What are the major updates to be expected?

[cpoco]

To be honest I am not completely satisfied with my FC3 purchase. A lot of details still need improvements. Many aircraft models seem to be copied directly from FC2! My big personal wish from ED is that you could update avionics of all Russian fighters. I am so tired of flying the current pre-historic variants!

[Lucas_From_Hell]

Pretty much impossible, sorry to tell you. There has been some talk about a Su-27SM module for DCS (although P or S versions seem just as likely), but that surely won't come for FC3. The differences are absolutely enormous, it's too much work to do, more than enough to charge the price of a full module for this avionics upgrade (and enough to take the developing time of one, too).

 

Plus, most of the aircraft pictured are still in service as they are. Although there have been some modernisation efforts, not all of the Russian Air Force fleet has received them, and Ukraine's fleet is not undergoing any significant upgrades at all (only 5 Fulcrums and 5 Rooks were modernised, for instance). For a different example, the A-10A's been through extensive upgrade, but they've retained the A-10A in Flaming Cliffs, and did an A-10C DCS module instead.

 

And capability-wise, those aircraft were indeed copied directly from FC2, that was the intention. They were imported like that because they've been fairly well modelled since then. The MiG-29S got another radar mode which comes in pretty handy, though I believe it was always there in the plane but wasn't implemented, however.

 

The Flaming Cliffs plane-set isn't modelling the 2013 standards of any of those aircraft (including American ones), but the late 1990/early 2000s builds. It makes them pretty flexible for difference scenarios since a Su-25 is realistic both in 1985 and 2010, but a Su-25SM in 1985 is just nonsense, for instance.

 

DCS doesn't really model a specific period (we have a bloody P-51D and UH-1H for christ's sake, and people LOVE them :music_whistling:), so anything is pretty much valid in here.

 

For the list of upgrades, Wags did a post comparing FC2 to FC3. It's not just an aircraft update, but bringing all of the joy of FC2 into the DCS:World capabilities. The A-10A AFM hasn't been implemented yet.

 

An apples-to-apples comparison between FC2 to FC3/DCS World. I added a few new items to this list that I just got permission to make public today.

 

1- FC3 is a DCS World module that makes it single player and multiplayer compatible with all other DCS modules, including Combined Arms.

2- New F-15C 6 DOF cockpit

3- New F-15C 3D model

4- New Su-27 6 DOF cockpit

5- New Su-27 3D model

6- New A-10A 6 DOF cockpit

7- New A-10A model

8- Advanced Flight Model for A-10A

9- New Su-25 6 DOF cockpit

10- Expanded map into eastern Georgia and southern Russian that includes several new and detailed Russian and Georgian airbases, cities, and topography.

11- Many new unit models that include: A-10C, F-15E, F/A-18C, MiG-31, A-50, E-3, KC-135, IL-76MD, IL-78M, An-26B, An-30M, E-2D, E-3C, P-51D, Yak-40, CH-47D, Mi-8MT, Perry Class Frigate, Ticonderoga Class Cruiser, T-90 tank, and SA-3, SA-6, SA-11 and SA-15 SAM systems.

12- Updated and improved graphical effects for water surface / transparency, ground explosions, smoke, fire, and lighting.

13- Improved air-to-air missile flight physics.

14- Resource Manager system.

15- Many new trigger options (both Conditions and Actions) for the Mission Editor, permitting for more tactically varied missions than ever before in the FC series.

16- New and updated campaigns that cover all of the FC3 aircraft.

17- Pitch and roll sea states depending on wind weather.

18- Dynamic weather system.

19- Improved low altitude graphical detail that includes grass and higher detailed terrain noise.

20- Improved air and ground unit AI.

21- Fast Mission Generator.

22- New AI radio communications from other flights.

23- Improved airbases that include Batumi, Senaki-Kolkhi, and Sukhumi-Babushara.

24- Added bullseye to mission map and AI radio references.

25- New single missions.

26- New multiplayer missions.

27- New dual engagement radar mode for the MiG-29S.

28- Improved flight manual.

29- Improved cockpit textures.

30- New weapons such as JDAM, WCMD, and senor fused weapons.

31- New coalitions of Italy, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia.

32- Adjusted landing properties for Standard Flight Model aircraft.

 

I wouldn't complain if the RAF, Spain, Italy and Germany got some AI Eurofighters added though, but that's a different story :D

Edited May 19, 2013 by Lucas_From_Hell

[ishtmail]

To be honest, you knew what you purchased when you bought FC3.

Saying that you're not satisfied with it is like buying a Renault Clio, then complaining that it doesn't have the advanced features of a BMW 3.

 

While we all wish the 3D models and cockpits were updated to the eyecandy 6DOF versions that we're enjoying with F15, SU27 and A10A, we can't say we're not satisfied with FC3, as it's a vast improvement over FC2.

[skouras]

To be honest, you knew what you purchased when you bought FC3.

Saying that you're not satisfied with it is like buying a Renault Clio, then complaining that it doesn't have the advanced features of a BMW 3.

 

While we all wish the 3D models and cockpits were updated to the eyecandy 6DOF versions that we're enjoying with F15, SU27 and A10A, we can't say we're not satisfied with FC3, as it's a vast improvement over FC2.

;)

[fitness88]

FC3 fixes for the MIG 29s still needed...

 

• How about fixing the EOS elevation in the MIG 29, still not working [fixed on bore sight only].
  
• MIG 29 landing approach speeds indicated on HUD still too slow [230 kph].
  
• MIG 29 nose landing gear is too sensitive, seems to collapse very easy since V1.2.4. The nose must be brought down very very slowly.
  

[Lucas_From_Hell]

There's been some landing gear issues with the F-15 as well, they're probably related and hopefully will be addressed within the next few patches. Those are not features though, they're bug-fixing.

[Cake]

To be honest, you knew what you purchased when you bought FC3.

Saying that you're not satisfied with it is like buying a Renault Clio, then complaining that it doesn't have the advanced features of a BMW 3.

 

Wow. If you know what he knew, why didn't you warn him in advance? Seriously though, there was no guarantee for me that I'd like the DCS modules I bought. Sure, I had a idea, but I certainly did not get to try any of the modules for free first. Most people test drive cars before they buy, so this analogy is a stretch.

 

It seems like if someone posts anything even slightly negative on here, people jump on them. Why is that? The product speaks for itself. When all the great positive feedback came on UH1 Huey, I'm glad everyone wasn't reminded that they knew what they purchased.

[Robin_Hood]

The thing is that the original poster complained that some features aren't included in FC3, when these features have never ever been announced of FC3.

 

When I bought FC3, owning FC2, I knew exactly what new features I was getting, and what would stay the same.

[ishtmail]

Wow. If you know what he knew, why didn't you warn him in advance?

 

Warn him in advance? He was 'warned' in advance. The features were well advertised. Every single one of us that purchased FC3 knew, that most of the cockpits were copied from FC2. Some of us (that purchased during beta) actually received MORE than was advertised at the time of purchase (for example, when I bought it, there was no sign of A10A, SU27 and SU25 improved 6DOF cockpits and new models, so for me this is a pure bonus).

 

 

What I'm saying is:

When he bought it, he knew that he was buying cockpits from FC2. And yet, he's not satisfied and demands more.

 

 

It would be a different matter if he wrote 'I really like the new 6DOF cockpits and I wish all the cockpits in FC3 were redone in 6DOF - the old ones are really outdated compared to the new ones.'

But he didn't. He wrote he wasn't satisfied with the current cockpits, which clearly shows that he feels he's entitled to more.

[hoochiekoo]

I believe that here is a sharing community so please be kind to all member. If someone is in trouble it should be better to be kindheartedness and help him out.

:)

[Cake]

Warn him in advance? He was 'warned' in advance.

 

Relax, that was a joke :). My point was that just because you knew exactly what you were getting doesn't mean cpoco did. Sure, there are announcements and what not with specifications upon specifications, but the original poster is new to the community as it was his first post. Might not be fair to assume he has your knowledge.

 

For example, I've been involved with The Flanker series since before Su-27 v1.0 was released, but I certainly didn't know "FC3 was a vast improvement over FC2" as you pointed out, because I skipped FC and FC2. Sorry, I like reading your posts, but just thought you came off a little rough on the new guy.

[ishtmail]

It would be nice if the new guy would choose a more... positive approach for his first post on this forum, if you catch my drift :) It would be easier to accept him to the forum that way...