Complete Newbie Questions

[dougal]

Been flight simming for many years, but i've just installed DCS for the 1st time. Not even fired it up yet. Rather than do my usual thing of just diving in; getting it all wrong, and ending up frustrated, I thought squash my pride, and come talk to you guys....

I'm looking at DCS, as I'm told, pretty reliably I think, that the recent Spitfire release is, "probably the best model produced for ANY flightsim - EVER!" I trust him and I love the spit, albeit I really prefer the earlier variants.

First up.... A couple of very basic questions...

1. Roughly what sort of area do the maps cover? The only games I've played with 'maps' are FPS type games. I'm used to the likes of FSX and P3D where we have 'the world' at our fingertips;-)
2. Much as SoH & Avsim are my spiritual homes for FS forums, is there perhaps another forum I should also be looking at?
3. What, if any, 'DCS Guide For Dummies' can you recommend?
4. There seems to be more than one way of purchasing addons. Does it matter which i choose?

Currently 'trying' to read through the manual but tbh, finding it a little confusing:-/

Open to ALL ideas and suggestions for a total DCS novice, that's not even loaded the game and sat in a cockpit yet!!!

[scotth6]

Hi,

DCS World is indeed an amazing simulation. You can spend hour upon hour just learning each aircraft's systems and then refining the use of those systems using tutorials, quick start missions, single player missions and campaigns. It definitlely has the most realistic representations of any sim I have ever used.

I will try to answer your questions:

1/

Caucasus Region

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/upload/iblock/040/DCS_WORLD_FF_1.2.16_MISSIONSEDITOR_VIEW.PNG

NTTR Region

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/shop/terrains/nttr_terrain/#getserial


There is also an upcoming Normandy map which will be the new terrain for a WW2 theatre.

For more info on all of these you can search or browse the forums at the DCS World site.

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/products/world/

https://forums.eagle.ru/?langid=1




2/

Yes. The DCS World forums. Same links as above. You will need to register for the forums separately from the DCS World shop.

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/products/world/

https://forums.eagle.ru/?langid=1




3/

Again, just have a look at the DCS World forums and you will find heaps. There are some great guides that have been created by a user for most or all of the modules. Do a search for "Chuck's" and you will see a heap of results for guides such as "Chuck's UH-1H Huey Guide". The User Interface itself is pretty simple to use, and any modules you purchase are added to your simulation automatically, so all you need to do is enter an activation code the first time you use a new product. The layout is very easy to use.




4/

This has become an important point recently, as it has been discovered that there are sites that have been selling second hand keys. I have always purchased directly from the DCS World site, and I would suggest doing the same.

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/products/world/

There are other legitimate sales points such as Steam, but I have heard of conflicts between the regular DCS base and the Steam version and it's modules. Just stick to buying direct from the DCS World site and you won't have any troubles.


Enjoy the sim!

Cheers,

[dougal]

Hi,

DCS World is indeed an amazing simulation. You can spend hour upon hour just learning each aircraft's systems and then refining the use of those systems using tutorials, quick start missions, single player missions and campaigns. It definitlely has the most realistic representations of any sim I have ever used.

I will try to answer your questions:

1/

Caucasus Region

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/upload/iblock/040/DCS_WORLD_FF_1.2.16_MISSIONSEDITOR_VIEW.PNG

NTTR Region

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/shop/terrains/nttr_terrain/#getserial


There is also an upcoming Normandy map which will be the new terrain for a WW2 theatre.

For more info on all of these you can search or browse the forums at the DCS World site.

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/products/world/

https://forums.eagle.ru/?langid=1




2/

Yes. The DCS World forums. Same links as above. You will need to register for the forums separately from the DCS World shop.

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/products/world/

https://forums.eagle.ru/?langid=1




3/

Again, just have a look at the DCS World forums and you will find heaps. There are some great guides that have been created by a user for most or all of the modules. Do a search for "Chuck's" and you will see a heap of results for guides such as "Chuck's UH-1H Huey Guide". The User Interface itself is pretty simple to use, and any modules you purchase are added to your simulation automatically, so all you need to do is enter an activation code the first time you use a new product. The layout is very easy to use.




4/

This has become an important point recently, as it has been discovered that there are sites that have been selling second hand keys. I have always purchased directly from the DCS World site, and I would suggest doing the same.

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/products/world/

There are other legitimate sales points such as Steam, but I have heard of conflicts between the regular DCS base and the Steam version and it's modules. Just stick to buying direct from the DCS World site and you won't have any troubles.


Enjoy the sim!

Cheers,

Many thanks for all the details

[ThomasDWeiss]

the Spitfire is good, but it is in a very early stage, better buy add ons that are our of alpha if it is your 1st buy.

[GT182]

I have DCS and have flown the SU-25T Frogfoot several time to get aqiainted. Not a bad fighter/bomber at all. I do know where a couple are here in Delaware, that need restoring. Up close they aren't as big as I thought they'd be.

I'm planning on getting the L-39C as I'm a ground crew member for Pipsqueak the L-39C (number 5 built) Reno Racer piloted by Capt. Joe Gano. Yeah, I've been up and pulled 7Gs, and even flown her to altitude a couple of times. Awesome ride doing acrobatics. :biggrin-new: I haven't joined their forums yet but plan to once I grab the Me-109K.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/GT182/GTOL-392.jpg

A bit OT. Anyone flying IL2 BOS? That looks pretty darn good too. I'm really undecided on which to get into more.... DCS World or IL2-BOS. Anyone have both to give a comparison?

One thing I have seen with DCS is the Normandy map. This is awesome and looks to be great for multiplayer.... if it's possible.

[IanHenry]

Hi Dougal
I think most of your questions have already been answered however, in my opinion the Spitfire is already one of the best modules, I doubt you will even notice the unfinished aspects of it (I haven't noticed them). I'm even enjoying the start up procedure and taxying which is challenging to say the least! I also think the earlier marks are more attractive aircraft but I don't think they would be much of a match for the FW190 and later mark Me109 that you are pitched against in DCS.

One word of advise I would say is don't go down the Steam route, if only for the reason that most new module aren't available for quite a long time after initial release, sometimes almost a year.


Ian

[scotth6]

I have DCS and have flown the SU-25T Frogfoot several time to get aqiainted. Not a bad fighter/bomber at all. I do know where a couple are here in Delaware, that need restoring. Up close they aren't as big as I thought they'd be.

I'm planning on getting the L-39C as I'm a ground crew member for Pipsqueak the L-39C (number 5 built) Reno Racer piloted by Capt. Joe Gano. Yeah, I've been up and pulled 7Gs, and even flown her to altitude a couple of times. Awesome ride doing acrobatics. :biggrin-new: I haven't joined their forums yet but plan to once I grab the Me-109K.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/GT182/GTOL-392.jpg

A bit OT. Anyone flying IL2 BOS? That looks pretty darn good too. I'm really undecided on which to get into more.... DCS World or IL2-BOS. Anyone have both to give a comparison?

One thing I have seen with DCS is the Normandy map. This is awesome and looks to be great for multiplayer.... if it's possible.


DCS World all the way! Much more realism, ongoing development, full on study sim aircraft, various theatres of operation, many addon modules......and more.

Cheers,

[GT182]

I have to agree with Ian. Steam is not the way to go unless the game publisher hooks up with Steam and you have no other choice. The Sniper Elite series is one example. You cannot buy a disc of the sim and install it, it's only available thru Steam... no where else.