"Why Nevada?" - Mission Potential for the Forthcoming Terrain

[Splat]

Over on the SimHQ forums, a thread entitled "Why Nevada?" recently cropped up in which the forthcoming Nevada terrain has proved unusually divisive. Some are calling it a "waste of resources" or evidence of ED supposedly catering to American nationalism, while others are defending it for southern Nevada's role in NATO training exercises and as a proxy for Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.

 

In light of this discussion, I was curious about what the mission builders themselves think about the Soon™-to-be-released Nevada map. What are you most looking forward to about the new terrain? What kinds of missions/campaigns do you expect to build or see from others? Do you see the North American location as a potentially limiting factor?

 

Just hoping to have a slightly less conspiratorial discussion on the matter here on the DCS forums, and who better to ask about mission building than the very people who enjoy building them? :)

[Grimes]

Any US or even NATO aircraft could probably have training there for the sake of realism. If they expand the map at all, there is something interesting in most directions.

North - NAS Fallon/Reno

East - Rocky Mountains/Utah

South - Arizona and its many Air Force Bases

West - California and its many airbases/Sierra Nevada Mtns

 

"Red Dawn" while kind of silly could be fun.

 

Its not like we have to use simulated missiles to fire at one another like they do with the real Red Flag, we can use our "real" weapons.

 

Civilian usage would more logically exist. At least with the concept of doing virtual airshows or air racing(VFAT) which has a pretty sizable presence with DCS/FC.

 

Its a desert, so with some imagination it can be some other country with a desert.

 

But most of all it represents a step forward in terrain development which will hopefully allow for other "more realistic for combat" theaters of war being developed and released.

 

PS. Nevada started out as a mod project by the community. Had any other terrain project progressed as far as they did I'm sure Nevada wouldn't be alone in community/ED developed terrains... I know there is a Manchuria and Afghanistan project that had started, but the current terrain tools aren't really the best out there and they are waiting on EDGE to be completed/access to terrain tools to work on it further.

[karambiatos]

honestly i could care less, if the terrain is on mars, i wouldnt care as long as it looked and played interestingly.

 

Also you can get higher resolution height map data for the US than the rest of the world

[GeorgeLKMT]

honestly i could care less, if the terrain is on mars, i wouldnt care as long as it looked and played interestingly.

 

I agree but only partially. With Hornet coming SOON™ I would like to see some EDGE-fidelity terrain with access to ocean or sea, so carrier could be used in missions ;)

[Hubris]

Why not?!

 

Desert terrain with mountains, a lake, and maybe the Grand Canyon. There will be endless opportunities for mission makers to make great missions with Nevada. You can pretend the conflict is in Egypt, Iraq, Israel, etc.

 

Also, there are a ton of AB nearby such as Edwards, Hill, Creech, etc.

[Bahger]

Nevada is a great idea, IMO. It resembles the theaters where Hogs have fought since Kosovo and because it's too politically sensitive for DCS to recreate those theaters, it's the next best thing, especially as Nellis is a legendary training theater.

[Cake]

I think it would be good, except the Admiral K. Is going to seem a little funny in Lake Mead.

 

Nevada has a pretty low airport density, and I like lots of airfields, so if it is Nevada it would be good also to have the part of California out to the coast.

[Sierra99]

Nevada is a great idea, IMO. It resembles the theaters where Hogs have fought since Kosovo and because it's too politically sensitive for DCS to recreate those theaters, it's the next best thing, especially as Nellis is a legendary training theater.

 

Ya know I might buy this explanation except for the fact that all ED is providing...is a map. Realistically, there is nothing politically sensitive about a map and what people choose to do with that map is up to them, not ED. Lets flip your argument 180*... What happens if someone takes the Nevada map and builds a mission depicting a civil war over obamacare in the United States? ( Actually not a 1/2 bad idea for a mission considering OUR political situation... But that's a subject for another forum...:smilewink: ) Should anyone take it personally?

 

Nah... I'm betting they did Nevada for other reasons...

 

First, Red Flag. Great excuse to put all sorts of dissimilar aircraft in the same place.

Second, I am honestly hoping that by developing Nevada first... They are developing textures and visuals they can quickly use to model Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, any country on earth with desert terrain.

 

I hope...

[Grimes]

Ya know I might buy this explanation except for the fact that all ED is providing...is a map. Realistically, there is nothing politically sensitive about a map and what people choose to do with that map is up to them, not ED. Lets flip your argument 180*... What happens if someone takes the Nevada map and builds a mission depicting a civil war over obamacare in the United States?

 

Gonna need one of these then:

[Deadman]

Why Nevada well It was basically free in the beginning One guy sorry I can remember his name approached Waggs at ED and convinced him that he could make Nevada. The original Sim mod team was just finishing the A-10A and did a bit of work on it but the main force behind it I may be totally and completely wrong here But I think

luckybob9 finished the Nevada pack.:thumbup:

[Slick_441]

Its not like we have to use simulated missiles to fire at one another like they do with the real Red Flag, we can use our "real" weapons.

 

Any chance of DCS seeing ACMI and simulated 'dummy' SAM's like you would find in the NTTR? Though 'real' weapons are always fun, it would also be nice to head out with a wingman for some 1 v 1 until bingo then RTB for an overhead formation break *pinches self*

[Darkwolf]

Honestly don't really like Nevada choice. COD:MW don't hesitate to simulate terrorist acts, i don't see where it could be politically chocking to get a full scale irak/afghan map.

[Swam-e]

It´s going to be very unrealistic and weird blowing up planes inside USA. Maybe some Top Gun style mission with fake missile launch would help.

[NineLine]

It´s going to be very unrealistic and weird blowing up planes inside USA. Maybe some Top Gun style mission with fake missile launch would help.

 

You do know what NTTR is used for right?

[Sabre-TLA]

To answer specifically:

 

What are you most looking forward to about the new terrain?

 

It's different than the Caucasus. :) That map has existed for a long time so anything new is a treat but being a desert based area opens the door to many exciting new opportunities in replicating current real world conflicts (Syria, Libya, Iraq, etc).

 

What kinds of missions/campaigns do you expect to build or see from others?

Heavy emphasis on Red Flag, and Green Flag type scenarios but also some real world conflict based scenarios. With Las Vegas on the map I think there can be some very interesting hostage/rescue dramas and criminal activity type operations available.

 

Do you see the North American location as a potentially limiting factor?

Not at all. If the environment looks right and we have the ability to turn off civilian traffic then I believe it could be a stand in for many parts of the current world. It would be nice to have the option of adding some middle east type buildings (Mosques, etc).

 

A new map will breath new life into this franchise and offer users many more playability options for their entertainment dollars. I'm really looking forward to it. :thumbup:

[Blooze]

Considering the screens we have seen of the SoH map I have a feeling that when DCS2 is finally released SoH will probably be available shortly thereafter.

[mjmorrow]

I anticipate using the Nevada map as my map to learn new DCS modules and to joy ride with my favorite DCS rides. The first missions I am going to create for the Nevada map will help me systematically learn how to sim fly the F86F and the Mig-15bis, while also serving to let me take in some of the beautiful locations on the map. I want to really know the F86F and the Mig-15bis, inside and out. I also want to enjoy the pretty scenic view outside the cockpit.

 

On weekends, I suspect that I will get a lot use out of the Nevada map, for years to come.

 

:thumbup: MJ

Edited February 23, 2015 by mjmorrow

[tomcatter]

It´s going to be very unrealistic and weird blowing up planes inside USA.

 

Yes you are right, I´ve got the same feeling while haunting A-10´s over Sochi or when I do nav training with a Spanish Air Force C-101 over a Russian territory.

[fltsimbuff]

I think Groom Lake will be perfect for DCS: SR-71!

[vicx]

Yes you are right, I´ve got the same feeling while haunting A-10´s over Sochi or when I do nav training with a Spanish Air Force C-101 over a Russian territory.

 

Well you could have stayed in Georgian Air Space but you just had to go and poke the Bear and now ... RED DAWN.

[rrohde]

I hope for ED to utilize the potential of NTTR and adding tons and tons of quality, interactive, voice-over style training missions for the various modules.

 

And lots of Red-Flag style missions with opfor/aggressors to compete against.

[Demongornot]

I have not read comment (only the OP), but even if personally i don't really care about the terrain in fact, don't matter for me if this is a real/fictional/US/Russian on anything else !

I mostly looking forward to the highly detailed terrain itself and EDGE to run this smoothly rather than which IRL location is made !

 

But since the terrain will be the Nevada anyway, well even if this is sadly a highly desert region (a lot of empty terrain to flight over), at least between the salt lakes, and the HUGE runway of the airbases on the area, it will be fun to be able to land at a lot of locations (because jet fighter SHOULD be able to land on salt lake without broking gear or having the stupid super glue effect from actual Georgia map) !

Super Long Runway can permit practice but also nice landing, like the LOOONG run flare before front gear touch down style, and i'm sure we will have lot of fun in this map !

The Virtual Aerobatic Server Nevada will probably be crowded (at first at least) and really fun to try out i'm sure !

 

I expect a lot of Red Flag and training mission types, and finally i also looking forward to a lot of combat mission because, well simulation or not DCS still fictional in his missions, so there is no point of avoiding open war type of missions just because there is no war on Nevada region actually, it may change in the future after all ! Who know !

 

But i also looking forward to play around Las Vegas, buzzing the buildings/hostels and casino and flying between them with the helicopters, and a Mi-8 formation flight patrol will be really funny over Las Vegas :D

Also with the famous Area 51 a lot of fun can be probably done at this location, and i'm sure this location will be iconic for WIP aircraft from third party/mods because its sure that at least once we will see someone make announcement for an aircraft at parking or take off/landing at Groom Lake with screenshots looking like amateur pictures, like if a top secret aircraft have been spotted !

 

At least there is nice mountains, nice long and straight roads that i'm sure a lot will land on, and there is also lakes, so even if this is NOT perfect for a carrier, i'm sure we can put a carrier on a lake for the upcoming F/A-18C Hornet to both having advantages of the new map and carrier landing !

The Pyramid lake is for sure big enough !

 

And then we will finally have something realistic to do with our WW2 Warbird in modern age, something interesting that the Virtual Aerobatic Server will probably enjoy a lot !!!

RENO AIR RACE !!!!!!!! :D

Ho and did someone remember which military jet we often see at Reno Air Race ?

That's right :D

 

So yeah there is a lot to do in the Nevada !

[Wrecking Crew]

As long as there are plenty of airbases to base out of I'll be fine with the 'location'. I'll prolly just continue on with two made up opponents, like the Red Democratic Republic and the Blue Liberation Front.

 

This guy might just end up as the rouge colonel -->

 

 

WC

[Habu23]

I'm personally withholding all mission making development until EDGE and Nevada are released. Once it is, I'm planning on making a Bactria-like sequel for this map with a more conventional-oriented twist to the combat. If there is any desert in the world to model, it's Nevada. It's not a flat sandbox like Iraq or the Sahara, there is plenty of terrain, foliage, altitude, etc. to go around to make it interesting.

 

The real question is the Normandy map. If the devs are putting a lot of time to model Northern France, I have to ask them consider expanding East to at least the Oder river. This will satisfy the "Cold War gone hot" junkies like myself, and also making the entire DCS: WWII project complete. It would be a true, dual use theater.

 

Habu

[Blooze]

I'm personally withholding all mission making development until EDGE and Nevada are released. Once it is, I'm planning on making a Bactria-like sequel for this map with a more conventional-oriented twist to the combat. If there is any desert in the world to model, it's Nevada. It's not a flat sandbox like Iraq or the Sahara, there is plenty of terrain, foliage, altitude, etc. to go around to make it interesting.

 

The real question is the Normandy map. If the devs are putting a lot of time to model Northern France, I have to ask them consider expanding East to at least the Oder river. This will satisfy the "Cold War gone hot" junkies like myself, and also making the entire DCS: WWII project complete. It would be a true, dual use theater.

 

Habu

 

It's a pleasure to see that someone is planning on using the Nevada map for something other than training missions. I'll be looking forward to your new projects.