Digital Combat Simulator
| Digital Combat Simulator | |
|---|---|
| File:BlackShark Cockpit from left.jpg | |
| Developer(s) | Eagle Dynamics |
| Publisher(s) | The Fighter Collection |
| Engine | The Fighter Collection Simulation Engine (TFCSE) |
| Platform(s) | PC |
| Release | 17 October 2008 (Russia), 10 December 2008 (English-language download), 7 March 2009 (Germany), 2 April 2009 (North America) |
| Genre(s) | Combat flight simulator |
| Mode(s) | Singleplayer, multiplayer |
Digital Combat Simulator (abbreviated DCS) is a series of study combat flight simulator video games by Eagle Dynamics, and the descendent of the popular "Su-27 Flanker" series.
Eagle Dynamics has stated that, because of their current focus on both military and consumer simulation products, they will not simulate vehicles at a lower level of detail or using incomplete data; to do so would create a product unsuitable as a demonstration of the company's abilities for potential military clients. This contrasts with the varying levels of aircraft realism in the preceding "Lock On: Modern Air Combat" and "Flaming Cliffs" add-ons. The DCS series is meant to provide a much higher standard of realism.[1] Accordingly, each DCS module focuses on the modeling of individual aircraft — including the aerodynamics, avionics, weather (icing, wind, visibility), weapon-systems and detailed damage-models — at high levels of detail.
As in Eagle Dynamics' previous releases (namely "Lock On") the games include a multiplayer-mode to allow players to fly co-operatively or in competition with each other.
Black Shark
The first module, Black Shark, featuring the Kamov Ka-50, was originally intended as an expansion pack for Lock On. However, it was delayed because Eagle Dynamics and The Fighter Collection transferred resources to military contracts. It was eventually decided to launch Black Shark as the first product in a new franchise, citing difficulties in merging design goals with the engine used by Lock On.
The Russian version was released on October 17, 2008. International versions were delayed due to localization efforts and the requirement of an age rating.
The game is protected with StarForce.[2][3]
Gameplay
The simulated cockpit contains all switches of the real helicopter and is almost fully interactive. Most buttons and switches can be operated with the mouse and/or by a touchscreen. Additionally there are around 500 keyboard-commands, with the majority giving the player direct control over those cockpit-switches.
The Ka-50 is a ground attack aircraft, wherefore there is a greater focus on ground units than in Eagle Dynamics' previous titles. New ground units in DCS: Black Shark include infantry.[4]
To handle obstructions in the cockpit (namely the joystick and the pilot's legs) in order to see and reach all switches, the head of the virtual pilot can be moved to a certain degree. To help facilitate this, TrackIR is supported with up to 6 DOF.[5]
The DVD contains 9 video-tutorials ("producer's notes"), and the installed game contains a documentation with 500+ pages.
Besides offering a simplified game-mode called "Game", several aids can be activated to support the less experienced pilot. Those aids range from an indestructible helicopter, external views and unlimited ammunition to small labels marking every unit in visible range.
Continued Development
Patch version 1.0.2 adds multiplayer compatibility between the Black Shark and Flaming Cliffs 2. As such, either game can host a multiplayer mission that both products can fly in.[6]
As with many simulation games, freeware community add-ons are readily available on the internet.
Eagle Dynamics has released DCS: Black Shark 2, a for-pay upgrade which provides DCS: Warthog compatibility.
A-10C Warthog
This second module was released on February 21, 2011 and is currently available by ordering the game as Download Version either directly from the DCS website or through various online stores. The download is available via HTTP, FTP or BitTorrent.
The game uses StarForce ProActive AAA as a means of copy protection and requires online activation.
Gameplay
A-10C continues Black Shark's emphasis on ground attack, as the A-10C's primary role is that of a ground attack aircraft. As with Black Shark a number of gameplay options provide the player with the possibility to customize the difficulty to their needs with the possibilities ranging from arcade settings to high realism simulator. Gameplay itself revolves around missions that can be played either standalone or as a campaign. The mission objectives themselves are not static but rather trigger activated so these can change with every replay although the number of possibilities is limited by the amount of different conditions that exist for each mission.
Also, Players can, for the first time in DCS, play from the viewpoint of a ground unit, as the game includes a "Joint terminal attack controller" mode in which the player marks targets with a laser for A-10s.
Hardware Support
The game includes both x86 and 64-bit executables, although multi-threading is limited. As part of Eagle Dynamics' gradual move to a multi-core engine, network and sound processes are not run on the same core as the simulation itself, but because the game is not truly multithreaded the 64-bit executable serves mainly to facilitate access to more than four gigabytes of RAM. ATI Crossfire is supported, allowing for the use of dual ATI graphics cards. TrackIR is supported in 64-bit and x86 versions.
Continued Development
Current patch version is 1.1.0.9.[7] Previous patch version was 1.1.0.8.[8] Patch 1.1.0.7.[9] Patch 1.1.0.6[10] needs to be installed before 1.1.0.7. Patches have to be installed in order: 1.1.0.6, 1.1.0.7, 1.1.0.8 and 1.1.0.9.
Outside of support by the games developers there is also an active online community contributing both mods and additional missions. A number of community addons can be downloaded directly through users files section on the official DCS website with more being available at the official forums
Multiplayer
The game by default offers multiplayer mode but, currently, does not offer the ability to join up with players from DCS: Black Shark or Flaming Cliffs 2.
DCS: Warthog will be multiplayer compatible with the recently released DCS: Black Shark 2 upgrade with a upcoming patch.
Recommended System Requirements
Operating system 64-bit: Windows Vista and 7
Processor: CPU: Core 2 Duo E8400, AMD Phenom X3 8750 or better
Memory: 4GB
Hard disk space: 7 GB
Video: Shader 3.0 or better; 896MB NVIDIA GeForce GTX260 DirectX 9.0c or better
Sound: DirectX 9.0c-compatible
DirectX: 9.0C
References
- ^ "DCS FAQ". Digital Combat Simulator. Retrieved 2008-04-17.
- ^ Direct2Drive's DCS: Black Shark download page
- ^ ED - SF Press Release (Russian)
- ^ "Ka-50 Black Shark". Digital Combat Simulator. Retrieved 2008-04-17.
- ^ "list of TrackIR - enhanced games". Track-IR, Natural Point. Retrieved 2009-04-02.
- ^ Patch 1.0.2 for "DCS: Black Shark"
- ^ DCS: A-10C Patch 1.1.0.9 Download Page
- ^ DCS: A-10C Patch 1.1.0.8 Download Page
- ^ DCS: A-10C Patch 1.1.0.7 Download Page
- ^ DCS: A-10C Patch 1.1.0.6 Download Page