Pre-Flight Mission Setup and Briefing for Public Servers

[KingKenny04]

DCS Multiplayer has come a long way since the game first released many years ago. Servers like Blue Flag and Dynamic DCS have revolutionized the way we play online together, and the developing dedicated server is creating a whole new world of possibilities of its own. However, dynamic dedicated public servers are not without their own problems.

 

Currently, it is not possible to properly plan, brief, and set up a mission prior to flying on a public server. Individual missions are planned ad hoc on the tarmac, and public dynamic servers sometimes become more avenues for airquake than opportunities for planned packages that they could be.

 

I have a suggestion for solving this problem that could also help the future dynamic campaign engine. I'll call it the "Create Package" menu.

 

Upon joining a public server and entering the lobby, there would be a "Create Package" button. A server-side option set by the server owner would determine whether the ability to create a package is open to anyone or would require a server-side password. Upon selecting this option, the player would enter a "Package Setup" screen. This screen would show the map, possibly intelligence information (either provided by the server or generated dynamically by some to-be-implemented dynamic system), and an area for listing flights attached to the package. The player creating the package could further have the option of setting his package to a certain password or leaving it open for anyone to join.

 

Within this window, the package commander could then create individual flights attached to the package. The package commander would start by selecting an aircraft for that flight, which would determine radio, weapon, systems, and navigation options were open to him. After selecting an aircraft, the package commander could then use the map to designate waypoints for that flight, set default radio and datalink frequencies, and set weapons loadouts. When players join the package, join that flight, and spawn in game, the waypoints, radio and datalink frequencies, and weapons and fuel loadouts would automatically be loaded into the aircraft.

 

For players not creating a package, they would see a list of active packages which they could view to see individual flights, numbers of aircraft and type in each flight, and origin bases. A server-side option could determine whether packages would be allowed to reserve player slots directly, or if players would be required to slot in to an aircraft prior to joining a package.

 

Any thoughts about this? I think this would be massively helpful on "dynamic" public servers like Blue Flag or DDCS, and would slot in nicely for the dynamic campaign system whenever that is implemented. What do you all think?

[Volator]

I've had the same idea for a very long time already. As of now the briefing - especially for multiplayer - leaves a lot do be desired.

 

When joining a multiplayer mission, I think it is vital that the general mission briefing is shown BEFORE you select your aircraft/mission slot. This should include a map that shows the overall combat situation with general background information, intel on factions, their ground units, air defenses, air assets and the overall mission goals (for the different controllable air and ground assets) as defined by the mission designer.

 

Then, after having been briefed on the overall situation and mission goals of the various air and ground assets, multiplayers should be able to select their ride. They should then be able to either have access to a pre-planned flight plan by the mission builder with information on waypoints, headings, distances, speeds and times, as well as load-out screen, information on AWACS/GCI, tankers, JTAC and so on, maybe in the format of a mission data card that is printable and also accessible in the kneeboard. Alternatively, pilots should be able to plan their own flight in this mission briefing screen and a mission data card should be automatically generated. Flight plan information should be visible on the kneeboard and the F10 map, and also intel on air defenses and ground units as defined by the mission builder.

 

I also support the package idea of the former comment. That's a good way of pre-planning flights for bigger formations.

[Aarnoman]

I am under the impression that such features are planned when (eventually) they release the data cartrige/mission planning core feature for DCS. The development team has mentioned it a few times following the Hornet requested features poll, where the decision was made to make these two features part of DCS core as opposed to locking behind a single plane.

I agree with all points discussed in the previous two posts, will make a monumental difference to cohoesion and planning capabilities, particularly in public servers.

[Bananabrai]

Such a feature would be amazing. Totally supporting this.

[Northstar98]

+1 Great idea, it sounds somewhat similar to what that other F-16 simulator does.

 

I guess it's something that will probably come (at least partially) once we have proper data cartridge implementation for aircraft that have them, though a separate planner for all would be fantastic.

[Volator]

Maybe we can hope for improvements in mission planning in DCS when the dynamic campaign thing arrives. I just hope they adapt it for multiplayer as well.

 

@BIGNEWY Can ED drop some information on integrated mission planning in DCS?

 

Spoiler

There was this one sim of a European strike aircraft in 1993... Wags commented on one YT video "One of my favorite sims of all time."

 

 I mean, that game approaches it's 30th anniversary and had a mission planner that was better than what we have in DCS today.