So, am I to understand the English version is on the shelf here in the US?

The interview with Matt Wagner (last link) says first quarter 2009.

Aviar

It's not on the shelf until Feb however you can purchase the download version right now.

http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/

With starforce and an 8 activation/10 deactivation limit!
That means,every time you change hardware,or reinstall O/S,you lose one.After that,looks like you have to buy it all over again to get a new key.
I was interested,but after reading that...

Lockon + microprose gunship = dcs blackshark
 

My two cents....Based on these high resolution large file videos, I am not particularly impressed. For one thing the popup effect happens less than 100 yrds out. These high resolution demo videos look like LOCKON (several years old) crossed with Micropose Gunship (even older and much like Lockon only chopper based). Gunship is much older than LOCKON and DCS just looks like LOCKON with a CHOPPER. To the Chopper Sim crowd this may be a big deal but to me I see nothing to get excited about.

Now what would excite me is:
Efficient game programming
High FPS - smooth gameplay
Photographic satellite imaging of terrain/trees/planes/etc
Multiple flyable Planes/Choppers
MP Customizable games/maps
Multiple controllable stations in:
Planes, Ground defenses, Ship defenses
Different respawn capabilities - governed by Host
Planes/Chopper/Grounddefenses controlled by multiple players
Well thought out Multiplayer
Host customizability/control of MP games
Hack prevension
Sound Mod capability
Customizable paint jobs/high res capability
Immersion
Don't just repackage something old give us the next leap in softeare/gameplay/visuals


I keeps my short list

PEACE

Actually no... In effect you can install it and then deactivate it and get your activation back which equals 18... Changing your hardware doesn't effect it. It's also Starforce lite not the one that installs a device driver.

I think you need to read some reviews as a lot of what you're asking for is in there.

You will notice it looks a bit like Lockon because it's using that engine however it's been highly modifed to include way more detail on the ground since thats where Helos do their thing.

In addtion the FPS is very impressive in that its incredible stable. The FM is impressive.

This is a study sim of the KA-50 Black Shark and they have plans to continue to add to the sim. I think it includes the A-10C and F-16CJ and a few others.

So far it seems it is taking the real military pilots I know about an hour to figure out the startup procedure and just get the thing off the ramp.

Does not sound like fun to me. Too many darned buttons.

:lol:

Thats if you like that sort of thing... other than that hit left windows key and the home key at the same time and bingo its up and running.

It also has retard mode for those that want to play more of a game. So before throwing the baby out with the bath water do a little research.

I like that idea. Not that I wouldn't eventually want to learn the process, but I wouldn't buy it for the complex procedures. If you look at youtube, there's a startup video for Black Shark that actually shows the complex procedure to git'r done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Q_XNf4elAI