Mods

1. General

One can discuss the sense and nonsense of mods for a long time. There are mods that were created as a workaround for bugs (e.g. the button fix for the Ka-50 or HUD for A-10C). For some missions you want a few extras here and there that DCS doesn't have as standard. And sooner or later the question will arise: How do I actually install the mods?

Mods are collections of manipulated files (with changed parameters, values, graphics, etc.) that replace the original files. DCS, like any other programme, has a clearly defined storage structure in the main DCS directory. If you want to change certain things in the game, you only have to find the necessary files and manipulate them accordingly. A simple copy of prepared files "activates" a mod. But what if the mod doesn't run or even crashes the game? Then you want to get rid of the mod. In the past, you might have had to reinstall the entire game. Today, DCS offers a repair function that helps in such cases.

But what if you only want to activate the mod now and then? And at the latest with the next regular update, the manipulated files are partially or completely replaced by new up-to-the-minute original versions and the problems start. To prevent this, most users use a MOD enabler such as JSGME or OvGME to easily switch mods on and off. These tools do nothing other than activate or deactivate individual mods of your choice from a separate MOD collection folder with just a few mouse clicks and by saving the original files. However, a mandatory prerequisite for this is that the mods are stored in the collection folder with the correct folder structure. This is necessary so that the modified files can be copied to the correct place during automated copying. The vast majority of mods available for DCS already have the correct data structure and can therefore be activated quickly and easily with JSGME (or OvGME) as soon as they have been placed in the collection folder.

For some time now, Eagle Dynamics has created a second option for the user to enable customisation. In the Saved Games folder, you can also store your own cockpits, skins and special settings in the DCS folder. These are loaded after the original files and overlay the original files without really changing them. The files stored there are not overwritten during an update. But here, too, it makes sense to use JSGME or OvGME. Then you have an overview of the installed modifications and can deactivate individual ones if problems arise.

When you have found a mod and want to try it out, you sometimes find that not all mods in the Saved Games folder work. And some older mods have to be converted for storage in Saved Games because the creator has not yet converted his mods to the new structure. Therefore, you may have to be patient and try out a lot and read in forums until such a mod works. You can also ask an author or tutor if they also use the mod and can help you. However, not every tutor will know every mod.

A detailed description of DCS and JSGME can be found here in the English forum. But of course we are also happy to help with questions.