There’s been plenty of discussion in recent weeks about Eagle Dynamics reveal of Flaming Cliffs 2024. This modest update to the long running Flaming Cliffs 3 product adds in a few more aircraft and markets itself as a simplified entry point into DCS World. I have, however, seen a lot of discussion on the product and what it could be so for this editorial I want to talk about how we got here, why this update exists, and then we’ll talk about the future potential. Also, what is this “MAC” thing? Let’s talk about that too!

This is what is happening

I’ve been reading comments throughout the community following the announcement of Flaming Cliffs 2024. While all of the comments bring up great points on what this could be, I think some miss the reality of what is happening for this specific release and I think they miss why its happening.

I’ve got some thoughts on what this product might offer in the future but first we need to talk about why this is happening and I want to start with some information that only some of you may have not read. A couple of weeks back there was a lengthy comment by Eagle Dynamics own Matt “Wags” Wagner on the DCS World Discord. Here’s what he had to say about Flaming Cliffs 3 aircraft policy, Modern Air Combat (MAC), and Flaming Cliffs 2024.

Dear all, I’ve been keeping an eye on this discussion and one of the points I see raised repeatedly is that we changed our mind about new FC3 aircraft. We did indeed. We’ve been developing several existing DCS-level aircraft with a much shallower learning curve to serve as the foundation to a new IP focused on a more relaxed flight game. Over the past months though, we’ve concluded that now is not the time to create a new IP that is separate from DCS. We’ve announced this today and the change in plans. Rather than dig in our heels on a previous decision, we’ve decided it makes more sense to roll most of these aircraft into a new iteration of the FC series. We understand that the FC series is not for everyone, but rather focused on new players and those looking for a more relaxed game with a much shallower learning curve. For now, we’ve shelved MAC, but it is not dead. There is great potential in such a product, but it would need to take a different path from what we originally planned to be successful.

Wags on the Eagle Dynamics Discord

Matt is talking about a prior statement made years ago that Eagle Dynamics would not be doing any more Flaming Cliffs level aircraft and would be entirely focused on DCS World level modules. That has obviously changed and now they are doing something a little different. Flaming Cliffs or FC aircraft are a different class of simulation with high fidelity flight models but with simpler systems and with no clickable cockpits. Instead, they use and will use keyboard controls in the same way that the current Flaming Cliffs 3 aircraft are setup.

This shift in direction with Eagle Dynamics seems to have a lot to do with recouping on some of the work that was done for Modern Air. Combat (or MAC) which was announced years ago and then quietly downplayed after that.

That product appeared to be a more casual sim experience with a different IP that reused assets from DCS World. There was even talk about an entirely different user interface and a more videogame style experience altogether. The original trailer isn’t even online anymore and it seems that Eagle Dynamics has quashed the product for now but some of its content will live on.

Some work was done on the product and Eagle Dynamics has three aircraft that were completed for the project. These are lower fidelity versions of the F-86, MiG-15 and F-5E and so with this change of direction it looks like they are recouping on that work and rolling it into a fairly modest update to Flaming Cliffs instead of their original plans for a separate product.

At the same time, there appears to be recognition that full fidelity aircraft can exist alongside lower fidelity options and that this might help bring new users in and combat some of DCS World’s extremely steep learning curve.

How this could go in the future

At the risk of repeating myself, Flaming Cliffs 2024 seems to be aiming to do two key things: First, make use of work that had already been completed on MAC. Second, offer an update to Flaming Cliffs that might appeal to newer pilots.

I’ve read comments about the selection of aircraft and implying that its not taking advantage of bringing in other aircraft types with lower fidelity systems into the mix. I think that presumes that there’s the possibility that we might see more modern aircraft such as Rafael, Su-34, Su-35, Su-57, Gripen E, F-22 or F-35. Types not currently possible with DCS World fidelity. That may indeed happen in the future but this time around is all about them taking assets that were already completed, possibly several years ago, and putting them out now.

In a sense this is less about new product direction and instead recouping on some assets, reused ones at that, that are completed but just sitting around. Now they get to make a little money on it.

It’s a sensible business decision and its not a bad player decision but it certainly doesn’t fire up the core fan base with some new exciting content. And not that we’re lacking in that department either with a spate of new products having just released or are still coming. But still I sense the disappointment that this didn’t give us something new and that’s fair to think and feel.

Is there potential for the future? Definitely possible! Flaming Cliffs 2024 as a title suggest that perhaps we’ll see future updates. There could be a Flaming Cliffs 2026 or 2027 for example! And there they could potentially add additional aircraft at this level of interaction.

This does open the door to possibilities that are not doable for DCS World modules but it also, and perhaps more importantly, can provide an entry point for newer players and that is something that I will always applaud.