Into the Jungle - Next Gen

[Mistermann]

March 17, 2025 - New Release Announcement

Mostly a copy of the status update a week ago.  The new version (v2.015c) is now available for download in the files section here https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3342301/

We ran into a few snags with the Redfor Bombing mission and had to eliminate it from this version.  We weren't thrilled with how it came together and opted to pull it so we could work on some better mechanics.  It's definitely coming in a future release.

Highlights

Redfor CAP - There's a new I2J Settings menu option in F10 Radio.  There you'll find an option called "Toggle Redfor CAP".  The default setting for this is OFF.  If toggled ON, the mission spawns Redfor CAP.  This CAP consists of a random set of Redfor inteceptor(s) set to patrol over the island.  Take them out.  When they are eliminated a new CAP replaces them at some point over the next 20 minutes.  You won't know when or where or what spawns, only that the mission will spawn something "soon".  If you toggle this setting back OFF, the mission removes any spawned CAP group and returns to the default clear skies state.

Added C-130 Hercules - This is now a REQUIRED modification as we include it in the mission.  Servers must load this along with all clients.  The link to the modification is at the bottom of this post.

Added C-130 Cargo Attack Script - added the Hercules Cargo Attack script to the mission.  When paratroopers drop from the C-130, they land and search out the nearest enemy encampment within 15 miles.  They move from their landing site to engage the enemy.

AAA Threat - As more and more fixed wing assets are now in play (like the Herc), I needed to make the skies a little more unforgiving.  Period appropriate Soviet Flak now appears in certain random groups as well as on Alpha, Bunker and South Island perma-groups.  This really adds to the excitement of fixed and rotor flight.

Group death voiceovers - now whenever a random group is eliminated, a random voiceover plays.  Nice way to let players know when a group is eliminated.

Tactical Changes
  : Changed fog settings to expand the fog effect a bit as well as duration so it lasts longer - Thanks Spooky 1-1/VOODOO
  : Activated sitting ducks.  Any stopgap client destroyed prevents client spawning for 30 minutes - Thanks cfrag!
  : Removed automatic spawn of remaining groups when last group eliminated
  : Made static sinking ships BLUE
  : Added probe tanker to the mission for USAF AAR
  : Updated tanker frequencies ["Arco" KC135: 263MHz TCN:63X "Texico" KC135MPRS: 264MHz TCN:64x]
  : Adjusted CSAR downed pilot reaction ranges by 50% so smoke and voiceovers happen when players are much closer to the downed pilot
  : Devil's changes to statics, adding Hercules, and general updates around the map.  NO NEW ENEMY
  : Added defensive code to I2J to prevent Bigsmoke from blowing up on nil coordinates
  
Big Thanks

A big shout out to @SPOOKY 1-1 and his server of aviators for testing this version for us.  It was nice to get some feedback on performance and new features ahead of the release. 

For people interested in experiencing I2J on a dedicated server, I highly recommend heading over to SPOOKY 1-1's public server called VIETNAM | Into The Jungle.  He hosts different variations of the base mission offering some different fog/weather/time settings.  There are also additional aircraft for those looking to expand on what I have in the "official" version.

Spooky also has a discord for those interested.  He's got more than 70 active members as of today and its growing.  Pop on in and introduce yourself - he's a great guy and really wants to provide an I2J experience to the masses.  Here's an invite - https://discord.gg/K8Xu4u9BN2

C-130 Hercules Forum w/Download Link

C-130J-30: by Anubis - https://forum.dcs.world/topic/252075-dcs-super-hercules-mod-by-anubis/

Hope everyone enjoys!

Edited March 17 by Mistermann

[plott1964]

There are serious problems since the last DCS update. I'm pretty sure it's related to the A-4E community mod.

 

[HawaiianRyan]

2 hours ago, plott1964 said:

There are serious problems since the last DCS update. I'm pretty sure it's related to the A-4E community mod.

 

It is not. It's the VSN_F4 mod, as the post says, and I've confirmed myself independently before this author even posted this information.

Edited March 21 by HawaiianRyan

[Devil 505]

4 hours ago, plott1964 said:

There are serious problems since the last DCS update. I'm pretty sure it's related to the A-4E community mod.

 

2 hours ago, HawaiianRyan said:

It is not. It's the VSN_F4 mod, as the post says, and I've confirmed myself independently before this author even posted this information.

Gents, just finished flying with Kandy.  I concur the VSN mod possibly might be causing issues.  We did not have the F-4 on the server, but I was testing the F-104 and we encountered the server freezing up and some issues.  We removed it and relaunched the server and it worked just fine.  That being said, we had the Cayuse, Bronco, A-4, and Hercules mod on there after removal of the F-104.  Never had an issue with them.  I did not fly the A-4 tonight, but we took up the Cayuse, Bronco, and Hercules.  All were find. For what it is worth.  I will ping VSN and let him know. 

[plott1964]

A-4 launched from a carrier? I couldn't get that to work. Ya, Paul (VSN) is aware, not happy.

Edited March 21 by plott1964

[Devil 505]

40 minutes ago, plott1964 said:

A-4 launched from a carrier? I couldn't get that to work. Ya, Paul (VSN) is aware, not happy.

I will give the A-4 a shot tomorrow.  Going to suck if that one is messed up. I will do a video. 

[Mistermann]

11 hours ago, Devil 505 said:

We had the Cayuse, Bronco, A-4, and Hercules mod on our I2J server tonight.  We took up the Cayuse, Bronco, and Hercules.  All were fine. For what it is worth.

I am going to edit Devil's words from above.  Hope you don't mind, @Devil 505

That being said, I have no doubt the latest ED patch negatively impacted mods in some manner.  It wouldn't surprise me if mod makers are all scrambling trying to figure out what happened - a tough exercise with little assistance from ED.  Zipper couldn't even join the server last night to participate without DCS crashing on him.  He couldn't join ANY server, not just mine.

This reminds me of the time, maybe a year or so ago, when ED decided to change internal core APIs without telling the community.  Major scripts and MP servers started blowing up immediately.  Chaos ensued and the community scrambled to uncover and "fix" things due to "undocumented changes".  Shortly after most had spent countless hours fixing things, ED released another patch that changed the API back to what it was previously.  Which resulted in the same community members going back and fixing their missions and scripts again.

I hope whatever got introduced in yesterday's patch that's causing mod issues gets identified ASAP.

[Devil 505]

I did a video and realized it was probably a waste of time to watch, so I will just put it out there on this post. The video was way too long to watch just to convey the below message.  I flew all out mods this morning on the ITJ server with no issues.

• A-4C flew just fine from a cold start on the carrier deck.  Taxied utilizing the plane directors with no issues.  Hooked up and had a smooth launch.  No issues flying to and over the island.  I see no reason at this point to say the A-4 is a problem.
• Cayuse flew just fine.  Put it through its normal paces taking off from multiple bases/FARPs and getting into combat and landing to rearm/refuel.  No conflicts with anything and a smooth flight.
• C-130 Hercules flew just fine from a cold start.  Deployed troops and landed with no performance hits or conflicts with other mods.
• OV-10 Bronco flew just fine from a cold start.  No issues during combat and returned for a landing with no issues.  Flight was smooth the entire time.
• All AI mods we utilize in the mission have not indicated any conflict with the 4 mods listed above or any official third-party modules.  

From what i have seen surfacing online, the VSN F-4 is having some issues.  What I do not know, but if you are running this on ITJ, I would recommend researching the issues others are having.  It sounds like there is a conflict after the latest patch.  PLEASE NOTE This most recent ED path 2.9.14.8222 seems to be interfering with other mods.  If you add mods to the mission not included in ITJ, there could be conflicts.  Download separate mods at your own risk.  Per Kandy's words of wisdom above, I hope the mod issues get identified sooner than later.

[MAXsenna]

9 hours ago, Devil 505 said:

If you add mods to the mission not included in ITJ, there could be conflicts. 

Just wanted to comment in case others read this, and it's not really aimed at you Devil, because there is so much confusion around with mods and virus warnings and what not.
The conflicts are between the Core installation files, and will trigger bugs as long as the mods are installed, even if they are not included in a mission.

Cheers!

 

[Tonker]

ED strikes again!

Thanks for the investigative work @Devil 505; the VSN guys sound on it so hopefully we'll see normality* restored soon.

Nolite te bastardes carborundorum!

 

*Whatever that even means nowadays

[Mistermann]

4 hours ago, MAXsenna said:

The conflicts are between the Core installation files, and will trigger bugs as long as the mods are installed, even if they are not included in a mission.

That's a GREAT call out, @MAXsenna.  I'll bump it because I think there are lots of people that don't understand this particular concept.  I'll reword to drive the point.

ANY installed modification can trigger a bug.  That mod DOESN'T have to be in the currently running mission to cause issues.

So people who don't use a mod manager and have polluted their save games (or base) with mods they don't even remember installing, risk introducing bugs to their gameplay at any point in time.  Mods conflict with other mods all the time, not just when ED releases a patch.  

PSA:  Do yourself a favor and install a mod manager like OvGME and save yourself hours of grief trying to triage mod conflicts.  

#soapboxOFF

[MAXsenna]

7 minutes ago, Mistermann said:

ANY installed modification can trigger a bug.  That mod DOESN'T have to be in the currently running mission to cause issues.

7 minutes ago, Mistermann said:

So people who don't use a mod manager and have polluted their save games (or base) with mods they don't even remember installing, risk introducing bugs to their gameplay at any point in time.  Mods conflict with other mods all the time, not just when ED releases a patch.  

Exactly this, and why support will often ask you to rename Saved Games if a repair doesn't work, because repair doesn't touch Saved Games.

9 minutes ago, Mistermann said:

PSA:  Do yourself a favor and install a mod manager like OvGME and save yourself hours of grief trying to triage mod conflicts.  

I'm hoping one day we'll have an official mod manager, even if ED doesn't embrace mods like Steam Workshop or similar.

[MAXsenna]

Apologies for the off topic, though I feel it's important due to the latest discussions regarding mods and the issues that rose. 

There has been created a wish/request to let "vetted" modders access to pre-release version of DCS, so modders can make sure they're mods are working and not interfering with the core game and/or other mods when the release drops.

If you agree with the post, please like, rate the thread five stars and spread the word! 

Cheers! 

 

 

 

[Devil 505]

7 hours ago, MAXsenna said:

Apologies for the off topic, though I feel it's important due to the latest discussions regarding mods and the issues that rose. 

No apologies needed.  Always good to spread the word when it comes to keeping these mods alive.  Especially with ITJ living off a lot of them.  Appreciate the heads ups! 

[Mistermann]

PSA:  There's a rotor brake on the Cayuse

Maybe this is old news to most.  I just learned about this yesterday.  I've been playing the Cayuse since it came out and never knew about this.

[tobi]

3 hours ago, Mistermann said:

PSA:  There's a rotor brake on the Cayuse

Maybe this is old news to most.  I just learned about this yesterday.  I've been playing the Cayuse since it came out and never knew about this.

Yes we have a rotorbrake but it is fictional

[Mistermann]

27 minutes ago, tobi said:

Yes we have a rotorbrake but it is fictional

Where are the pitchforks?!!?  

In all seriousness, sometimes sacrificing "realism" for the sake of gameplay is exactly what we need.  Thrilled you added this feature.  I can't believe I've flown it this long without realizing it was there.   

I can't tell you the number of times I've said to my guys, "I don't care if the real Cayuse didn't have it, I really want/need a rotor brake!".  

Edited March 23 by Mistermann

[Devil 505]

2 hours ago, tobi said:

Yes we have a rotorbrake but it is fictional

@tobi Can we have a fictional Little Bird with a rotor brake? LOL

Edited March 23 by Devil 505

[tobi]

6 hours ago, Devil 505 said:

@tobi Can we have a fictional Little Bird with a rotor brake? LOL

No  

[Tonker]

[Mistermann]

March 24, 2025 -  **HOTFIX**

I started receiving updates from the community over the weekend sharing some script crashing from MIST.  

I learned this morning from @Lekaa that the MIST script labeled "Latest" on github isn't actually the one to use.  He pointed me to the dev branch where there's a more recent version of MIST that fixes whatever was causing the script error above.

This hotfix simply replaces the MIST and does nothing else.  I haven't had a chance to test this appropriately, but felt I should get this out to the community nonetheless.

The new version (v2.016) is now available for download in the files section here https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3342301/

[Mistermann]

Some may have seen Mongo's video already.  Linking it here along with mine.  Two different viewpoints of the same engagements.

 

 

[Devil 505]

5 hours ago, Mistermann said:

Some may have seen Mongo's video already.  Linking it here along with mine.  Two different viewpoints of the same engagements.

Good times! Awesome watching from your perspective Kandy.  Our comms were spot on.  You placing rounds exactly where I was directing and crushing it.  

[N0XID]

Hello, is it just me that no matter which OH6 spawn I use, the rotor blades immediately break off? If the question should come! Yes, I am using the latest version of OH6. I have now tried nearly all spawn locations. Either the rotor blades break immediately or you fall a few meters from the ground onto your nose! nullnullnull

[MAXsenna]

@N0XID

Can you try without any other mods that might conflict?