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Before you invest your valuable time and hard-earned money into DCS, you should know the truth behind the game and its developer. This isn’t just a review; it’s an important breakdown of the realities surrounding DCS, its business practices, and why many players feel both awe and frustration. If you’re considering joining the community, this is a must-read.

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Digital Combat Simulator (DCS) isn’t just a game—it’s a study sim. This means it offers an unparalleled level of detail and realism, requiring players to dedicate countless hours learning the intricate systems of modern and historical aircraft.

The visuals are breathtaking. From the stunning aircraft models to the dynamic weather effects, every detail adds to the immersion. Flying with friends in multiplayer is where DCS truly shines, delivering experiences that feel as close to real aviation as a simulation can get.

However, it’s not all smooth flying. Behind the beautiful exterior lies a game that’s heavily burdened by technical and managerial shortcomings. If you’re considering diving into DCS, there are some critical things you need to know.

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DCS is built on a very old engine with legacy code that struggles to keep up with modern gaming standards. While updates are regularly pushed, the core infrastructure is woefully inefficient. As a result, the game relies heavily on brute-force hardware to maintain acceptable performance.

Even with a high-end PC, you’ll likely face challenges in maintaining smooth frame rates—especially in complex missions or when using VR. It’s a frustrating situation, considering the hardware requirements feel unnecessary for what the game offers. DCS doesn’t utilize hardware efficiently, and instead, it demands top-tier specs to compensate for its outdated engine.

For a game released in 2024, this reliance on raw power instead of optimization is unacceptable and a significant barrier for new players.

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For many, the true issue with DCS lies not in the game itself but in the company behind it—Eagle Dynamics (ED). To understand the growing dissatisfaction in the community, you must look at the connection between ED and its parent company, The Fighter Collection (TFC).

TFC is a private UK-based organization focused on restoring historical military aircraft. Noble as that mission may sound, this relationship creates a troubling conflict of interest. Under the leadership of Nick Grey, who oversees both TFC and ED, many believe DCS primarily exists as a revenue source to fund TFC’s restoration projects rather than as a dedicated flight simulator platform.

This dynamic has resulted in a damaging cycle:

• Aggressive Monetization: New modules, campaigns, and features are pushed out constantly, often in unfinished states.
  
• Unfinished Products: Promised features like Vulkan integration and the dynamic campaign remain in perpetual limbo.
  
• Neglect of Existing Modules: Older modules rarely see meaningful updates, despite being sold at premium prices.

One of the most shocking examples of ED’s questionable practices is the ongoing sale of the F-15E Strike Eagle module. Developed by third-party team Razbam, the module was highly anticipated but quickly became a disaster.

Razbam reportedly went unpaid by ED, leading to the dissolution of their development team. The module has since been abandoned, with no updates or support expected. Yet, ED continues to sell it as a full-price DLC without disclosing its unfinished and unsupported state.

💔 This is outright deception:

• Customers are not informed that the promised features are unlikely to ever materialize.
  
• There’s no warning or disclaimer, leaving buyers unaware of the risks.
  
• Refunds are nearly impossible to obtain, especially through platforms like Steam.

ED knowingly leaves customers in the dark to maximize profits, prioritizing monetization over transparency and customer satisfaction.

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DCS modules are expensive, often costing more than AAA games. While the depth and realism might justify the price for some, the issue lies in the delivery:

• Modules Are Frequently Incomplete: Many are released in unfinished states, with key features missing and updates delayed indefinitely.
  
• Paid "Upgrades": Recently, ED began charging for minor graphical improvements to older modules, despite these updates feeling like they should be free.
  
• Core Features Are Still Missing: Promises like Vulkan support or the long-awaited dynamic campaign remain unfulfilled.

These issues highlight a troubling pattern: ED focuses on revenue generation at the expense of delivering a polished, reliable product. For a game so deeply rooted in community trust, this is a massive betrayal.

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One of the most frustrating aspects of ED’s management is their lack of transparency.

• Updates are delayed without explanation.
  
• Announcements are vague or misleading.
  
• The community is often left in the dark for years regarding the status of promised features or fixes.

This lack of communication, combined with aggressive monetization, leaves players feeling exploited. Instead of fostering goodwill, ED’s actions create an environment of distrust and disappointment.

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If you’re considering joining the world of DCS, here’s what you need to understand:

• It’s Expensive: Modules cost as much or more than AAA games, and you’ll need multiple to get the full experience.
  
• It’s a Commitment: Learning to operate these aircraft can take weeks or months. This is not a casual game.
  
• It’s Hardware-Intensive: Without a top-tier PC, you’ll face significant performance issues.
  
• The Company is Controversial: ED’s business practices and lack of transparency have alienated a large part of the community.

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DCS is an amazing platform with the potential to be the ultimate flight simulator, but it’s held back by mismanagement and corporate greed. The game’s depth and realism are unparalleled, but these strengths are overshadowed by Eagle Dynamics’ troubling priorities.

💡 For New Players: Be aware of the risks before investing your time and money. Understand that many modules are incomplete, performance can be frustrating, and the company’s practices often leave players feeling exploited.

💡 For Veterans: It’s painful to watch a platform with such potential repeatedly fail its community. The aggressive monetization, broken promises, and lack of transparency are not just disappointing—they’re unacceptable.

Until Eagle Dynamics addresses these core issues, DCS will remain a deeply flawed masterpiece. It’s a game that inspires awe in the skies but leaves many players grounded in frustration.

grind is as bad as war thunder except instead of grinding its figuring out how to not crash

Pay Razbam