Pave Low Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 the Fighter Collection to Release Digital Combat Simulator: Black Shark Company: The Fighter Collection DUXFORD, UK, October 15, 2007 – The Fighter Collection and the Eagle Dynamics development studio will release the new benchmark in PC air combat simulation in 2008 with the release of “Digital Combat Simulator: Black Sharkâ€. “DCS: Black Shark†is a simulation of the Russian Ka-50 attack helicopter and will be the flagship title of the new “DCS†series. Following the success of the “Flanker†series and “Lock On: Modern Air Combatâ€, TFC/Eagle Dynamic’s “DCS†will shift the focus to introducing one aircraft at a time at an incredible level of detail that is unmatched by any PC flight simulation. Following the Ka-50 “Black Sharkâ€, TFC/Eagle Dynamics will introduce additional aircraft modules to the “DCS†world like the A-10A “Warthogâ€, AH-64A “Apacheâ€, and other aircraft at the same exacting level of detail. Each of these aircraft will be available in retail and online and can be purchased as stand-alone simulations or integrated with other modules. It will also be possible to purchase each aircraft as an add-on at a reduced price for consumers that have already purchased a “DCS†module. Features of the “DCS†include: • Advanced helicopter and ground force AI that creates a realistic combat environment • Detailed modeling of 330,000 sq km of the western Caucasus region • Twice the ground detail of previous TFC/Eagle Dynamics simulations • Head-to-head and cooperative multiplayer • Powerful mission editor with advanced scripting capability • Campaign system with a moving front line that depends on mission results The first aircraft to be included in the “DCS†world will be the Ka-50 attack helicopter. The Ka-50, like later “DCS†add-on aircraft, will feature: • Highly-detailed six degrees of freedom cockpit • Unrivalled flight physics system • Realistic damage model and system cascade affect • Mouse-clickable cockpit • Detailed modeling and control of engine, fuel, hydraulics, electrical, navigation, radio, fire suppression, sensor, and weapon systems (casual game play modes also available) • Advanced weapon physics for missiles, rockets and cannon rounds including ricochets Internally developed by The Fighter Collection and Eagle Dynamics, “DCS: Black Shark†is scheduled to ship for Windows PC in 2008. Further information can be found at http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/ About The Fighter Collection: The Fighter Collection, as well as developing software for the entertainment, serious game and military markets, also operates, rebuilds and maintains Europe's largest collection of airworthy WWII fighters and is based at Duxford Airfield, in the UK. For more information visit our websites: www.fighter-collection.com and www.thebattlesim.com. you can see some great screenshots and full details on the KA-50 "Black Shark" page Here is a selection (click for the larger pictures) Ka-50 damages in the game HUD and IT-23 with the “Ranet†information of display system HMS pointer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pave Low Posted October 15, 2007 Author Share Posted October 15, 2007 and more info: DCS FAQ: Q: Everyone thought that Black Shark was going to be an add-on to Lock On, why did this not happen? A: As we evaluated the concept of doing a helicopter simulation with a 6DOF clickable cockpit, new terrain area, very detailed avionics and a new mission and campaign structure, it became clear that we could not use the Lock On code, and we would have to develop a highly-modified version of our existing 'The Fighter Collection Simulation Engine' (TFCSE) with new code. Additionally, whereas Lock On was a survey simulation that featured several aircraft at a medium level of fidelity, we wanted to start a new product line that studies one aircraft at a time in exquisite detail. Q: Why are you publishing Black Shark yourselves? A: The entertainment PC-based Flight Simulation market is very specialized and very different from the console market that the major publishers focus on. Through our experience of self-publishing Flaming Cliffs, we have developed the knowledge and expertise to sell and market directly to the Flight Simulation market through both on-line and retail channels. Q: The public demonstrations at shows indicate that Black Shark looks already completed; why are you waiting until 2008 to launch? A: Black Shark can be played as either a serious study simulation or as a casual game. For those who wish to have the complexity of a serious study simulation, we need to create training lessons with voice-overs that guide the user through the complexities of the various systems, avionics, engines, weapons etc. This can be a very time-intensive process. We also need the time to write the manuals, create exciting missions and campaigns, fully de-bug the code, and get the product into the market place with proper marketing. Q: What will be the retail price of Black Shark? A: We are currently evaluating pricing strategies for both retail and online and will announce this prior to launch. Q: Your press release indicates that Black Shark is the first in a series of DCS modules, with more aircraft/helicopters to follow. How soon will these new aircraft become available? A: We are already developing the A-10A “Warthog" and AH-64A “Apache†(with planned front-seat / back-seat multiplayer) and other western and eastern aircraft will follow with an approximate interval of every nine months. To annouce these later aircraft now would be premature because plans can often change and lead to delays due to numerous factors such as our work in the equally important military simulation market. Q: Does the launch of the new DCS series mean the end of Lock On? A: Absolutely not. The DCS series and Lock On will live side by side for many years to come. The Lock On community is extremely active, with many websites, and new users are purchasing Lock On and Flaming Cliffs every day. Modifications are continually being launched by the communities that enhance the Lock On experience. Though we will not be launching new aircraft for Lock On, we are evaluating a 1.13 patch to meet the continual demands of the Lock On community. Q: What copy protection system will the DCS series use? A: We are currently evaluating several protection methods that we hope will balance the protection of our investment with customer concerns. Q: How will multiplayer compatibility be ensured between players with different DCS modules? A: The base DCS simulation environment will be continually upgraded and improved with release of new modules. However, as each new DCS base version is released, all DCS users can upgrade to the same base version to ensure compatibility. The only difference between players would be the selection of what aircraft would be player-controllable versus AI-controlled according to which modules were purchased. Q: There was earlier discussion of the use of “Speed Trees†in Black Shark. Will DCS use “Speed Treesâ€? A: For this first iteration of DCS the answer is no. We experimented with “Speed Trees†in earlier builds but found that our proprietary tree generation technology provides much better results at medium and high altitudes and provides much better frame rates. We will revisit this technology in later iterations of the DCS. Q: I own “Lock Onâ€, which was also developed by Eagle Dynamics, and I want to know if “Lock On†aircraft will be part of DCS? A: DCS is a whole new product line and is not compatible with “Lock Onâ€. The only flyable aircraft in the initial release of DCS will be the Ka-50. DCS and Lock On will not be multiplayer compatible. Q: Will DCS include a dedicated server option? A: Not in the initial release, but this is a feature we plan for a later iteration of DCS. Q: Will infantry be included in DCS? A: We have been experimenting with animated infantry but the technology is still incomplete and it is still uncertain if this feature will make it into the initial DCS version. Q: Will there be a DCS: Black Shark demo? A: Right now our primary focus is on finishing DCS: Black Shark and making it available to you. Once this task is complete, we will evaluate the creation of a playable demo. No decision has been made at this time. Q: How modifiable will DCS be? A: Our number one goal of any tools to modify the program will be to maintain multiplayer compatibility between players and as much as possible neutralize online cheating. With that in mind, we will provide an extensive set of options using LUA code to modify certain systems, replace models and textures, and modify the GUI. Q: What are DCS: Black Shark minimum specifications? A: Although not final, we project the minimum specification to be as follows: CPU: 2 GHz; RAM: 1 GB; Graphics card: Nvidia GeForce FX with 256 MB of RAM / ATI Radeon X1300 with 256 MB of RAM or equivalent; 3 GB free HD space; Operating system: Windows XP SP2 and Vista with DirectX 9 or 10. Q: Will DCS: Black Shark be Vista-compatible and take advantage of multi-core processors? A: The initial release of DCS will use a heavily modified version of our TFCSE simulation engine that will run Windows XP SP2 and Vista equally well using either DirectX 9 or DirectX 10. However, DCS versions based on the TFCSE engine will not take advantage of DirectX 10 unique features or multi-core processors. We plan however to provide such features in our new simulation engine that is currently in development for later versions of DCS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammer Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 wow i cant wait for this one. i have been waiting for a new combat flight sim and the fact its a helo one is even better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Splash Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 PC Gamer (US) March 2008's Sim Column is dedicated to this game. It mentions too, Matt Wagner who was one of the two primary developer's on Jane's F/A-18 and was Ubsoft's 'chief point man' on Lock On: Modern Air Combat. Now he's an external producer for the Moscow-based Eagle Dynamics. It turns out he's a former Virginia University, who went on to become a combat aviation analyst for the CIA between 1988 and 1998. DS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricJ Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Well it was old news that Matt was on the JF-18 team, but the news he was CIA caught me though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchetforce Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 I only hope that successive titles are a little more rapid in the development phase than Black Shark has been. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evilducky Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 it takes time to make a great game like this. Like they said, "Black Shark can be played as either a serious study simulation or as a casual game." So they have to make sure everything is right for the serious study sim players. They have been known for really trying there best at keeping it true to the real thing. They cant just do that over night. I dont mind the wait on this game casue I already know it will be good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 So, do you have to buy this game to be able to play the A-10 version in the future? I wanna get back into sim games, but not too interested in flying this chopper, for whatever reasons. Also, I REALLY hope people who aren't seasoned pilots can play this game on a beginner's level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pave Low Posted April 25, 2008 Author Share Posted April 25, 2008 So, do you have to buy this game to be able to play the A-10 version in the future? Nope.. Each of these aircraft will be available in retail and online and can be purchased as stand-alone simulations or integrated with other modules. It will also be possible to purchase each aircraft as an add-on at a reduced price for consumers that have already purchased a “DCS†module. What this means is, A. if you have "DCS: Black Shark" then you can buy the A10 just as a cheaper plug-in addon - because you already have the game engine (same with the later aircraft, Apache Etc..) B. or you can just buy the Standalone "DCS: A-10" which includes the game engine and the A10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 ahh, that's what I thought it meant, just making sure. It would be nice to fly a blackhawk and do insertions:) Or a Kiowa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pave Low Posted April 25, 2008 Author Share Posted April 25, 2008 . . . . . . *Click the thumbs for the full size image *Sorry but for now only the AI get to fly them... but you never know maybe further down the line we could get a flyable OH-58 as an addon ...and maybe We'll even get to fly THESE.. . . . . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migryder Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 hey guys, if you have not seen some of the Black Shark vids you should watch them, this thing does seem incredible things in flight...if the game simulates its true capabilities you should have a blast flying it... mig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 . . . . . . *Click the thumbs for the full size image*Sorry but for now only the AI get to fly them... but you never know maybe further down the line we could get a flyable OH-58 as an addon ...and maybe We'll even get to fly THESE.. . . . . . . oh WOW, this is from Blackshark!?!?! I love the OH-58. Those guys are the true, un-sung heros of close air support in Iraq. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pave Low Posted April 25, 2008 Author Share Posted April 25, 2008 oh WOW, this is from Blackshark!?!?! Oh yes But only the KA-50 will be piloted by human, the rest of Aircraft/Vehicles/Ships will be under control of AI + mission scripting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 oh WOW, this is from Blackshark!?!?! Oh yes But only the KA-50 will be piloted by human, the rest of Aircraft/Vehicles/Ships will be under control of AI + mission scripting. In a way, that kind of sucks though. Whatever happened to the Jane's days when you could fly a bunch of planes, or like in IL2? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evilducky Posted April 27, 2008 Share Posted April 27, 2008 (edited) Oh they will make more planes, dont you worry. To make them to their spec (ED's liking) takes a lot of time and they really do there research, so instead of taking another 5 years to make multiple planes, they decided to make one at a time. I cant wait for the mig29 and su-27/33 addons. Edited April 27, 2008 by Evilducky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 Oh they will make more planes, dont you worry. To make them to their spec (ED's liking) takes a lot of time and they really do there research, so instead of taking another 5 years to make multiple planes, they decided to make one at a time. I cant wait for the mig29 and su-27/33 addons. I'd love to fly the F-22, if only to try out the cockpit controls. I've heard it's more simple, or at least more user-friendly interface. It looks sexy as well. The Thunderbolt would be fun to fly too, and I'll probably buy it when that plane comes out. How cool would it be to integrate a true flight sim with an FPS? Make it like an MMO or something, kinda like ARMA, but much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evilducky Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 I dont think you will be seeing any hardcore F-22 sims yet where everything works as how it should. But if you want a quick glims of it *it may be the real cockpit* check out ace combat 6 as it has the f-22 in it with the cockpit view in it. I cant wait for the A-10 add on as I do love this plane very much and would fly it extensively in Lockon FC until I learned that the Su-25t had a better flight model for it, and then I switched over to that for the challenge. Once the A-10 gets that uber flight model, Ill love it again. I still hope they make the Mig-29S (the K version would be sweet to have as well) and the Su-27/33 someday for DCS. I also cant wait for the day that we get a true flight sim integrated into a FPS game. I think it would be sweet to have. It would make for a much interesting flight sim with humans behind the AA rather than a bot (AI). Maybe someday that dream will come true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpl Ledanek Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 Official announcement of the launch of the Black Shark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malleus Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 Some more info on the protection method: DVD version will require a disk check every week, will not require internet access, and will not limit number of reinstalls Download version have 10 activations (internet required) which is tied to hardware - major harware change requires new activation (I guess win reinstall too) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpl Ledanek Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 Starforce...is it verified yet...can't find a forum or thread on it...my Google-Fu sucks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pave Low Posted October 9, 2008 Author Share Posted October 9, 2008 Yes, in the link you posted, which is a copy of the "Russian Version has gone Gold" thread post by Matt Wagner - Producer, TFC/Eagle Dynamics on the DCS forum Both the retail and digital download versions of DCS: Black Shark will be using the latest version of StarForce. The DVD version will require a weekly check and the download version with have 10 activations. This decision was made only after three years of testing using well over 100 beta testers over a wide array of hardware and installed software. During these three years of intensive testing, not a single tester encountered a StarForce-related problem. We feel StarForce provides a safe and effective means of combating software piracy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viiiper Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 thanks for the update, I too will be seriously looking at this, thanks for all the info Pav & crew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evilducky Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Sorry to kinda bump this, but I though you guys would be interested in this. You can actually get teh download version of this game now if you wanted to. The only problem is that it is all in russian *but the cockpit helpers are in english* Its fairly cheap as well $24.99 so I went ahead and grabbed it. I just got some fun new computer parts in and just need to do a reformat then off to flying I go. Ill post some SS when I get it up and going for you guys if you want. Heres the link on how to buy the download version form the digital combat simulation site. http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=33633 Ducky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoQuarter Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Good luck with that and remember..."Think Russian". Send those SS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.