The Eagle Dynamics team is wrapping up their production on the DCS: Persian Gulf map and this final update is bringing with it a few more scenery items to help round out what has become the biggest map in the series. Plus, we have the tiniest hint that the team is now working on a new free map.
Airbases and landmarks
Posting earlier today, Matt Wagner shared with us the above images as well as the following details:
Our map team continues to go above and beyond by adding new content to the Persian Gulf map. With the new additions, the Persian Gulf map will be the largest map in DCS World (as measured as distance between airfields) and have the most airfields.
Matt Wagner on the DCS World Forums
Coming to the Persian Gulf Map:
– Liwa airfield
– Ras Al Khaimah airfield
– Bam
– Persepolis
These additions will be included in an upcoming map update.
Liwa Airbase takes the usable map a little further south than before while Ras Al Khaimah fits right into the middle. The coolest addition in my opinion is Persepolis, an ancient terraced city located near Shiraz. It’s an interesting feature and it’s a very neat contrast to the ultra modern Dubai skyline or the industrial areas found elsewhere on the map.
Last update, free map work begins
Matt Wagner was also asked if this would be the last update to Persian Gulf and he informs us that it is.
Yes, except for any important bug fixes. This team will now focus on the new, free map.
Matt Wagner on the DCS World Forums
What the free map is remains a mystery right now. Although we’ve known since the start of the year what it would be, the content and even the era for the map is a complete unknown. We also don’t have any concept of what the scale and scope of the map will be.
One thing that will separate it from past efforts is the price – free. That makes it very appealing for everyone.
Stormbirds 
Persepolis. What an awesome edition. Id want to get out and have a look around
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Id love a Vietnam map
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“What the free map is remains a mystery right now. Although we’ve known since the start of the year what it would be…”
Just to clarify, I take it that in fact we DO NOT know what it will be?
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Poor phrasing on my part. No we have no idea 🤪
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Wags was interviewed recently on Alert 5 and said they were not doing a Viet Nam map (I am bummed).
https://alert5podcast.podbean.com/
At 40 min.
So, shall we start some speculation?
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I hadn’t had a chance to listen to that. Great info! I’m very curious!
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Boo id of thought a Vietnam map would work perfectly with the cobra, huey, migs, F4 etc.. Maybe the Pacific south east Asia Islands though perhaps?
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Yeah, I had hoped that they might go there too. We’ve got a growing contingent of aircraft that would fit the scenario.
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If its going to be “free” though maybe its not going to have as much detail than the others. To that mind may be an island chain will fit as a lot would be open ocean and thus less intensive work. Makes me think it might be linked to MAC though for some reason.
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Possibilities for sure. The Paracel islands in the South China Sea could fit that kind of scenario and also be a potential hotspot.
The other possibility is that it’s a WWII themed map giving players something free to use with that content.
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As far as I’m aware, Leatherneck Simulations’ Corsair is the only Pacific theater World War 2 aircraft we have, other than the quasi-Pacific theater version that the P-51 began as. Without any opposition, I don’t see a Pacific WW2 map being a fun place to play.
I think Parcel Islands or Taiwan Straights would be more likely considering the Chinese AI assets that are already in the game, and the J-11A and upcoming JF-17. Taiwan straights would also give us a potential playground for the MiG-15 Bis and F-86F Saber, and would also fit with the MiG-19, MiG-21 Bis, F-5, and Mirage 2000, thought the versions of those last 4 aren’t quite right for the scenario.
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Could they the Syrian map they are supposed to be working on be the free one?
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I don’t think it is. The map is being done by Ugra Media and it’s quite a large map. I suspect that Ugra Media would like to recoup costs and selling it, just like Normandy, would be likely.
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I like the Paracel islands idea, nice current topic, and with the forthcoming Chinese content it might be nice. I also thought a Korean map would be good. It might work for both modern and Korean War (although there would be a lot of changes between those time periods).
I kind of think a Cold War map would fit almost all the aircraft nicely. East vs West in central Germany, maybe around Berlin.
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the new free map will be KUWAIT (IRAQ WAR) …connecting PERSIAN GULF and SYRIA maps.
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My free MAP bet will be KUWAIT///IRAQ WAR, connecting Persian Gulf and Syria.
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Hi Ozo, thanks for your comments. That’s an interesting possibility too!
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Taiwan, Korea or maybe E. Europe but I never know how coordinates (or how much DCs suggested coordination) exists: a map with naval application would make most sense given the Tomcat but that may have no impact.
Actually, looking at current / WiP A/C, how about Jammu and Kashmir aka Line of Control?
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