FC3 BETA first impressions wanted

[coolts]

I just want to get a feel of how warm the water is before diving in. I’ve got very fond memories of playing cat and mouse in the F-15 vs Fulcrums down low in the mountain valleys of northern Georgia. Popping up and seeing the ‘29’ indicator flash on my RWR and diving low again in gleeful panic, screaming over farms and rivers. It usually ended up with me a fireball, but was so much fun and not an experience I’ve ever replicated in DCS: A-10 or BMS.

Warthogs are too slow and the BMS landscape down low just is not capable of offering that visceral heart pounding feel. (Not knocking either sim as I own and fly both).

 

But…. DCS:FASTJET is a ways off and I found my old LOMAC disk yesterday and…….:music_whistling:

 

(I know its a beta. I had A-10 beta from day one so have expectations set accordingly)

Edited November 13, 2012 by coolts

[Rusty_M]

Well it's seemingly more designed for multiplayer than single player. Other than a few tweaks and the improved missile physics, it seems very similar to FC2. Going by what you've said, you seem to be the target market. I can't say much more yet as I only flew for 1 minute. I have to set up my controls, then learn how to use air to air weapons. I never played FC2 despite having it.

 

Once I learn to use the weapons comes the hard part: using them well!

[Agg]

Like Rusy_M says, it's almost identical to FC2, so if you liked that you're probably going to like FC3.

[Exorcet]

FC3 is similar to FC2, but I would never call them the same thing. Online and Offline are much better just by the fact that it's not part of DCS World. Offline may have actually changed more with the new map and the much better mission options. I want to remake my FC2 Eagle campaign, I'll have a lot more power to actually do what I want thanks to the new ME features.

 

Online, we have the AFM missiles. At the moment, they suffer from improper loft behavior, but this might just be an issue with the beta. Once fixed, missiles should become quite a bit deadlier and effective range should increase. Real world tactics would also be more prominent as launch conditions matter a lot.

 

If you like FC2, I think you'll like FC3. You get everything FC2 had and then a whole bunch of other stuff.

[Kuky]

I think if ED gets all the bugs sorted out FC3 will actually be surprisingly good.... until DCS Fighter(s) arrive :)

[Ironhand]

I skipped FC2 altogether and have spent only a little time in FC3. I've enjoyed it so far. Be warned, though, that, for the moment, the DLZs for the RUSFOR and to some extent US aircraft are screwed up. The R-27 and R-27ER, for instance, both present identical DLZs except for Rmin.

 

 

Rich

[Steel Jaw]

I think if ED gets all the bugs sorted out FC3 will actually be surprisingly good.... until DCS Fighter(s) arrive :)

 

Heart of the matter: I spent alot of time with FC2 but only because I was awaiting the hardcore DCS Hawg and FBMS.

 

FC3 for me will be a cheap (less than satisfactory) stop gap for Fast Movers in DCSW until the DCS HARDCORE Fast Mover arrives. Better than nothing, but not by much.

 

To its credit, ED is very clear about what FC3 is.

[Teknetinium]

Heart of the matter: I spent alot of time with FC2 but only because I was awaiting the hardcore DCS Hawg and FBMS.

 

FC3 for me will be a cheap (less than satisfactory) stop gap for Fast Movers in DCSW until the DCS HARDCORE Fast Mover arrives. Better than nothing, but not by much.

 

To its credit, ED is very clear about what FC3 is.

 

DCS world will take long time before it can be played as FC2 or FC3 in multiplayer campaigns, since DCS is totally unbalanced when it comes to aircraft's. Coop campaigns will be plenty of :)

Edited November 13, 2012 by Teknetinium

[159th_Viper]

I just want to get a feel of how warm the water is before diving in. I’ve got very fond memories of playing cat and mouse in the F-15 vs Fulcrums down low in the mountain valleys of northern Georgia.....

 

Here we go - a quick play-through of the F-15C instant action mission, given your fondness for the Eagle as related:

 

F15C vs 2 x SU27 and 2 x Tu-22

 

Splash 1 SU-27 @ 1.15

Splash 1 Tu-22 @ 1.50

Splash 1 Tu-22 @ 2.05

Splash 1 SU-27 @ 3.10

 

 

Wr15pvi1-0M&hd=1

 

 

Good Fun - give it a go, you'll see :)

[Kenan]

Love the F15C and the 6DOF cockpit so it's worth getting for Eagle fans + AFM for missiles and updated cockpit/HUD systems.

 

When the landing physics get improved I think it'll be definetelly worth getting it.

[ExGreyFox]

Just like Rusty_M said, not a lot of single player content. Me personally, I am a rookie pilot and easily get intimidated by all of the aces that are flying around online so I stick to the single player missions, especially single player campaigns hoping for a day when I will be alright enough to to fly online. Not a single Russian campaign in FC3 however so I am bottle necked there. But overall, the sim is very nice.

[Steel Jaw]

easily get intimidated by all of the aces that are flying around online

 

I will be most curious to see how many of these FC Aces transition to the hardcore Fast Mover and how they fare going forward in that.

 

It's easy to an Ace when you dont have to worry about managing the aircraft.

[EtherealN]

Depends on your definition of "ace". The big deal is how they handle tactics and SA, and that is largely the same in FC and a "hardcore" simulator - except that the hardcore sim might have better tools for the pilot. (Assuming we're talking a properly modern jet here, of course, if an old jet without automation functions for combat systems things change pretty quick.)

[159th_Viper]

It's easy to an Ace when you dont have to worry about managing the aircraft.

 

All that button-pushing does zero to advance your 'ace-status'.

 

Once you get into combat, all the management has already been done. Then is not the time to worry about clicking fancy knobs and dials....then is the time to employ all you know about Fighter Combat tactics and maneuvering in order to stay alive and FC3 can help to teach you all you need to know to master said tactics and maneuvering :)

[Steel Jaw]

Disagree: part of being a true Ace IMHO is managing your platform to HACK THE INTERCEPT and GET INTO the envelope in the first place.

 

All that "button pushing" fills the bucket.

[Eddie]

Even the best "ace" has to actually get their jet to the fight first. Actual combat is but a tiny portion of any mission.

[NineLine]

I love the A-10, and I love learning all the systems, putting ordnance on target after learning all the ins and outs is a blast.

 

That said... jumping into the F-15C (or other FC3 fast movers), not having to study a few hundred pages and being able to go fast really is nice. I love the dimension it adds to missions creation, and overall its just a lot of fun. I dont know that it will attract me away from the A-10 too much, but its nice to know I have the option of all these easier to use planes when I want.

[Steel Jaw]

Now, dont get me wrong: I plan on purchasing FC3 (awaiting Committee approval)...FBMS often seems like work, FC is all playtime IMHO, so FC has its benefits.

 

Or, as someone said recently, FBMS is sex with the hassle of foreplay while FC is straight to the action/reward.

[lunaticfringe]

Disagree: part of being a true Ace IMHO is managing your platform to HACK THE INTERCEPT and GET INTO the envelope in the first place.

 

You can teach a monkey to push buttons in an ordered pattern.

 

What you can't do is teach a monkey how to interpret the scope, manage the intercept, fight the poles, and if required, push to the merge and use aspect, offset, and LOS change across the canopy to knowingly moderate control inputs to drive the fight to a successful conclusion.

 

If you can't manage the platform, you don't get out of the RTU/RAG.

[Rusty_M]

My problem with BMS is getting my controls set up and getting started. Currently the same issue I have in FC3. I think that'll be easier to overcome in FC3 due to better documentation and better options screens.

[galagamo]

What you can't do is teach a monkey how to interpret the scope, manage the intercept, fight the poles, and if required, push to the merge and use aspect, offset, and LOS change across the canopy to knowingly moderate control inputs to drive the fight to a successful conclusion.

I don't think its been attempted, that said........

You gota watch out for them damn dirty apes i tells ya

[Steel Jaw]

You can teach a monkey to push buttons in an ordered pattern.

 

What you can't do is teach a monkey how to interpret the scope, manage the intercept, fight the poles, and if required, push to the merge and use aspect, offset, and LOS change across the canopy to knowingly moderate control inputs to drive the fight to a successful conclusion.

 

If you can't manage the platform, you don't get out of the RTU/RAG.

 

I am not a RL pilot.

 

But from years of SIMMING, which is what we're talking about, I stand by my points.

 

At the same time, to an extent, I do not disagree with what you have said.

[Geskes]

I am loving it! the new F-15 is a joy to fly. Also the dcsw integration alone is worth the price for me, a lot better engine now for FC.

[tspencer227]

Rusty, from what I've seen so far, the scripts in the TM Script Editor for FC2 work pretty much exactly for FC3 as well- that's what I've been using, and aside from some tweaking issues with the ministick (see my thread in Input/ Output), it's been fairly easy to adapt. For me, it's just a matter of getting used to a brand new HOTAS (recent defector from the X52 camp) that's been the biggest challenge.

[lunaticfringe]

I am not a RL pilot.

 

But from years of SIMMING, which is what we're talking about, I stand by my points.

 

At the same time, to an extent, I do not disagree with what you have said.

 

And I'm talking about the processes of RL pilots, which is what is being *simulated*. Otherwise, we're merely playing switchology games, and that is of no interest to me personally, although YMMV.

 

Your argument, under that context, would be to say that all those guys who flew on the wing of Olds, Ritchie, Jabarra, and Bong didn't make ace because they couldn't save a little bit of gas, and that's ridiculous on the face of it, let alone the underlying logic. ;)