DCS Weekend News 19 October 2018

[MigBuster 2,887]

DCS World Open Beta 2.5 Hotfix and Release Version This week we released a second Open Beta update to address issues that some users encountered with the new, default controller profiles. Theses default profiles are now only used for a newly installed module, or the user manually loads them as a profile. Our next controller to add default profiles for will be the VKB Gunfighter Mk.II. Our goal is to have default controller profiles for all popular controllers. You can read the entire Hot Fix list here. This week we also moved the current Open Beta to the Release version. You can read the change log here. The biggest element of this is the updated Release version is the availability of the new MiG-29 for DCS World. DCS: F/A-18C Hornet, DCS: Persian Gulf Map, and Su-33 Bundle Pack Last Days The bundle pack consisting of the Hornet, Persian Gulf Map, and Su-33 ends this Sunday! In addition to the full pack, we are also offering a version of just the Hornet and Persian Gulf map. Find both on our e-Shop. You can also find both bundles on our Steam store at: Persian Gulf + F/A-18C + Su-33 Persian Gulf + F/A-18C Modeling Update We recognize that an important aspect to improve in DCS World is more realistic damage modeling in regards to localized effects, visual effects, affect on hit components, and type of weapon impact. Regarding the latter, the new damage model will be based on two types of weapon impact: penetrating impact and proximity impact. This provides us with three primary weapon effects on a unit: penetrating (projectiles), volumetric/pressure wave (high-explosive) and volumetric/shrapnel. This last effect allows weapon casing fragments to be tracked as unique objects entering the unit. This is not modeled in our current damage model system, but it will provide a great improvement to aircraft, and later, ground unit damage. When a projectile or shrapnel penetrates a unit, the strength and functionality of the of the unit component it intersects with is affected. This includes components like spars, flight control surfaces, engine, weapons, fuel, etc. This, in turn, can greatly affect aircraft performance and system functionality. The team has been working hard on this new damage model system, and the primary work is now complete. It is now undergoing internal testing. We will first roll out the new damage model system in our World War II aircraft, then later move to our more modern aircraft and then ground units. In these images, you can see the internal components of the P-51D and Fw 190 D-9 that are tracked as unique components that can be damaged. About Early Access and Open Beta For those not familiar with the terms Early Access and Open Beta, we want to use this newsletter to talk about how we implement them in regards to DCS World. DCS World Early Access Over the last few years, the concept of Early Access has taken traction with many companies in this industry. Before our adoption of this option, we were often bombarded with customer requests to test our products, or at least have the opportunity to have an early look. We offer Early Access to such customers, and we greatly appreciate the feedback on how we make the product even better. However, we also recognize that Early Access is not for everyone, and some players prefer their first experience in the game to be with a completed experience. We get that, and this option is not recommended for everyone. The time a product remains in Early Access can vary widely based on the scope of the project, technical hurdles, and how complete the module is when it enters Early Access. Eagle Dynamics and all of our third parties strive to make this period as short as possible. It’s important to note that when a development team starts work on a new project while another project is still in Early Access, it is most often because it’s a separate internal team or elements of the team have completed their tasks on the Early Access project and it’s time for them to move them to move on to a new project rather than sit on their hands. An Early Access module can be played on both the Open Beta and Release versions of DCC World. When we first release a new module or update it, we first release it to our Open Beta version of DCS World for “field-testing” and then we later move it to the Release version once we are sure there are no “blocking” issues. DCS World Open Beta Speaking of Open Beta and Release versions, we currently operate two versions of DCS World, the Open Beta version and the Release version (many fewer versions than before!). Because DCS World is a “living” project that changes daily, it’s possible for a project-wide bug to worm itself in and make the game unplayable for all. To prevent this and add a level of protection, we adopted Open Beta and Release versions. Most every two weeks (sometimes more with hotfixes) we create a new Open Beta version that comprises the changes from the prior two weeks. Although this first goes through both internal and closed-external testing, it is possible for errors to slip through. In this case, the Open Beta is utilized to identify a “blocking” bug that prevents all customers from playing the game (not just customers of a single module). For those that take part in the Open Beta, we greatly appreciate it and thank you for your testing efforts. If a “blocking bug” is present in the Open Beta, we always have the Release version available. This is why the Release version is sometimes called the Stable version. As such, the Open Beta version is for us to “field-test” new changes and check for any DCS-wide “Blocking” crashes, and the Release version is the result of the previous Open Beta that does not suffer any “Blocks.” As with Early Access, Open Beta is an option and may not be for everyone. DCS World on Fighter Pilot Podcast Our very own Matt “Wags” Wagner sits down with Jell-O on the Fighter Pilot Podcast and talks DCS World. You can also find the interview on Youtube. Expanding DCS World on Facebook Have you been looking for more translated DCS World news to your native language? We have recently expanded our DCS World social media presence on Facebook to include pages for Chinese and Polish pages. We welcome you to stop by and follow! We now have Facebook pages for English, German, Chinese, and Polish, with more to come: English: DCS World by Eagle Dynamics German: Digital Combat Simulator Chinese: DCS World China Polish: DCS World Polska Sincerely, The Eagle Dynamics Team