Why was the assets pack not free?

[GR00VYJERRY]

I have been playing dcs for a long time and I paid for the assets pack because I like flying the warbirds. It is pretty much why I bought dcs. I fly jets only on occasion. I just can’t figure out why the assets pack was not free like the modern assets that are in the game. I know so many people that like flying warbirds but don’t want to to pay for the assets pack. It sucks because I like flying with period correct assets but a lot of the people i play with don’t have the assets pack so I am constantly building double missions and maps, one with ww2 asssts pack and one without. 

[Teeps]

I think we are all very used to the fact that we don't pay for the base game. There's no subscription, no one off-fee, no support fee. Something has to pay for everything somewhere along the line, and if it wasn't done like this all the modules would be more expensive.

[xvii-Dietrich]

There is a selection of free WW2 assets in the base game.

 

According the the patch notes (See the section "DCS WWII Assets pack by ED") from November of last year:

Quote

The following units have been made available free for all users:
A-20G bomber
Flak 18
Bofors 40mm
Panzer IV
Sherman
Sd.Kfz.251
M2A1
Blitz 3.6-6700A
Bedford MWD

 

Ref: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/news/changelog/openbeta/2.5.6.57264/

 

This is enough to create a basic scenario without needing to buy anything. Otherwise, sure, for the full WW2 assets pack, then you need to purchase it (which is fair enough... that work needs to be paid for somehow). The free set, however, has tanks on both sides, trucks on both sides, halftracks for both sides, and AAA for both sides.

 

This, plus the free TF-51D and free Caucasus map means that a basic WW2 non-combat scenario can be set up and used by anyone. Then, if players happen to have other WW2 flyable modules, they can use them too. This is the basis of the online Clash of Wings server, which can be flown completely for free, as it only uses Caucasus and the free WW2 assets. If you happen to have a warbird, you can use it, but if you want to invite a friend, then even the TF-51D is permitted there.

[HC_Official]

It is not free because Eagle Dynamics wanted to split the multiplayer community into the haves and have nots

 

[GR00VYJERRY]

17 hours ago, xvii-Dietrich said:

There is a selection of free WW2 assets in the base game.

 

According the the patch notes (See the section "DCS WWII Assets pack by ED") from November of last year:

 

Ref: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/news/changelog/openbeta/2.5.6.57264/

 

This is enough to create a basic scenario without needing to buy anything. Otherwise, sure, for the full WW2 assets pack, then you need to purchase it (which is fair enough... that work needs to be paid for somehow). The free set, however, has tanks on both sides, trucks on both sides, halftracks for both sides, and AAA for both sides.

 

This, plus the free TF-51D and free Caucasus map means that a basic WW2 non-combat scenario can be set up and used by anyone. Then, if players happen to have other WW2 flyable modules, they can use them too. This is the basis of the online Clash of Wings server, which can be flown completely for free, as it only uses Caucasus and the free WW2 assets. If you happen to have a warbird, you can use it, but if you want to invite a friend, then even the TF-51D is permitted there.

 

this is good information to have. I can work with this. Thanks. 

Edited January 26, 2021 by GR00VYJERRY

[Teeps]

1 hour ago, HC_Official said:

It is not free because Eagle Dynamics wanted to split the multiplayer community into the haves and have nots

 

Now you're just being provocative with no basis for what you're writing. What is the benefit of that eh?

[HC_Official]

The WW2 asset  pack should have been a free part of the core game

Eagle Dynamics should then have sold WW2 Combined Arms module to make money from it

 

This way every one could play together in online multiplayer using these assets and people who want to directly control them could pay to do that

 

This way we would not have issues with MP community being split, when some have it and others do not

Edited February 28, 2021 by HC_Official

[Rudel_chw]

I have no issue with the WW2 Assets being payware, but I would like it more if it did include a few more nations ... without going crazy, a few more models would go a long way for editing more immersive missions, like:

 

Soviet WW2 infantry

Japanese WW2 Infantry

Soviet liveries for american assets that were provided under Lend Lease

At least one soviet WW2 tank.

One Japanese WW2 tank

At least one AI attack Soviet bomber and one AI fighter. For Example a Pe-2 and a Yak-9.

At least one AI attack Japanese bomber and one AI fighter. For example the G4M and a Ki-43

At least one AAA unit of each Soviet and Japanese.

At least one truck unit for each.

 

Adding these units would ease considerably the creating of better WW2 missions.

 

[Pikey]

It might help to know the backstory of the origins of WW2 were not as 'deliberate' as folks think. The whole story explains why it was not in scope of the original free core game design. It wasn't part of the financial model which is why it had a cost.
P-51 originated as an experiment developed internally at the request of Nick Grey, it wasnt intended to have a world built around it, much like the BlackShark was a standalone game and so was even the A-10C until the A-10 and Blackshark made a baby and out came "DCS World". 3rd parties were invited to develop modules and one such was Luthier from the IL2 team with a kickstarter for DCS: WWII Europe. It got to a certain point and folded. The kickstarter wasnt fulfilled and many angry people shook their pitchforks but the only people left were ED out of this. Eagle relented and decided to continue the WW2 theme to pick up what was left, probably because it seemed a good idea as well as placating those that had nothing from the failed kickstarter.
One aspect of the DCS WWII: Europe abandoned project that ED felt they could impact fairly quickly for some recovery was the Asset Pack, which they sold as a WIP and could give immediatley to some backers as added value whilst recouping some of the cost from assigning developers to the WW2-franchise-that-never-was.
So it's special. The short answer is it costs lots of money to create those beautiful models and business aim to make money, not give it away or waste it. The long answer is above.

[71st_AH Rob]

So an SA-2 doesn't cost anything to make and that's why they include it in the base game free of charge?

[Rudel_chw]

7 minutes ago, 71st_AH Rob said:

So an SA-2 doesn't cost anything to make and that's why they include it in the base game free of charge?

 

I love when ED doesn't charge me for updates or new AI assets ... however that does not mean that their creation didn't cost resources to ED, ultimately we all pay for them whenever we purchase a paid DLC.  Whenever I buy a DLC, I'm contributing to the enjoyment of the Sim by those that never purchase anything and only use the free assets.

[Northstar98]

On 1/27/2021 at 1:11 PM, 71st_AH Rob said:

So an SA-2 doesn't cost anything to make and that's why they include it in the base game free of charge?

 

The SA-2 we have has the bare minimum of battery components - an FCR and a launcher, that's it - we don't even get its more commonly associated search RADAR, or any of the other battery components (operator/electronics cabins, generators, IFF system etc). There was a render of its transloader teased, but nothing came of it, no idea what happened to it or what the plan is.

 

The WWII asset pack, is far larger, with models of at least equivalent quality, which was the test-bed for some new technologies (VT AA rounds, searchlights, torpedoes, submarines, and now, the damage model). It makes sense that pay for it standalone.

 

Other free additions are ultimately payed for by other payware items (including a fraction of the asset pack).

 

EDIT: I've just dug up something even more damning on the SA-2 in particular - the SNR-75 TTR/FCR is just a copied and pasted SNR-125 with a different 3D model - no I'm not making this up - if you look in the respective .lua files (both the S-75_TR.lua and SNR S-125 TR.lua) they both have the same exact sensor defined (snr s-125 tr - which you can see defined in the db_sensors.lua). 

Edited March 20, 2021 by Northstar98

[Callsign112]

I bought the WWII assets pack, but was hoping for a little more from it. Is there any sort of roadmap on what we can expect for future updates, and when it might make it out of early access?

 

Thanks

[Northstar98]

16 hours ago, Callsign112 said:

I bought the WWII assets pack, but was hoping for a little more from it. Is there any sort of roadmap on what we can expect for future updates, and when it might make it out of early access?

 

Thanks

 

So far, at least one more vehicle is planned (there was also a C-47 in the development screenshots). We usually don't get a whole lot of notice before they add new things, we usually get about 5 lumped in together with one update.

 

Expect it to be continually expanded - there's still plenty that could be added.

[GR00VYJERRY]

What is the full Name of the panzer Iv that is free? I tried building a mission but can’t figure out why it still say assets pack required. Thought I only used free assets but obviously I have a paid assets pack item in the mission somewhere. 

[Rudel_chw]

23 minutes ago, GR00VYJERRY said:

What is the full Name of the panzer Iv that is free?

 

It's the MT Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.H

 

You can quickly find if a unit belongs to an add-on Module by checking the Unit List .. click on the Heading of each column to sort the table:

 

[GR00VYJERRY]

Thanks. I’ve been playing this game for a long time and building missions for a long time and still learn new things. Thank you. 
 

i got a few people I fly with now flying warbirds a bit more. Need to hook em so they buy the full assets pack. Lol

Edited February 6, 2021 by GR00VYJERRY

[GR00VYJERRY]

53 minutes ago, Rudel_chw said:

 

It's the MT Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.H

 

You can quickly find if a unit belongs to an add-on Module by checking the Unit List .. click on the Heading of each column to sort the table:

 

 
thanks again. I just loaded my map and found the offending unit. Accidentally put one tank in that was in the paid assets. That tool made it easy to find. 

[Rudel_chw]

1 hour ago, GR00VYJERRY said:

i got a few people I fly with now flying warbirds a bit more. Need to hook em so they buy the full assets pack. Lol

 

 

Tell them that it's now at half price: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/shop/modules/wwii_assets_pack/

They will not only have more elements to build more realistic missions, but will also be funding the development of more assets

[Callsign112]

On 1/25/2021 at 1:45 AM, GR00VYJERRY said:

I have been playing dcs for a long time and I paid for the assets pack because I like flying the warbirds. It is pretty much why I bought dcs. I fly jets only on occasion. I just can’t figure out why the assets pack was not free like the modern assets that are in the game. I know so many people that like flying warbirds but don’t want to to pay for the assets pack. It sucks because I like flying with period correct assets but a lot of the people i play with don’t have the assets pack so I am constantly building double missions and maps, one with ww2 asssts pack and one without. 

Like you, my interests are mostly WWII. In fact, the WWII Asset pack/combined arms was what brought me to DCS. And like you, I also like to fly the war birds I have collected so far. The level of detail and sophistication built into these models is amazing.

 

But it would be nice to see the same level of detail and sophistication built into the ground forces/naval forces as well. By catering to all three segments, ED stands a lot better chance of growing all three segments with synergy. I appreciate the attention to detail ED puts into all of its flight products, but I would also like to make DCS my home for armored vehicle/Naval simulation as well instead of having to go to 3 different platforms. So I am more then happy to have paid for the assets pack along with the other modules I bought in support of further development. But it would be nice to see them raise the bar a little on Ground/Naval forces so that they are more in-line with the DCS brand of quality we have come to know and appreciate in its flight models.

[Callsign112]

On 1/26/2021 at 10:58 AM, HC_Official said:

The WW2 asset  pack should have been a free part of the core game

Eagle Dynamics should then have sold WW2 Combined Arms module to make money from it

 

This way every one could play together in online multiplayer using these assets and people who want to directly control them could pay to do that

 

This way we would not have issues with MP community being split, when some have it and others do not

 

You make a good point. What they could have done was include all the detailed driveable vehicles in Combined Arms, and have just the period correct external views of AI controlled vehicle assets included with each map. But all that would do is increase the cost of the map itself. Would that be a better solution for the friend that didn't buy the assets pack?

 

But after reading @Pikey post above, the more relevant point to all of this is obviously historical. So as a community, what should we do now if we want a more realistic WWII ground environment to fly against? Wait forever in hopes the developer throws us another free addition to the SIM, or spend $15 when it goes on sale and support further development to get an even richer ground war? Remember, its supposed to be a digital combat simulator.

Edited March 20, 2021 by Callsign112