DCS: Kola FAQ

[Holger Sandmann]

 

DCS: Kola is now available in Early Access on Orbx Direct, in the Eagle Dynamics E-Shop, and on Steam.

The far reaches of northern Europe are generally described as a world of raw beauty and quiet grandeur, where rolling hills meet dramatic fjords, and myriad lakes reflect dense forests and the tranquil sky (whoever wrote this sentence is an incurable romantic). However, these same landscapes are also host to conflict-laden topics such as past and present geopolitical tensions and alliances, access to ice-free ports and Arctic waters, extensive mineral resources, nuclear weapons and storage, national and regional defense strategies, and military exercises and winter training (now we are talking!).

Orbx proudly presents the DCS: Kola map, which covers northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Russian Murmansk Oblast and parts of the Karelia region. The map also includes large areas of the Barents Sea and Norwegian Sea to the north and west, ideal for aircraft carrier operations. The Orbx DCS: Kola map is represented in its current-day state, with some allowance for late-Cold War military features and functionality.

Normally priced at USD 69.99, the early release of Kola will be offered at a 20% discount, reducing the price to USD 55.99 (excluding all applicable taxes). The purchase price may also increase as the map evolves with further content.

 These FAQs are meant to answer the most common questions and will be updated and expanded over time.

 

Who is Orbx?

Orbx is an Australian owned developer and publisher of add-ons and expansions for flight simulation software and known for creating high-quality scenery enhancements, aircraft, and other add-ons for popular platforms like Microsoft Flight Simulator, Prepar3D, and X-Plane. Our products can be found here: orbxdirect.com

With the release of DCS: Kola map we are very excited to join a number of prestigious third-party developers creating high-quality content for DCS.

 

How much hard drive space is required for DCS: Kola?

At the time of launch the map requires approx. 150GB of free hard drive space. With more content planned in the future, especially a full set of winter textures, this will likely increase further.

That being said, with additional optimisation being worked on in parallel with new content, we hope to not increase the overall map file size much more.

 

What is included in DCS: Kola at the launch of early access?

The Kola map spans about 1,400 km east-west by 1,000 km north-south, with more than 575,000 sq km of land and a total coverage area of ~1,350,000 sq km. Its southern boundary roughly aligns with 65 degrees latitude, meaning most of the map area falls within the Arctic Circle.

Right from the beginning of its early-access phase, DCS: Kola includes its entire coverage area, with detailed terrain, summer ground textures, shorelines, thousands of lakes, most rivers, and the main transportation network already in place; more than half a million sq km for you to explore!

In regards to high-detail areas and military installations, this initial release focuses on an area spanning the Finland/Russia border, encompassing central Finland and the western parts of the Murmansk and Karelia regions of Russia. The map below highlights the focus area, in green, while also indicating the additional airports in Norway and Sweden.  

 

Key Features of the Early Access Release

● Complete base terrain for the entire map area, with highly detailed topography, summer ground textures, shorelines, and lakes and rivers.

● An initial focus area spans the Finland/Russia border and encompasses central Finland and the western parts of the Murmansk and Karelia regions of Russia (see map).

● Four high-detail areas, focusing on two airports in Finland (EFRO, EFKE) and five in Russia (XLMV, ULAK, RU-1110, RU-4464, ULMM), and their urban and rural surroundings and infrastructure.

● Two road runways in Finland, near Rovaniemi and Sodankylä, respectively.

● Two additional airports in Norway (ENBO, ENNA) and three in Sweden (ESNQ, ESNJ, ESUK) are functional but not fully detailed at early-access release.

● Significant civilian POIs include bridges, vertical obstructions, monuments, hydro dams, power stations, port facilities, landmark buildings, open-pit mines, towns and small villages, and industrial sites.

● Improved night lighting for cities and towns.

● Main road and railroad network, with bridges and tunnels, which is connected across the map that allows long-distance AI routing.

● Natural landmarks and geographic features, like Norwegian fjords, detailed coastlines, snowfields, forests and wetlands, tens of thousands of lakes, and large river systems.

● Map features represent the current era but includes allowances for the late-Cold War era – e.g., operational road runways and fully functioning Russian air bases – to enhance mission options.

● The Orbx team is collaborating with experienced DCS campaign creators Baltic Dragon and Reflected Simulations to create engaging campaigns.

  

What is the roadmap for DCS: Kola in terms of content and frequency of updates?

Orbx is committed to frequent updates of the map, delivering bug fixes, new content and enhancements. The first major update is already planned for release in June 2024 and smaller updates will follow the general update cycle of DCS World. Given that most of the map area lies within the Arctic Circle, a full set of winter textures will be one of our first priorities.

Our plan is to deliver updates within geographic subareas, given the large distances involved, rather than widely dispersed features. The map below shows our current planning for and within these areas. Each area update will include several detailed airports, military installations, training areas, as well as towns and villages and their key infrastructure and POIs. The pink rectangles indicate the respective high-detail areas. Note that the map only shows airports and road runways and not the many additional military sites, towns, and landmarks that will also receive updates.

Specific airbases already in development or planning include Andoya, Bardufoss, Evenes, Vidsel, Kilpyavr, Alakkurti, and others, as well as more naval bases, training ranges, border guard stations, garrisons, radar/EWR stations, civilian airports, and important landmarks like large bridges, vertical obstructions,  and the Esrange Space Center.

Please note though that “no plan survives contact with the enemy” ;-)  and thus update content and timing can and will change. Obviously, we’ll also gather requests and feedback from the user community (see below), which may further influence our planning of updates.

Last but certainly not least, with each update we will further improve on terrain detail and features, add more high-resolution aerial orthoimagery, detailed cities and towns, custom POIs and vertical obstructions, as well as significant industrial sites.

 

Where can I provide feedback on the current and future features for the map?

We have created a specific page where you can lodge your wishes!

Register here to post and vote: https://kola.orbxdirect.com/

 

Where can I receive technical support regarding the Kola map?

We provide Technical Support via the following channels:

●       Submit an online Support Ticket: https://orbxdirect.com/support

●       Orbx Discord Channel -> Support

 

What about the campaigns by Baltic Dragon and Reflected Simulations?

‘Baltic’ and ‘Reflected’ both have extensive portfolios of popular missions and campaigns for DCS World and are hard at work on their respective campaigns that will take place in the Finland/Russia boundary area of the Kola map. Their respective YouTube channels can be found [here] and [here].

They may still be looking for help with mission voice-overs so keep an eye out for their requests.

 

Will there be an Asset Pack specific to the Kola map region?

While we don’t have an asset pack of our own, we are aware of their value, and also of existing and planned assets by 3D artists suitable for missions in the Kola map area. We are looking into options of collecting and sharing these with the community.

 

Will there be (dynamic) Northern Lights?

We do hope so, as the aurora borealis certainly is a well-known and spectacular feature of the high latitudes. It is, however, something for Eagle Dynamics to implement. All we can say at this point is that ED acknowledges that it is frequently requested and they are considering adding it at some point in the future.

 

Is there a possibility that the map will be expanded in the future?

Our primary focus will be on adding content and improving detail and accuracy within the existing map boundaries. There are a lot (!) of features of interest to military enthusiasts that can and will be added in subsequent updates. Moreover, the DCS World game engine does have limitations regarding the overall size and content of single terrain maps, but we will be working closely with Eagle Dynamics to optimise sizes and quality over the next few months. 

However, if we have the community support as well as the technical means, we will definitely consider expansions to the south as well as the industrial areas along the White Sea shores.

 

Can I use Volanta with DCS World?

Volanta is Orbx’s smart flight tracker application, available [here]. Volanta is an easy-to-use flight tracker that integrates all your flight data across all major simulators, including DCS World.

DCS World integrates with Volanta to automatically track your flight data. Once you have DCS and Volanta set up, your flight information will be captured by Volanta, allowing you to view and analyze your DCS flights alongside those from other supported simulators.

Note: There have been reports of minor compatibility issues between DCS and Volanta. While Volanta can track DCS flights, some users have experienced glitches like incorrect aircraft data being recorded.

 

Additional Websites and Resources for the Kola map

(By no means a complete collection! Let us know if you are aware of additional relevant links)

https://rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/new-arctic-geopolitics

https://www.thearcticinstitute.org/return-great-power-competition-arctic/

https://natolibguides.info/arcticsecurity/reports

https://www.thearcticinstitute.org/swedens-strategic-shift-navigating-nato-membership-path-forward/

https://www.barentsinfo.org/barents-region/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bas_90

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bas_60

[zeufman]

Can we expect Icerberg with winter texture ?

[IMGX]

I have noticed that when flying at low altitude, in a helicopter for example, the grass and bushes begin to be seen at around 20m. If the grass begins to generate at a little higher height, it would be visually much better, around 40m, because the texture at higher heights is not immersive. Is there a possibility of being able to edit a file so that it can be seen at a higher altitude and not lose the immersion of flying low?

I also wanted to ask if there is a possibility of editing a file to increase the density of trees in the forest, because there is a lot of space between them. I already have it at the maximum in the DCS options.

Thank you and Nice map.

Edited May 4 by IMGX

[YoYo]

46 minutes ago, IMGX said:

I also wanted to ask if there is a possibility of editing a file to increase the density of trees in the forest, because there is a lot of space between them. I already have it at the maximum in the DCS options.

No. Only in DCS settings. Notice also that it affects performance and the vegetation on this map is an FPS killer.

[rato65]

5 hours ago, zeufman said:

Can we expect Icerberg with winter texture ?

You might want to check this out in the meantime:

 

[zeufman]

39 minutes ago, rato65 said:

You might want to check this out in the meantime:

thanks !

[Mk1_Trebuchet]

Probably a dumb question... but how do I get Kola installed on my dedicated server? Is this another Sinai scenario that requires a command line push?

 

[AdrianL]

4 minutes ago, Mk1_Trebuchet said:

Kola installed on my dedicated server

KOLA_terrain is the module name.

See 

 

[Mk1_Trebuchet]

Thanks! That didn't come up when I searched. Gonna pin that one!

 

[Customizer171]

The map is released as early access. When is it expected to be complete?

I understand it will be hard to give an exact time, but are we talking about a few months or several years?

[tripod3]

3 hours ago, Customizer171 said:

The map is released as early access. When is it expected to be complete?

I understand it will be hard to give an exact time, but are we talking about a few months or several years?

Next major update in June. So we will see it and can make some predictions about how significally  updates improve the map

[diveplane]

was hoping in the future to see abandoned decommissioned nuclear subs ships scattered in the areas ...Murmansk

Edited May 5 by diveplane

[pedrosura]

I bought the Map but it doesn't load. It doesn't appear inside the game that I bought it but the website shows that I did buy it?? It's the only product that I have seen do that. 

Ran repair to see if that fix it and nothing.

Edited May 5 by pedrosura

[AdrianL]

14 minutes ago, pedrosura said:

website shows that I did buy it

Assuming you mean the ED Store? Make sure you have updated DCS to the latest version otherwise it will not show.

You need to be on at least version 2.9.4.53990, which released yesterday

Edited May 5 by AdrianL

[killjoy73au]

Do we have a date for the June update?

[J. Clark]

Not yet. I'm guessing sometime around the 26th since that is the date they list for the Chinook release. You'll see the release date of the next patch when the Patch Status post gets updated.

 

[AdrianL]

Next patch is liable to just the Kiowa plus some hot fixes.

So liable to be the end of June, which would match the 6 week patch cycle.

[killjoy73au]

Well it'd be nice to hear from the actual developers...

[Silver_Dragon]

9 minutes ago, killjoy73au said:

Well it'd be nice to hear from the actual developers...

The real developers has active on ORBX discord.

[pjbunnyru]

В 02.06.2024 в 12:06, Silver_Dragon сказал:

Настоящие разработчики активно участвуют в разногласиях ORBX.

 

Edited June 4 by pjbunnyru

[killjoy73au]

On 6/2/2024 at 7:06 PM, Silver_Dragon said:

The real developers has active on ORBX discord.

They don't respond on there either lol

[ESA_maligno]

En 29/5/2024 a las 13:15, killjoy73au dijo:

Do we have a date for the June update?

¿Alguna noticia?

 

Any news????