DCS WWII: Europe 1944 Updates

[SilverDragon 99]

DCS: WW2 update

 

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/508681281/dcs-wwii-europe-1944/posts/784976

 

No Guts – No Glory

1 comment   Like  7 likes

Well folks,

 

Frustrating couple of weeks. 

 

The entire office spent all of last week trying to figure out what was up with the 109. Kind of a standard thing with all DCS planes when they suddenly begin doing something absolutely unexpected.

 

 

Our 109 flight model started as a copy of the P-51, and then we began slowly replacing all systems and all data with Messerschmitt stuff. Well, after another round of replacements something somewhere happened with something that made the 109 decide to crabwalk through the sky rather than fly straight like the Mustang. Check each new system. Nothing. Replace each P-51 system with each new 109 system individually. Nothing. Replace all together in conjunction – screech!

 

This is the kind of stuff we really can’t afford to be spending so much time on at this stage of the project, especially as it really looked to everyone that we really put more than enough time for the unexpected into the project in the first place. Still, the 109 still doesn’t want to fly right, and it’s not the question of our skills or experience. Like I said, the entire office, including all ED veterans, spent this whole time trying to figure it out alongside our programmers. If anything, their experience had a slightly calming effect. We want to pull our hair out, while they chuckle and say “yup, happens every time.”

 

To give you a better idea of the kind of work that goes into all of this, here’s some details of the P-47.

 

 

To make matters worse, the P-47 is documented so much worse than the P-51, and, surprisingly, even worse than the Bf 109. For example, check the tail gear shots above. This was all done from photos. 

 

The best blueprint we have is this:

 

 

Obviously, not nearly enough data to fully model the mechanism. And with all parts that need to move in complex animations, making sure everything fits and doesn’t fall apart or clip through when animating, well, let’s just say that lately the P-47 modeler has had very little joy in his life.

[SilverDragon 99]

Updace 32# WW2

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/508681281/dcs-wwii-europe-1944/posts/787617

The Backer Rewards Section is Finally Here – in Beta

Comment Like 

Well, it took way, way more blood and guts than anyone could ever imagine, but we finally have it.

If you’re a project backer, you can manage your rewards here: 

 

http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/personal/backer/

 

We also have a closed Backers forum here: 

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/forumdisplay.php?f=326

 

This is currently in beta – feel free to play around with this as much as you like. 

 

Please note that this only shows the rewards from the rewards matrix. 

 

Anticipated problems: 

 

Log-in and email mix-ups;

Wrong reward selection;

Wrong tier selection;

Bad logic when selecting eclectic reward combinations.

Missing features: 

 

Not currently showing Completed Rewards for those of you who have already received your product keys;

Not showing non-matrix rewards for higher tier backers, such as custom aircraft paintschemes. 

Here’s how this works. 

 

Whether you backed on kickstarter or via paypal, you should be able to use this system. 

 

Please note that the DCS site requires two separate logins, one for the site, and the other for the forums. 

 

The Backer section is linked to the email address you used for your pledge. 

 

If you already have a digitalcombatsimulator.com account linked to that email, you should be able to log in and immediately use the Backer Rewards page. 

If you do not have a digitalcombatsimulator.com account linked to that email, please create one. It will give you access to all features on the site, including the Backer Rewards page. 

If you already have a digitalcombatsimulator.com account linked to a different email address, unfortunately we do not have an automated way to deal with that. Please email dcswwii@eagle.ru from the email address currently on your DCS profile (not the kickstarter backer email address) and let us know which email address you used to back the project. We’ll be changing the backer email address to your DCS account email address (not the other way around). 

Same goes for the forums. 

 

If you already have a forums.eagle.ru account, and it uses the same email you used to back the project, you should be able to log in and get access to the backer forum automatically. 

If you do not have a forums.eagle.ru account, create one with the same email you used to back the project, and you should get access to the backer forum. 

If you already have a forums.eagle.ru account, but it uses a different email address than the one you used to back the project, unfortunately we do not have an automated way to deal with that. Please email dcswwii@eagle.ru from the email address currently on your forum profile (not the kickstarter backer email address) and let us know which email address you used to back the project. We’ll be changing the backer email address to your forum account email address (not the other way around). 

Now, if you are using one email for the digitalcombatsimulator.com account and a different email for forums.eagle.ru, then unfortunately we won’t be able to link them. You’ll have to create a new account with a matching email address in one place or the other. 

 

We'll be adding the missing features in the next couple of days. Hopefully no serious issues will be found in beta, in which case we'll be going live ASAP.

 

For any issues, please post in the Backer Forum, or email dcswwii@eagle.ru.

 

 

 

[SilverDragon 99]

Update #34 WW2

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/508681281/dcs-wwii-europe-1944/posts/808060

 

Update #34 Apr 11 2014

Friday April 11, 2014 Development Update – The Two Messerschmitts

4 comments   Liked  23 likes

Hello folks,

Ooh, how the time flies, another Friday already? My job is the least predictable of all in the project it seems. I tend to have a huge variety of tasks in my lap, all with five alarm bells ringing, and with no one to give them to. I’ve spent all week doing emergency translations and documents. Doing that while also trying to be a single father to two young kids means that there’s literally no time for anything, especially sleep. 

 

When Friday comes around, Friday morning my time, Friday evening Moscow time, that means a very sudden silence. The kids go to their mother, and there’s no urgent work that has to be completed by tonight – Moscow’s off until Sunday night my time. 

 

Then it’s time for me to relax, sit back, and write a Friday update – and after that, most incredible of all, I can finally go and catch up on some z’s. 

 

Work-wise, we’re moving ahead full speed getting the 109 to a stable alpha stage. Tasks are getting smaller, while the results are becoming a lot more noticeable. We’ve spent all week on the cockpit, on animating the gauges (about a third of all objects now move properly), recording new sounds for Dora and Kurfurst, completing an authentic electrical system, writing out the entire set of keybord shortcuts for the K-4 mostly based on the Mustang. Runway take-offs are finally nice and straight. 

 

The new render is still a bit wacky, and that’s completely outside our control, ED guys are putting crazy hours into it as well. 

 

So, the best we can show on screenshots is a couple of interior shots with needles properly pointing at things other than zeroes. 

 

 

Also, here’s where we are with the Me.262 external. Hope you guys have a great weekend!

 

[SilverDragon 99]

WW2 Update

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/508681281/dcs-wwii-europe-1944/posts/815537

Friday April 18, 2014 Development Update – Landing the 109

 

Hey everyone,

Here’s some more on the Bf 109K-4.

 

We’re pretty much done with the cockpit and external animations. The last remaining set of cockpit tasks should take no more than 2-3 days; plus we’ve compiled a final list of fixes and updates needed to the cockpit and external models based on internal testing, which should take no more than 10 days or so for the modeler to implement.

 

We’re having an internal discussion on what exactly to consider an alpha stage for the 109. Obviously we owe our backers an alpha version. My own feeling is that we’re pretty much at alpha, while some at ED feel that this is very far from a version that can be given out. Next week, our plane will look like a 109, sound like a 109, and all the gauges and internal systems will operate as those of a 109. However it will not fly exactly like a 109. The engine model and the aerodynamic model is what takes the most time to perfect in DCS.

 

We’ll have another big internal discussion on this on Monday.

 

For now, here’s some screenshots of some more cockpit animations, working AFN2, and a near-perfect three-point landing.  

 

(please note that the new render is still in development, so you're seeing some glitches in trees and shadows and other components)

 

 

 

 

[SilverDragon 99]

Update 36 WW2

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/508681281/dcs-wwii-europe-1944/posts/822941

Hello folks,

Today’s update is a small miracle. 

 

By late night Moscow time, as we decided to take some screenshots, we realized that the game’s WIP render stopped working for everyone. Programmers responsible had already gone home hours before. I began writing an apologetic update, and then, somehow, someway, our ingenious junior aircraft programmer managed to get the game working on his machine.

 

So, I’m very happy to present to you the 109 in combat.

 

(please note that his version of the 109 has many animations not working, such as landing gear and propeller arc, and has a lot of other system stuff showing. We decided not to mess with his development environment because time is very precious)

 

 

 

On the development front, most of the tasks this week had to do with the cockpit and the sound. The 109 is beginning to sound very mean and very authentic. Our wonderful sound engineer also wrote an incredibly rousing theme for the 109, but I won’t be posting it just yet. The wonderful composer, talented but naïve in the ways of the world, submitted the latest version with a background sound effect of a certain historical leader reading a speech to a rousing roar. We’ll make sure it is removed of course, but this being late Friday night in Moscow, it won’t happen today.

 

Other than that, the tasks remaining for the 109 are, in that order: finalize and test cockpit procedures; finalize sound; DB 605 engine tuning for medium and high altitudes; finalize manual; overall testing; finalize external animations; finalize damage model visuals; finalize flight performance; create game interface.

 

The plan will likely change, especially in the smaller sub-tasks that I am not listing for each major step. However, the first two tasks (sound and cockpit) should complete next week, and DB 605 tuning, unless something goes horribly wrong, should take be done, well, so quickly that I cannot even force myself to write out the task duration publicly. And then, ladies and gentlemen, we’ll just need to test this here thing for serious and crash bugs for as long as it takes that to ensure they do not exist.

 

The biggest task for the coming days for me personally is to finish up the 109 manual. There’s not much work to be done, just write out all cockpit procedures and make sure all the buttons and checklists are correct. Shooting to have the manual finished by, oh, May 10th.

 

I’ll wrap this up with a couple of beaaautiful diagrams done for the 109 manual by our very talented graphic artist.

 

 

The manuals are looking very spiffy. Cannot wait to see them in print!

 

Have a great weekend!

 

 

[JediMaster 451]

Print? What's that?

 

Oh right, something flight sims came with in the 90's! Not a single DCS printed manual have I ever seen.

[+russouk2004 6,958]

nice 3d detail,but a lot of it needed?  

[SilverDragon 99]

WW2 July update:

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=2110895&postcount=1

Dear all,

 

In this July 2014 update, the primary news is in regards to the restructured backer rewards. After a careful review of the older system under RRG, we found it financially unattainable. However, the restructured system still provides an excellent value for your backing contribution. For example: each aircraft will retail at $49.99; however, you will receive the item instead at only $20.00. This is in addition to other items such as the Normandy map ($20 contribution and above) and other perks as the backing contribution level rises.

 

We also feel this new system dramatically reduces the chance of reward delivery confusion and delays.

 

As software deliverables (aircraft and map keys) are ready for release, keys will be sent to backers based on their contribution level. Physical items like shirts, hats, etc. will be sent when the entire DCS: World War II: Europe 1944 project is complete per deliverable items stated in the rewards list at the bottom of this update. 

 

Per the update last week, we are pushing hard to deliver the originally planned aircraft and assets as fast as we can. Because we have additional staff assigned to this effort, this will accelerate the process and dramatically lessen the impact on our other projects (insert: “where is my Hornet?!” comments). 

 

Our ultimate goal is to create a unique battlefield environment within DCS World that is specifically tailored to Second World War air combat. This is a combination of the period aircraft, maps, navigation, communications, and objects that creates a total experience. DCS World is designed to encompass multiple time period and locations, and we see this as a keystone endeavor for just one slice of DCS World.

 

As each part of DCS: World War II: Europe 1944 is created (aircraft and map), we will release it as a unique DCS World module (like we are currently preparing DCS: Fw 190 D-9 Dora for). Backers will get each part based on their contribution level. When all the pieces are done, we will create a bundle package that puts them all together in a single download / boxed purchase. In other words, there will be no separate installation that runs outside of DCS World. That would defeat the primary goal of DCS World.

 

As we get closer to the launch of DCS: Fw 190 D-9 Dora in August 2014, we are working on a mechanism to provide an Alpha copy to $40 and up contributors.

 

DCS World War II: Europe 1944 Backer Rewards:

 

$1-19

Bronze Backer credit in manuals

 

$20

Bronze Backer credit in manuals

DCS: P-51D Mustang and print-ready PDF manual

Normandy Map

 

$40

Bronze Backer credit in manuals

DCS: P-51D Mustang and print-ready PDF manual

Normandy Map

DCS: Fw 190 D-9 Dora, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

 

$60

Silver Backer credit in manuals

DCS: P-51D Mustang and print-ready PDF manual

Normandy Map

DCS: Fw 190 D-9 Dora, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: Bf-109K, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

 

$80

Silver Backer credit in manuals

DCS: P-51D Mustang and print-ready PDF manual

Normandy Map

DCS: Fw 190 D-9 Dora, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: Bf-109K, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: Spitfire, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

 

$100

Silver Backer credit in manuals

DCS: P-51D Mustang and print-ready PDF manual

Normandy Map

DCS: Fw 190 D-9 Dora, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: Bf-109K, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: Spitfire, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: P-47D Thunderbolt, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

 

$120

Gold Backer credit in manuals

DCS: P-51D Mustang and print-ready PDF manual

Normandy Map

DCS: Fw 190 D-9 Dora, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: Bf-109K, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: Spitfire, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: P-47D Thunderbolt, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: Me.262, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

 

$140

Gold Backer credit in manuals

DCS: P-51D Mustang and print-ready PDF manual

Normandy Map

DCS: Fw 190 D-9 Dora, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: Bf-109K, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: Spitfire, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: P-47D Thunderbolt, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: Me.262, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

Normandy Map Alpha access

 

$160

Gold Backer credit in manuals

DCS: P-51D Mustang and print-ready PDF manual

Normandy Map

DCS: Fw 190 D-9 Dora, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: Bf-109K, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: Spitfire, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: P-47D Thunderbolt, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: Me.262, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

Normandy Map Alpha access

Copy of any DCS product

 

$180

Platinum Backer credit in manuals

DCS: P-51D Mustang and print-ready PDF manual

Normandy Map

DCS: Fw 190 D-9 Dora, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: Bf-109K, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: Spitfire, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: P-47D Thunderbolt, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: Me.262, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

Normandy Map Alpha access

Copy of any DCS product

TFC Polo Shirt

 

$200

Platinum Backer credit in manuals

DCS: P-51D Mustang and print-ready PDF manual

Normandy Map

DCS: Fw 190 D-9 Dora, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: Bf-109K, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: Spitfire, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: P-47D Thunderbolt, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: Me.262, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

Normandy Map Alpha access

Copy of any DCS product

TFC Polo Shirt

TFC hat and calendar

 

$250

Platinum Backer credit in manuals

DCS: P-51D Mustang and print-ready PDF manual

Normandy Map

DCS: Fw 190 D-9 Dora, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: Bf-109K, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: Spitfire, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: P-47D Thunderbolt, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: Me.262, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

Normandy Map Alpha access

Copy of any DCS product

TFC Polo Shirt

TFC hat and calendar

Two keys for each aircraft

 

$500

Diamond Backer credit in manuals

DCS: P-51D Mustang and print-ready PDF manual

Normandy Map

DCS: Fw 190 D-9 Dora, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: Bf-109K, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: Spitfire, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: P-47D Thunderbolt, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: Me.262, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

Normandy Map Alpha access

Copy of any DCS product

TFC Polo Shirt

TFC hat and calendar

Two keys for each aircraft

One existing aircraft skin with your name below the canopy

 

$1,000

Diamond Backer credit in manuals

DCS: P-51D Mustang and print-ready PDF manual

Normandy Map

DCS: Fw 190 D-9 Dora, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: Bf-109K, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: Spitfire, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: P-47D Thunderbolt, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: Me.262, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

Normandy Map Alpha access

Copy of any DCS product

TFC Polo Shirt

TFC hat and calendar

Two keys for each aircraft

One existing aircraft skin with your name below the canopy

One custom paint scheme for the aircraft of your choice

 

$2,000

Diamond Backer credit in manuals

DCS: P-51D Mustang and print-ready PDF manual

Normandy Map

DCS: Fw 190 D-9 Dora, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: Bf-109K, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: Spitfire, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: P-47D Thunderbolt, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

DCS: Me.262, Alpha access, and print-ready PDF manual

Normandy Map Alpha access

Copy of any DCS product

TFC Polo Shirt

TFC hat and calendar

Two keys for each aircraft

One existing aircraft skin with your name below the canopy

One custom paint scheme for the aircraft of your choice

Your face on the pilot model of your plane of choice

 

 

[paulrkiii 16]

And once again ED is bending us over and f......well you get my point.  So now instead of getting the number of ACFT I was promised in the kickstarter I now only have to pay 20 bucks to purchase them.  Plus, I already have the P-51 so how is that an award?

 

I will never participate in a crowd funding campain for anything DCS World related item again.  I don't care if it's actually ED proper, partners or 3rd parties.  I backed it because I wanted the P-47D and Spitfire, but I'm stuck with the P-51 (again already purchased) and the Dora (which I could give two craps about).

[MigBuster 2,884]

None of it's a surprise to me really - the project figures they came up with must have been based on blind optimism.

 

A shame for Ilya - the promo videos were not exactly pro but he seemed to have a passion for it.

 

At the end of the day you either need the money or do it as a hobby for free.

[+russouk2004 6,958]

am I alone in think far too much 3d detail,half of  it you will never see?   dont get me wrong,3d models are good.

[+ST0RM 145]

This isn't going to go over well with the WWII crowd.

 

Being on the jet side, I'll just wait on whatever makes its way eventually.

 

Just glad I sat back and didn't back any of the Kickstarters.

[+streakeagle 867]

I had withdrawn my original higher level donation after carefully reading what was being said on forums by those seeking the money.

But I weighed the possible outcomes and $40 was a small amount to risk for 5 DCS level aircraft I didn't have and would eventually buy if they were created: Fw190, Spit, P-47, Bf109, and Me262 was a steal... less than $10 per plane.

Even if I only got just the Fw190, $40 was a fair price if it is as good at the P-51D.

 

I am not surprised by the failure of RRG Studios to complete this project and deliver the promised goods at the promised prices.

I am surprised that DCS has tried to pick up the tab and keep the ball rolling.

 

So instead of losing $40, I end up getting the Fw190 and the new map... $20 each. Probably the price they will be selling for by Christmas, but I will get the Fw190 now.

The P-51D key is worthless to me, I don't think ED will let me trade it, I already have one, and I would be lucky if I could sell it for $5. Perhaps I can give it to a friend/relative?

I am not sure how to interpret the $20 per plane. It seems they provided the bonuses at that rate, adding 1 key per full $20 donated.

Can I buy the later releases at that price? If so, that's still a great deal compared to $40 or $50 per plane on initial release.

 

While I am disappointed in the loss of the other four "freebies", I am not angry. I am actually relieved that I will get an Fw190 without paying a penny more.

But I will say that I still don't have a MiG-21bis (presumably fix that this month or next).

I don't think I have to swear off DCS kickstarter campaigns, because I doubt there will ever be any more!

The real question is, after everything is all said and done, is ED going to still be running at a profit and continuing to expand and refine DCS World?

I am happy to hear that DCS WW2 won't be a separate install. That just didn't make sense. DCS World should end up like SF2 with everything integrated together to allow mission designers complete flexibility.

 

All I can do is wait another month and see what comes next.

If ED and the 3rd parties have their dates squared away, there is going to be a flood of releases all at once.

I have already paid for the Fw190 and the MiG-21bis. In theory, I have a coupon from the UH-1H pricing gaff that will pay for most of the F-86F. That leaves me paying full price for the Hawk should it come out as well.

That's a lot of DCS goodness for minimal expense if everything goes as planned.

But with ED, that is a huge IF!

Originally, I backed $75. A bad price point for the new scheme: $35 more and only 1 more item (Bf109).

Any even multiple of $20 was the sweetspot. If they let me buy later releases at $20 each, then that allows me to match donors of $60, $80, $100, or $120.

I don't know how they feel about that, but it is okay with me.

[Stratos 3,188]

WTF? So people like me that payed 40$ are getting only the Dora and the map? This is a joke?

[JediMaster 451]

Considering the Dora is going for $40 alone and we have yet to know what the maps will be priced at, it's not too bad a deal.

The original KS was wildly optimistic to me, as were the stretch goals.

[paulrkiii 16]

Well I'm happy now since I get to choose what aircraft I want.

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=126712

[+streakeagle 867]

Yes, that is much more fair. However, maybe they did this on purpose: release the not-so-good-plan, if people really hate it, then release the not-as-bad-as-the-not-so-good-plan. There was going to be shock at the loss of the generous original kickstarter rewards, but by making it look like you were going to get screwed royally, then the alternative that otherwise might have been rejected suddenly looks like a great idea :)

 

Gas prices went from $2 to $5 then down to $3-$4. While $3-$4 is a huge jump, it is great after having a taste of $5.

Edited July 8, 2014 by streakeagle

[paulrkiii 16]

I honestly never expected to get 6 aircraft for 40 bucks when I backed the kickstarter.  

[JediMaster 451]

Yes, that is much more fair. However, maybe they did this on purpose: release the not-so-good-plan, if people really hate it, then release the not-as-bad-as-the-not-so-good-plan. There was going to be shock at the loss of the generous original kickstarter rewards, but by making it look like you were going to get screwed royally, then the alternative that otherwise might have been rejected suddenly looks like a great idea :)

 

Gas prices went from $2 to $5 then down to $3-$4. While $3-$4 is a huge jump, it is great after having a taste of $5.

 

Actually, gas prices here are less than $1 lower than peak prices from several years ago. So, a full tank then cost roughly $10 more than it does now, but it's still $10 more than it was in 2009.

[SilverDragon 99]

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=126824

 

DCS WWII 1944 FAQ

What we know… just the facts.

 

Ok, I am writing this because so much info and answers are spread all over, as well, so much misinformation is being spread, either because people cant easily find it or cant be bothered to take the time.

 

At the time of the Kickstarter

RRG

 

RRG, led by Luthier was in sole control of management and setup of Kickstarter and Project. All creative decisions and direction were planned and executed by them

 

RRG stated that Kickstarter funds would be a small part of the project. Where the other funding was coming from was undisclosed. 

 

ED

 

ED was partnered with RRG, supplying manpower, game core, and knowledge to the project, they were not involved with any management decisions, including planning and execution of Kickstarter.

 

ED was to sell keys to RRG for distribution as rewards (Its believed that this order wasn’t completed as only a small amount of people received this reward at end of the funding period for the Kickstarter)

 

ED developer Yo-Yo offered his services to do quality control on all FMs produced by RRG, he was also working with RRG is some form with the Spitfire as he had a unique fondness for that aircraft, but this was still and RRG project.

 

This brings us to the changes.

RRG

 

RRG became mostly unresponsive a few months back (not just with customers), the forums were getting very frustrated, everyone was getting very frustrated, info wasn’t being communicated to the level people had come to expect. Some where between the last update from them and June 7th, it was announced that significant changes had taken place with the project, both how its developed and managed.

 

This was described as:

 

Luthier was no longer involved in the project.

 

Luthier was contracted to continue work on helping with some of the manuals

 

Since the Kickstarter funds had run out, ED had been footing the bill on development.

 

ED decided to attempt to carry on development, hiring a number (undetermined) of the employees from RRG

 

Kickstarter funds covered a small amount (“drop in the bucket”) of total funds needed to successfully complete the products

 

The State of the project as left by RRG, as best we know.

Map: No updates had been shown for sometime, person involved had been removed from the team early on. Its believed the map is not very far along at all, and delivery date of said map backs that up. (expected May 2015 with period AI units)

 

Me 109K-4: We had seen many development shots of this aircraft, we assumed it to be in early Alpha (expected Oct 2014)

 

Spitfire IX: No progress images or videos of this one where made public, no real news at all. (stated to deliver Dec 2014)

 

P-47D-30: Model was in works, that’s all we were shown. (expected March 2015)

 

Me 262A1: Model shown in progress, no more info. (no timeline yet)

 

AI Only B-17G: No real info either, no timeline, but assumed it would be part of AI period units for map as stated above.

 

ED’s official stance on the Kickstarter funds was that they were spent on all aspects of the project, but as listed above, none were very close to being done whatsoever, the closest being the Me 109, which ED had sunk 120,000 USD of its own funds into the flight model. This did not include the model, cockpit model, cockpit systems, etc. It’s safe to assume that a DCS Module can reach well above 150,000 USD to complete.

 

Restructure

Due to the above costs, lack of funds and ED needing to take over the project, all aspects were reviewed.

Changes

No more separate install (this means no separate keys for one or the other)

 

Reward restructuring was needed as the reward structure was poorly thought out and would have been financially impossible to accomplish.

 

Project delivery date was changed from Sept 2014 to numerous dates over the next year or so, as described above.

 

At the end of the project, the entire collection could be purchased as a bundle.

The rewards were initially changed to this:

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=2110895&postcount=1

After customer feedback they were changed to this:

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=2112208&postcount=1

Key changes, Choice of aircraft from all 6 WWII modules. $1-$19 backers would receive $20 ED Bonus points

 

Clearing some misconceptions and false statements

Q: ED is taking the assets of RRG and getting nothing but profits from this, off our money right?

A: No, ED has already assumed many costs associated with the project, the fact is all the Kickstarter money was spent before ED took over. While it is true that ED has recovered, or believed to have recovered all the assets, much work is left to be done, and a rough estimate of 10-15 percent of the project is actually completed, some of which was already funded by ED

 

Q: ED was funding this project all along

A: No, not at all, no one knows where RRG was going to acquire the funding to satisfy its lofty goals, ED only got heavily invested when things started to go south.

 

Q: ED planned this, it was their goal all along to bait and switch us and give us less, isn’t that the truth.

A: As stated above, ED had no involvement in setting up the original reward structure, in fact as they took over, they were honestly shocked at how truly confusing and lofty the set up was. Again, this was because all of this was set up by RRG

 

Q: ED bought out RRG and all its assets right?

A: ED didn’t buy, acquire or takeover RRG. The details of how it all transferred may never be known, but what we do know is it appeared Luthier surrendered all the assets created with the Kickstarter money, and some of the employees were hired by ED to help continue the project as not to disrupt their other projects.

 

Q: ED’s first restructure was bad only to make the real one look good.

A: No, not at all, It was an oversight, a simple mistake, if you look at the initial reward restructure purely by the numbers it’s a great value, but it was pointed out that a number fo backers already had the P-51D and it didn’t make sense to force them to accept that as one of their rewards. Wags admitted this was a mistake publically.

 

Q: Why not just offer a refund?

A: Its complicated, but the short answer is this, The money was spent before ED stepped in, ED believes people want DCS WWII. They thought the best path was to make the project workable, and continue to develop it, in turn offering a realistic compromise on the reward structure

 

Q: Why cant you refund the money and just make the project anyways

A: This would be an incredibly hard hit to the bank roll, it would be a big enough loss that the project would have to be scrapped. They are already expected to continue to fund the project, but adding an 150,000 hit right off the start. Well its too much. 

 

Q: It doesn’t matter, you cant give me my original rewards 100% you are supposed to refund

A: Kickstarter requires people to be upfront and communicate with their customers ED is trying to do that, even though ED didn’t enter in to this agreement, they are trying their best to make the project a reality. If it comes down to it, and they are forced into a refund, you can count on the project being scrapped. Not even the 109 could be guaranteed at this point. This isn’t a threat, its just the way it is. 

 

Q: I am not happy with my reward structure, why cant you give me more?

A: ED did its best to make the value the best it could, while still remaining profitable. They are still a business, and they have to protect that as well. They have been very open to reviewing and making changes so far.

 

Just a side note on this FAQ, I requested, to Wags, to do this for the community, I know how info can be spread about in a thread and lost in the shuffle, I feel like both sides of the argument might be missing some key points. 

 

I am going to initially leave this open for discussion, but I am warning you now, it will be moderated heavily for the back and fourth bickering. I am not an Employee of ED, I cant answer legal stuff as that has not been disclosed, so what you see above is all I know and understand. Also you may not agree with how ED is handling this, posting here your plan to fix everything will not change anything, This is where we are at. 

 

If you feel I have missed something or you need clarification just ask, either in this thread, or by PM (preferred). This is not meant to be an update or anything new, but just to gather all the info in one location.

[+streakeagle 867]

You have to figure ED was between a rock and a hard place: let the project fail and it could almost completely kill their business OR finish the project and honor the original awards and go bankrupt. Even with the compromised position they have taken, it is a huge risk if only the original backers buy into it. BUT despite all the banter about RRG being completely independent and at fault, it was ED's job to realize that supporting this project would lead to the rock and hard place and yet they proudly backed it... Apparently, caught by surprise in what was claimed to be possible versus what could actually be done? DCS aircraft are fantastic, but I have to wonder if ED is going to be able to stay afloat if they didn't fully understand what RRG was offering and backed them anyway.

 

I was never involved with IL2:COD and didn't know much about Luthier, so when people started arguing with him on forums about the viability of his DCS WW2 proposal, I learned fast and realized this was an extremely risky Kickstarter deal. But the possibility of getting 4, 5, or even more aircraft for the price of one was too good a deal to pass up. Just like the money I ponied up for the MiG-21bis, I accepted the fact that I might as well be flushing it down the toilet. I would be doing pretty good if either crowd funded project panned out to any extent. So, I have always been prepared for the worst.

 

What is frustrating is how everything was made to look okay other than the frequency of the reports. Despite my rational thoughts on the odds of success when placing my bet at the beginning, it is hard to get your hope up and have them dashed. As it stands, the final deal is pretty fair as long as ED survives to honor the "New Deal". Like it or not, WW2 is by far the most popular combat flight sim theme. If DCS succeeds in this genre, they will probably make as much money as possible for a hard core combat flight sim developer. As always, all I can do is wait... and hope that someone finally gives me a hard core F-4 vs MiG-21 sim (looks like the MiG-21 half is pretty damn close to being done!).

[+ST0RM 145]

Like it or not, WW2 is by far the most popular combat flight sim theme.

Because it is possibly the most often modelled era for a sim. So winning by shear number of times it's been done is the key? How about Korea? It combines the best of both; prop and early jets. But it has not gotten the same attention.

 

Look how well TK's SF:Israel did. It gave simmers somewhere fresh to fly/fight. And it spanned over several years so you could cover several plane sets.

 

This all in one download idea will do fine for some, but the expected wait time will put many off. Not my cup of tea, so I'll pass.

[JediMaster 451]

I don't think you can argue the nose causes the tail. WWII has been done more because it sells more when they make them, convincing them to make more.

 

They were doing WWI sims since RB1 but look how few there have been compared to WWII. Korea got a couple, the lack of follow ons indicates they didn't sell too well either.

 

WWII was THE war for air combat. It got the most press, the most entertainment coverage in film and TV, probably the most books. You make a sim for it and your audience is already educated. Make a Korea sim and you have lots of potential customers asking "Korea???"

Name the last Korean War film about air combat, who was President then? I mean Red Tails bombed, but it was just a couple of years ago. Likewise modern air combat gets its Stealth and Behind Enemy Lines and Top Guns. WWI got Flyboys, which tanked. Vietnam they do ground stuff, the air war never got much attention if you eliminate the UH-1.

 

You can't blame sim makers for the direction popular culture has taken WRT which air wars were worth covering and which were to be relegated to the dust bin. Without CoD-type budgets they can't afford to set up a marketing campaign to correct that. Even CoD itself...WWII and modern era, no Vietnam, no Korea, no WWI!

[+ST0RM 145]

JM, you're correct in that Korea wasnt as known as WWII or supported. Hence it's lack of recollection by the common person. And this putting it very lightly.

 

As for sims, I really cant remember anything but "MiG Alley" from back in the 90s. It was nice, but suffered from many bugs that werent ironed out. That I recall anyhow. And it was limited to USAF vs NK only. Again, IIRC. The other sims were mods of exisiting sims. CFS2 and SF2 especially.

 

But, if you think about how many countries actually participated, you could market it to a large audience. And again, the bridge from props to jets would appeal to a wide market if done right. CV ops, night fighters, CAS, etc... Some would be simply repaints as the RoK, RAAF and South Africans also used them. That would be a first.

 

The key would be to actually focus on one thing and move from there. At least with the F-86 and MiG-15 coming along, a stand-in M/P server that was set up for that era could be achieved. F-51s and Sabres as a minimum until the others catch up. Just an idea I know, but you have to start somewhere.

[JediMaster 451]

Let's just say that as someone who notices these things, one thing you can NOT say is "sims in the past 15 years have had really good marketing."