XSAF - Training and Check rides not necessary

XSAF Camelot

(Edit Jul 21) XSAF has been developing at a rapid and constant pace for well over 2 years, through private Alpha and beta periods, to the modern public (post GrowlingSidewinder) iteration of the codebase. Because this server is so unique, and because of the constant rate of development, this information might be out of date (and usually is) quite quickly. To get more up to date information on the server, join the Discord, link below.

The server has had the good fortune of assistance from numerous USAF Pilots, Canadian Air Force Pilots, UK RAF Pilots and ex. Military personnel of varying roles to assist in the development of the mammoth project.

Overview:

We are not a 'wing', we don't ask for minimum commitment, you can drop in a mission, and drop out whenever you please, the reason being is this is a simulated war that is running 24/7 however, we do ask that you know what you're doing with at least 1 airframe because this war is fought against a custom built, learning, planning, sadistic, merciless and domination obsessed AI. To give you an idea of how tough to beat 'she' is consider this, the last operation started on the 1st of June and the mission objectives were completed on the 19th of July. With actual mission time of almost 11 continuous days and the involvement of 93 players, this was a challenging war.

Next to nothing in this mission is scripted, its not a bunch of random triggers and logic gates, everything happens for a reason, in a realistic as possible way, over a realistic time scale and most importantly it happens at runtime. There's > 55,000 lines of custom Lua code and 4,000 lines of custom C++ code driving the experience with over 12,000 of which driving the AI, which reads the battlespace and makes informed decisions and plans against a set of pre-defined goals using a toolset constrained by a set of predefined rules. In layman's terms, the code written is just code to tell the AI how to write her own code and win the game.

To sum it up in a line, this is a simple red v blue capture a country to win game, but the game is fully persistent and it takes weeks, not because its drawn out, because it is a real challenge and its realistic to a point, its never the same, and the AI are surprising and challenging and sometimes appear human controlled. But they're not.

Design core principals:

• The resources are limited, weapons and airframes, and this should be a reason to stay alive, bugout if you're at risk and conserve or lose it.
• The mission must be challenging and dynamic to a point, it should be possible to fail. The further you progress the easier it should be to fail.
• The environment should force teamwork to be successful, solo should be difficult to manage.
• Logistics should be as real as possible and supply lines should be able to be blocked.
• Everything must be simulated from origin, nothing pops into existence.

Specific & Unique Features

Features to experience and assist completion of the campaign:

• RED AI: Dynamic and custom built goal oriented  action planning AI model, which has rules and tools defined by code that it uses to dynamically make decisions to achieve set goals.
• Exceptional server stability and performance, considering the Syria map is not easy to run smoothly the codebase is optimised just as must as it is developed, for example, the mission can choose to use other CPU cores to compute data where traditionally it would use the Lua core and slow down the netsync.
• Dynamic balance: The level of skill (based on data sets) and number of players will ramp up the speed and core count of the 'CPU' the AI thinks with affecting all of the codebase in turn, creating a consistent challenge with 5 players vs 20 players.
• Factories: Blue logistics are not automagical, they need to be created, in XSAF your logistics are built by you, with materials gathered in war, and placed in the airfield warehouse to be loaded onto your airframes, live and dynamically in the mission. No faux warehouses or wrappers.
• Resources: Limited with various re-supply mechanics including direct creation (as above).
• Data: Custom scoring module which rewards positive actions with a score and a credit balance, time in flight seat and credits are persistent across your XSAF lifetime.
• Data: Detailed battlespace data gathering, collection and analysis to drive the AI decision making, and the intelligence reports for Bluefor.
• Salvage pickup for Helo's to drive materials into the logistic system.
• SAR to collect Redfor pilots which in turn give intelligence on enemy positions and unlock further side missions by your choice of interrogation practices.
• Custom Personal escorts, CAP/SEAD for fixed wing, and CAS and support for Helo's. Voiced and fully controllable like ‘wingmen’ in single player.
• Fully persistent. Turn it off and back on its in the same state.
• Drone command, ability to call drone strikes, Tomahawk precision strikes, and B52 carpet bombing tied into Bluefor performance.
• Roles and Objectives; All roles are essential to the success of blue, a GCI (usually swapped around), fixed wing CAP is a must, ground pounders, SEAD strikes, precision strikes on high value targets to disrupt red supply lines or 'train of thought' and Helo ops of every flavour. no role is minor, they all have to be filled and you must work together or you will fail, and potentially rage quit. We are not lacking in any particular area, all roles are filled most nights but the more the merrier!
• Monthly competitions with awesome prizes.

I've tried not to give everything away but enough to interest you to get involved, we honestly think that this is the best experience in DCS multiplayer you can have. Come and tell us why its not and we'll change the course of the development, if you have a point.

Media

• WIP Guide: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1k9_KQGJV0gC8Qxzh8sHJUOIIK_dBOqIf
• Discord invite: https://discord.gg/pC9EBe8vWU
• GrowlingSidewinder review: 
• Mini movie trailer created by players: 
• twitch.tv/pravusjsb

Monthly Competition

As of the start of the next operation, we will be running a new competition which will run monthly for the foreseeable future. The entry requirements and win conditions are very simple, anyone who within the competition period defined by start and end dates increases their 'flight time' by 15 hours will be entered into a draw to win a module/map of their choosing from the ED store. Each 15 hours will count as 1 entry into the draw, and the winner will be chosen live with some custom random code i will write live on the stream of the draw.

I have been part of this development, it is a very unique server. There are things here that I have not seen in DCS.

--Flying a P51 as recon, able to send targeting info, that anyone on server can pull up coordinates for target.

--Limited number of aircraft and weapons...but possible ways to get supplies flown to your airfield.

--Helo Ops are very significant, they actually matter.

--Persistence..build base defenses, tanks, troops..you spend time setting up an AI defense system---then if there is a DCS crash or you log off for whatever reason, come back 4 days later, and if phase has not been completed----ITS ALL STILL THERE---minus any casualties. Game changer.

--Our discord has places to add your ideas--- yea, YOUR THOUGHTS MATTER !. I have had a few ideas that I thought were impossible, but a few days later they are functional. Your input is a very important part of this server.

--Realism but blended with the overall goal that this should be fun

--Escorts...yea we have an escort service. So say your on at an odd time and only a couple of you are on. Need CAP support as you ingress in the "Hog", how about a F18 Wingman (that actually works) who will follow or orbit an area. Flying a Helo, need an A10 to run ahead and scout an area and send a target report....etc.

--Friendly, our biggest qualification stat. Lets be friendly with each other, respectful. We dont want it to be a training server, just due to the fact that resources are limited, but it is possible that we may add an area for training. You dont have to be a superstar, just competent in an airframe. If you have a preference of airframe that there are not many of, they can be added. I think most airframes are represented in here.

We've had some great new people join and we have a few more spots.

bump 2 spots free'd up.

Still active?

I'm interested....

Sorry for the delay, I've not been on the forums for a while, yes we still fly, and it has to be said the campaign has evolved somewhat since this posting.

I can only add that i've enjoyed my self immensely on here. It's just the right blend of PvE and teamwork. The AI is active and a tricksy bastard to boot.

Good people and very cool mechanics, like a supply system, tracking of lost airframes (we only get so many, before we're stuck flying warbirds or trainers), helo-gamplay based around slinging and a quest system for helos is in the works, I'm told.

Reach out and give it a try....and don't be a dick.

Guys, we're looking for more pilots, and we've moved to Syria. Its been over 6 months since i started this thread and the mission has developed into something else entirely so I've re-written the opening post.

Same here - great fund with a good bunch of pilots.. and fantastic campaign built by Pravus

I can also vouch for this mission, not another one like it, or even close for that matter. All stores, fuel and airframes are limited - which requires you to treat it more seriously. That is a good thing. Promotes team work, coordination of tasking efforts. One of a kind AI, that acts like a player would rather than the stock boxed “not intelligent AI.” Short for “they can and will set traps for you.” Carrier ops, air base ops, fixed wing and rotary wing. Too many things you can do to put it all into text really.

Now the mission is at Syria, after original Caucasus mission has been dialed. Great way to fly at a new map!

Do yourselves a favor and give it a try.

NOTE: due to the nature of this mission, it is not a single participant venture, you must have multiple pilots flying.

Cheers,

Ziptie

Yes like Ziptie said this is a multiplayer thing, solo is hard! But theres always people around waiting to jump in, with people all over the world. I put a discord invite in the OP so no messing about messaging back and forth...

https://discord.gg/ENU6uFv

The discord invite is outdated!

https://discord.gg/UxYQJT6sNz

Was nice to see a few new faces in the mission today. More progress made in liberating Syrian territory - some stout challenges faced during today's operations, but it was nice to see some solid coordination of tasking efforts. Can certainly say I appreciated having the CAP on station while performing CAS operations on the current coastal air field ground units in my Hog.

Great continued work from you Pravus, regarding the available options within the missions. It was great to have an additional AI F/A-18C CAP escort into the AO, then complimented by the player CAP that was on station.

Really enjoy being able to spend credits that have been earned within the mission, for assisting the overall mission goals. Looking forward to the next op with our current members, and any potential newcomers - along with whatever new additions/tools you might come up with. Your mission has really made any other mission exceptionally "predictable" and much less fun for me - which really is a good thing as your mission is so unique, challenging and rewarding.

Cheers,

Ziptie

We are continuing with the mission tomorrow, should be starting around 1000 Pacific time. If anybody has been on the fence, it would be a great time to join - get in and fly with several experienced pilots in the mission - who knows, it might be the last server you end up looking for :pilotfly:

Current requirements: Syria map. Knowledge of the airframe you are intending to fly.

Available tasking: Rotary wing, fixed wing. CAS, CAP, building of defenses and resources at BLUEFOR controlled airfields. GCI role also available if you prefer (if you are wanting to be GCI, you need to have experience in this area of expertise please - but we can teach you).

We currently have a nice mix of tasking for pilots who are already signed up for ops - CAS, CAP, helo - so we've got room for you in whatever role you'd prefer. Come on in, the water is fine - guarantee you've not flown in a server like this before!!

Cheers,

Ziptie

modified

I tried joining the discord, but I'm thrown out after a little while each time.

I tried joining the discord, but I'm thrown out after a little while each time.

Looks like you are still present in there now - got it all sorted it seems? Let me know if you have any further issues.

Cheers,

Ziptie

https://discord.gg/jJQ4Fkrq

Cheers,

Ziptie

THIS MISSION IS BASED ON REALISM SO PLEASE :

+ Be familiar with the aircraft you have chosen and weapons you intend to employ.

+ Take a realistic weapon loadout, only weapons you need.

+ Brevity while on active comms.

+ Always call out your A/A and A/G missile employments.

+ All resources are limited: weapons, fuel and airframes. For this reason your primary objective is to stay alive, therefore you should bugout if you're at higher than normal risk and conserve stores until it is feasible to employ them with risk reduced to a manageable level.

+ If you do not use all stores during a flight and are planning on leaving the server, upon RTB: Contact ground crew to remove payload and if you are planning on switching aircraft or leaving the server, please defuel the aircraft along with removing the stores and return to spectators . This will allow others more resources for future flights.

+ If you are going to leave the server, you need to go back to spectator role after you have landed and de-armed/de-fueled the aircraft. If you do not do this - the aircraft, weapons and fuel will not be put back into the warehouse inventory.

+ The mission is not designed for 1 person, due to the perpetual nature of the server and the way the threats come at you, the server is set to pause when nobody is in it. PLEASE NOTE: merely being in a spectator slot is classed as being in the mission, and will un-pause the server, which is detrimental to the squadron's progress.

+ All things outlined above are with the squadron in mind. This is a team mission, not a solo mission. Please remember this.

+ Work together and have fun!

MISSION FEATURES INCLUDE:

+ Limited resources both airframes and munitions, and a realistic way of giving you new assets and moving them around the map using various custom and inbuilt mechanics, with future mechanics in the works that will change the game, including:

+ Custom Warehouse System, allowing airframes, munitions and fuel to be distributed by players to airfields in need. A.I. flights can also be tasked to perform this via the personal radio menu.

+ Heavily customized CTLD & Manual JTAC.

+ Base capture logic, including ability to defend with SAM assets, troops.

+ Mission persistence, almost all of the state of this mission is saved from session to session reboot to reboot. When we finish an Op day the DB is saved and it does continue through the week if the server is up but consider it 'testing' unless otherwise stated, it will generally be reset back to end of last official Op state.

+ ​​​​GOAP (Goal oriented action planning) AI; A custom AI model (main development line at the minute) which has a set of goals, and it given a set of tools to use to achieve those goals constrained by a set of rules. This produces a diverse, dynamic and unpredictable opponent who not only considers the state of play when making decisions but plans for your reaction and prepares the reaction. Nothing is pre-scripted, its all done at runtime, so nothing is ever the same. This may feel like a normal ME made mission for a short time, but given a few sessions you will see this AI is not what you might normally expect. Also... Be wary of engaging them, they may have tactics and strategies that you might expect only a human might think of.

+ Side quests, including downed pilot recovery via rotary wing operations.

+ Mission support, requested via personal radio menu for AI CAP.

+ Carrier group and airfield operations.

AVAILABLE VIA CREDITS EARNED IN GAME:

+ Custom Reaper drone strike system with hellfire missiles via personal radio menu.

+ Reaper drone recon system via personal radio menu.

+ Personal escort flights for fixed and rotary wing aircraft via personal radio menu.

+ Tomahawk missile strikes via personal radio menu.

+ Much much more but don't want to ruin all the surprises, via personal radio menu .

Cheers,

Ziptie

Hello

Multi Year veteran of DCS and I quite fancy give this a go.

I have tried to join the discord chanel but I cant do to Invalid invite or experation

Is there a way to remedy this?

Thanks

I will go through the post and ensure all old ones are removed, below is the live one. We're a community of over 1300 now, and growing, the development of this mission is still in the early days but it's very complex and very cool. If I do say so myself.

Development still to go but a demo of how key to success Helo/Logistics are to our very limited supply mission. TLDW skip to 7:50 on first video.

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/910596661

All the new and unique features keep racking up - fantastic.  Really happy to see our community grow and not surpass 1,500 members.  Time flies (see what I did there) ..

Cheers,

Ziptie

hi all

Interested in trying this server. How do I get in. Im on discord but can comm with anyone. I only see the rules section. Thanks for the info.