DCS: Black Shark

While most other genres can take a few liberties with their source material in order to create a more enjoyable gameplay experience, simulation games are far more dependent on detail. Fans of these titles crave realism and demand nothing less than thorough research from the developers, regardless of whether or not the studio is familiar with whatever experience they are replicating.

Expertise is the biggest advantage The Fighter Collection has. The aviation company has years of experience     with real-life aircraft – it even currently operates, rebuilds and maintains the largest collection of working World War II fighters in Europe. So it makes sense that such a firm should be perfectly positioned to create the ultimate flight simulation titles.

Having previously dabbled in games software – the company has even created training simulators for the military – The Fighter Collection now affirms its commitment to the medium with DCS: Black Shark, the first title in its new Digital Combat Simulator series. This new franchise not only represents the company’s first self-published venture into the UK games market, but also forms a strong contender in a niche genre.

“The Digital Combat Simulator series will model in a large number of fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft in the most profound level of detail, all offering fully clickable cockpits with six degrees of freedom,” says Jim Mackonochie, head of business development for The Fighter Collection.

FLIGHT CONTROL
As is implied by the title, the first game focuses on the Black Shark, or the Russian Ka-50 attack helicopter as it is more formally known. Flight sim fans can leap into the cockpit of this formidable chopper and take on a variety of combat missions, mastering their control over the aircraft in order to survive and triumph over their enemies.

For the more serious fight simulation enthusiast, the detailed modelling and extensive cockpit options puts them in control of the Black Shark’s engine, fuel, hydraulics, electicals, navigation, radio, fire suppression, sensors and weapons systems. Meanwhile, more casual players looking for an experience more akin to the likes of HAWX and Ace Combat can enjoy the more arcade gameplay mode.

The developers at Eagle Dynamics have spent a great amount of time and effort recreating the physics of the helicopter, ensuring it behaves in-game just as it would in real life. In fact, Mackonochie reveals the reason a helicopter was chosen to launch the series was because the flight characteristics of this type of aircraft was “the most difficult technical nut to crack”.

As a result, DCS: Black Shark boasts realistic flight physics, with the chopper behaving realistically when under gamers’ control. The damage model and system cascade affect show how battered their craft would be after taking hits during the missions. Even the weapon physics are impressive, with missiles, rockets and cannon rounds all susceptible to ricochets.

Additional aircraft will be added over the course of the year, from fighter to more helicopters. These new products will be completely compatible with DCS: Black Shark and each other, as well as standing up as single titles, making the DCS series an unusual retail proposition.

“Each title will be stand-alone but will be able to integrate seamlessly into the core world simulation engine along with each other title in the series,” says Mackonochie. “Owners of each type of aircraft will be able to connect over the internet and take part in our synthetic battlefield environment.”

The result is that players will able to battle alongside their fellow DCS owners, even if they haven’t chosen Black Shark.