DCS F-16C Fighting Falcon
- Thread starter Phantom88
- Start date
Mach3DS
Charter Member
Yes, my personal guess is about 3 weeks until it enters Early Access. The official statement is that it will enter EA in "Early Autumn". But with all the video activity, it seems that this might be ready almost for the very start of Autumn. I personally have been thinking they've been delaying it since the TWS is not complete on the Hornet yet, and they SWORE UP AND DOWN, that the TWS would be complete prior to Viper EA. So if you want to save $16 you can buy it now in Pre-order. It's so close that it doesn't really mater anymore. Autumn is one week away.
Odie
Charter Member
What is a good ballpark price for the TM Warthhog HOTAS?
I just checked and was surprised to see that Amazon and Newegg are both about $450. I purchased mine form Newegg 8 months ago and stick / throttle were a little north of $350.
I will also now admit I did EA on the F-16!
scotth6
Charter Member
I just checked my emails and I was surprised to see I paid $490 AUD for my HOTAS Warthog (plus $25 delivery) back in 2015. Just doing a search now shows the Australian prices anywhere between $600 and $950 AUD! It's one of those items you need to hunt around for as the prices are spread over a wide range and occassionally you will see them discounted a bit. I saw one in Australia a few weeks ago going for about $550 AUD but I can't recall the website now. I remember they had a deal on the TrackIR.
Having thought about it, the price in the U.S. might be currently impacted by the trade dispute with China. (My wife and I were also seeing some increased pricing on Amazon.) Maybe it's time to wait on hardware purchases until the matter is resolved.
P.S. Checked my HOTAS Order 12/2018 at $375. Something has surely impacted U.S. pricing.
P.S. Checked my HOTAS Order 12/2018 at $375. Something has surely impacted U.S. pricing.
Phantom88
Charter Member
If I remember correctly,Wags stated it will be "Very Soon" and actually the "Cold/Dark" start up video would be his last before The Viper goes EA "Early Access" so you know when that's released we're going to be "Very Close"
Phantom88
Charter Member
***mini update***
"Hey everyone, a little Viper update is in order as we approach early Autumn 2019.
First, we still plan to release the Viper into early access sometime in early Autumn 2019. We don’t have a specific day because several items are in flux, and any one of them could change any announced date. While we posted 25 September on Steam (a day is required to list a product on Steam), that is only a best estimate and not in stone. Once we have a firm date, we will announce it. This is not something we are purposely withholding.
The big areas we are working on to get the Viper before we release it:
- Finalizing CCIP and CCRP bombing modes.
- Tuning the flight model and braking system. Much of this involves drag values.
- RWS and ACM air-to-air radar modes.
- Air-to-air gun, AIM-9, and AIM-120.
- CMDS.
- HMCS.
- Cold start procedures.
- Tuning the NVIS cockpit lighting.
- External model, in particularly the landing gear and aircraft underside. Even at early access release, the skin will still be preliminary.
- We are also working hard on the Litening targeting pod with LGBs, but we can’t promise this will be ready in time for the early access release, but it’s something already well underway.
Thanks,
Wags
StormILM
Charter Member
When it's ready, then it's done! Having helped develop models for years now and seeing how things go (especially the last minute bugs that seem to be a never ending headache), I understand well the process. It will be worth the wait. This will bring back the good ole days of Falcon 3.0 & 4.0 but much better. BTW, does anyone remember using Spectrum Holobyte Falcon 3.0 and the scrolling "Elvis Lives" sign off the end of the Nellis runways? lol! It would be so funny if someone recreated that as a Map Mod Object just for old times.
Phantom88
Charter Member
***Viper**Update***
from Nineline........
"Dear Pilots,
We are so sorry for the confusion on the Steam release date, we thought we got the word out to everyone, but the internet is a big place. The team is currently putting in extra hours to button up the remaining issues to get you all in your pre-ordered Vipers in the next Open Beta."
Phantom88
Charter Member
***Wags Update ***
”DCS: F-16C Viper Update
Things are moving at a very rapid pace, and here is where our focus is for the upcoming release:
1- We have RWS and STT working, but work continues the SAM sub-mode and we are cleaning up symbology and functions. We are working on Track While Scan (TWS) mode in parallel with the Hornet, so this will come shortly after release.
2- AA Gun, AIM-9, and AIM-120 are up and running, but several items to still tune and add. Mostly the Dynamic Launch Zones (DLZ) and a few more minor items.
3- The Litening targeting pod is in and working, even for LGB self-designation. There are several items to still fix and add. Related, the DED laser page for the pod is now working. Please note that the LGB bomb laser code cannot be set in the aircraft.
4- ILS is in, but we still need to set up the needles. It’s close and I’ll create a video for it soon.
5- Tomorrow we should have the underside of the aircraft done with completed textures. With that, Cato will create the launch trailer.
6- The cockpit is more fleshed out with the Helmet Mounted Cueing System (HMCS) sensor post, some improved seat textures, a better effect for the LCD displays, and we removed the safety pin from the manual chute handle.
7- The Early Access Guide is shaping up well and will be available at release. Bunyap has done a great job with it.
8- Several interactive training missions will be available at release.
9- ACM radar modes are in, but we just need to update the HUD.
10- Dogfight switch is underway now and associated after and forward (MRM) functions.
12- We plan to have an initial IFF system but have not settled on the exact mechanization.
13- Helmet Mounted Cueing System (HMCS) is working in NAV mode.
14- Cockpit night lighting has been further improved with gauge lighting. We want to tune the flood lights a bit more though.
15- The centerline fuel tank will be ready this week.
16- Initial CMDS and RWR is functional. Four programs for chaff and flares and the RWR will be set up for the ALR-56M.
17- Cold start is working now, but we are adjusting some of the electrical panel sub-systems so the act correctly during cold start. Some of the instrument values are a bit off too, and we are working to adjust them.
18- Flight path marker (FPM) drift cut off was added.
Next week we will announce the release date. Once released though (soon), the 20% discount will end, and it will probably be over a year until we put the Viper in a sale.
Thanks for your support!
- Wags”
Phantom88
Charter Member
****Update****
Hey everyone,
To get you prepared for the release of our F-16C sometime in early autumn 2019, we are making available an early, work-in-progress draft of it’s Early Access Guide. This is being prepared by “Bunyap” and he’s doing a wonderful job (he is also creating the interactive training missions)!
As we push to release, he will be further updating it and continue to update it during the development of our Viper. Please note that if you don’t see an item in the guide that you expect at release, it mostly likely because the item is still in work and too early to write it up for the guide.
You can find it here:
https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/downloads/documentation/viper_early_access_guide_en/
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We hope you enjoy it!
Thanks,
Wags