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The Thrill of Online Combat Simulation: A Guide to Popular Games, Accessibility for New Players.

In 2024, the world of online combat flight simulation is more immersive and dynamic than ever. With titles like DCS World, Falcon BMS, and War Thunder leading the charge, gamers are offered incredible realism, detail, and the chance to experience high-adrenaline dogfights and military engagements right from the comfort of their own homes. But how accessible are these games for new players? What are the best PC specifications for someone getting into combat flight sims for the first time? And how does virtual reality (VR) fit into the equation? Let’s break it all down.

The Most Popular Combat Simulation Games in 2024

There’s no shortage of combat simulation games, but a few standout titles dominate the space in 2024:

1. DCS World (Digital Combat Simulator)

DCS World is renowned for its uncompromising realism. Developed by Eagle Dynamics, this free-to-play title offers players the chance to pilot a wide array of aircraft, from modern jets like the F/A-18 Hornet and F-16 Viper to World War II-era planes. The game is modular, meaning you can purchase additional aircraft, maps, and campaigns to suit your interests.

With its advanced flight models, realistic weapon systems, and detailed terrain, DCS World attracts both hardcore flight sim enthusiasts and new players willing to take on the learning curve. The online community is also very active, with servers offering everything from casual dogfights to complex, coordinated military campaigns.

2. Falcon BMS (Benchmark Sims)

Falcon BMS is an updated, community-driven version of the classic Falcon 4.0, a game originally released in 1998. Despite its age, the Falcon BMS community has kept the game alive with frequent updates, improving everything from graphics to flight models and even campaign mechanics.

This game is famous for its dynamic campaign engine, where missions evolve based on your successes or failures. Falcon BMS is particularly beloved for its detailed F-16 simulation, making it a go-to for fans of the aircraft.

3. War Thunder

War Thunder offers a more accessible experience than both DCS World and Falcon BMS. Unlike its competitors, War Thunder is a free-to-play title that covers not only aviation but also ground and naval combat. While the game features realistic flight models and detailed aircraft, it has different difficulty levels, including Arcade, Realistic, and Simulator modes, which allow players to choose how deep they want their experience to be.

War Thunder also provides fast matchmaking, making it appealing for those looking for quick online combat experiences without spending too much time on training or setup.

4. IL-2 Sturmovik: Great Battles Series

The IL-2 Sturmovik series is another cornerstone of the combat flight sim genre, with a particular focus on World War II air combat. The Great Battles series continues to push the boundaries of realism with detailed planes, realistic damage models, and intense online dogfights.

How Accessible Are These Games for New Players?

Learning Curves and Training

The complexity of these games can vary dramatically, and for new players, the learning curve can be steep, particularly in sims like DCS World and Falcon BMS.

• DCS World: While it’s free to play, the advanced flight models and avionics mean that DCS World requires significant time investment to master. Fortunately, the community is welcoming to newcomers, and there are numerous tutorials, YouTube videos, and forums dedicated to helping new players learn the ropes.
• Falcon BMS: With its aging interface and intense focus on realism, Falcon BMS can feel intimidating for new players. However, there is extensive documentation, and like DCS World, the community is supportive of rookies. Expect a significant learning curve, particularly if you’re unfamiliar with the complex systems of the F-16.
• War Thunder: This is by far the most accessible of the bunch, especially if you start in Arcade mode. The game’s controls are user-friendly, and you can enjoy dogfights and missions right away. However, for a more serious experience, Realistic and Simulator modes offer a much deeper experience closer to the likes of DCS World and Falcon BMS.

Best PC Specifications for Online Combat in 2024

If you’re diving into combat sims for the first time, having the right hardware is crucial for a smooth and immersive experience. The complexity of these games, particularly DCS World and Falcon BMS, demands significant computing power.

Here’s a breakdown of recommended PC specifications for playing these games in 2024:

Minimum PC Requirements:

While most of these games can technically run on lower-end systems, a minimum spec will only give you a basic experience. These are the bare minimums for online combat:

• CPU: Intel Core i5-12400F / AMD Ryzen 5 5600
• GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1660 Super / AMD RX 580
• RAM: 16 GB
• Storage: 500 GB SSD (for quick loading times)
• Operating System: Windows 10 (64-bit)

This setup will allow you to run most combat sims, albeit with lower graphics settings.

Recommended PC Requirements (for an optimal experience):

For a more enjoyable experience, especially when participating in large multiplayer battles, you’ll want to aim higher:

• CPU: Intel Core i7-13700K / AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
• GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4070 Ti / AMD RX 7800 XT
• RAM: 32 GB or even 64 GB for large Servers is Required (especially for DCS World, which is RAM-hungry)
• Storage: 1 TB NVMe SSD
• Operating System: Windows 11 (64-bit)

This configuration will allow you to enjoy high graphics settings and smoother gameplay, even in complex multiplayer scenarios.

High-End PC Specifications (for VR and Ultra Graphics):

If you’re planning to dive into VR or want to experience these sims at maximum settings, you’ll need a top-tier setup:

• CPU: Intel Core i9-14900K / AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
• GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4090 / AMD RX 7900 XTX
• RAM: 64 GB
• Storage: 2 TB NVMe SSD
• Operating System: Windows 11 (64-bit)

This high-end configuration will allow you to run the games in VR with high frame rates, which is essential for a smooth and immersive VR experience.

VR and Its Impact on the Combat Flight Sim Experience

Virtual Reality (VR) has revolutionized the world of combat flight sims, providing an unparalleled level of immersion. Games like DCS World and IL-2 Sturmovik offer full VR support, allowing players to feel like they’re truly inside the cockpit.

VR Benefits:

• Immersive Cockpit Experience: VR gives you the feeling of actually being inside the cockpit, with full 360-degree views of your surroundings. Looking around during a dogfight or scanning for ground targets becomes far more intuitive.
• Depth Perception: Unlike on a flat monitor, VR offers real depth perception, making it easier to judge distances and improve your situational awareness.
• Enhanced Controls: VR works well with peripherals like HOTAS (Hands On Throttle-And-Stick) setups, giving you a more tactile and engaging experience.

VR Downsides:

• Hardware Demands: VR significantly increases the hardware requirements. To maintain high frame rates and prevent motion sickness, your PC needs to be capable of running the game smoothly at a minimum of 90 FPS (frames per second).
• Cost: High-quality VR headsets like the Meta Quest 3 or the Valve Index are expensive, and to get the most out of them, you’ll need a powerful gaming PC.

Recommended VR Headsets for Combat Sims in 2024

• Meta Quest 3: A versatile option with good resolution and performance, especially when connected to a powerful PC via Link.
• Valve Index: Known for its excellent tracking and wide field of view, this is a top choice for serious simmers.
• HP Reverb G2: A favorite among flight sim enthusiasts due to its high resolution and relatively low price point.

Essential Peripherals for Immersive Online Combat

The right peripherals can dramatically enhance your flight sim experience. Here are some must-haves:

1. HOTAS (Hands On Throttle-And-Stick)

• Thrustmaster Warthog: Modeled after the A-10C’s controls, this is one of the most popular choices among simmers for its durability and precision.
• Logitech X56 Rhino: A more affordable HOTAS setup that still offers a great experience.

2. Pedals

• Thrustmaster TPR Rudder Pedals: These high-quality pedals provide precise control over your aircraft’s yaw and are essential for more advanced maneuvers.
• Logitech G Pro Flight Rudder Pedals: A solid, more budget-friendly option.

3. TrackIR

If VR isn’t for you, a TrackIR setup is a fantastic alternative. It allows you to look around the cockpit by moving your head, providing an added layer of immersion without the need for a VR headset. Track IR 5 is the latest iteration of this incredibly popular head tracking software. Using IR reflectors it uses a clip you attach to a hat you wear and a base station placed usually on the monitor tracks your movements in 3D.

There are several other options like FacetrackNoIR which is a few dollars and just uses your webcam to track your face movement. Its pretty good and I have used it myself before diving into VR which I will never not use now! There are some more like FreeTrack as another example so look around if this is the path you prefer. .

Final Thoughts

The online combat simulation landscape in 2024 is thriving, with a variety of games catering to different tastes and skill levels. Whether you’re drawn to the ultra-realism of DCS World and Falcon BMS or prefer the more casual experience of War Thunder, there’s something for everyone. However, to get the most out of these games—especially in terms of immersion—a decent PC setup and the right peripherals are essential.

For those ready to take things to the next level, VR offers an unmatched experience, though it comes with higher hardware demands. Whatever your preferences, there’s never been a better time to jump into the world of online combat simulations!

Author

Brendon McAliece (Aka Gunnie) is a a military veteran with 23 years working on Jet Fighters, their weapons systems and ejection seat/module systems as well as munitions and R&D. Involved with flight simulation since the 1980s, he has flown all the major flight simulators over the years.

He is an Australian expat who has lived in Malaysia, UK, Saudi Arabia and more recently Thailand. He is a multi-lingual blogger who loves to share his life experiences here on LetsFlyVFR.com and DreamingGuitar.com, with his lifestyle and Travel experiences Blog plus his Dreaming Coffee website.

Learn More @ DreamingGuitar.com – DreamingCoffee.com – LetsFlyVFR.com