That is what you think it is. Nearly every module in the DCS World store is going to be free to try this month as part of Eagle Dynamics response to the difficulties we’re dealing with in the world right now. Here are the details including a couple of items not in the official announcement that you’re going to want to know about!
Free for all… mostly!
From WWII warbirds to the very latest jet fighters, Eagle Dynamics has announced their ‘Free for all’ month featuring a 50% sale on most items in the DCS World store plus almost everything is free to try out for the whole month. This is an expansion of their ‘Stay at home’ sale that had been running.
The new sale runs from April 18 to May 19th.
A message from the Eagle Dynamics team accompanies the video.
Dear fighter pilots, partners and friends,
Eagle Dynamics
The global spread of COVID-19 is affecting every single one of us. We are a people-first company, and we believe that technology can change lives and give hope. To study the virus, protect the vulnerable and beat this thing requires that we all play a part. We want to update you about what we’re doing.
Last month we gave the opportunity for all to try and test our products for a two day period at a time. This was well received and a total of over 200 thousand modules and trials were downloaded during this free event.
In view of last months response, we are pleased to announce our upcoming Free For All event, starting April 19th, where you are welcome to try any and all our products (except campaigns) for free and without limitation for one month. This unlimited access to all our suite of products, including our top fighter jets, such as the F-16C, F/A-18C and A-10C Warthog will help take your mind off things for a while, giving you the opportunity to try something new, and to own it for 50% or less than the normal price.*
We know that this is a small contribution to your personal lives but we hope that you will take full advantage of the offer and help the time fly by. In addition to this, we will be donating 10% of our net turnover generated during the event to Children First, a foundation that we have become very involved with for the past few years. This organisation supports the work of an amazing Dr Stefano Scaringella, a Capucin Priest and surgeon who has dedicated the past 40 years of his life to saving children and to promoting health in Madagascar, one of the poorest nations in the world. Please check this out, they too are hit badly and need all the help in the world: www.childrenfirst.fund
Thank you for your passion and support and stay safe.
It’s a touching piece and of course I always applaud any sort of charity work that is being done too.
We are of course still in some very challenging times and will be for a while yet so anything to keep us busy, to distract us, to keep us hopeful is always good.
A few exceptions
While most modules are going to be discounted up to 50% for the duration of the sale, there are some exceptions. The F-14B and AJS-37 Viggen are not part of the sale or the event and the JF-17 Thunder has a much more time limited free trial and sale period. This is what Deka Ironwork Simulations had to say,
Since we just got notified with upcoming free-access event, the free access and discount info on newsletter may not be accurate. After discussing with ED, we decide to participate: on both e-shop and steam: 1-week free access + 1-month $15/20%-off discount.
Deka Ironwork Simulations
Those aside, you should be able to download and fly just about any other DCS World module.
I will be checking out a few new aircraft
On my list of aircraft to check out or return to from the free trial periods are the Bf109K-4, the Fw190D-9 and Fw190A-8, the F-86 Sabre, the Yak-52, UH-1H, and maybe even the Christen Eagle II. Those are in addition to all of the other modules that are available if you don’t already have them.
I only had very limited time with the F-86 and I really enjoyed it (again, full write-up coming soon) so I will be revisiting a lot of modules like that one that I don’t currently own. What a brilliant way to convince us to maybe buy a couple more modules while this is going on.
Take care folks and let me know in the comments if you have a DCS World module that you just can’t wait to try out through all of this.
Stormbirds 
This is an excellent promotion/offer/gift. Pretty gutsy business move really. Very impressive.
I’m looking forward to trying the Dora, the Mig 19, and Mig 21, as well as getting back into the 109 which I really enjoyed. I’m sure there’s going to be some mad downloading going on Sunday, that’s for sure.
I have the Yak-52, which I really enjoy, and the F-86. And while the F-86 cockpit could definitely use some love, I find it a lot of fun to fly.
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Yeah the F-86 cockpit is a bit behind the times but it still holds up alright. I really took to flying that jet… what a blast to fly the Sabre in a flight sim. Makes me want the full Korea treatment!
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Well I enjoyed the Mig-15 so much I just bought the Mig-21. So now, I get to try the Mig-19, ok I can’t pass up the chance to fly it for free.
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Oh yeah, worth checking out the MiG-19 for sure! Let me know what you think. It’s still on my list of aircraft to revisit and hopefully get some multiplayer playtime in on as well.
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Any idea how this will play out on Steam?
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Uncertain. Steam’s sale and trial policies are prohibitive most of the time making it difficult for both 1CGS and ED to do some of their more inventive sales opportunities.
ED hasn’t been super clear what will happen with Steam and they may be working that out with the platform.
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I might just do a separate install off the DCS site and grab stuff from there. Maybe get the Nevada map, some planes, and it’s off to the races. For a month-long trial, it’s certainly worth the few extra few minutes of effort.
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You should check if your aircraft can be imported into the “non-Steam” DCS. Unless I’m wrong it’s still possible (I think I’ve already shown you the links for that, but not sure you saw them). It may not be the case but it’s worth checking at least, to get rid of the Steam limitations.
Maybe someone else has tried more recently? I know this transfer has lived through several stages, it was on and off.
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From the DCS website:
“Fly the F/A-18C Hornet, F-16C Viper, A-10C Warthog, F-5E Tiger II, Persian Gulf Map and all DCS World War II products for free during a two-week period from April 19th to May 3rd.”
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