Balkans Map Announcement | Current Hill Assets | Deephack interview with "Wags"

[Hotdognz]

Im with others Sinai is one of my lest used maps, too many repetitive power stations which actually spoil it for me and lack of updates and communication from the developer too.

The wags interview was interesting, taught me how much that ED resources are limited and why they are slow to finish EA's due to this (I didn't realize it was as bad) and yet they wish to pile on more technical dept, with more new stuff like new ATC and other items that will never get finished in what I would could consider a timely manor.

Anyhow I have enough maps for now that have no content except for the TTi's missions that run on them (I'm not a mission maker) which get limited playtime and I find my self in the new Germany map if anything as its so good, but hopefully the Balkans map dev might step up to the high bar that Urga set and produce a stunning new map for those that want it.

Edited 19 hours ago by Hotdognz

[Beirut]

2 hours ago, Hotdognz said:

Im with others Sinai is one of my lest used maps, . . . 

 

Same here. But I've still had many good flights on the Sinai map. And of the maps I use the least vs. the planes I use the least, I get much more enjoyment from the maps. There are a few planes I'd give away if I could, but I wouldn't give away any of the maps. 

 

In the end, I'll probably get it because I'm a sucker for new maps. At the very least I'll get my money's worth. And the map might surprise me. I bought the Iraq map not expecting very much, but I really enjoy it. Might be the same with the Balkans.

[MiGCap1]

Balkan map will be the first map I will not buy.

What shall we do with it, flying against (not-existing) Soko Galebs? 

And the rough detail of the Sinai Map as already mentioned by so many others here also keeps me away.

Meanwhile, I fly only on the Ugra maps and Marianas WW2.

 

I want Vietnam!!  (And from Ugra please or from ED.)

 

My five cents. Whoever like the Balkans, go ahead and be happy.

[Kuky]

dreams coming true after soooo many years.... the MiG-29, and now Yugoslavia map also... I'll be flying over my own city, country... at least I should be able to navigate easier visually

[WolfCat]

16 hours ago, ThorBrasil said:

Balkans won't be any different from Sinai, and I don't expect anything more from OnReTech. The same thing happened with Polychop-Simulations and Kiowa. It was the first and last module I'll buy from them.

What is wrong with the Kiowa? I thought it was widely praised, i even considered buying it.
I'm also wary of buying 3rd party aircraft, although for different reasons...

Edited 13 hours ago by WolfCat

[Lace]

Surprised at all the negativity here.  I like the Sinai map.  It's not my most used map but the performance is good and it is certainly nice enough to look at.  The Balkans map is welcome news after a few light newsletters of late, and more AI units is always good to see. 

[ThorBrasil]

1 hour ago, WolfCat said:

What is wring with the Kiowa? I thought it was widely praised, i even considered buying it.
I'm also wary of buying 3rd party aircraft, although for different reasons...

In short, Kiowa has the worst textures and 3D model in DCS. The team disbanded and support for the module has practically disappeared, but you can see the thread below for more information.

https://forum.dcs.world/topic/350717-what-did-i-think-of-kiowa-it-needs-to-improve-in-some-areas/

[WolfCat]

Thanks Thor.

Another question if someone can answer it. Does someone know of a software that is really free and can really transcribe full youtube videos? Like this Wags video here. I dont have time to watch or even listen to most of what i would be interested in, but i can read (skim) much faster.
Or maybe it is not possible due to copyright reasons or because this way the commercials would be skipped?

Edited 13 hours ago by WolfCat

[ThorBrasil]

2 minutes ago, WolfCat said:

Thanks Thor.

There's also the physics issue: you put 4 hellfires and 100% fuel on it, and it becomes agile as if it weren't carrying anything, even with a lot of excess weight. It seems that the weight doesn't affect its physics.

Edited 12 hours ago by ThorBrasil

[Roy35150]

Great news,

balkans will be also a great map for navy assets.

[Punkmonkey22]

17 hours ago, ThorBrasil said:

The OnReTech Sinai map was the first and last map I will ever buy from them. I expected more from the Sinai map. The helipads are all copy-pasted and paste, and have no life in them. I genuinely regret the purchase. It looks like an AI-generated map with random objects.

Better than the blurry mess that is Afghanistan, Iraq and large chunks of Kola. Very glad OnReTech like Ugra choose not to use "satellite imagery". Great from 30k, not so great on ground attack or take off and landing. Or for using helicopters.

I personally really enjoy Sinai, and the inly issues I had were some of the terrain geometry being a little jagged at first and .missing airports. Both largely sorted now.

As opposed to Afghanistan which I deeply regret buying.

[ThorBrasil]

8 minutes ago, Punkmonkey22 said:

Better than the blurry mess that is Afghanistan, Iraq and large chunks of Kola. Very glad OnReTech like Ugra choose not to use "satellite imagery". Great from 30k, not so great on ground attack or take off and landing. Or for using helicopters.

I personally really enjoy Sinai, and the inly issues I had were some of the terrain geometry being a little jagged at first and .missing airports. Both largely sorted now.

As opposed to Afghanistan which I deeply regret buying.

I bought Afghanistan and even made the mistake of buying Iraq, and I regret that too. From now on, I only intend to buy maps from Ugra. ED's map is a disappointment.

[banjuska92]

Il y a 17 heures, markom a dit :

J'espère qu'ils auront une élévation du terrain juste avant la sortie. Belgrade n'est pas aussi plate que le montrent ces images. De plus, la relation de certains des bâtiments emblématiques les uns avec les autres est... pas correcte du tout :-). Mais, probablement beaucoup de temps à réparer avant d'aller à la guerre virtuelle sur tout cela (à nouveau).

Oui tout à fait, je suppose que l'idée est un "ressenti" général, hormis le mont Avala, Belgrade est plutôt plat

Il y a 6 heures, Kuky a dit :

Les rêves se réalisent après tant d'années... le MiG-29, et maintenant la carte de la Yougoslavie aussi... Je survolerai ma propre ville, mon pays... au moins je devrais pouvoir naviguer plus facilement visuellement

On sera deux

Il y a 1 minute, banjuska92 a déclaré :

Oui tout à fait, je suppose que l'idée est un "ressenti" général, hormis le mont Avala, Belgrade est plutôt plat

On sera deux

 

Il y a 1 minute, banjuska92 a déclaré :

Oui tout à fait, je suppose que l'idée est un "ressenti" général, hormis le mont Avala, Belgrade est plutôt plat

On sera deux

 

 

[tempusmurphy]

5 hours ago, Lace said:

Surprised at all the negativity here

[Lace]

17 minutes ago, tempusmurphy said:

Oh, don't get me wrong.  I know there is a lot of moaning and complaining on these forums, but usually the news of anything new being added is well received.

[draconus]

8 hours ago, MiGCap1 said:

What shall we do with it, flying against (not-existing) Soko Galebs? 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yugoslav_Wars

5 hours ago, WolfCat said:

Does someone know of a software that is really free and can really transcribe full youtube videos? 

Youtube does it for free.

8 minutes ago, Lace said:

 

Oh, don't get me wrong.  I know there is a lot of moaning and complaining on these forums, but usually the news of anything new being added is well received.

I guess OnReTech got much bad rep for its work.

[Dragon1-1]

Just now, draconus said:

Youtube does it for free.

It's pretty crap, though, particularly when more than one person is talking (it doesn't tell you who said what). This is actually one of the few tasks AI is useful for. I haven't asked for a transcript, but I once got it to summarize an hour long video into a few concise bullet points. I'd expect it could manage a transcript, too.

[Maulet]

Wow, great news. With a decent historical campaign this will be fantastic! 

[buceador]

22 hours ago, Mistermann said:

  I purchased Siani the day it released.  Super disappointed in that decision.

I too purchased it and have recently uninstalled it...

[buceador]

6 hours ago, WolfCat said:

Does someone know of a software that is really free and can really transcribe full youtube videos? 

It's already transcribed?

 

[wilbur81]

10 hours ago, MiGCap1 said:

 

What shall we do with it?

 

Are you serious? And you can't find any use for Iraq, Afghanistan, Caucasus, Persian Gulf, etc.? And you'll just jettison the Balkans? No modern air combat for you, I guess...

[T.Power]

I'm pretty forgiving about map update cadences but, the cadence on Sinai has been truly awful and that has no doubt soured the view of OnReTech for many virtual pilots.  Orbx proved it doesn't have to be that way and love or hate Kola, the update cadence has destroyed the competition including ED themselves with only Ugra coming close.  Do I think the Balkans is a worthwhile map for DCS?  Absolutely, but ORT needs to pull their finger out if they wish to have the full support of the community at early access.  This may be the first map I pass on EA for.

[MiGCap1]

27 minutes ago, wilbur81 said:

Are you serious? And you can't find any use for Iraq, Afghanistan, Caucasus, Persian Gulf, etc.? And you'll just jettison the Balkans? No modern air combat for you, I guess...

 

My post was meant ironic, of course I know about the Balkan wars @draconus, I also was at Brindisi with the German Air Force during that time. 

But this area just do not interest me in DCS and additionally it comes from a manufacturer which I do not see making top-notch work like Ugra - I like Sinai for the area but am disappointed every time I see the details and other shortcomings.

But You are right @wilbur81, I like the WW2 stuff more after 40 years flying quite frequently in modern jets in RL and I like helicopter flying in DCS. And so map details are essential for me.

But of course, everyone who likes the map may enjoy it. But it is nothing for me. That‘s all.

 

Edited 5 hours ago by MiGCap1

[clafly]

As a resident of north-eastern Italy, I couldn't wait for this map to come out.

[Silent Film]

On 11/7/2025 at 4:00 PM, Graphics said:

 

07 November 2025

Dear Fighter Pilots, Partners and Friends, 

The OnReTech team is pleased to announce the DCS: Balkans map that will cover the Balkans, the Adriatic Sea and coast of Italy. Read the details below and check out the development screenshots. The Balkans map will add a new temperate map to DCS that will provide exciting scenarios for aircraft such as the F-16C and MiG-29A.

Thank you so much for the Balkans map, you made me really joyful, I will be finally able to fly over my country and truly experience DCS as a flight simulator. I was using the Syria map the most because it was closest to the Balkan vibe, now I will finally be able to use the map which means something to me. Buying as soon as it is possible to purchase.

Tha map will be awesome, especially for the Croatian Adriatic coast with hundreds of islands, and also not to forget Boka Kotorska bay in Montenegro. We now definitely must have some Yugoslavian and Serbian liveries for MiG-29. And the map is even more appropriate for WWII scenarios.