what is up with the prices?

[sgtkoolaid]

what is up with the prices on these planes. is it a storefront for 3rd party studios? how does this game/sim work?

[spike2071]

Install the game, play the game. If you want a new plane, buy the plane, install the plane, play the game with the new plane.

[B2own]

Because its a one time purchase for the plane and they are as close as you will get to an actual simulator, VR is amazing. Lots of real life research into the planes and how they operate and working the weapon and radar systems from the cockpit. No joke when people say it will take you a while to get the plane off the ground first time in cold start without proper guidance.
There is a flaming cliff DLC with cheaper planes but the cockpits are lower quality and few switches actually work... Su-25 is F2P too

[snee.scampers]

think about what you want first then research which maps and campaigns go with that aircraft and if some of the scenarios need any additional assets, don't just go buying random stuff.
also maybe go to the ED site because they offer trials where steam does not, you can then add DCS to your non steam library launch in steam and use controller configs if that suits you.

[Paradox1126]

Because it's the greatest simulator on earth and each module is incredibly detailed and can easily give you hundreds if not thousands of hrs.

[Gunn]

Originally posted by sgtkoolaid:

what is up with the prices on these planes. is it a storefront for 3rd party studios? how does this game/sim work?

Each individual plane/module/DLC is essentially it's own game. I'm not gonna say you'll be able to fly the real thing after playing DCS, but if you bought the F/A-18C Hornet DLC for example and put some time into learning it, you'd at the very least be able to sit in a real one and know what just about every switch and button will do. I might go as far as saying you'd probably be able to start it up (the real thing), at the very least.

If you're at all interested in aviation, and more specifically combat/military aviation, you'd be doing yourself an injustice to not try it. You don't need ALL the modules/DLC (although once you get into it, you'll eventually have them all, heh). Look through the list and find one that interests you in real life, get that one, and that one only. Spend time learning all of it's systems and procedures. That alone will give you several hours of content. Then once you've got a handle of it, you'll get hundreds, if not thousands of more hours using it in missions, campaigns, and multiplayer.

[Noobiecanoobie]

It's similar to Microsoft Flight Simulator in that there are modules (Aircraft, Terrain, Campaigns) sold by the primary studio and 3rd party studios.

As explained above, you're not expected to buy everything, just the aircraft and content that interests you. Since the base product is free, and many modules participate in 2 week free trial, it's great to try to check your system performance and flight models.

[sgtkoolaid]

this is all good info. I have the meta quest 2 though im looking to eventually upgrade to the quest 3. :) but thanks for the information. I want to get back into flight sim like I used to be with Flight simulator 2004 buying ultra terrain, LEVEL D 767, PDMG etc. I will look into some potential aircraft modules that may interest me.

[-OrLoK- Слава Україн]

look for the free A4 mod.
fully clickable cockpit and enough content (user missions) to get you going.

[BirdDog]

Or wait for Free Talon soon.

[Colmaniac]

Originally posted by sgtkoolaid:

what is up with the prices on these planes. is it a storefront for 3rd party studios? how does this game/sim work?

Just another pay to play.
Just done a tally up, going to cost 60 quid or so just to buy one plane, plus the packs to go with it (2 of em), yet not compatible with steam version. Can fly the `demo` version of the plane, yet their system says my account is blocked, despite registering yesterday. Na sooner buy a full game with plenty of gear to use.

[bignewy]

DCS world is free to use

It comes with 2 free aircraft, 2 free terrains and a third one on the way, you get access to all features including multiplayer, the mission editor and much more just like everyone else.
There are also free community mods that are very good and a lot of fun.

If you wish to there are other aircraft available directly from Eagle Dynamics or from our third party partners, these are paid DLC, you can also buy missions, tech and terrains, but it is completely optional and not required to enjoy DCS.

thank you

[mosshunt]

Originally posted by sgtkoolaid:

this is all good info. I have the meta quest 2 though im looking to eventually upgrade to the quest 3. :) but thanks for the information. I want to get back into flight sim like I used to be with Flight simulator 2004 buying ultra terrain, LEVEL D 767, PDMG etc. I will look into some potential aircraft modules that may interest me.

you wont regret this decision, once you use VR you wont go back

[-OrLoK- Слава Україн]

agreed, VR improves things 110percent.

[Patpat]

See it like an engine/platform (i.e. unreal) and on top you have several games (modules).
Believe me, every module will be like a game on its own, requiring you to put hours and hours into it :)

PS. The (less) funny part is that if you leave the game for a while your are going back for tons of hours again hahaaa. After one year I feel like a newbie again on any module lol.

[✚Panzerlang✚]

Be aware that there is currently a huge dispute between Razbam and ED, which means some of the most popular a/c modules are un-supported and that's not likely to change. If they get broken/bugged with new DCS-World updates they might not be fixed.

Enigma on youtube has a video on that sht-show.