Make this game more friendly to beginners and semi-casual players.

[PhantomHans]

Make the game more friendly to beginners and to semi-casual players.

I'm sick and tired of struggling through attempting certain ultra precision maneuvers endlessly without success, and having to remember each and every last switch for each and every module I want to fly, etc etc etc.  There actually *IS* a market for something between War Thunder and DCS.  If DCS doesn't want to add difficulty options for single player, then I'm sure Falcon 5 will gladly step in and fill that gap.  If module makers don't want to add levels of difficulty and complexity to their modules, then module money can be spent elsewhere.

 

I don't care what advice you have to tell me about my flying skills, because I don't care, and I don't want to hear.

My skill level or my commitment to this VIDEO GAME aren't the issue here.

[Thamiel]

This is not and never was a game for beginners or semi-casual players. Procedure proficiency and grace under pressure are the defining attributes of the excellent DCS pilot. Didn't you know that before you joined that train?

[SharpeXB]

There are the Flaming Cliffs 3 and 4(?) mid-fidelity modules for those who aren’t up for the full-fidelity aircraft. Solved. 

Edited 8 hours ago by SharpeXB

[PhantomHans]

6 minutes ago, SharpeXB said:

There are the Flaming Cliffs 3 and 4(?) mid-fidelity modules for those who aren’t up for the full-fidelity aircraft. Solved. 

Only partially.  The FC3/4 jets offer no way to learn the systems in any real way.  If they had options to enable more complicated functions they'd be more like what I'm suggesting.

[SharpeXB]

2 minutes ago, PhantomHans said:

Only partially.  The FC3/4 jets offer no way to learn the systems in any real way.  If they had options to enable more complicated functions they'd be more like what I'm suggesting.

Well if they were more complex they’d be full-fidelity If you want to “learn the systems” that’s the way. 

[Rudel_chw]

52 minutes ago, PhantomHans said:

There actually *IS* a market for something between War Thunder and DCS

wonder how do you know that, what market research is behind that affirmation? My guess is that if that were true, someone would already have developed such a Sim.

[PhantomHans]

1 hour ago, SharpeXB said:

Well if they were more complex they’d be full-fidelity If you want to “learn the systems” that’s the way. 

Well I suppose that this thread will at least help fill my ignore list if not my wish list.

[Tom P]

4 minutes ago, PhantomHans said:

Well I suppose that this thread will at least help fill my ignore list if not my wish list.

To be fair this subsection and forum goes unnoticed minus by the same few that hang around.

[Ornithopter]

6 minutes ago, PhantomHans said:

Well I suppose that this thread will at least help fill my ignore list if not my wish list.

Just stop that nonsense. 

[Rudel_chw]

14 minutes ago, PhantomHans said:

Well I suppose that this thread will at least help fill my ignore list if not my wish list.

go ahead, the feeling is mutual 

[freehand]

2 hours ago, PhantomHans said:

Make the game more friendly to beginners and to semi-casual players.

I'm sick and tired of struggling through attempting certain ultra precision maneuvers endlessly without success, and having to remember each and every last switch for each and every module I want to fly, etc etc etc.  There actually *IS* a market for something between War Thunder and DCS.  If DCS doesn't want to add difficulty options for single player, then I'm sure Falcon 5 will gladly step in and fill that gap.  If module makers don't want to add levels of difficulty and complexity to their modules, then module money can be spent elsewhere.

 

I don't care what advice you have to tell me about my flying skills, because I don't care, and I don't want to hear.

My skill level or my commitment to this VIDEO GAME aren't the issue here.

So what would you like give me an example ?

[Czar]

Part of me wanted to help to see the light and joy, but the attitude doesn't help. Deleted a huge text.

Hope OP finds that dedicating one module at a time (1 month) to build up a solid memory of everything is better than picking and choosing like in other arcade titles.

Fair skies.

[MAXsenna]

Make the game more friendly to beginners and to semi-casual players.
I'm sick and tired of struggling through attempting certain ultra precision maneuvers endlessly without success, and having to remember each and every last switch for each and every module I want to fly, etc etc etc.  There actually *IS* a market for something between War Thunder and DCS.  If DCS doesn't want to add difficulty options for single player, then I'm sure Falcon 5 will gladly step in and fill that gap.  If module makers don't want to add levels of difficulty and complexity to their modules, then module money can be spent elsewhere.
 
I don't care what advice you have to tell me about my flying skills, because I don't care, and I don't want to hear.
My skill level or my commitment to this VIDEO GAME aren't the issue here.

Could you elaborate and make some suggestions on what those difficult levels would entail?
I have little trouble imagining it, except for the takeoff/rudder helpers in the warbirds. (Maybe gyros in helicopters like RC?)
And don't really see how the switchology could be made simpler without breaking the systems.

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

[PhantomHans]

2 minutes ago, MAXsenna said:

Could you elaborate and make some suggestions on what those difficult levels would entail?
I have little trouble imagining it, except for the takeoff/rudder helpers in the warbirds. (Maybe gyros in helicopters like RC?)
And don't really see how the switchology could be made simpler without breaking the systems.

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk
 

Lots of the difficulty level thing is going to have to come down to the individual module makers.  And, as always, these should be either set server side on/off, or single player only.

Taking the F-4E as an example, a "casual cockpit" mode might automate many of the ordnance processes.

Remove warm up times for weapons like AGM-65, GBU-8, etc.  When selecting weapons, a single key to cycle between A-A and a single key to cycle A-G.  Selecting a weapon selects a default delivery mode and the appropriate stations.

You might have a single "Jettison Tanks" keybind to kick off all the tanks, and have the fuel transfer switch for externals (Off/Centerline/Wings) be managed automatically.

I wouldn't have the change be instant, I'd have there be a delay while all the switches got set accordingly in the cockpit.  So the actions still happen, just automated if that option is enabled.

 

Some other things could be done like the automatic startup, where cockpit actions are automated.  off the top of my head, I'd have an option to trigger automated formation flying, landing, fueling, etc.  Select the appropriate object with padlock, activate, the AI flies you their wing and forms you up.

Would certainly make some of the campaigns much more enjoyable when dealing with annoying precision flying.

 

 

Or, don't add anything, and just drive people away.

[MAXsenna]

@PhantomHans Hmm... Interesting for sure. All those things you mention from the module makers are the main reasons I personally like DCS.

Your last paragraph is more DCS core features and hopefully we'll get better AI down the line. 

Autostart exists already, you want an even more elaborate autostart? I wouldn't know because I've never tried either autostart/stop. Ever!  

To my knowledge, most campaign makers remove all the possible "cheats" anyway, so nothing would really help you. Also, I believe most module makers will focus on adding missing features and squashing bugs, instead of introducing new ones and make their own life miserable.  But that's just me. Many of these modules are made with passion to replicate real aircraft they love with real procedures. I think they would see themselves as hypocrites if done any other way. I don't believe the money is the main drive for them.

If Falcon 5.0 ever sees the dawn, don't be surprised if it aims to be a competitor to DCS. There's a reason BMS exists. 

Cheers! 

[PhantomHans]

I'll give another example.

 

Right now fuel is either "Unlimited" or "Limited".

Great.  Now you can set your jet to 0% fuel and run around with unlimited afterburner on minimum weight.

How about some steps in between?

"Training" - Realistic fuel consumption rate, but if your tanks run empty, your engines don't quit.  You get a warning to inform you you're out of fuel and an event "Ran out of fuel" gets logged for the after action report.

"AB Penalty" - As above but now when you run out of fuel, also no more afterburner for you.  A penalty that punishes you for bad planning but won't instantly end your mission.

 

Options that give the player (it's a game, remember?) a way to work up to the expected level in steps and with some forgiveness.

[MAXsenna]

2 minutes ago, PhantomHans said:

Right now fuel is either "Unlimited" or "Limited".

Great.  Now you can set your jet to 0% fuel and run around with unlimited afterburner on minimum weight.

How about some steps in between?

Just set the fuel at 50% while you have unlimited enabled?

3 minutes ago, PhantomHans said:

"Training" - Realistic fuel consumption rate, but if your tanks run empty, your engines don't quit.  You get a warning to inform you you're out of fuel and an event "Ran out of fuel" gets logged for the after action report.

I don't really see what that will accomplish. Sorry! 

4 minutes ago, PhantomHans said:

"AB Penalty" - As above but now when you run out of fuel, also no more afterburner for you.  A penalty that punishes you for bad planning but won't instantly end your mission.

You're talking about something other than DCS to be honest. There's a reason people come here after WT it seems. Though I haven't really tried WT extensively enough to really comment about it.

6 minutes ago, PhantomHans said:

Options that give the player (it's a game, remember?) a way to work up to the expected level in steps and with some forgiveness.

You have been here long enough to have noticed that many do not consider this a game.  

[rob10]

I have two problems with your suggestion of "easy" options: 1 - it's going to require a good chunk of dev time that's already at a premium.  2 - every option like that you add is inevitably going to cause at least some bloat and performance hit.  IMO, this would be a hit for no reason.

And as a third comment, DCS had an "easy flight" mode (forget exactly what it was called) that did at least some of what you are looking for that was removed due to amount of effort to keep it functional and limited usage.  So while you can certainly wish for this, you might as well move on and find a game that better suits what you're looking for because the chances of DCS going that way are pretty slim. 

[diego999]

59 minutes ago, PhantomHans said:

Lots of the difficulty level thing is going to have to come down to the individual module makers.  And, as always, these should be either set server side on/off, or single player only.

Taking the F-4E as an example, a "casual cockpit" mode might automate many of the ordnance processes.

Remove warm up times for weapons like AGM-65, GBU-8, etc.  When selecting weapons, a single key to cycle between A-A and a single key to cycle A-G.  Selecting a weapon selects a default delivery mode and the appropriate stations.

You might have a single "Jettison Tanks" keybind to kick off all the tanks, and have the fuel transfer switch for externals (Off/Centerline/Wings) be managed automatically.

I wouldn't have the change be instant, I'd have there be a delay while all the switches got set accordingly in the cockpit.  So the actions still happen, just automated if that option is enabled.

 

Some other things could be done like the automatic startup, where cockpit actions are automated.  off the top of my head, I'd have an option to trigger automated formation flying, landing, fueling, etc.  Select the appropriate object with padlock, activate, the AI flies you their wing and forms you up.

Would certainly make some of the campaigns much more enjoyable when dealing with annoying precision flying.

 

 

Or, don't add anything, and just drive people away.

 

 

So you want a simulator without the simulation.

Good luck with that.

[celestHawk]

40 minutes ago, MAXsenna said:

Just set the fuel at 50% while you have unlimited enabled?

I don't really see what that will accomplish. Sorry! 

You're talking about something other than DCS to be honest. There's a reason people come here after WT it seems. Though I haven't really tried WT extensively enough to really comment about it.

You have been here long enough to have noticed that many do not consider this a game.  

Literally all this crap could be coded into a script.lua file and let the 'casual' players to enjoy DCS graphics while playing WT

I'm NOT saying that ED should do it just that is possible and ....

man even I am piss3d by that guy  The time ED spend codding and debugging, the money we spend on modules, terrains and now this is what we all miss?! WTF