Use of exterior lights during combat

[Animal66]

Hi all,

 

I’m JJ call sign Animal66 and this is my first post. 
 

I have a question about the use of exterior lighting during combat/hostile situations. I notice that during combat missions the exterior lighting from the AI planes remains on. From what I understand from a real A-10 pilot is that during combat flights they always switch these off.
As far as I know it makes no difference within DCS whether the lighting is switched off or not, but it would be more realistic if this has some impact, e.g. the enemy spots you earlier with exterior lights on.

In addition, it would also be nice if you could give specific commands to your wingman / flight via the radio.

Do you find this useful? If so, would this be technically feasible?

 

Cheers,

 

Animal66

Edited January 30, 2021 by Animal66

[Yurgon]

Welcome!

 

That's a good point there.

 

I think at some point in the past the wingmen mimicked the player's master lights setting, which wasn't too bad.

 

In a broader scope, the AI behavior hasn't really been touched in a long time. We've gotten a lot of great features in DCS over the years, but AI remains relatively basic. More realistic light settings would be great, but I wouldn't hold my breath to see something like this coming to the game in an isolated way. In recent talks, interviews and announcements, I think AI wasn't given the highest priority, meaning it'll probably take quite some time until we can expect bigger changes.

 

On the other hand, the damage modelling is being improved right these days, so there is definitely some work going on. Let's hope other AI aspects will be addressed soon.

[shagrat]

21 hours ago, Animal66 said:

 

As far as I know it makes no difference within DCS whether the lighting is switched off or not, 

 

It is modeled. It enhances enemy AI chance of detecting an aircraft (at night and day). As Yurgon stated AI should mimic your lights setting.

The critical part with detection is, if AI spotted your wingman/men they will focus on finding additional planes which enhances the factor for spotting you tremendously.

I need to check how AI is doing the lights management, as I rarely fly with AI these days (more MP).

[Animal66]

Quote

As Yurgon stated AI should mimic your lights setting.

 

Yurgon and Shagrat, both thanks for responding.

 

I understand that most of the experienced Simmers are focussing on MP but I think that there is still a huge group who are simming solo. And besides that, I think that improvement of AI is not only for the solo simmers, but will also benefit experienced simmers if the quality of response improves. I understand that upgrading AI can be a challenge and time conserving job. But I am convinced that an increase in AI also leads to an increase of  the value and attractiveness of DCS.

 

Anyhow, mimicing my lights settings makes it mor realistic and that's what I like.

 

[DaWu]

No the vast majority of simmers are playing SP and not MP. AI should be prioritized as they are useless and dumb

[shagrat]

7 hours ago, Animal66 said:

 

Yurgon and Shagrat, both thanks for responding.

 

I understand that most of the experienced Simmers are focussing on MP but I think that there is still a huge group who are simming solo. And besides that, I think that improvement of AI is not only for the solo simmers, but will also benefit experienced simmers if the quality of response improves. I understand that upgrading AI can be a challenge and time conserving job. But I am convinced that an increase in AI also leads to an increase of  the value and attractiveness of DCS.

 

Anyhow, mimicing my lights settings makes it mor realistic and that's what I like.

 

That has nothing to do with MP vs. SP... AI is part of MP as much as any campaign think of ground vehicles, escort, SEAD, CAP if you fly a strike with a buddy or group of less than 8 people, even worse, in MP the mission usually develops a dynamic that's hard to predict, so the AI needs to adapt and support you instead of flying WP and reacting on Triggers.

In the past AI mimicked your settings as part of your flight (SP and MP). If it is not it is either a bug or something in the mission...

[LeCuvier]

8 hours ago, DaWu said:

No the vast majority of simmers are playing SP and not MP. AI should be prioritized as they are useless and dumb

Do we really know that the majority of DCS use is in SP? I have never seen such a statement from ED, and they are the only ones who could know.

I certainly support the point that AI behaviour should be improved. I don't have hawk eyes any more, and without labels I cannot spot a bandit or ground target until I'm too close for comfort. And since labels are OFF on most MP servers (forget the almost invisible little grey dot!), I play SP almost exclusively.

[Yurgon]

6 hours ago, LeCuvier said:

Do we really know that the majority of DCS use is in SP?

 

I'm pretty sure various ED representatives have indeed said so in the past; I'm thinking probably Wags, Nick, Katja and possibly Simon. It would take me forever to find the exact passages in the exact interviews, so you can either take my word for it or listen to all the interviews and podcasts (or read the transcripts) they've given in the past.

 

I don't recall the numbers, but we guys and gals here on the forums and the people who are active in various communities constitute a relatively small part of the entire customer base, with the vast majority playing solo/offline exclusively, according to ED.

 

Either way, AI units are also important for MP, like Shagrat said. It's pretty important that they work okay. And don't ask campaign authors how much they like the AI in DCS...

[DaWu]

Exactly this. And I am one of these SP only guys. Event though I am recently playing with the idea about joining a squad and try it out. Regardless though with the upcoming Dynamic Campaign I expect massive improvements for AI. replaying Enemy Within 3.0 currently and I always RTB solo. Last words I hear from my wingmane are "Bingo Bingo - Ejecting". wtf

Edited February 1, 2021 by DaWu

[Foka]

Long time ago I heard some presentation from a guy from big AAA MMO developer. And he was talking about game' online comunity and forums - it was mainly about "why devs don't fix/change thing players on official forum demand".

He stated something like (I'm guessing numbers, but it's that kind of proportion): 80% players don't even visit forums or sites, or YT tutorials, they just play the game. 18% read forums, sites but are passive and don't write anything. The rest 2% of players are the ones we can read on the forum. So devs focus on server stats, in-game stats, automatic reports and statistics, because these are big data that can provide some objective info."

[Priest]

I think a look at MP player counts online at any one time is all the evidence you need.  DCS wouldn't exist without the "silent" SP simmers.