Thank you for 2024!

[Dangerzone]

This year hasn’t been the easiest for DCS, and I know I’ve been as vocal as anyone when it comes to pointing out areas where I think ED could have done better. 

But it's great to also reflect on the things that ED has done right too, and I think as we approach the end of another year we've managed to survive, now seems to seem a good time to reflect on the things we appreciate. 

I’d love to hear what others are thankful for that we've received this year. Here are a few things I’m especially grateful for in 2024 that spring to mind:

• Performance Optimizations: (Seeing another simulator recent launch with dreadful frame rates even on high-end machines highlights to me how well DCS is performing in this area, and how beautiful it is too. Can't wait to see what Vulkan brings).
   
• Dynamic Spawn Slots for Multiplayer: A massive thank you for this feature!
   
• Focusing on Bug Fixes (especially the impact in the latest couple of updates). 
   
• Significant Syria Map Updates: I don’t own all the maps so apologies to other creators and the work they have done too- but I have been wonderfully surprised by the unexpected changes that have come to the Syria map. 
   
• The Long-Awaited KIOWA: Finally, it’s here, and I love it. 
   
• Plane Directors and Fog: Yeah, I know they’re not here just yet, but let’s face it—they’re almost within reach and I'm pretty excited about this too.
   
• Keeping DCS Cloud-Free: And no, I’m not talking about fluffy white clouds. Despite the space DCS takes up on drives, I’m so glad ED aren't going down the online cloud-based game path that 'another flight sim' has. The ability to play offline is greatly appreciated, and optional not mandatory updates mean I can jump in for a quick flight without being forced to update first. ED really strikes a great balance here, with the way they do their install, and it's a huge contract between it and an unmentionable simulator. 
   
• Incredible effort of 3rd party voluntary support. From those who host events, work on MOOSE to keep it up todate, provide support, the online map editor, Olympus, VAICOM, SRS, Quadviews/VR supporters, and too many others to mention - so grateful. DCS would not be what it is today for many of us without you lot doing such generous work for the community.

(I know there are things people are disappointed with this year too, or things that we're looking forward to but haven't been released yet. I also know there's soon to be a 2025 and beyond, and there will be lots of discussions on what we're looking forward to as well. But for this thread, I would love to see focus on what we’re thankful for for this year. Please feel free to chime in and add to this list or have your say of what you appreciate). 

Let's keep adding to this list, coz I know there's plenty more that I'm thankful for that I haven't recalled yet. 

[rob10]

42 minutes ago, Dangerzone said:

• Keeping DCS Cloud-Free: And no, I’m not talking about fluffy white clouds. Despite the space DCS takes up on drives, I’m so glad ED aren't going down the online cloud-based game path that 'another flight sim' has. The ability to play offline is greatly appreciated, and optional not mandatory updates mean I can jump in for a quick flight without being forced to update first. ED really strikes a great balance here, with the way they do their install, and it's a huge contract between it and an unmentionable simulator. 

1,000% this!  Aside from just being able to play offline, I'm pretty sure I don't have enough internet speed to fly the other sim even once they get their current issues worked out.  While the DCS downloads (esp. maps) take a llllooooonnnnnngggg time for me, at least it's one and done.

[Slippa]

Good shout, there’s enough bashing getting attention and hands up, I’ll whinge like the best of em at times.

I’m grateful we got the Mossie tailwheel fixed.  implementing the new suspension went with a bump, could’ve gone smoother and all the other cheesey jokes but eventually, it rolled out ok so all’s well that ends well n all that.

The Chinny ain’t bad is it? WIP still but it’s here and it’s not bad either. Looking forward to getting more for it, so cheers for that.

Agree on the Kiowa. PC gave us another tidy chopper, well done.

Honourable mention for the OH-6A too. A real gift to the community and more fun than should be allowed. Granted it isn’t official but it could and should be. Hope there’s a bit of thought on how to help modders complete their models for us all. I don’t use as many mods as a lot of people but am always chuffed to see the stuff that’s being done. Good that some of it creeps into the core too, well done.

Have to be Phankful phor the Phantom o course. Brilliantly done and still being tinkered with apparently. I couldn’t start it the other night but I’m to blame for getting rusty, I should get in it more often. 

Thanks in advance for the surprise release of all the vintage pieces (in 2 weeks o course). I’m loving the Typhoon, the Wildcat’s great and the Carriers are a thing of wonder. The Zeros are a bit tricky but as a WIP I’m sure they’ll be fine. Absolutely bowled over with the flyable Flying Fortress and Dakota too. I wasn’t expecting that . Very happy to let the nurse give me some medicine now so I’ll behave myself, come back down to earth and bow out gracefully. Sorry, couldn’t resist. 

It’s still the one to fly. Jets, props or helis. Thank you. 

P.S. Thank you for thinking about the Vietnam map. Even if you weren’t, you are now so thanks for the thought.  you know you wanna.
 

[Pillowcat]

41 minutes ago, rob10 said:

I don't have enough internet speed to fly the other sim

Spoiler

 

[Beirut]

On 11/21/2024 at 10:05 PM, Dangerzone said:

Keeping DCS Cloud-Free:

 

Amen! 

 

I think the Phantom is the big one this year. Shows DCS is clearly (still) the best for high-tech flightsim goodness.

[draconus]

• downwash, jetwash, propwash and explosion moving vegetation
• DCS beta->release, ST->MT unification
• Iraq annoucement and WIP
• SC updates and WIP
• Massun92 assets integration
• bomb fuzes and coating options
• ...

[schurem]

2024 was a year for DCS. Truly awesome progress with multithreading and quadviews performance gains. Some superb modules hit. But also the year of the razbam drama which isn't solved yet.

 

So was it a great year? Well.. not unequivocally. 

Edited November 25, 2024 by schurem

[KoN]

Multi threading was game changer on first release. 

New clouds 

DLSS.DLAA.

Great VR inside cockpits. 

PROP Wash on veg . 

[Qcumber]

2024 has been a good vintage. A fine, acquired taste, which might not be for everyone.

I'm looking forward to the 2025 harvest (although my wallet isn't; it's already hiding away somewhere). 

 

[KoN]

I really want a stable platform to fly in . VR Tobe optimized more.

The cost of maps and modules to be a reasonable price. 

Better marketing by ED .

 

[Hotdognz]

My 2024 greatest hits list would be

Kiowa
F4
Kola
Massun92 assets
Dynamic Spawn slots
Better MT support and ongoing tweaking
VR was good in 2024
The move to OpenXR with DCS
Dynamic Spawn slots
Syria Map updates

Nearly would have made my list with some small tweaks
Chinook (very poor logistics on release) but love the module
Afghan (poor textures stopped it being a good release)
Bomb fuses (poor documentation)
SC Airboss room (no mouse in VR so unusable)
 

[wilbur81]

On 11/21/2024 at 9:05 PM, Dangerzone said:

This year hasn’t been the easiest for DCS, and I know I’ve been as vocal as anyone when it comes to pointing out areas where I think ED could have done better. 

But it's great to also reflect on the things that ED has done right too, and I think as we approach the end of another year we've managed to survive, now seems to seem a good time to reflect on the things we appreciate. 

I’d love to hear what others are thankful for that we've received this year. Here are a few things I’m especially grateful for in 2024 that spring to mind:

• Performance Optimizations: (Seeing another simulator recent launch with dreadful frame rates even on high-end machines highlights to me how well DCS is performing in this area, and how beautiful it is too. Can't wait to see what Vulkan brings).
   
• Dynamic Spawn Slots for Multiplayer: A massive thank you for this feature!
   
• Focusing on Bug Fixes (especially the impact in the latest couple of updates). 
   
• Significant Syria Map Updates: I don’t own all the maps so apologies to other creators and the work they have done too- but I have been wonderfully surprised by the unexpected changes that have come to the Syria map. 
   
• The Long-Awaited KIOWA: Finally, it’s here, and I love it. 
   
• Plane Directors and Fog: Yeah, I know they’re not here just yet, but let’s face it—they’re almost within reach and I'm pretty excited about this too.
   
• Keeping DCS Cloud-Free: And no, I’m not talking about fluffy white clouds. Despite the space DCS takes up on drives, I’m so glad ED aren't going down the online cloud-based game path that 'another flight sim' has. The ability to play offline is greatly appreciated, and optional not mandatory updates mean I can jump in for a quick flight without being forced to update first. ED really strikes a great balance here, with the way they do their install, and it's a huge contract between it and an unmentionable simulator. 
   
• Incredible effort of 3rd party voluntary support. From those who host events, work on MOOSE to keep it up todate, provide support, the online map editor, Olympus, VAICOM, SRS, Quadviews/VR supporters, and too many others to mention - so grateful. DCS would not be what it is today for many of us without you lot doing such generous work for the community.

(I know there are things people are disappointed with this year too, or things that we're looking forward to but haven't been released yet. I also know there's soon to be a 2025 and beyond, and there will be lots of discussions on what we're looking forward to as well. But for this thread, I would love to see focus on what we’re thankful for for this year. Please feel free to chime in and add to this list or have your say of what you appreciate). 

Let's keep adding to this list, coz I know there's plenty more that I'm thankful for that I haven't recalled yet. 

HEAR, HEAR!!!  I'm thankful for the core performance enhancements that have rendered the world more beautiful than ever and smooth as butter on my system. And remaining "Cloud-Free."  

Edited November 27, 2024 by wilbur81