Idea to bring more new players for DCS: Two free ground units to play with

[Romagnolo]

I know DCS is primarily a flight simulator, but I love playing with Combined Arms, especially online with friends. The best moments we have are when one or two players are flying attack aircraft while the rest of us are driving on the ground, fighting our way through and calling for air support.

This experience gave me an idea—a suggestion that could potentially bring more new players to DCS!

Buying a HOTAS is expensive for many potential newcomers, but everyone already has a mouse and keyboard. I’d even bet that most people are already familiar with controlling vehicles using them.

My suggestion is simple: Add an American Humvee and a Russian Tigr as free ground units.

 

Imagine this scenario: A new DCS player is enjoying their time flying an A-10 or has just learned how to fly the Su-25T with their new HOTAS. Now, they’re trying to convince their friends to give DCS a shot. However, there’s resistance because their friends don’t even own a basic joystick, let alone a HOTAS.

But now, those friends have the option to play as a Humvee or Tigr driver. The player with the plane can create missions where ground units have to survive a battlefield or navigate through dangerous terrain. Their non-flying friends can hop in and play with ease using just a keyboard and mouse while experiencing the incredible scale of DCS.

In this scenario, they see their friend flying overhead, dropping bombs, helping them survive, and performing thrilling gun runs dangerously close to the action. What will these players think? What will they want to do next? You guessed it — they’ll want to try flying the Su-25T or even go all in and purchase an A-10, F-16, F-18, or another aircraft module.

I believe DCS World has immense, untapped potential for gameplay with ground units. Adding free, accessible ground vehicles for new players to explore could make DCS far less intimidating for beginners. Once they’re hooked on the immersive experience, they’ll naturally want to take to the skies in an aircraft.

So that’s my suggestion. What do you think?

[Dkha]

Look, I completely agree with everything said in this post. Recently, I tried the Combined Arms trial mode with my friends in missions involving tanks, helicopters, and ground-attack aircraft, and it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in DCS.

I know many people might read this and think, ‘But DCS is a flight sim.’ Yeah, I used to think the same—until I played these missions with my friends.

That’s when I realized how Combined Arms can add an entirely new layer of immersion and strategy to the game. The interaction between ground and air units completely transforms the experience, making every decision and action have a real impact on the battlefield.

On top of that, the coordination between different types of units demands teamwork and planning, which makes everything even more exciting. For those who’ve never tried it, I highly recommend giving it a shot, especially in cooperative missions. You might start ‘just out of curiosity’ and end up completely immersed in this universe.

[draconus]

13 hours ago, Romagnolo said:

What do you think?

Already possible with free trials - they can play any module, try all vehicles in CA on any map, except a few most recent ones.

[MAXsenna]

Already possible with free trials - they can play any module, try all vehicles in CA on any map, except a few most recent ones.

That's true, for two weeks. Having a couple of free driveable land modules isn't the worst idea I've seen.
If we ever get CA 2.0, it might be an idea of a free CA light with a couple of vehicles, that said. The price of CA is a couple of beers out on the town during sales. So, if one likes it after two weeks, there's really no excuse to just not get it with all the frequent sales there is.
Lots of free driveable mods too, though one needs CA of course, I think?

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

[Dkha]

4 hours ago, draconus said:

Already possible with free trials - they can play any module, try all vehicles in CA on any map, except a few most recent ones.

 

4 hours ago, MAXsenna said:

The price of CA is a couple of beers out on the town during sales.

This only makes sense for the countries where you live. In other places, the cost is higher than just a few beers. The idea of keeping two vehicles very simple is extremely interesting for those who live in a different reality. Furthermore, having to create an account and go through all the steps to get a trial version of a package are unnecessary steps for someone who just wants to play with friends, creating an account and logging in.

Remember that life is not just what you see.

[cfrag]

18 hours ago, Romagnolo said:

Add an American Humvee and a Russian Tigr as free ground units.

I do not want to be the odd one out, but I think that when a company wants to get new customers that they should put their best foot forward. Admittedly, that Froggfoot may not be the best of planes, and the UX for new customers leaves a lot to be desired. 

Combined Arms, however, leaves a lot to be desired. Non-standard interface, hates VR (where DCS truly shines), silly driving physics, abysmal controls, and decidedly lackluster graphics. People can discover CA though the two weeks trial, and I'm always hopeful that people get hooked to DCS before they experience CA, lest it scares them away.

But, again, YMMV.

[MAXsenna]

5 minutes ago, cfrag said:

and I'm always hopeful that people get hooked to DCS before they experience CA, lest it scares them away.

CA really needs some love!  

 

[MAXsenna]

23 minutes ago, Dkha said:

This only makes sense for the countries where you live. In other places, the cost is higher than just a few beers.

 

23 minutes ago, Dkha said:

Remember that life is not just what you see.

Can't in any way object and debate any if this, yet somehow people manage to get a computer that can run DCS. 

23 minutes ago, Dkha said:

The idea of keeping two vehicles very simple is extremely interesting for those who live in a different reality.

I understand that, hence why I toyed with the thought of a CA Light. 

23 minutes ago, Dkha said:

Furthermore, having to create an account and go through all the steps to get a trial version of a package are unnecessary steps for someone who just wants to play with friends, creating an account and logging in.

And here we part ways. Doesn't one need an account to play DCS? Even for free? If that is a lot of work for people, then one can't help them.  

Edited January 24 by MAXsenna
spelling and grammar