Cant install Flaming Cliffs 3

[Tiger]

I purcased FC3 off the DCS website and trying to install it with my DCS World and other plug-ins however my DCS World current version does not match what the FC3 installer needs(due to auot update to DCS World earlier...I guess.)

Is there anyone that could give me some help getting FC3 installed and meshed with DCS World?

Any help will be appreciated.

Edit: Current steam version is 1.2.6.18933 but the FC3 installer ask for the previous version of 1.2.6. 18651

[fearlessfrog]

For FC3 you'll need to download, install and update a base DCS World outside of Steam.

http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/downloads/world/dcs_world/

FC3 isn't available on Steam (outside the CIS region) due to licensing restrictions.

[Speckled Jim]

FC3 can not be installed in Steam DCS World only in stand-alone.

[Tiger]

Thanks for the link. Downloads started, will there be any conflict with my DCS World and DLC installed with steam and the stand alone?

[fearlessfrog]

Originally posted by Tiger:

Thanks for the link. Downloads started, will there be any conflict with my DCS World and DLC installed with steam and the stand alone?

Nope, no conflicts. You can also use your existing Steam keys (on the right hand side of the Steam library game page, under 'CD Keys') to activate any Steam bought modules in the stand-alone DCS World 'Module Manager' too.

[saugus49]

Hmm..., I just installed the latest stand-alone version of DCSW and was not able use its in-game 'Module Manager' to activate the two Flaming Cliffs planes, nor the A-10C, nor the P-51D modules purchased from Steam. I had to resort to the "DCS_updater.exe install <module>" command-line using Windows 7's 'Command Prompt' interface to install my Steam-obtained aircraft module, then wait until DCSW asked for the aircraft's Activation Key (upon first in-game use of the plane) to enter its Key Code. Additionally, even though all my Steam-purchased modules are activated (i.e., green-checked) in the 'Module Manager', they have now disappeared from the list under the "AVAILABLE ADD-ONS" tab, rather than appearing with an "Installed" status. Also, the two Flaming Cliffs planes only show boxes labeled "Serial number" under the "INSTALLED" tab which, when clicked on indicate "No key" which is, I suppose, understandable since they are only available from Steam, individually, as two of the eight planes included within the DCSW stand-alone's Lock On: Flaming Cliffs 3 module (because of its licensing restrictions).

It would be really nice if the Steam-obtained module keys were able to be entered directly into a stand-alone's Module Manager's "Serial number" box and thereby validated. Better still would be if the 'Module Manager' could detect/list Steam-obtained modules, in addition to those obtainable through Eagle Dynamics' Store, and have a clear, easily followed method to activate them, rather than forcing the use of command-line acrobatics.

Finally, is there any work being done to bring the other Lock On: Flaming Cliffs planes to Steam outside the CIS region?

[fearlessfrog]

In terms of installing modules in the stand-alone version, the easiest thing to do is just download and install them, i.e. use ED's website Download/Modules area to go grab the .exe installer. For example:

http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/downloads/modules/dcs_mi8mtv2_magnificent_eight/

The Module Manager is more for managing the module rather than installation, and using the installer will at least save the command line steps.

As I understand it, the LO:FC3 strategy is now to release stand-alone individual aircraft at a lower price as part of the DCS Flaming Cliffs series rather than any bundle pack again. The A10A, the Su25 are out, and will be followed by the F15C and Su27 quite 'soon'. The requirement of needing LOMAC (which was published outside the CIS by Ubisoft) to enable things like FC3 is probably not something that will ever come to Steam.

[saugus49]

@fearlessfrog

Thank you for the great response.

My initial posting was really in response to your statement above that: "You can also use your Steam Keys... to activate any Steam bought modules in the stand-alone DCS World 'Module Manager' too." While the 'Module Manager' will ultimately show the status and activation codes of most activated DCS World modules, it is not the place to actually "activate" Steam-bought module keys.

I hadn't realized that one could download module installers from ED's site without first purchasing them. That was something I just discovered today. I was confused by other postings in various Steam's DCS World Discussion threads that seemed to imply that if I had the Steam version of DCS World installed and some Steam-obtained Aircraft Modules already activated therein, that upon installing and running the stand-alone DCS World, that version would automatically recognize and activate the Steam-obtained modules. When that implication proved false, and I found that I couldn't enter the module's Activation Code directly into its 'Module Manager' "Serial number" box, I checked out a stickied thread on the Eagle Dynamics Forums which is where I came across the command-line solution.

I'm not sure where the best location for it to be is, perhaps in both Steam's DCS World Discussions and ED's Forums, but with the large influx of new Steam players, it would probably be a good thing to establish a stickied thread in each with how-to instructions on installing/activating modules obtained from either source in either DCS World version. A second stickied thread dealing with the differences and compatibilities between the two versions of DCS World, with a list of pros and cons for each, could also go a long way toward reducing repetitive and confusing postings.

Finally, the buzz that I've read seems to indicate that the Flaming Cliffs' F-15C and Su-27 will be the last of the LO:FC3 planes released (individually as DCSW FC modules) outside the CIS region. Do you have any information that the other four planes from FC3 will be released by ED? Also, do you know if there are any plans for a central "marketplace" where all 3rd-party DCS World modules (now in development) would be available for future purchase, or will we have to go to each developer separately for their module(s)? Thanks.

[fearlessfrog]

Yeah, my bad for implying the installation was via module manager, I realize that was kinda clumsy to say that now - sorry.

For the differences and the like, there is a FAQ that we can add to here:

http://steamcommunity.com/app/223750/discussions/0/864979375722288107/

Plus an even longer (Unofficial) FAQ too:

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=168434976

By and large the main forums are at ED HQ, and this is more of a wild west outpost (I'm Kevin Costner in this analogy btw ) as Steam gets loads of traffic but less discussion going on (unless it's a Steam Sale!).

For future module releases, I don't know. In terms of central place it's probably going to be ED's website primarily, as some 3rd party devs may choose to come to Steam and others will not (and do their own DRM even). The list is growing, so over time I imagine fewer individual aircraft from ED and just more from partners. The F/A 18C is down the line a bit, but the next big 'platform' update will likely be the new EDGE terrain engine. Here's a list of some future modules:

http://steamcommunity.com/app/223750/discussions/0/864975632299313835/

I should make that a sticky, but Silver_Dragon also pops in and provides module news in individual threads too.

[saugus49]

Great! Thanks for the references.

[Lim Grem]

I have a problem with mine where i am unable to use the plane i have purchased and it doesn't say i have unlock it but in the game it still says buy, i got a code but i have no clue what to do help please

[kazereal]

Closing this thread, most of this is outdated information now (a lot has changed since then).