Multi-player Campaigns

[Convoy]

Most of us feel (probably) that multi-player is what makes DCS what it is. Countless squadrons make their own missions, host servers, etc. 

 

But it baffles me that campaigns are single player only. It makes no sense. With more and more multi-crew aircraft coming every year, or the simple joy of flying with a human wingman, you can't do it in a story driven campaign. I for one, and my friends would all buy campaigns if we could fly together. A Tomcat campaign should be able to be flown with a human RIO, and same for the Phantom. Upcoming C-130 Campaigns should be able to be flown with 3 people. Apache and Hind Campaigns with a gunner, etc. 

Campaigns like the Blue Nosed Bastards should have an option to replace an AI wingman with a human. 

 

It would add more sales. Pilots buy campaigns, GIB's buy campaigns, fun for all. 

 

I recently watched a campaign reveal video that said it wasn't possible because of triggers and such. It works for multi-player mission makers, work around it. If a RIO needs to have voice lines, have an AI wingman's RIO say them instead of your RIO. Just an example. Anyway, I think an opportunity is missed here. I know I would buy campaigns if I could fly them with (a) friend(s).

[speed-of-heat]

Counter point,  it would be nice if it was an option,i can see that.

However, for me no;  for two reasons the first is really straightforward, I don't play multilayer, its a logistical nightmare to get people who enjoy playing dcs on time and  who want to do campagns. So I'm not convinced the additional market woukd justify the additional effort if it were even possible.

2ndly campaign designers have said many many times,that the way campaigns are currently built it's very difficult at best to make multilayer work, others impossible because of the way triggers work in game. Which means campaigns would be dummed down, or neutered in order to accommodate two players, and debugging would become exponentially harder, meaning the profit from such changes would be at best low...

Whilst I understand the goal, I just don't think it's possible with today's tech available in game.

[Mistermann]

On 8/22/2025 at 6:30 PM, Convoy said:

I recently watched a campaign reveal video that said it wasn't possible because of triggers and such. It works for multi-player mission makers, work around it. If a RIO needs to have voice lines, have an AI wingman's RIO say them instead of your RIO. Just an example. Anyway, I think an opportunity is missed here. I know I would buy campaigns if I could fly them with (a) friend(s).

It IS possible.  There are some excellent MP(1+ player) campaigns out there in files area that rival any paid content available.  These aren't "dumbed down" at all.

I'm aware of content for Hornet, Apache and Kiowa.  My group of friends has enjoyed this content immensely.

As far as someone releasing payware campaigns geared for multiple players, I don't see it happening.  There are many triggers that either won't work in a MP environment or must be changed to accommodate the possibility of a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th player.  Multicrew adds another wrinkle.... As someone who's written more than one MP campaign, I can attest it isn't easy.  I just don't see any mainstream payware campaign creators signing up for the exponential level of effort without exploring a significant increase in campaign price.