FC2024 | Kola Development Progress | Virtual Carrier Wing 17

[Ikaros]

Are the F-86, F-5, and Mig-15bis in FC 2024 receiving graphical updates? Will those graphics updates come to the full fidelity modules? I already have them as full fidelity modules and wish they would get graphics updates to the latest ED standards. 

[Tango3B]

So, in the newsletter about the CH-47F I was quite critical. I have to admit that. But let me adjust that here today really quick. The early access of the Kola Map came as quite a surprise for me. I mean, does anyone remember EF2000 from 1995? I loved the Sim! So, this map is an absolute must for me - it is an instant buy. And yes, I have indeed become weak, but I want this map! And yes, I was also someone who was very vocal for a DCS Afghanistan map back then. Having said that it would probably be borderline stupid for me not to buy the map, right? Right.  Well, with that out of the way i am on board with that, too. The CH-47 is a different story, though. The CH-47 just isn't for me, but if you can quickly get the Kiowa into Early Access, then you'll have me with that module, too. The Kiowa is a mean little bird and I really want this thing in my hangar. ED...I sometimes love and hate you at the same time but at least we finally have a lot of content now so even though all this hassle is going on with a certain 3rd party developer in the background...perhaps we should still appreciate that we're going to get quite some shiny stuff early this summer...

[virgo47]

59 minutes ago, Rudel_chw said:

But having to remember arcane key-combinations is almost as taxing on my brain memory 

I guess it will also be simplified. It can't just be FF module without a clickable cockpit. So it will likely be "electric switch on, one engine on, other one, flaps..." and you're good to go. For better or worse, that's how it should be with FC-style module. I've spent hours in cold cockpits, no problem with that. But I like this option as well. So there will not be tons of arcane keybinds really.

On the other hand, I also like that mod for clickable FC3 (not quite working with 2.9 though) - because it is not NON-clickability, but simplicity, which is the main feature of FC3.

Plus, there was a great idea in one video of FC-style WW2 birds... I don't think it's that bad. Not because I don't like spending hours and hours in cold cockpits. But just to have some options - not to mention the unit price of these.

Edited April 26, 2024 by virgo47

[ThorBrasil]

 

[Hotdognz]

Looking forward to Kola, nice EA suprise with no confusion about what we're getting.

Sent from my CPH2333 using Tapatalk

[Rudel_chw]

Just now, Hotdognz said:

nice EA suprise with no confusion about what we're getting.

 

Actually I do have a bit of confusion about exactly what airbases each map country will have, and what will be the pricing ... will there be an EA discount?

[sthompson]

4 hours ago, BIGNEWY said:

Folks the additions to FC2024 will be flaming cliffs level. 

Current full fidelity versions remain as they are, they will coexist. 

 

Some more info would be welcome. I already have FC3 and the FF versions of the other three planes. Will there be any advantage in purchasing the FC4 upgrade, apart from having a simplified version of the three new planes? And does "coexist" mean that you can have both installed on the same installation, or just that both will be available.

Also, will the simplified and FF versions be interchangeable in missions? I'm hoping this will not break existing missions. And it would be best if existing missions using the F-5 for example, could be flown using the new version without changing the mission file.

[Jayhawk1971]

vor 3 Minuten schrieb Rudel_chw:

 

Actually I do have a bit of confusion about exactly what airbases each map country will have, and what will be the pricing ... will there be an EA discount?

I didn't get an answer here, so I checked ORBX discord, where they are also rather vague about it. "More than $50, less than $100" was what I read. 

[YSIAD_RIP]

Kola looking like a very interesting map. Looking forward to the usual parade of DCS YouTubers flying around in the map.. 

Edited April 26, 2024 by YSIAD_RIP

[Rudel_chw]

8 minutes ago, sthompson said:

I'm hoping this will not break existing missions.

 

unlikely, it will be the same as when the A-10C II and BS3 came out.

 

8 minutes ago, sthompson said:

And it would be best if existing missions using the F-5 for example, could be flown using the new version without changing the mission file.

 

not likely, you will need to edit the mission, replace the aircraft, and save it as another mission if you want to keep the original.

[Tango3B]

9 minutes ago, Jayhawk1971 said:

I didn't get an answer here, so I checked ORBX discord, where they are also rather vague about it. "More than $50, less than $100" was what I read. 

ORBX is known for very high quality. I guess roughly around $50 will be reasonable, though. Pretty much standard in DCS, I believe...nothing to worry about

Edited April 26, 2024 by Tango3B

[IMGX]

1 hour ago, Jayhawk1971 said:

No obtuve una respuesta aquí, así que verifiqué la discordia de ORBX, donde también son bastante vagos al respecto. "Más de 50 dólares, menos de 100 dólares" fue lo que leí. 

Kola for $50 like Afghanistan might buy it, if it's close to $70 let them keep it.  We have barely seen images of the map or videos of more than two seconds. It worries me because graphically the map doesn't look like much. When we see it at low altitude I will decide.

[western_JPN]

1 hour ago, Jayhawk1971 said:

I didn't get an answer here, so I checked ORBX discord, where they are also rather vague about it. "More than $50, less than $100" was what I read. 

I'm guessing Kola's regular price will be $69.99 and early access 20% discount to $55.99 .

[Gunfreak]

Not dealing with the F86 or MiG15.

I think there was an opportunity missed by not making the F5  Freedom Fighter version instead of the Tiger II we already have as FF module. The Freedom Fighter is closer to the F86 and MiG15 in age. And would have been perfect for the new Kola map. Might even have gotten it just to get the correct F5 model for Norway.

[MAXsenna]

So! MAC is dead? We're getting FC2024 instead? And what happened to "owners of FF modules would get the MAC versions for free"?
Not really important for me though, and I'm so excited for Kola. Best news in a while for me!

@Beirut Good enough vibrations for you buddy?

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

[cailean_556]

Kola map the day after my birthday. Quite a pleasant gift indeed. I see nothing but good things coming from Orbx and this will be good for DCS as a whole.

An odd choice, the lineup for FC 2024... The Sabre and the MiG-15 I get - 'rivals' of the Korean War and all. The F-5E is an interesting choice.

I know it's not a simple as just taking away or adding bits and pieces when making an FC version of an FF module, but it seems a bit backwards in going forwards going from FF to FC...

Personally, what I think would probably have made the FC'24 more competitive (against its FF module counterparts) is different variants of these aircraft instead of 'porting' an FF module to FC. I don't see how, especially considering these particular aircraft, people would want to buy the FC version over the only slightly more complicated FF versions.

===

F-86F - F-86A Sabre The major difference being that, unlike the F-86F, the F-86A can't carry missiles - which is perfect considering the MiG-15 is a 'guns only' fighter also. Having a 'less capable' variant of essentially the same plane provides ease of learning (the intent of FC) with the logical progression to the 'more advanced' FF F-86F module that adds the complexity of early IR missiles.

MiG-15bis - MiG-15PB While eventually the 'PB' was dropped when the modifications (plumbing for drop tanks on the wings) became standard, the MiG-15PB was powered by the slightly less performant RD-45, providing incentive to 'upgrade' to the FF MiG-15bis module for better performance characteristics. 

F-5E - F-5A Freedom Fighter - no radar or RWR (similar to the F-86 and MiG-15 in that respect), the addition of 'tip tanks', optional IFR probe. A good mix of 'something the others don't have' but also lacking some things the F-5E has, and with no ability to really operate in night-time conditions - so there's incentive to upgrade. Plus, if someone just wants to do aerobatics or practice formations and/or mimic Patrolle Suisse without the 'clicky pit hassle' - this could be that outlet. Additionaly, with the optional IFR probe, one can practice probe-and-drogue IFR on a Western-style aircraft with simplified systems instead of the Su-33 (which also serves as the FC carrier operations option.

===

To me, as someone who owns FC3 and the modules above now getting FC equivalents, I know and understand that myself, and others in my position, are not the target audience for these.

However, I also don't see how or why anyone wishing to move on from the FC version of these planes would want to 'upgrade' to their FF module equivalents as they currently stand. In fact, I see the opposite happening. Generally, I see newcomers buying the easier-to-learn FC versions and, when they feel confident, they'll (rightly) switch to more capable/complex FF modules (F-16, F/A-18 etc). I see the FF versions of these modules 'falling out of favour' as time progresses.

Unless, particularly in the case of the F-5E, there are plans to upgrade/update the FF module to include extra options and simulate more modern aircraft variants (such as by adding IFR probes, modern avionics suites and newer/more advanced weapons) that encourage buying the FF modules, even if you have the FC version. 

But newcomers to DCS and existing members (especially 'collectors' like myself) alike could have been swayed to purchase something just different enough from what's already on offer (such as the examples provided above) so that everyone might have wanted to buy these products - this could have been a more profitable approach.

Just my thoughts.

Edited May 3, 2024 by cailean_556

[BalticDude]

22 minutes ago, cailean_556 said:

Kola map the day after my birthday. Quite a pleasant gift indeed. I see nothing but good things coming from Orbx and this will be good for DCS as a whole.

An odd choice, the lineup for FC 2024... The Sabre and the MiG-15 I get - 'rivals' of the Korean War and all. The F-5E is an interesting choice.

I know it's not a simple as just taking away or adding bits and pieces when making an FC version of an FF module, but it seems a bit backwards in going forwards going from FF to FC...

Personally, what I think would probably have made the FC'24 more competitive (against its FF module counterparts) is different variants of these aircraft instead of 'porting' an FF module to FC. I don't see how, especially considering these particular aircraft, people would want to buy the FC version over the only slightly more complicated FF versions.

===

F-86F - F-86A Sabre The major difference being that, unlike the F-86F, the F-86A can't carry missiles - which is perfect considering the MiG-15 is a 'guns only' fighter also. Having a 'less capable' variant of essentially the same place provides ease of learning (the intent of FC) with the logical progression to the 'more advanced' FF F-86F module that adds the complexity of early IR missiles.

MiG-15bis - MiG-15PB While eventually the 'PB' was dropped when the modifications (plumbing for drop tanks on the wings) became standard, the MiG-15PB was powered by the slightly less performant RD-45, providing incentive to 'upgrade' to the FF MiG-15bis module for better performance characteristics. 

F-5E - F-5A Freedom Fighter - no radar or RWR (similar to the F-86 and MiG-15 in that respect), the addition of 'tip tanks', optional IFR probe. A good mix of 'something the others don't have' but also lacking some things the F-5E has, and with no ability to really operate in night-time conditions - so there's incentive to upgrade. Plus, if someone just wants to do aerobatics or practice formations and/or mimic Patrolle Suisse without the 'clicky pit hassle' - this could be that outlet. Additionaly, with the optional IFR probe, one can practice probe-and-drogue IFR on a Western-style aircraft with simplified systems instead of the Su-33 (which also serves as the FC carrier operations option.

===

To me, as someone who owns FC3 and the modules above now getting FC equivalents, I know and understand that myself, and others in my position, are not the target audience for these.

However, I also don't see how or why anyone wishing to move on from the FC version of these planes would want to 'upgrade' to their FF module equivalents as they currently stand. In fact, I see the opposite happening. Generally, I see newcomers buying the easier-to-learn FC versions and, when they feel confident, they'll (rightly) switch to more capable/complex FF modules (F-16, F/A-18 etc). I see the FF versions of these modules 'falling out of favour' as time progresses.

Unless, particularly in the case of the F-5E, there are plans to upgrade/update the FF module to include extra options and simulate more modern aircraft variants (such as by adding IFR probes, modern avionics suites and newer/more advanced weapons) that encourage buying the FF modules, even if you have the FC version. 

But newcomers to DCS and existing members (especially 'collectors' like myself) alike could have been swayed to purchase something just different enough from what's already on offer (such as the examples provided above) so that everyone might have wanted to buy these products - this could have been a more profitable approach.

Just my thoughts.

 

I completely agree with the choices of aircraft here to change for FC24. F-86A, MiG-15, F-5A

Why they didn't do this and change the flight models slightly and cockpits to accommodate I have no idea, considering it's not full fidelity. The truth is simple, they are lazy.

[exhausted]

32 minutes ago, cailean_556 said:

Kola map the day after my birthday. Quite a pleasant gift indeed. I see nothing but good things coming from Orbx and this will be good for DCS as a whole.

An odd choice, the lineup for FC 2024... The Sabre and the MiG-15 I get - 'rivals' of the Korean War and all. The F-5E is an interesting choice.

I know it's not a simple as just taking away or adding bits and pieces when making an FC version of an FF module, but it seems a bit backwards in going forwards going from FF to FC...

Personally, what I think would probably have made the FC'24 more competitive (against its FF module counterparts) is different variants of these aircraft instead of 'porting' an FF module to FC. I don't see how, especially considering these particular aircraft, people would want to buy the FC version over the only slightly more complicated FF versions.

===

F-86F - F-86A Sabre The major difference being that, unlike the F-86F, the F-86A can't carry missiles - which is perfect considering the MiG-15 is a 'guns only' fighter also. Having a 'less capable' variant of essentially the same place provides ease of learning (the intent of FC) with the logical progression to the 'more advanced' FF F-86F module that adds the complexity of early IR missiles.

MiG-15bis - MiG-15PB While eventually the 'PB' was dropped when the modifications (plumbing for drop tanks on the wings) became standard, the MiG-15PB was powered by the slightly less performant RD-45, providing incentive to 'upgrade' to the FF MiG-15bis module for better performance characteristics. 

F-5E - F-5A Freedom Fighter - no radar or RWR (similar to the F-86 and MiG-15 in that respect), the addition of 'tip tanks', optional IFR probe. A good mix of 'something the others don't have' but also lacking some things the F-5E has, and with no ability to really operate in night-time conditions - so there's incentive to upgrade. Plus, if someone just wants to do aerobatics or practice formations and/or mimic Patrolle Suisse without the 'clicky pit hassle' - this could be that outlet. Additionaly, with the optional IFR probe, one can practice probe-and-drogue IFR on a Western-style aircraft with simplified systems instead of the Su-33 (which also serves as the FC carrier operations option.

===

To me, as someone who owns FC3 and the modules above now getting FC equivalents, I know and understand that myself, and others in my position, are not the target audience for these.

However, I also don't see how or why anyone wishing to move on from the FC version of these planes would want to 'upgrade' to their FF module equivalents as they currently stand. In fact, I see the opposite happening. Generally, I see newcomers buying the easier-to-learn FC versions and, when they feel confident, they'll (rightly) switch to more capable/complex FF modules (F-16, F/A-18 etc). I see the FF versions of these modules 'falling out of favour' as time progresses.

Unless, particularly in the case of the F-5E, there are plans to upgrade/update the FF module to include extra options and simulate more modern aircraft variants (such as by adding IFR probes, modern avionics suites and newer/more advanced weapons) that encourage buying the FF modules, even if you have the FC version. 

But newcomers to DCS and existing members (especially 'collectors' like myself) alike could have been swayed to purchase something just different enough from what's already on offer (such as the examples provided above) so that everyone might have wanted to buy these products - this could have been a more profitable approach.

Just my thoughts.

 

F-5A is a great idea. It's really missing for the Kola map. The F-5 was popular in NATO, but never the F-5E -- they all used variants of the F-5A.

Edited April 27, 2024 by exhausted

[Arbitrary]

I know my group would have significant buy-in for a future Flaming Cliffs that took existing assets (updated exterior models, a little love to the flight model) and slapped on a cockpit model. We'd get milage out of...

A-20

F-16A

F-18A

F-117

B-1

Mig-25

...

[Beirut]

3 hours ago, MAXsenna said:

@Beirut Good enough vibrations for you buddy?
 

 

ORBX putting out a map is a good sign, shows they have confidence. I'd like something a bit more to the point, but that not going to happen.  

[Gunnar81]

Looking forward to seeing the new content!

[Omega417]

3 hours ago, cailean_556 said:

.........

Just my thoughts.

 

I agree i would love if they would release a metric *********** tonne of FC style modules that likely arent popular enough to get a FF model. Lots of early cold war jets. Then as 3rd part devs come in, they can chose from those and have a base model that already exists. 

[P1l0t]

@BIGNEWY @NineLine

DCS World could become a truly free-to-play game by introducing FC planes like this to its lineup. Imagine the appeal of using the Su-25T and TF-51 for missions that yield XP and credits. This would allow players to grind various FC modules and immerse themselves in the high-level simulation experience that ED offers. Such a system would not only incentivize existing players to engage more but also attract new ones, whether they prefer single-player or online modes. A range of missions, from landing and take-off to air and ground target destruction, as well as aerial refueling and carrier landings, would offer ample opportunities to earn XP and credits.

Additionally, introducing FC modules like the MiG-29K, MiG-29M, MiG-29SM, MiG-25, MiG-31, Su-25TM, Su-30, Su-35, and J-11B would fulfill the desires of Redfor enthusiasts. Just as the MiG-29S, Su-27, and Su-33 already exist in DCS World, modern versions could be made available.

These modules could be purchasable in the E-shop, allowing both new and veteran players to acquire them through XP and credit grinding. This free-to-play model, tied to XP and credits, would incentivize players to engage more with the DCS world, knowing they can earn rewards proposed by ED.

Moreover, players may not receive the modules immediately under this model, but they could gradually unlock weapons, skins, and various national versions through grinding.

Implementing this vision would greatly enhance the appeal and player base of DCS World, leading to increased sales of DCS products and greater success for ED.

Edited April 27, 2024 by P1l0t

[MiG21bisFishbedL]

20 minutes ago, P1l0t said:

 

Moreover, players may not receive the modules immediately under this model, but they could gradually unlock weapons, skins, and various national versions through grinding.

Implementing this vision would greatly enhance the appeal and player base of DCS World, leading to increased sales of DCS products and greater success for ED.

 

[diego999]

30 minutes ago, P1l0t said:

@BIGNEWY @NineLine

DCS World could become a truly free-to-play game by introducing FC planes like this to its lineup. Imagine the appeal of using the Su-25T and TF-51 for missions that yield XP and credits. This would allow players to grind various FC modules and immerse themselves in the high-level simulation experience that ED offers. Such a system would not only incentivize existing players to engage more but also attract new ones, whether they prefer single-player or online modes. A range of missions, from landing and take-off to air and ground target destruction, as well as aerial refueling and carrier landings, would offer ample opportunities to earn XP and credits.

Additionally, introducing FC modules like the MiG-29K, MiG-29M, MiG-29SM, MiG-25, MiG-31, Su-25TM, Su-30, Su-35, and J-11B would fulfill the desires of Redfor enthusiasts. Just as the MiG-29S, Su-27, and Su-33 already exist in DCS World, modern versions could be made available.

These modules could be purchasable in the E-shop, allowing both new and veteran players to acquire them through XP and credit grinding. This free-to-play model, tied to XP and credits, would incentivize players to engage more with the DCS world, knowing they can earn rewards proposed by ED.

Moreover, players may not receive the modules immediately under this model, but they could gradually unlock weapons, skins, and various national versions through grinding.

Implementing this vision would greatly enhance the appeal and player base of DCS World, leading to increased sales of DCS products and greater success for ED.

 

 

War Thunder is over there mate.

Edited April 27, 2024 by diego999