The numerous questions of a fresh DCS noobie...

[IKROKODIL]

Ok, so I'm going to start by saying: HELLO!!!

 

This is my first post on this forum. I've decided to create this in an attempt to understand the confusing "ways of the DCS".

 

Before I start talking, I'm going to ask you to try and have a little patience with me as I am a huge noob. My story with discovering DCS goes a little like this:

 

 

A few months ago, while looking at the Steam Store page, I realized that there really aren't any good games for me (that I can play on my old system) anymore, so while browsing, I stumbled upon the DCS: World page, realized it doesn't require DX11, and thought I should give it a go.

 

I'm not going to lie, I expected something along the lines of: HAWX/HAWX 2, maybe some type of modern era based Warthunder type game...

Anyway, I installed it, started the game, went straight to "Training" and opened the first Tutorial for the free SU-25T that comes with the sim, realized you cannot fly with the mouse and I STRAIGHT UP UNINSTALLED THE "GAME".

 

I'm going to pause here and kindly ask that you not murder me in my sleep for what I've just said.

 

Continuing:

A month or so later, while cleaning my parents attic, I stumbled upon a very old and ancient "joystick" that used to belong to my father (I found out later that it is and old Microsoft Sidewinder Joystick - the simple one with just a stick, a small throttle and 8 buttons).

I took the "stick" to my computer, plugged it in, started to look for games with joystick support in the Steam Store and, again, stumbled upon DCS: World. I thought to myself: No mouse controls, but I'm sure I can get it to work with "this thing". I remapped all the axis controls to the joystick and some other actions to the buttons, and started to complete all the Training scenarios.

 

AND THEN IT HIT ME: This damn simulator IS ABSOLUTE PERFECTION. I LOVE IT SO MUCH.

 

 

I have been unable to play anything but this, since I found it.

I'm slowly learning everything about flying this plane.

 

I've made my own little (broken) setup for it:

 

-The Microsoft joystick for Pitch, Roll and throttle;

- Some old pedals from a crappy racing wheel for Yaw;

- and TONS and TONS of Keyboard shortcuts.

 

 

Also my "gaming rig" is (yes, it still works after 7-8 years):

 

- Intel Core 2 Duo E8400;

- 4000 MB RAM;

- NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250;

- and TONS and TONS of crappy hardware.

 

 

I play on LOW-ish settings and get about 30-ish FPS with no noticeable LAG (as long as I don't flip open the mirrors inside the cockpit).

 

 

So my questions are:

 

1. What is with all the DCS, DCS 1.5 and DCS 2.0? I've looked everywhere for information and the ton I found just buried me under more and more questions (nothing on Steam, little on the main site, little here and tons on Reddit).

I wanted to buy a new module, but I thought:

Should I wait? Will I even be able to run 2.0? Is it ok to buy 1 or 2 modules or will they become obsolete once 2.0 comes out. Is 2.0 separate or just a huge update?

 

2. If I buy a new module, should I do it via the main site or Steam?

 

3. Is there a difference between Steam version and "Site version" ?

 

4. What advice can you spare for a noob like me? (I'm a student, so big bucks are out of the picture for me ; I'm looking for cheap solutions or just plain advice from the veterans out there)

 

5. I'm thinking of building my own head tracking hardware with a webcam and some LEDs. Is it possible? I found some information on that, but I could really use some advice on this from someone who tried it. Should I even try this in the first place or is it just not working/possible?

 

 

Anyway, thanks for the time you took to read "my memoirs" up there! And thanks Eagle Dynamics for the awesome time I'm having right now!!!

 

P.S. Sorry if I posted this in the wrong place.

[Cykyrios]

Welcome! :)

 

I'll try and answer your questions the best I can:

1. During the last few years, Eagle Dynamics has been developing a substantial upgrade to the rendering engine (or a new one altogether). DCS 1.5 is an open beta version that uses this new engine (EDGE) and adds some new features. It was originally not supposed to exist, and we would've only had 2.0.

2.0 is, at this time, an open alpha with the purpose of testing the NTTR map that was released at the beginning of the week. Once all major bugs are fixed and missing features are added, 1.5 will be merged into 2.0, probably as a beta, and later on 1.2.16 will disappear and only 2.0 will remain.

 

As for modules, 2.0 is "just an update" to DCS, so anything you buy now will still work in 2.0. However, your current hardware probably cannot run DCS 2.0, especially if your graphics card doesn't support DX11 (which is now mandatory). If you want to wait for something to buy modules, wait for sales! They should go up to 40% off and happen quite often.

 

2. It depends on your own preference, but you should know that modules bought on the ED store do NOT work on Steam, while buying modules on Steam allows you to play on the standalone version.

 

3. There should not be any difference (except for the slightly delayed updates on Steam).

 

4. Not sure what kind of advice you're looking for, but have fun and take your time learning the two free aircraft.

 

5. I know it's possible, and you can find examples with FreeTrack and FaceTrackNoIR; I haven't done so and don't even have TrackIR myself, though (but would really like to have either of these).

[Deathbane]

Ok, so I'm going to start by saying: HELLO!!!

 

1. What is with all the DCS, DCS 1.5 and DCS 2.0? I've looked everywhere for information and the ton I found just buried me under more and more questions (nothing on Steam, little on the main site, little here and tons on Reddit).

I wanted to buy a new module, but I thought:

Should I wait? Will I even be able to run 2.0? Is it ok to buy 1 or 2 modules or will they become obsolete once 2.0 comes out. Is 2.0 separate or just a huge update?

 

2. If I buy a new module, should I do it via the main site or Steam?

 

3. Is there a difference between Steam version and "Site version" ?

 

4. What advice can you spare for a noob like me? (I'm a student, so big bucks are out of the picture for me ; I'm looking for cheap solutions or just plain advice from the veterans out there)

 

5. I'm thinking of building my own head tracking hardware with a webcam and some LEDs. Is it possible? I found some information on that, but I could really use some advice on this from someone who tried it. Should I even try this in the first place or is it just not working/possible?

 

 

Anyway, thanks for the time you took to read "my memoirs" up there! And thanks Eagle Dynamics for the awesome time I'm having right now!!!

 

P.S. Sorry if I posted this in the wrong place.

 

Have to go out so have to be brief so sorry if these arnt in lots of detail.

 

1. These are the new versions of DCS in OPEN development, that are being released to players to test them before they are officially released. It was done in two wavfes, 1.5, and 2.0. The end result will eventually be a fully complete 2.0 build of DCS available to players. It is a huge update to the games base engine, including graphics etc.

 

For now I recommend sticking with normal dcs or upgrading to the latest version of the 1.5.1 BETA version until 2.0 is more stable. Eventually, 2.0 once its ready will replace these versions of DCS entirely.

 

You will not be able to run 2.0 as it currently only supports the Nevada map, not the default one. This will be changed before it is finished to also support the main, caucasus map.

 

Modules will work for ANY version of DCS, but there might be bugs in the TEST versions until 2.0 is finished and no longer alpha or beta.

 

2.0 is a huge update, not separate.

 

2.This is personal preference usually, but for you and your system that isnt that great, id buy them through the store NOT through steam. This will save you from having steam eat resources up in the background whilst you play.

 

Note that also Steam keys only work on steam (i believe), store bought only on the standalone non steam launcher of DCS. They are not compatible as the cd keys are different. So pick one method and stick to it.

 

3. No, other than the CD keys bought in the the ED store do NOT work on steam. So again, either buy through the DCS store or steam, dont try to combine these methods or youll have a bad time in the main, ive found.

 

4. Stick to the free SU 25 T, and learn it well for now. See if you can run 1.5 using this free module. Then if all is good pick up Flaming Cliffs 3, in the sale, which is a good mid fidelity module to start off with. The study sims are great but can be very offputting to someone new, especially if you pick something which can be a little bitchy like the KA50. On that note, id also avoid helicopters - you can get away with a joystick throttle on fast movers ive found (not advised though) but on helos if you dont have a dedicated collective you are going to have a bad time.

 

5. Its possible but it would be better to just google FacetrackNoIr and see if you can get ahold of a webcam that it works with on the cheap.

 

Good luck and welcome to DCS!

Edited December 5, 2015 by Deathbane

[IKROKODIL]

Cykyrios <- Thanks man, you couldn't have explained it better. I kinda got the feeling that 2.0 would be a huge update, but I didn't know much of the details. Thanks so much for clarifying!

 

Deathbane <- Yeah, I think I'm going to stick with the Su-25T for now and I'm going to try and upgrade my comp as soon as possible. Also, I'm going to re-install the sim from the main site just to be sure that my future-bought modules will work no matter what and that Steam will not "F" around with my "performance". Thanks to you as well for the quick reply!

Edited December 5, 2015 by IKROKODIL

[Brisse]

I don't think 2.0 will work on your machine. You might want to disable updating so that you can continue using the version you are using now.

[IKROKODIL]

I don't think 2.0 will work on your machine. You might want to disable updating so that you can continue using the version you are using now.

 

Yeah, that's exactly what I plan on doing. Atleast until I manage to upgrade my PC...

[grunf]

Welcome, IKROKODIL! :thumbup:

 

Flight sims can be a very expensive hobby, but don't let this discourage you. Enjoy what you have!

 

I started DCS with just a cheap joystick, and built my setup over time. Up until a month ago I had a PC very similar to yours (same CPU and RAM, slightly better GPU).

 

2.0 will not work on your system because of DX11, but who knows when it will be out of alpha/beta. By that time you may have a new PC.

[Dav IRL]

I love your post it's such a great example of how one can find sims and then return only to discover its depth.

 

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

[snowsniper]

5. opentrack (free) + 3 normal white led from a bicycle lamp on a hat have worked nicely for me for more than a year, for a cheap and efficient head tracking system + a cheap second hand PS3eye cam, good so far the room was enough dark and no windows just near.

I ve recently moved to delanclip, for a few penny, but it still works with my Ps3eye and opentrack software.

http://www.delanengineering.com/

 

4. try to grab a second hand conventional lcd TV witch can do 1920x1080, quite better and very cheaper than a 4k monitor and you'll have a 1/1 size cockpit : very immersive. I have no noticable problem of lag and response ingame, and I have to put my head vey close to see pixels.

My Stick is a MS sidewinder, and I wouldn't give away for nothing. The best so far and very strongly built, unfact there s never enought buttons, I use keyboard and MODIFIERS in DCS config.

 

 

"but on helos if you dont have a dedicated collective you are going to have a bad time"

. the more the better but you can manage to perfom helos with MS FFB. You just have to tweak the collective curve and take care to be very sensitive with the slider. I love Helos they are my favourite modules.

And I used to perform them before I bought my rudder pedals and I still have nothing more for the collective than the MS FFB.

but It's a good advice to not begin with.

Edited December 5, 2015 by snowsniper

[IKROKODIL]

5. opentrack (free) + 3 normal white led from a bicycle lamp on a hat have worked nicely for me for more than a year, for a cheap and efficient head tracking system + a cheap second hand PS3eye cam, good so far the room was enough dark and no windows just near.

I ve recently moved to delanclip, for a few penny, but it still works with my Ps3eye and opentrack software.

http://www.delanengineering.com/

 

4. try to grab a second hand conventional lcd TV witch can do 1920x1080, quite better and very cheaper than a 4k monitor and you'll have a 1/1 size cockpit : very immersive. I have no noticable problem of lag and response ingame, and I have to put my head vey close to see pixels.

My Stick is a MS sidewinder, and I wouldn't give away for nothing. The best so far and very strongly built, unfact there s never enought buttons, I use keyboard and MODIFIERS in DCS config.

 

 

"but on helos if you dont have a dedicated collective you are going to have a bad time"

. the more the better but you can manage to perfom helos with MS FFB. You just have to tweak the collective curve and take care to be very sensitive with the slider. I love Helos they are my favourite modules.

And I used to perform them before I bought my rudder pedals and I still have nothing more for the collective than the MS FFB.

but It's a good advice to not begin with.

 

Yeah, I Just set up FacetrackNoIR. I use it with the face recognition for now. It works great and with some minor tweaking I managed to get rid of some of the twitching it had while looking straight. I plan on buying some cheap LEDs , wiring them up and sticking them to my headset. Will see how that goes.

 

My monitor is 1680x1050, and I "game" at a desk so I'm fairly close to the screen.

 

Thank for the advice...

[IKROKODIL]

Welcome, IKROKODIL! :thumbup:

 

Flight sims can be a very expensive hobby, but don't let this discourage you. Enjoy what you have!

 

I started DCS with just a cheap joystick, and built my setup over time. Up until a month ago I had a PC very similar to yours (same CPU and RAM, slightly better GPU).

 

2.0 will not work on your system because of DX11, but who knows when it will be out of alpha/beta. By that time you may have a new PC.

 

Thanks for the encouragement. I just went the 9-year-old-kid way and asked my parents for some "funds" (as a 19 year old). We all looked at each other and started laughing.

 

Yeah, I'm going to start saving up...

 

Sometimes I wish I wasn't at an engineering university. I could just get a job if not for the hell-ish schedule.

 

Anyway, thanks again for the response!

[Gunja]

...while cleaning my parents attic, I stumbled upon a very old and ancient "joystick" that used to belong to my father

Maybe your father was Flanker or Falcon "player".