Need a bit of help getting started - new user questions

[1Wolf]

Hello!

 

I've just discovered DCS: World and I think I'd like to give it a shot.

 

I'm not completely new to DCS titles as I already own the LockOn: Platinum (LockOn & FC2), and DCS: Black Shark. Its been a while since I've played them though.

 

Quite on accident, I saw a link on another forum to DCS: P-51D and was immediately interested. So I hopped over to the DCS site, read about it, and decided that I think I'd like to pick up:

 

DCS: P-51D

DCS: A-10C

DCS: Black Shark 2

 

But that led me to a few questions so I was hoping I could reach out to the community and get some pointers on getting started.

 

I understand that I can download and install DCS: World. And I understand that if I purchase P-51D and install it, that it becomes a "module" of DCS: World.

 

What about DCS: Black Shark. I have DCS: Black Shark on DVD on my shelf here. Its not currently installed on my machine and I'd like to install it again. If I install DCS: Black Shark AFTER I've installed DCS: World...will it somehow recognize my current copy of DCS: Black Shark as a "module" for DCS: World? Should I install DCS: Black Shark first or DCS: World first? I sure hope I wouldn't have to buy DCS: Black Shark all over again to make it part of DCS: World.

 

So then comes the added question of the DCS: Black Shark 2 upgrade. If I purchase and download the DCS: Black Shark 2 upgrade...will that work alright with my DVD version of DCS Black Shark? And will they both work and play together ok in DCS: World?

 

Next question is A-10C. Is there any advantage to purchasing the DVD version of A-10C over the downloaded version of A-10C? Does the DVD copy come with any hardcopy manuals, or quick reference cards, or any handy items like that? If I did purchase the DVD version of A-10C....same question for A-10C as with Black Shark above: If I install DCS: World first and then install the DVD Version of A-10C, Will the DVD version get picked up by DCS: World as a "module"?

 

Does LockOn: FC2 (From the LockOn: Platinum DVD) interface with DCS: World in any way? If so, should I install that before or after DCS: World?

 

Lastly, I see there is a new product called "Combined Arms" that is a module for DCS: World. If you are not as interested in real-time strategy and such, is there anything that DCS: Combined Arms adds to the other modules? Does it, in any way, upgrade or change the other modules? Or is it something to purchase only if you are interested in the strategy level stuff?

 

Thanks in advance for the help!

Edited October 15, 2012 by 1Wolf

[Razor5-1]

Welcome to DCS.

 

First, Install DCS World first, install everything else after you've installed World.

 

- "Black shark 1", will not work with world. You will need to buy the upgrade version of Blackshark 2 in order to install it and play as part of DCS world.

- There are no advantages to purchasing the boxed version. FC2 will not work with world, you'll have to wait for FC3 which was to be released by end of september, so any day now I think.

 

I don't own Combined Arms so can't comment.

[BigfootMSR]

I understand that I can download and install DCS: World. And I understand that if I purchase P-51D and install it, that it becomes a "module" of DCS: World.

 

Yes, you are correct.

 

What about DCS: Black Shark. I have DCS: Black Shark on DVD on my shelf here. Its not currently installed on my machine and I'd like to install it again. If I install DCS: Black Shark AFTER I've installed DCS: World...will it somehow recognize my current copy of DCS: Black Shark as a "module" for DCS: World? Should I install DCS: Black Shark first or DCS: World first? I sure hope I wouldn't have to buy DCS: Black Shark all over again to make it part of DCS: World.

 

So then comes the added question of the DCS: Black Shark 2 upgrade. If I purchase and download the DCS: Black Shark 2 upgrade...will that work alright with my DVD version of DCS Black Shark? And will they both work and play together ok in DCS: World?

 

The original BS will not work in world as it is so you will need to purchase the upgrade module for BS2. The BS2 module works just fine in World. You just have to install the original BS no matter what the version number is BEFORE you attempt to install the BS2 upgrade module into world. I will put the steps below.

 

Next question is A-10C. Is there any advantage to purchasing the DVD version of A-10C over the downloaded version of A-10C? Does the DVD copy come with any hardcopy manuals, or quick reference cards, or any handy items like that? If I did purchase the DVD version of A-10C....same question for A-10C as with Black Shark above: If I install DCS: World first and then install the DVD Version of A-10C, Will the DVD version get picked up by DCS: World as a "module"?

 

I do not believe there is anything special with the dvd versions of the games such as reference cards and what not. A printed manual does not come with them. The dvd versions are not recognized by world only the modules will be. You can however use the serial numbers from the dvd versions to install the modules with.

 

Does LockOn: FC2 (From the LockOn: Platinum DVD) interface with DCS: World in any way? If so, should I install that before or after DCS: World?

 

FC2 can not integrate into World. They have just announced within the last few weeks FC3 will be released soon and will integrate into World as a module. It requires LockOn: Flamming cliffs or a previous version of FC in order to install it due a contractual obligation they have with Ubisoft.

 

Lastly, I see there is a new product called "Combined Arms" that is a module for DCS: World. If you are not as interested in real-time strategy and such, is there anything that DCS: Combined Arms adds to the other modules? Does it, in any way, upgrade or change the other modules? Or is it something to purchase only if you are interested in the strategy level stuff?

 

Combined arms lets you take control of most of the ground vehicles in the game and adds another level of realism in a multiplayer environment. It does not add much to the single player environment in its current state. It does not add anything extra to the game such as features and what not. All of that is handled by the main program, World.

 

Installation instructions:

1. Install DCS world 1.2.1 http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/index.php?scr=product&ProductId=21&end_pos=137&lang=en

2. Install Blackshark (the original) and activate it

3. download and install any and all modules that you wish to have in world. Order of installation does not matter. downloadable from here. http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/index.php?end_pos=136&scr=products&lang=en

 

 

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

I hope this thorough explanation helps you out. If you need anything else, just shout. Since you have been out of the game for a while, check out my signature for some in cockpit interactive training missions for BS2.

Edited October 16, 2012 by BigfootMSR

[1Wolf]

Thanks Razor5-1 and BigfootMSR. Thanks for the help and thanks for the welcome :D

 

And thanks especially for that detailed and thorough walkthru BigfootMSR, that helps immensely and I can't thank you enough! Thanks!

 

I'll start walking thru your instructions and installing stuff and see how it goes. I'll definitely check out those tutorials you mentioned as I'll need all the help I can.

 

Originally, when I started last time. I picked up DCS Black Shark and LockOn Platinum at the same time. I was having so much fun with LockOn that I never even got around to trying Black Shark. So that will help alot.

 

One further question...

 

I understand that FC3 should be out very soon. If I plan on getting FC3 (and I do) should I NOT install FC2? Or...is FC2 and FC3 going to be completely different and there is still value in having FC2 installed?

 

Thanks guys!

Edited October 17, 2012 by 1Wolf

[BigfootMSR]

Sorry about the delay, I did not see your question until now :/ The producer of ED/DCS says that FC3 will require Lockon:flaming cliffs or a previous version. So, it sounds like its going to be similar to the BS2 upgrade issues. You will need to have a previous version installed and activated in order to install and activate FC3. FC2 will be a standalone product and FC3 will be a module you install into World. This means that they will not interact with each other. So, you should be able to install FC2 now and have no problems with FC3 when its released.

[GGTharos]

The original LOMAC is required for installing FC3. If you have an older FC, you may already have LOMAC.

[RetroBurn]

I have a question... When FC3 is released, will we will have a A10A and A10C available? I bought A10C.

[GGTharos]

Yes, the FC3 A-10A will be available.