In a YouTube video, Matt Wagner from Eagle Dynamics announced the launch of DCS 2.9 in open beta. In fewer than 5 minutes, the video deals with tons of updates including new platform features, visual improvements, increased realism, and more.
Starting off, the 2.9 update includes an integrated voice chat feature with general chat, radio frequencies, and a bunch of filter settings to tweak the sound according to your preferences. Track replay accuracy has also been improved, with AI units coming soon, so you can rewatch combat footage with increased accuracy. Data link fidelity, as you already know from previous updates, has also been improved with data link behavior being dynamic and configurable. Finally, they added the ability to create mounting points for cameras to create a “Go Pro” style of footage.
In terms of visual updates, DCS 2.9 will finally feature DLSS capabilities which should increase your performance for those of you with Nvidia graphics cards. Another enhancement includes “green space shadows,” which provide shadows within vegetation, further enhancing the scenery. Speaking of vegetation, the rotors of helicopters will now make grass and trees move realistically. Shock waves from explosions are a work in process, but the current footage per the video announcement looks stellar. Finally, ED implemented some modeling enhancements for various AI models and an overhaul of the Spitfire textures, which look fantastic.
Some other features include a color grading feature that can do things such as make your experience feel like you’re watching an old-school WWII film, the ability to save weapon loadouts, much improved F-16 and F-18 radar realism, and much more. For a list of all the changes, ED provided a handy change log you can find here.
