standards to maps that are put out right now, and the tools are quite complex and IMHO shouldnt be given away for how complex they are.

 

You know I heard the same with EA for Frostbite (Battlefield 3 days).

In their case it was just a mere excuse for making DLCs. I will tell you more. In the demonstrations they even explained how easy it was to make a night scene. So the thing was really obvious.

 

I think anyone should be able to make maps. One can choose to use them or not after.

Don't you understimate modders... or maybe it's the other case ?

Edited April 5, 2015 by secret1962

[Neon67]

You know I heard the same with EA for Frostbite (Battlefield 3 days).

In their case it was just a mere excuse for making DLCs. I will tell you more. In the demonstrations they even explained how easy it was to make a night scene. So the thing was really obvious.

 

I think anyone should be able to make maps. One can choose to use them or not after.

Don't you understimate modders... or maybe it's the other case ?

 

Exactly, saying that the tools are too complex is just an insult to the modding community and a big slap to the customer's face.

 

If they want to keep the tools for themselve, I am perfectly ok with that; but lying to your customer is disrespectfull, like EA did.

 

 

About the map, if someone wants to sell it, of course ED should check for a certain level of quality, they put themselve a bit at risk when doing so.

 

But they should encourage the community to get involved, like for ARMA, so the sim would get always more exposure and the product life would be extended

[VincentLaw]

You know I heard the same with EA for Frostbite (Battlefield 3 days).

I think you both misunderstand SiThSpAwN. Yes, the Battlefield 3 team did blatantly insult their community by saying that their games would be too difficult for fans to make content for. SiThSpAwN on the other hand is referring to the development effort that ED put into making the mapping tools as good and complex as they are. He thinks the fruit of that effort should not be given out for free. While I personally disagree for reasons that have been discussed before, I am not here to argue.

[Rangi]

I think you both misunderstand SiThSpAwN. Yes, the Battlefield 3 team did blatantly insult their community by saying that their games would be too difficult for fans to make content for. SiThSpAwN on the other hand is referring to the development effort that ED put into making the mapping tools as good and complex as they are. He thinks the fruit of that effort should not be given out for free. While I personally disagree for reasons that have been discussed before, I am not here to argue.

 

Yeah that's how i read it too.

[joey45]

As we haven't seen the tools [yet] so we don't know how complex they are.

 

What BI has done is they released their tools [as is] and said "make".

[joebloggs]

I know its beating a old topic....just wondering if anyone has heard of the release date/time of 2.0 (Edge). Is it going to be a beta....or alpha release.

 

They said it's going to be an Alpha. As for the release date, they haven't given one, but have said:

"We are nearing a point where DCS World 2 will be available for a public, alpha release."

 

I must admit, when I saw this news letter February, I thought this meant Edge was weeks away and no-longer months.

[mwd2]

As we haven't seen the tools [yet] so we don't know how complex they are.

 

What BI has done is they released their tools [as is] and said "make".

 

 

but only for the public version [ArmA 3], not for the Commercial version VBS3!

[tobyeez]

I was looking at one of the Las Vegas videos and thinking it sure would be fun doing touch and goes in a 747-800 there. Just a question for Eagle Dynamics, would you guys accept airliner designs form a developer if submitted. Or would you.....say.. let a potential commercial sim designer use your new graphics engine if approached. I'm sure someone has enquired about it. It's F'n beautiful.

[Silver_Dragon]

I think some part of the community starting to reach (again) to other frustration point with the SDK similar to DCS: W 2 and other module delays.

 

The main problem in this situation were luthiem statements about the SDK map, this gave hope to a part of the community on creating maps thanks to the selfless work of them and surely, many illusions were making plans for DCS: W theaters, now, have not been fulfilled. Not the fault of ED, as it has its own policy, but indirectly luthiem it has already caused damage, now, with ED policy only give SDK tools only official 3rd parties, it is frustrating to some part of the community.

 

The same goes for the DCS: W development news, the slowness in the development of new addons (including cancellation of addons and 3rd parties closing), and the "delays" on DCS: W 2.

 

We can only have patience and wait further news (hopefully sooner than later).

[USSInchon]

I was looking at one of the Las Vegas videos and thinking it sure would be fun doing touch and goes in a 747-800 there. Just a question for Eagle Dynamics, would you guys accept airliner designs form a developer if submitted. Or would you.....say.. let a potential commercial sim designer use your new graphics engine if approached. I'm sure someone has enquired about it. It's F'n beautiful.

 

There are several tutorials about how to make aircraft for DCSW in the modding threads. I do agree though that there should be some effort to make/port civil aircraft for AI purposes.

[Python]

I was looking at one of the Las Vegas videos and thinking it sure would be fun doing touch and goes in a 747-800 there. Just a question for Eagle Dynamics, would you guys accept airliner designs form a developer if submitted. Or would you.....say.. let a potential commercial sim designer use your new graphics engine if approached. I'm sure someone has enquired about it. It's F'n beautiful.

 

 

VEAO are planning to make a heavy, the Airbus A330 MRTT Refueller.

[sniperwolfpk5]

They said it's going to be an Alpha. As for the release date, they haven't given one, but have said:

"We are nearing a point where DCS World 2 will be available for a public, alpha release."

 

I must admit, when I saw this news letter February, I thought this meant Edge was weeks away and no-longer months.

 

Well I thought same. But I don't know why they are silent. At least they can release a new video. A night video would be awesome

Edited April 5, 2015 by sniperwolfpk5

[NineLine]

You know I heard the same with EA for Frostbite (Battlefield 3 days).

In their case it was just a mere excuse for making DLCs. I will tell you more. In the demonstrations they even explained how easy it was to make a night scene. So the thing was really obvious.

 

I think anyone should be able to make maps. One can choose to use them or not after.

Don't you understimate modders... or maybe it's the other case ?

 

This isnt the same issue as EA, you cant compare the two. And out of all that I dont know why you think I am somehow underestimating modders??? Point is, ED is sinking a great deal into the development of EDGE and the tools for new maps (When EA makes a new version you have to pay 60 to 70 bucks for it, how much is DCS 2 costing you??), you have no clue what is all involved, or what theses tools can do, and all I am saying is they shouldnt be given out, its of course my opinion. If there are quality modders out there, all they have to do to gain access is apply... there is no fee that I know off to gain access, they just have to show that they know their stuff and can show that they have what it takes to produce a map, I believe how they release it is up to them.

Edited April 5, 2015 by NineLine

[GeorgeLKMT]

Point is, ED is sinking a great deal into the development of EDGE.....

 

I'm sorry but I'm somehow missing your point here. ED is working hard on these tools and they're complex, so they shoudln't be released publicly because of that? Or perhaps I don't understand what you mean here really...

How come I can use UE4 for free, something that's 10 times more complex than "just" map tools we're talking about? Or any other free software or content creation tools for games out there... that might be just as complex?

 

My own theory is (I'll be glad if somebody tells me why I'm wrong), that they don't want map tools public so there won't be any free mods directly competing with ED's paid content. Some folks might create highly detailed theater for free and people are going to say "why should I pay for ED's stuff if I can just download this...". Maybe I'm wrong, but that's something that makes sense to me right now.

 

OR, but I'm really guessing here, their map tools are somehow tied to the core so it's not possible to just release simple "map editor" without revealing some basic framework of their engine, and they don't want that for obvious reasons... But who knows, really.

Edited April 5, 2015 by GeorgeLKMT

[airdoc]

My own theory is (I'll be glad if somebody tells me why I'm wrong), that they don't want map tools public so there won't be any free mods directly competing with ED's paid content. Some folks might create highly detailed theater for free and people are going to say "why should I pay for ED's stuff if I can just download this...". Maybe I'm wrong, but that's something that makes sense to me right now.

 

Well, i think that since ED is a company, they have every right to use their intellectual products as they see fit.

 

On WW2 period however, unless they have some kind of ace up their sleeve (such as multiple maps coming up by them or 3rd parties), they seem to be losing a great part of their audience exactly because of the lack of maps.

My squadron had been flying around with all the new warbirds, but after some time we found no reason to keep it up, and switch to the competing sim because of :

1. Lack of map

2. Multiplayer lag

3. Spotting issue

 

I hope that in 2015 these issues will be addressed.