reported earlier Track Replay problems

[Nealius]

Why is it not being acknowledged that this was never an issue between the time that replay tracks were improved in the 2.9.0 patch and the subsequent updates that started causing issues? This is not a scripting issue as it happens in missions that have no scripts. 

[buceador]

On 4/8/2025 at 9:47 PM, BIGNEWY said:

Hi, 

the track replay system was initially designed for debug purposes, large complex MP missions, or mission with many scripts or unofficial mods can create problems for the system. Also different versions of DCS may corrupt older track replays. The system is temperamental and to give it the best chance its a good idea to keep tracks as short as possible.

Tracks don't come much shorter than this 

Single player problem...

 

[Neqva]

On 4/8/2025 at 9:47 PM, BIGNEWY said:

Hi, 

the track replay system was initially designed for debug purposes, large complex MP missions, or mission with many scripts or unofficial mods can create problems for the system. Also different versions of DCS may corrupt older track replays. The system is temperamental and to give it the best chance its a good idea to keep tracks as short as possible. We are always trying to improve it, but it requires free dev time, which is not always available. 

 

Rather sure it's been discussed before. But could you not consider to turn the replay system into an actual replay system instead of debug tool? I mean, yes, the track files could still exist as a debug tool as they are today. But please, please, please consider allowing a functional replay system that will allow you to fast forward/rewind etc. This will make it so much easier for people making DCS content to create awesome DCS videos which in turn is more or less free advertisement for DCS. 

[rob10]

1 hour ago, Neqva said:

Rather sure it's been discussed before. But could you not consider to turn the replay system into an actual replay system instead of debug tool? I mean, yes, the track files could still exist as a debug tool as they are today. But please, please, please consider allowing a functional replay system that will allow you to fast forward/rewind etc. This will make it so much easier for people making DCS content to create awesome DCS videos which in turn is more or less free advertisement for DCS. 

Yes it has been discussed before.  ED has already said they really can't do anything with the track system to make it "better" and it will require a new system to have what people are looking for in replays.  And that will take time/manpower that currently isn't available so will have to wait until they can put some devs on it.

[Nealius]

3 hours ago, rob10 said:

Yes it has been discussed before.  ED has already said they really can't do anything with the track system to make it "better"

This is false. 19 October 2023 update (2.9.0.46801) completely fixed the replay tracks on human controlled aircraft. The "unexpected end of track fiber" error didn't start consistently until summer of 2024. Multiplayer tracks seem to have had a separate CTD issue in the December 2023 update.

Point is, replays worked reliably regardless of SP/MP or scripts for two months, and continued working on SP regardless of scripts for about eight months. The defeatest claims that they "never worked" or that "they can't be fixed," or that the cause is "scripting" have zero evidence to support them. On the contrary, there is ample evidence showing that they DID work and they CAN be fixed. It's just hard to find that evidence because everyone here has such short and selective memories they never bother to search, and searching is often sabotaged by ED's tendency to merge threads and delete useful comments in the process. 

Edited May 5 by Nealius

[rob10]

23 hours ago, Nealius said:

This is false. 19 October 2023 update (2.9.0.46801) completely fixed the replay tracks on human controlled aircraft. The "unexpected end of track fiber" error didn't start consistently until summer of 2024. Multiplayer tracks seem to have had a separate CTD issue in the December 2023 update.

Point is, replays worked reliably regardless of SP/MP or scripts for two months, and continued working on SP regardless of scripts for about eight months. The defeatest claims that they "never worked" or that "they can't be fixed," or that the cause is "scripting" have zero evidence to support them. On the contrary, there is ample evidence showing that they DID work and they CAN be fixed. It's just hard to find that evidence because everyone here has such short and selective memories they never bother to search, and searching is often sabotaged by ED's tendency to merge threads and delete useful comments in the process. 

If you read the post I replied to, it has nothing to with track replays "not working".  It was regarding adding fast forward/rewind etc.  Absolutely nothing to do with anything you posted in response to me.

[Nealius]

I read your post and it does not indicate anything about fast forward/rewind, and my response has every relevance to both your comment and the question posed by the person you were responding to. Furthermore, ED has stated here on these forums and/or in a newsletter that they were working on including fast forward/rewind features, which again debunks your claim that they "can't do anything" about fixing them.

[silverdevil]

17 hours ago, Nealius said:

"can't do anything" about fixing them.

in fairness, ED has stated they cannot fix the current system. they need to create a new system from the ground up.

[Nealius]

Found an old video on Yo-yo’s Youtube showing a rewind feature and it indeed was a new WIP system for replays.

My point about them being mostly fixed in 2023 until recent “end of track fiber” issues still remains true. 

[buceador]

On 5/7/2025 at 11:23 AM, silverdevil said:

in fairness, ED has stated they cannot fix the current system. they need to create a new system from the ground up.

In order that we do not lose 'track' of the recent track replay problem...

For me, since the GCW or perhaps the combination of the new 'SAVE GAME' & DTC updates, I can no longer view any saved track after exiting a mission regardless of length or map used and I am referring to SP mission tracks.

Any updates to when this crippling issue will be resolved would be gratefully received.

Thanks.

[buceador]

For clarity, this new track replay problem only seems to affect a track where the aircraft is set to PLAYER, I have run a very short mission twice, once as PLAYER and once as AI, as PLAYER the track replay fails, as AI it plays as expected.

[silverdevil]

2 hours ago, buceador said:

For clarity, this new track replay problem only seems to affect a track where the aircraft is set to PLAYER, I have run a very short mission twice, once as PLAYER and once as AI, as PLAYER the track replay fails, as AI it plays as expected.

interesting. are you able to share the track? to see if there is some sort of computer issue is affecting it.

[buceador]

1 hour ago, silverdevil said:

are you able to share the track?

 Unfortunately that's the problem! I'll attach the 2 tracks and the .miz file - as I said, I flew it AI then PLAYER
(As I have mentioned before, this problem has ONLY manifested itself (for me) since CWG or perhaps the combination of the new 'SAVE GAME' & DTC updates.

Also I have made approximately 500 DCS videos using the .trk file method without these issues.

Thank you for your input

Track fail May 10 PLAYER.trk Track fail May 10.trk Track fail test May 10.miz dcs.log debrief.log

[buceador]

In the spirit of due diligence I repeated the exercise above but on the Caucasus map and with FC aircraft in case there were other variables.

RESULT:
Track files play normally with PLAYER flying IN FC AIRCRAFT.  I do not own any other FF aircraft so I cannot test but perhaps this will aid the devs in finding the solution.

[buceador]

I just downloaded the Hornet on trial - same problem, .trk file fail when flown by PLAYER

[silverdevil]

@buceador i ran both your tracks. same results. AI is fine. Player nada. i have not tried FC save track. quite honestly i think this topic is moot. the dev team not mentioning either fixing or mentioning a new system, proves that something is in the works. i totally get it. if any news is mentioned, the user base will flip out. no need for that    modus operandi. i do not make content so i have no use for the tracks.  

[Avalanche110]

I Get this error message when trying to load a .trk

(its a very large file, flown in VR single player with mission scripts running) No mods installed.

Just wondering if anyone's seen this before? I tried saving the track for this mission 4 times without success. 

null

[BIGNEWY]

The issue is reported, it usually happens when the DTC has been used. 

A fix will be in a future patch. 

thank you 

[buceador]

On 5/13/2025 at 9:41 AM, BIGNEWY said:

The issue is reported, it usually happens when the DTC has been used. 

A fix will be in a future patch. 

I haven't used the DTC yet as it is only concerned (at this time) with countermeasures and yet I cannot view ANY saved track that I have flown i.e. as PLAYER, I am aware that we all have our little axes to grind but for me, as mentioned before, not being able to view and edit a track for use as YT content, renders DCS, for me, of little practical use..
I sincerely hope  this problem is rectified in the next update.

Thank you.

[BIGNEWY]

A potential fix will be in the next patch. Please try new tracks after and let me know if it helps. ( old tracks may still not work between versions )

[buceador]

7 minutes ago, BIGNEWY said:

A potential fix will be in the next patch. Please try new tracks after and let me know if it helps. ( old tracks may still not work between versions )

A BIG thank you!

[Katmandu]

21 hours ago, buceador said:

I haven't used the DTC yet as it is only concerned (at this time) with countermeasures and yet I cannot view ANY saved track that I have flown i.e. as PLAYER, I am aware that we all have our little axes to grind but for me, as mentioned before, not being able to view and edit a track for use as YT content, renders DCS, for me, of little practical use..
I sincerely hope  this problem is rectified in the next update.

I've rolled back to 2.9.13.68 version for that reason. After the save state was introduced in 2.9.14 tracks started desyncing at a massive rate, talkign about short guns only FC aircraft vs AI. The latest 2.9.15 is just as bad desyncing wise with FC craft, and also has the "unexpected end" to boot. The patch note says that the latter was addressed, but it was not. 

[buceador]

1 hour ago, Katmandu said:

The patch note says that the latter was addressed, but it was not. 

I just did a very quick test, simple mission - F-16 flying toward a runway PLAYER controlled, after exiting and clicking on WATCH TRACK the track played failed with the usual error message, for clarity, this problem is new and seems to have started around the time of the new SAVE 'feature'
I have to admit to being really disappointed...
 

LastMissionTrack.trk Track fail May 22 Caucasus PLAYER F16.trk dcs.log debrief.log

Edited yesterday at 08:57 AM by buceador
Clarity

[buceador]

On 5/21/2025 at 11:50 AM, BIGNEWY said:

A potential fix will be in the next patch. Please try new tracks after and let me know if it helps. ( old tracks may still not work between versions )

Hi, as you can see in my post above, the problem remains.  I have to assume this problem affects everybody that tries to load a saved track, given that there are not hundreds of posts about this I have to assume that not many people use / edit a saved track?  Can anyone out there in DCS land save a track after an (F-16 or F-18) PLAYER mission   and then successfully reload that same track?

[BIGNEWY]

I will check with the devs using your tracks, thanks