Information about DCS World

DCS-WorldWhat does DCS World cost?

Eagle Dynamics provides the basic module (DCS World) free of charge. It includes a free map (Caucasus) and two free aircraft (Su-25T and TF-51D). This means that anyone can get a taste of the simulation before buying an additional module for which a fee is charged.

What is the difference between DCS 1.5 and 2.5?

DCS World 1.5 represents the first generation of DCS World software. At some point it was clear that DCS needed to be developed further and that some of the major modifications would inevitably have to break backwards compatibility. So it was decided to launch "DCS World 2" and develop new modules and maps (such as Nevada, Normandy, etc.) for DCS 2 only. One of the incompatibilities did not allow the free Caucasus map to be transferred to DCS 2 without extensive reworking. And the other modules also had to be migrated step by step. This meant that DCS 2 could only be used in combination with at least one of the two purchasable maps (Nevada and/or Normandy).

In April 2018, version 2.5 was released. It included the completely revised Caucasus map. We will base our courses on the current release version and the free Caucasus map. In this way we want to keep the hurdle to participate in the courses as low as possible. Even though it is nicer to fly a P-51D in style on the Normandy map, it is quite sufficient to fly it on the Caucasus map to learn. Eventually we will offer the missions for both maps later. But especially at the beginning it is too much effort to create the missions for both versions and to keep them up-to-date with every patch.

Should I download and install DCS World from the website or via Steam?

Even though I (kaltokri) am a big fan of Steam, I decided to go for the external version of DCS. Why? In Steam, the modules are only available when they are out of Early Access. In Steam it is only possible to have an installation (OpenBeta or Stable). With the standalone version you can install both versions in parallel. And it's well known that Steam receives almost a third of the price as a fee for each sale. Especially with niche products like flight simulators, the manufacturer should be supported as much as possible to ensure the future of the product. Therefore, the manufacturer should receive 100% of the price. But this is my personal opinion. Since you can also integrate external games into Steam, I would advise everyone to go for the standalone version.

Should I install the OpenBeta or the stable version?

In order to find bugs early on and avoid them being carried over into the stable product, Eagle Dynamics has made the OpenBeta version available. This is updated every 1-2 weeks. It can happen that a few bugs are included in the version, which are only found and reported by players. Only when the OpenBeta has reached a stable state are the changes incorporated into the stable version. If you always want to try out the latest features immediately and don't mind if something doesn't work, the OpenBeta is for you. However, this is not conducive to a stable training operation. Therefore, we use the stable version by default. Only if the tutor and all course participants are in agreement can we agree to run the course in OpenBeta. However, this may mean that training units cannot be run as planned due to bugs in an update.

DCS WW2DCS WW2 - What content is available for DCS, what aircraft are available?

So far you can purchase and fly nearly two dozen aircraft and a handful of helicopters. There are additional maps (e.g. Nevada and Normandy), campaigns and also playable ground units (module "Combined Arms"). Here is a current listing on the Eagle Dynamics website. Every few months a new module is added. In the meantime, not only Eagle Dynamics itself is working on modules. There are already some third party manufacturers who provide and distribute modules. However, these modules have to meet the quality standards of Eagle Dynamics in order to get the right to publish them.

What hardware do I need and who can help me configure my system correctly?

This question cannot be answered in general terms. It depends on many factors. The most important are the desired resolution, level of detail, viewing distance and desired frame rates. A wide range of options can be set via the settings in DCS, which have a direct effect on performance. With the appropriate settings, you should be able to manage well with a mid-range PC. However, if you set everything to maximum, you will need a high-end PC. A DX11 graphics card with at least 2 GB memory and a 2-core processor with at least 3 Ghz as well as at least 60 GB hard disk space and 8 GB RAM are mandatory. Help with questions about installation and configuration can usually be found very quickly in the German section of the DCS forum or, of course, here in our TS.

Where can I find fellow players?

Here in the OFS, of course. But also in the Eagle Dynamics forum and various other forums as well as on the various TS servers of ongoing online missions.

Last modified: Friday, 6 May 2022, 5:07 PM