where is the C-130?

[Sparedog17]

the people at eagle dynamics released that they were working on the C-130J a YEAR AGO and they havent released anything else about it. now i dont want people to go off and say that there is a mod for it but i want a answer from the developers them selves to answer this question. when should the c-130 be released and/or are you still working on it.

[Gunfreak]

Ed is not making a C130, but a 3rd party developer is.
The development time of a new modual is 2-8 years and in the start there won't be much news. But there has been some tiny snippets. A few months back they showed window fogging effects etc.

[SSerponi76]

The C-130 module is still under development by one 3rd paty dev (not from ED). AFAIR there was a status update a few months ago, but I didn't pay too much attention to it, so I can't give you details.

Figuring out why people would want to fly a cargo plane in a combat flight simulator is beyond me

[Insônia]

Most DCS modules take about 3~4 years from public announcement into early release and 4~8 years to finish.

If we count any earliest preparation and mentions ever published
F-18C: 2012~2018
RAZBAM F-15E: 2012~2023
etc..

And AJS-37 is 8 years since initial release and still in early-access

Soon™

[Sparedog17]

Originally posted by Gunfreak:

Ed is not making a C130, but a 3rd party developer is.
The development time of a new modual is 2-8 years and in the start there won't be much news. But there has been some tiny snippets. A few months back they showed window fogging effects etc.

eagle dynamics DID anounce a work in progress c-130, look in there youtube chanel

[Troll Norris]

Originally posted by Sparedog17:

Originally posted by Gunfreak:

Ed is not making a C130, but a 3rd party developer is.
The development time of a new modual is 2-8 years and in the start there won't be much news. But there has been some tiny snippets. A few months back they showed window fogging effects etc.

eagle dynamics DID anounce a work in progress c-130, look in there youtube chanel

They've announced that AIRPLANE SIMULATION COMPANY is working on C-130J
https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/news/newsletters/57e3e700d97003277a5ebeb23db803d6/

https://forum.dcs.world/forum/1068-airplane-simulation-company/

[Sparedog17]

Originally posted by Insônia:

Most DCS modules take about 3~4 years from public announcement into early release and 4~8 years to finish.

If we count any earliest preparation and mentions ever published
F-18C: 2012~2018
RAZBAM F-15E: 2012~2023
etc..

And AJS-37 is 8 years since initial release and still in early-access

Soon™

ok, thanks

[Gracey Face]

I wonder why the modules take so long to develop. Just the actual development should in no way at all take this long. What extra steps are involved that lengthen it? Getting feedback from former pilots maybe? That'd make it longer but doesn't account for half a decade + lengths of development.

[Troll Norris]

Originally posted by Gracey Face:

I wonder why the modules take so long to develop. Just the actual development should in no way at all take this long. What extra steps are involved that lengthen it? Getting feedback from former pilots maybe? That'd make it longer but doesn't account for half a decade + lengths of development.

3d model, High resolution CFD simulation for which you need very accurate 3d model. Systems - for which you need data directly from manufacturer. Also negotiations with governments take some time.

[startrekmike]

Originally posted by Gracey Face:

I wonder why the modules take so long to develop. Just the actual development should in no way at all take this long. What extra steps are involved that lengthen it? Getting feedback from former pilots maybe? That'd make it longer but doesn't account for half a decade + lengths of development.

Out of curiosity. When you say "Just the actual development should in no way at all take this long", how are you coming to that conclusion? Is this a sort of gut feeling on your part or are you basing it on actual knowledge of the DCS module development process?

[Insônia]

Originally posted by Gracey Face:

I wonder why the modules take so long to develop. Just the actual development should in no way at all take this long. What extra steps are involved that lengthen it? Getting feedback from former pilots maybe? That'd make it longer but doesn't account for half a decade + lengths of development.

Most of your games, triple-A or indie, take about a half-decade from start to finish. But the most intense work is only the last 2~3 years before the release. Every person you pulled in cost money. You want it go fast, however not everything can be smooth. This is when the most intense development starts. Usually only take 3 or 4 years. include lots of crunching.

Early experiment and R&D phases are very uncertain, any project can be cancelled at any time. Those are the things the public may never know before the announcement. It could take months to half a decade. It need be tested, make sure every idea is doable. and have enough market to generate $PROFIT$. The uncertain make you want those work is done by few people as possible.

In any software project, a lot of little things consume more time than you can ever imagine. Almost half of the work may not end up in the final product. A lot of stuff did not work very well going back to the drawing board over and over. Some stuff finally works but still costs way too many computing resources under endless optimization, etc..

A well-established company usually has multiple projects working at the same time in different phases. allow it to divert their workforce whenever a project needs more time to think or more men to work. ED have about 200 men when they are at peak. A lot 3rd party only have <10 men. For ED, they simply cannot afford to wait. their schedule is always full, there are just priorities between projects. For small guys, they are more flexible and easier to scale, but they are also less likely to maintain their pace, receive funding, and face even more uncertainty, etc.

[Gunfreak]

Originally posted by Gracey Face:

I wonder why the modules take so long to develop. Just the actual development should in no way at all take this long. What extra steps are involved that lengthen it? Getting feedback from former pilots maybe? That'd make it longer but doesn't account for half a decade + lengths of development.

While complexity is one of the reasons for slow development time(that's why MSFS planes take such a short time, just basic external 3d modeling and some cockpit stuff)

However another reason is the teams that make them are small, much smaller that even small game studios. In some cases the 3rd party companies are just 4 guys working on it during their free time. A hobby. Not an actual job.

[Sparedog17]

guess well have to wait and see

[Burning Bridges]

As a user since 2003 when this was called Lock On Modern Air Combat I have a word of advice for you.

I recommend against looking at work-in-progress items and begin daydreaming of playing them. I understand that you want a C-130 and you might think it would be a good idea to check daily wether it is already released.

But believe me it is not.

[Burning Bridges]

Originally posted by SSerponi76:

Figuring out why people would want to fly a cargo plane in a combat flight simulator is beyond me :lunar2020thinkingtiger:

In every military, there are people who prefer one branch over the others.

Operating C-130 is a crucial part of logistics and there is much to learn apart from "flying in circles". For example it could have a FMC and be the first of this kind in DCS.

Not to mention there also is a C-130 gunship. Afghan insurgents have reportedly stated that they feared this more than anything else. I dont know if it is modelled but it would basically be a battleship that can fly.

[Gunfreak]

Doing a drop-off of cargo while runway is under fire seems pretty cool to me.
The C130 can also carry weapons. It's not decided if we get the gunship.