I'm sure I will sound like an ass, but here goes.

What happened to the 2 month development cycle? I just find it incredible that a 2 month project turned in to a 9 month project. I assume there is a project manager overseeing things. Somewhere along the chain someone gave totally misleading projections or features were added that pushed the dates out.

Since the original announcement was in Nov 09, release is scheduled for July~Aug 2010?

I think I remember reading somewhere that after blackshark the add-ons were supposed to be released every 9 months is that still the case?

I have to say I'm not a big fan of the series but I will continue purchasing the releases in the hope it will help fund the development of the A-10 and F-18 sim.

plans changed, originally it was 2 months, now it is 9 - better than being canceled

I am sure the 9 month cycle is what they intend to do, but in this case they had the opportunity to release an FC 2.0, and they grabbed it - it is not like ED started to make a 'Zelda, Queen of Kong' FPS and gave up on flight sims

I think this is a great move - the earlier plan was a dull move, this promises to be a great one, I am willing to give ED the benefit of the doubt, and support this decision.

As I understand it -

Without FC2, the DCS series would evolve slowly and take several years to accumulate a viable/acceptable variety of flyable aircraft.

With FC2, the DCS aircraft arrive in a setting already populated with 'lite' flyable aircraft.

Assuming ED can keep DCS compatible with FC2 over the years.


Correct?

One thought crossed my mind.

Wonderful things are happening in flying sim world at the moment, look at all this new hardware popping out G940, Saitek X65, TM Warthog will be here soon.

SOW is showing positive signs of life and progress, it will be enriched with Korean addon at some point, Rise of flight has been with us for a while now, FC2 will be here, and A10, well, we will see when this will see light of the day.

Its true Renaissance in flight sim world.

Then you have what i would call feeder series into flight simming, Wings of prey has been released on most formats. This is capturing new, younger crowd that will want more comprehensive flight sims after they have realised they want better things to fly.

There is window of opportunity for developers here to jump on money train and make some money on proper sims, and give us some good things to fly.

But, there is always but. Iron is being cast while it is hot. Timing here is crucial. To jump on that new fresh money train and capture new crowds something good needs to see light of the day soon. You and me will wait as long as it takes, but will new croud that has not been fully infected yet? I doubt it, trends are changing very quickly.

I want DCS to grab big chunk of cash, to do that they need to release their stuff very, very soon to not miss this tidal wave of flight sim popularity.

Also, current hardware is so much more capable, processing power, eye candy that it can produce and there are people who will want both, as it is possible, we have hardware to give them that. Will they be put off from buying sim that has perfect mechanics, systems, hardcore sim factor but it does not look as shiny as some other stuff around?

Remember, to attract someone into something and make them realise where it is at there must be that one point which will attract them and make them want it. They will love hardcore part of it, but they must be attracted with things they already know they like to be able to see true point of it.

None of this really matters to you and me, but it does matter to new talent since they don`t know any better, and i think it should mean a lot to developers, only proper bait brings the fish.

Put me down for a copy, $29.99 is still a bargain in my book!

$29.99 is the price of a nice steak at Longhorn Steakhouse... don't see what the big deal is. Compared to the steak, you're getting hours more enjoyment

There is an announcement on the Russian ED forums that their shop will be offline today and the website offline on the 17th, new version of the website available after the 17th.

they always priced their products right, if only they patched more often ...

While Lock On FC had areas to improve, name one piece of gaming software that was patched to complete customer satisfaction. That's right none yet.......

Regardless of LOMAC's patching process it's still a great title. For what LOMAC is it works great, perfect, no but it would never be then either.

What will be the DRM? They will stay with StarForce???

Best regards, Kodiak.