Weekend Newsletters - 2019

Polychop Announces the OH-58D Kiowa for DCS World

DCS: F-16C Viper - Wing Flex Demonstration

A new element being added to the DCS: F-16C Viper is wing flex and twisting. This provides a much more dynamic and interesting behavior to the wing as you takeoff, maneuver and pull high-Gs, fly low and fast in turbulence, and even release heavy ordnance. This is the next large element that we are adding to the external model of the Viper. Following this, we are aiming to complete the texture template, improve the afterburner effects and create several more skins.

Polychop Announces the OH-58D Kiowa for DCS World

Here is a small excerpt from the Polychop Simulations announcement, you can read the full announcement on our forums here.

Dear community,

It has been a few months since we first publicly announced that we are working on the OH-58D Kiowa for DCS World.

For the past two years, we have been working on the Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior. Back then we were not yet certain what flight simulator software we’d be building the OH-58D for but at some point, we decided (again) on DCS world.

During the past 2 years, we have been talking to a lot of individuals including people from Bell Textron, Eagle Dynamics and the US Army Cavalry community.

Bell Textron granted us a product-specific license for the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior for commercial use, which means we were given permission to recreate the helicopter for game or entertainment purposes. Without this license, a module for the DCS World environment would not be possible.

With the license also comes a responsibility. Anything related to the product will be subject to demanding quality control procedures. We recognize this as an opportunity and a benefit for the community, the simulation of the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior in DCS World and ourselves as a developing company. The license also grants us access to certain information otherwise not available to the public. Without it, it would simply be impossible to create a lifelike representation of the aircraft.

With the manufacturer’s license secured, we got in contact with Eagle Dynamics to discuss with them the plans we had for our next module. This started a long period in which possible contracts were negotiated. Negotiations like these are complex, especially when it involves a third party, in this case, Bell Textron. In the end, all parties have to agree to the terms and conditions.

In October 2019, a day before the Cosford Flight Sim Show, we got the green light from Eagle Dynamics to announce the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior as a possible DCS World module. Even though the contract had not been finalized, at that point we were at a stage in negotiations where it was very plausible all parties involved would come to an agreement.

Today we can announce that all contracts have been signed and finalized. The OH-58D Kiowa Warrior will be released as a DCS World module. We can’t reveal a release date yet. We’ve set our sights on a release in 2020 though.

Overall we are happy that we have the opportunity to bring such an iconic helicopter, a workhorse of its kind, to DCS World and have her live on in our community. We also want to thank Eagle Dynamics, Nick Grey and Matthias Techmanski for all the support and the trust they have in our team, that we will be able to properly produce this magnificent helicopter, which was the first to ever have a glass cockpit worldwide.

Now the big question, when will the community hear more news or see new streams or videos about the Kiowa. We are currently planning to have a scheduled stream with a few people available. What, when and who will be discussed and announced in a few days. So stay tuned.

For now, the whole team wishes all the best and everybody a Merry Christmas 2019

Your Polychop Team

Development Report #8

Damage Model - As we enter the home stretch on the new Damage Model for WWII Fighters, we are working hard to create and tune new effects for all aspects. We are excited to show you how they are looking so far, and how they will look even more incredible when you finally see it for yourself.

Many thanks to all our faithful community.

Yours sincerely,

The Eagle Dynamics Team

Winter Sale Begins & Christmas Open Beta Update

Winter Sale Begins!

Get great savings on that module you have been waiting for! The Winter sale started December 19th and runs until January 5th. Save up to 50% on most DCS World products, the only exceptions being:

• DCS F/A-18 Hornet by ED - 25% off
• DCS Persian Gulf Map by ED - 25% off
• DCS: Christen Eagle II by Magnitude 3 LLC – 25% off
• DCS: F-14 Tomcat by Heatblur Simulations – 20% off
• DCS: F-16C Viper by ED – not on sale at this time
• DCS: JF-17 Thunder by Deka Ironwork Simulations - not on sale at this time
• F-86F Hunters over the Yalu Campaign by Reflected Simulations - not on sale at this time

Note that this is the first time the DCS: F-14 Tomcat will be on sale! Climb in Maverick.

We will also be taking part in the Steam Winter Sale.

Christmas Open Beta Update

This week saw the release of one of our biggest updates of the year. Many fixes and some very sought after features were introduced. Some of the highlights include:

• New Cockpit for the A-10C
• Updates to the Normandy Map
• A number of fixes to the JF-17
• Track While Scan (TWS) radar mode for the Hornet
• And much more

See the full changelog for this patch, and the hotfixes released this week here.

Thrustmaster/Hornet Challenge

Thrustmaster, partnered with Eagle Dynamics SA, has created a competition for some of our favourite content creators. The challenge is for each creator to provide a video showing their coolest maneuver using the DCS: F/A-18C Hornet and the Thrustmaster Hornet Stick.

You can see all the videos here:

Jeff Favignano

Between December 20th and the 22nd, vote for your favourite video.

Follow Thrustmaster on social media for instructions on how to vote, and have a chance to win some prizes!

Thrustmaster Twitter - Thrustmaster Facebook - Eagle Dynamics Facebook

F-86F Hunters over the Yalu Campaign Released

The new F-86F Campaign by Reflected Simulations is available in the E-Shop now!

It's early 1953, and after completing several tours during WWII, you're once again putting your neck on the line by flying dangerous combat missions over North Korea. Command the 67th Fighter Bomber Squadron and attack enemy bridges, factories; strafe supply columns; and support US troops as they fight their fierce battles. Survive heavy flak and fighter attacks, and then transfer to the legendary 39th Fighter Interceptor Squadron to carry out large fighter sweeps over MiG Alley and fight massive battles in the stratosphere. Watch out for the honchos, they say Casey Jones is back in business!

Key Features:

• 12 realistic missions to be flown as the squadron leader of the 67th FBS and the 39th FIS
• Sequel of the "Blue Nosed Bastards of Bodney" campaign, although not mandatory
• A detailed background story, mission contexts, and checklists
• Detailed briefings and briefing images that include separate PDF mission descriptions
• Unique kneeboard graphics for each mission
• Over 300 custom recorded voice-over messages and radio broadcasts
• Historically accurate custom skins
• A wide array of missions including CAS, Bombing, Fighter Sweep, Escort and Scramble

Development Update #9

Normandy Map Update - Our friends at Ugra Media have also provided a free update to their Normandy map for DCS World! This is a great home for the DCS warbirds. The update adds many new airfields and famous landmarks, a new tree and forest system, and more detail around existing airfields and urban areas.

We will be working closely with Ugra Media to make additional improvements to this work-in-progress.

• Textures massive update for fields, cities and towns, villages, airfields
• Added four new regions in France that includes:
  • Cana district
  • Quarantine estuary
  • Coasts north of the Utah landing zone
  • The Mont Saint-Michel area

  [*]Included seven new airfields (The total number of airfields has been increased to 38):

  • Argentan is a single-lane track
  • Barville is a two-lane dirt track
  • Essay is a single-lane grass track
  • Goulet is a single-lane grass track
  • Hauterive is a single-lane grass track
  • Vrigny is a single-lane grass track
  • Conches is a single-lane concrete track

  [*]Airfields have a significant increase in detail with many more objects.

  [*]Trees and forests have been updated to use SpeedTree, with 20 unique types of trees.

  [*]More detailed Atlantic Wall:

  • Added costal anti-tank hedgehogs, barbed wire, etc.
  • 8 zones were added that includes artillery batteries.

  [*]New, detailed scenery has been added that includes:

  • Le Mont-Saint-Michel
  • Jumièges Abbey
  • Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Rouen
  • Rouen-Rive-Droite Station
  • More detail was also added objects in the original map

  [*]The vector data was significantly improved over 20,000 sq kms.

  [*]Additional bug fixes and performance optimizations.

A-10C Warthog Cockpit - In 2011 we released our A-10C for DCS World and it has been one of our most successful and loved modules to date. Over the years, technology and tools have improved, and we are pleased to provide you with a free update to its cockpit. This includes an entirely new 3D mesh, new high-resolution textures, improved lighting, and improved VR.

This is an early work-in-progress, and we will further enhance the weathering, textures, and lighting over the coming weeks.

DCS: Ka-50 Black Shark Update - In 2020 we will also give you a free update to the Ka-50 Black Shark. Like the free A-10C cockpit, it has been re-built from scratch with a much higher level of detail and accuracy. We hope you enjoy it.

Merry Christmas to you and yours, and we thank you for your support and passion,

The Eagle Dynamics Team

Winter Sale Continues & WWII Asset Pack Progress Report

Winter Sale Continues!

Christmas may be over, but the savings continue! The Winter sale will run until January 5th. Save up to 50% on most DCS World products, the only exceptions being:

• DCS F/A-18 Hornet by ED - 25% off
• DCS Persian Gulf Map by ED - 25% off
• F/A-18 Persian Gulf Map bundle - 35% off
• DCS: Christen Eagle II by Magnitude 3 LLC – 25% off
• DCS: F-14 Tomcat by Heatblur Simulations – 20% off
• DCS: F-16C Viper by ED – not on sale at this time
• DCS: JF-17 Thunder by Deka Ironwork Simulations - not on sale at this time
• F-86F Hunters over the Yalu Campaign by Reflected Simulations - not on sale at this time

Note that this is the first time the DCS: F-14 Tomcat will be on sale!

Also, this weekend only, Dec 27th at 10:30 PST to Dec 29th, we are having a DCS: F-14 Tomcat Free Weekend Event in the E-shop and on Steam! Try it out, and then pick it up for 20% off!

We are also taking part in the Steam Winter Sale as well.

Christmas Stable Update

This week saw an update to the Stable branch of DCS, this brings many long-awaited changes, fixes and features to this branch. Some of the highlights are:

• Track While Scan (TWS) to the Hornet and Viper
• Initial release of DCS Voice Chat
• Updated A-10C Cockpit
• Update for Normandy Map

You can see these and many, many more updates in the changelog here.

Development Report #10

DCS: WWII Asset Pack - Work continues on this highly anticipated update to the WWII asset pack, one of the final items we are working on is the addition of torpedoes to DCS World. Torpedoes will be available for the Ju-88A-4, U-boat and E-boat. This will give Mission Creators and users the possibility to take part in hunting and/or defending shipping lines in the recently updated Normandy Map. This addition opens up many future possibilities for DCS World. Once this update is ready it will add the following:

• A-20 Boston AI aircraft
• Ju-88A-4 AI Aircraft
• 8.8cm Flak Gun 41
• Siemens Flakscheinwerfer 37 projector plus Generator
• E-boat Schnellboot type S-100
• U-boat type 7
• Stug III Tank Destroyer
• M10 Tank Destroyer
• Mk VIII Centaur IV Tank
• Elefant self-propelled artillery
• Mk IV Churchill VII Tank
• Torpedoes for aircraft and sea vessels

The Saga Continues

This past week saw the release of a highly anticipated next chapter in a franchise we all enjoy, that’s right! Sting TV released the next chapter in their series, check it out here:

DCS WORLD - DANGER IN DUBAI 2020

From all of us at Eagle Dynamics, we hope you have a safe and joyous holiday season and thank you for your continued passion and support!

Happy New Year!

The Eagle Dynamics Team