Samurai 1-1: The Journey Back into Falcon 4.0 and BMS 4.34

It's been an interesting journey to get back into BMS. I've made a few mistakes along the way over the past few weeks, so I thought I would create a video detailing some of the lessons I've learned and resources I have discovered in my journey to get back into BMS.
A link to my previous video detailing some of my reasons for deciding to get into DCS is here:
• Samurai 1-1: Combat Fl...
Other resource links:
Benchmark Sims - www.benchmarksims.org/forum/c...
Alternative Launcher - github.com/chihirobelmo/Falco...
Falcon Lounge - www.falcon-lounge.com/
Krause - / tanit
Supanova - / gdashmart
Max Waldorf - / @maxwaldorf
Lorik Eolmin - / @lorikeolmin
Unleashed Code - / @unleashedcode
Weapon Delivery Planner and Mission Commander - www.weapondeliveryplanner.nl/a...

[@MaxWaldorf]

Actually, I am the founder of the falcon lounge, designer of the academy, and host for the TvT events. I will do a first video on Mission commander this week. Weapon delivery planner will come later. I will also try to dive into Falcon Editor if I have the time...

[@samurai1-18]

There you go - the man, the myth, the legend! :-D A mission commander video would be awesome!

[@ernestwinslow7316]

@Max. Thank you for your work

[@ayaxivangallardonovillo6284]

Thanks Samurai. To honor your doubt about realism, your considerations are all Ok. DCS is great on simple or even complex "situations"... but on the overall game of war.... systems, how the war is organised (COMPLAN, and to some extent, the SPINs) is unique. You have your war there... just like you have in RL. Flying wise... both are great. BMS is an F-16 sims... perfect on it (as you said, gentle on the other available planes. Great work and effort were put in them... F-18, Mirage... dedicated FMs, but yes... F-16 avionics with some adjustments taken from the real planes). DCS is great for every-module as they are specific ... and to be fair, even at the additional cost (not cheap), you get "that plane", besides of being unfinished or buggy... or early access... or Perfect....You really get "different" planes. BMS makes you feel like in a detachment, on a real operation... DCS makes you feel like inside a movie for the extent the mission creator intent... if you detour from the plan, you may find it disappointing or lost outside the movie. I´m a former F-18 fighter pilot... and had the chance to fly as well the F-16 52+.... I´m passionate about flight sims since I was a kid with my Spectrum... and I fly both, BMS and recently DCS... but yes... I strongly recommend anyone who wants to feel like a fighter pilot, to go and join a vSquadron, and fly BMS. It´s not easy... not at all... (neither is DCS) but, as in RL, once you deal with it, you won´t ever regret. Again, thanks.

[@samurai1-18]

Indeed! Thank you so much for watching and for your comment, Ayax...

[@Youda00008]

You flew an F-18 and F-16 Blk52 IRL? So how much real are the rumours that F-16 should out-sustain-turn an F-18? Because it's not true in DCS at all, and people kinda feel disapointed with it.

[@TheDarkman222]

@@Youda00008 You should watch the upcoming folds of honor , fight for honor 2020 event. Mover is one of the organizers. And this time they are enforcing people to respect the g limits of their aircraft. So no g limiter override for the F18 or F14s taking snapshots at 11 Gs. DCS can just be as realistic as the the people using it. If they fly unrealistic, it will be unrealistic. The only thing I'm not sure about is if ED changed the g model for the F16 pilot in the meantime, which is a real disadvantage for the F16 currently.

[@higaluto]

@@Youda00008 my guess is, he has never even flown a cesna haha..

[@AviationPlus]

Thank you for getting back into BMS and explaining the difference between the two in great and unbias detail. Keep it up and happy flying.

[@samurai1-18]

My pleasure; thank you for your kind comment!

[@Warbirdguy1]

Tactical vs Strategic. You nailed nearly word for word how I describe the differences.

[@samurai1-18]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it...

[@IDRio]

Got BMS few month back, the control setup is the thing that keep me from playing it. I have no idea about the alternate launcher that allowed us to configure controls outside of the game, definitely going to try it out. Thanks for the info!

[@samurai1-18]

Yeah, the AL is SO MUCH BETTER for control inputs...

[@realtimer3000]

Your video made my day! I discovered DCS World about two month ago and fell directly in love. Since then I started to dive deeper into the topic of Combat Flight Sims. During my research I also found my thick old Falcon 4.0 manual that I started reading when I was young but never really got into Falcon 4.0. During the research I was impressed by how alive the Falcon still is when I discovered BMS! Finally I installed BMS last weekend. And I also started to feel just thankful that both platforms exist and I enjoy solving puzzles in both sims! So thank you for your many helpful tips, hints and references! And I deeply recommend a VR Headset for DCS, the immersive experience is incredible and uncompareable to a screen experience! I am looking forward to more videos of you and your wonderful clear presentation!

[@samurai1-18]

Wow...what a great comment! Thanks Dailyploygon! I remember with fondness that thick 2-ring binder filled with Falcon 4.0 knowledge. The BMS manuals I mention in the video play a similar role these days, but of course in soft format. I too am thankful for both sims -- they are both wonderful in different ways. There tends to be a lot of armchair animosity between the two, but I don't get down with that -- I have enough love for both of them! I really am considering a VR headset, but love my StreamDeck and TM Cougar screens too much! Everybody says "once I try it I will never go back", so I really should give it a shot at some point. Thanks for your comment!

[@ernestwinslow7316]

Absolutely true about VR. A very old fan of Falcon 4.0. I went through the Falcon Allied Force episode, then Falcon 5.0 series and finally the best of them all BM S. But this VR technology just constantly lures me away from BMS. I hear great works are going on secretly in the background by those geniuses in BMS and to see new technologies implemented in BMS would be wonderful. For me VR is the future in flightsim

[@Crunch104]

I like that since both sims are hi fidelity, if you learn the DCS F-16, then map the same controls to BMS on your Hotas. You can then do almost everything in BMS that you learned in DCS. I never really never got in to BMS until I learned the DCS F-16!

[@BibleClinger]

This is a good video that I would recommend to DCS pilots who need a small push to try BMS. Also, some of the cons you mentioned regarding BMS, such as older graphics and the lack of supported VR, are supposed to be addressed in future updates according to the devs. I think it's a good time for people to get into BMS and become familiar with it now.

[@samurai1-18]

Oh wow; really? I think that solving the 2D UI and the slightly older graphics will really help pull people towards BMS -- it really is an awesome platform...

[@jsva8661]

Welcome to the Dark Side!

[@samurai1-18]

Thanks! :-D

[@EvansRG78]

Thanks so much Samurai for putting this summary together. I've been a lifelong flight simulator enthusiast starting from 1988; but took a break (not sure why), from 1998 to 2017. I've spent the past three years on DCS and have loved it as well as the history going back to SU-27 in 95. I also remember Falcon 3.0 but sadly never got into Falcon 4.0. I was so glad to hear about the community development work and history of keeping Falcon up to date with BMS. Rather than jumping straight over to BMS though, I am going back to 4.0 first to spend some time to get to know the simpler platform, build up my logbook and use the monstrous training manuals that came with 4.0. I will work my way up to BMS eventually. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@samurai1-18]

It's an absolute pleasure, pal! Glad to hear you are on your way back in!

[@TheDarkman222]

My first military "sim" was strike commander in 1993 when I was 12. I also played the Janes Sims later. But the only sim that kept me playing military sims was Falcon 4.0 and its later BMS mods. I was never really interested in playing a whole campaign in BMS. Dont get me wrong, i tried several times. But the most fun I had in F4 / BMS was the "instant action" or "furball" modes. It just gives me what I need. Quick action, no startup procedures etc, although I know about the procedures and can apply them of course. I totally have the same feeling like you do about the combat environment in DCS and BMS. The world you fly around in DCS feels artificial and the world in BMS is the real world during war time, in which you could just successfully complete a sortie without a single shot fired. But for me fighting against real opponents online , who do mistakes, have different skill levels, is not the same like flying against AI fighters with preset skill levels. Neither in DCS nor in BMS does the AI do, what a real person would do. But the AI in BMS is a lot better than in DCS. But after all, its just AI. Now that vR gets affordable, BMS is really falling behind for me. Some BMS modders stated, it is not possible to mod BMS for vR, due to the way the HUD is modelled and the HUD is a separate model, layered on top, but not a part of the cockpit model. What comes into play for me now, is that I can sit IN the aircraft in DCS and not watch a two dimensional screen displaying the aircraft to me instead, like in BMS. This was the day I switched to DCS and never seriously went back to BMS, apart for comparing how bad DCS simulates the F16 currently. Most of the time I fly the F18 in DCS because she is much more capable than the F16 in DCS at the moment, I hope some day, the F16 in DCS will be as good as the BMS F16. For me vR was the game changer, which made me go the opposite direction, like you do at the moment... *edit* well I should have posted that under your video why you were transitioning from DCS to BMS.

[@samurai1-18]

All very insightful. Thanks for your comment!

[@zrbn8r]

Was Falcon At for me, also known as Falcon 286, i just got into Bms , havent played Falcon 4 for over 18 years

[@Sonic32084]

I loved strike commander 3. Jet fighter 3. F22 lightening 3. Chuck Yeagers air combat. Mig 29. F14 fleet defender.

[@glynnebradley]

Thanks Samurai. I've spent the morning using this video as a guide for getting BMS up and running. I flew the original F4 back when it first came out. The war campaign system in BMS has pulled me back in thanks to you.

[@LooxJJ]

Been playing since the days of Falcon 3. I still have the v1 version of Falcon 4.0 by MicroProse with that thick book (we used to call it the bible). BMS is very tense, it feels like a real warfare that you are a small part of. DCS on the other hand, feels like you are doing a Red Bull Air race. Both are fantastic games - if you love mil sims, try both.

[@bimoadiprakoso1338]

Man ... brought the memories back since I played Falcon 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0, then it brought me to BMS years and years after. After watching this video, I dug my archive and got the 4.33 installed back into my notebook. And now 4.35 is out??!? Cool! Thanks for the vid, Samurai!

[@ziljanvega3879]

Sometimes I think KZbin has a mind reading algorithm, not 10 minutes after I was thinking about trying BMS to add the kind of campaign content that DCS lacks, this video pops up in my suggested watching feed. Brilliant, and thanks for the in depth introduction on how to get into it. Much appreciated.

[@samurai1-18]

Haha. I SWEAR KZbin can read my mind :-D

[@wickedguitar99]

oh man.... I've been watching krause for well over a decade. Glad to see some recognition where deserved.

[@samurai1-18]

Yeah, dude is a legend for sure. I can only imagine the number of virtual viper pilots he's taught...

[@DrSlaughterRex1]

You're more than welcome to come fly with us over at UOAF! (Home of Krause) We fly both BMS and DCS regularly and will soon be starting IL-2 events. discord.gg/XeaeYE

[@EdwardRLyons]

Excellent resource, this! It goes straight into my reference playlist for Falcon BMS. Thank you!

[@samurai1-18]

Cool!

[@ronaldwatson1951]

Outstanding explanation and candid review, as I consider joining the BMS family, you'd answered alot of questions that I had thanks.

[@samurai1-18]

Hey there. I'm so glad it was helpful -- this is why I've put the video up!

[@MatthewJohnCrittenden]

Thanks, just getting back into Falcon now, just what I needed.

[@Infinitera1n]

What a great overview on this transition, thanks for putting this together!

[@AngryB4ker]

I'm late, but great video. I just wanted to add some extra input too: I played BMS back in like 2015 and had to ragequit out of the game indefinitely because it was just too complex to understand. Just getting in to the cockpit was a challenge, and learning how to fly the sucker was even worse. Keep in mind this was 2015 and while there was a considerable amount of video documentation a lot of the content creators tended to go off on tangents and a simple instructional guide could turn in to 40 minutes of rambling with 5 minutes of useful information I just picked up DCS F-16 over the Christmas sale in 2020 and learned how to fly and employ the block 50's weapons in a weekend. The video documentation and the written documentation created by Eagle Dynamics are both absolutely incredible. The best part is that they translate to BMS seamlessly. The videos created by Matt Wagner make for really great toilet watches because they're short and incredibly informative. They're gorgeous too, since obviously it's all filmed in DCS, and we all know looking cool is what matters most ;-)

[@Setmose]

Thanks Samurai for your channel. I am just returning to BMS after more than a year away -- with Titan Xp in my rig I got carried away and locked into Doom 2016 and Doom Eternal. I've had BMS 1.33.0 on my hard drive for a long time, but your videos convinced me to upgrade to the latest. Among your comments on "realism" I would add that one of the great things about BMS is access to the database itself to see how objects such as AG missiles are modeled -- and even to hack them if you want (not in multi-player of course). The number of different munitions supported is staggering. Finally, I recommend the Israel Theater. The design team are a bunch of great guys, always helpful, and always enthusiastic about the next gen. Many years ago I worked with Dudi Likvornick, the original author of the Israel Theater, and even ported the terrain to the old MacOS version of the Falcon 4.0 game. Falcon 4.0 / BMS is probably the best "study sim" ever, if one wants to learn seriously an aspect of military force projection: the F16 and its integration into high-tempo Air-Land Warfare. Best regards.

[@samurai1-18]

Thanks! Welcome back! :-D

[@Ultrajamz]

Just got bms up and running, but now need to set up my key bindings… all my prior flight sim exp is using very very very simple controls.

[@GeoffHodgkinson]

Thanks for this video. You saved me a few hours of creating this myself. I agree with just about everything you said. I returned to Falcon/BMS at the beginning of 2020 after about 16 years away from flight sims altogether. I thought I would be flying DCS more, but being able to jump into a dynamic campaign puts BMS well in front IMO. I fly DCS now and then for the eye candy.

[@samurai1-18]

Yeah, DCS is a beautiful thing, and will some day get a dynamic campaign. But there will always be space on my HDD for both...

[@JetPilot747]

Great video that sums up everything! Haven't played DCS for over a year and a half. Now I upgraded my pc and I gave DCS another try but DCS still gives me headaches and frustrations, stability wise as well as content wise. BMS is rock solid and simply works! Even multiplayer in BMS works like a knife through butter while in DCS I usually waste my time looking at loading screens and game crashes or disconnections. I am going to try BMS again (there seems to be a new update 4.35 too!). I just want to click something and get into the action instead of wasting my time problem solving.

[@jakobole]

I started with Falcon 4 in 2000 and have about 4000 hours in it combined. I started flying DCS ½ a year ago, and I love it, despite it's F-16 models shortcomings. In all : A very balanced review, and I think you hit the nail on the head. I get the exact same thing out of BMS and DCS as you do

[@samurai1-18]

Thanks!

[@wm973]

Thank you sir. I saw your previous vid and instantly new you were a straight shooter(well maybe not with targets:)).. and subscribed on the spot. This video just confirmed my original opinion. Well done! We always need a second diversion. What I mean is driving sims need rallies, F1 or other track burning sims to keep the interest going from one day to the next. Flying sims are the same. If you want modern combat, full textured and detailed AC DCS will overwhelm almost everyone. There's no competition to DCS, yet. IL2 is getting better every day from what I've seen from utube. BMS I have no clue except from your description and it looks like it's as strong as ever. I use a second sim for playing and testing my setup. If I see a problem with one sim it's great to try another sim and see if the problems persists. Thank you again for your thoughtful input. It is much appreciated.

[@samurai1-18]

You know, I've never really thought of it that way, but I think you're right! Thanks for your comment...

[@micro3939]

Welcome back to BMS! Good video, I enjoyed it.

[@samurai1-18]

Hey, thanks!

[@dbvetter7485]

Wow, I used to play falcon 4.0 back in the late 90’s!

[@samurai1-18]

Right? It's still going!

[@UnleashedCode]

A really kind shoutout, greatly appreciated. It has been really good to see you deep in the Falcon Lounge Team versus Team too. Great vid and I hope many more will follow your lead and come on over... See you in the skies...

[@samurai1-18]

Thanks Unleashed Code - both for the comment and the awesome videos through the years...

[@ernestwinslow7316]

The one big thing I like most about this video is the balance in characterizing these two amazing combat flightsim. It is sad sometimes how ugly and vicious comments can become when looking at this two flighsims but for me I just tend to enjoy the two platforms based on their strengths which your video extensively highlighted. I must confess VR have made me spend more time with that platform that supports it. You were right on point with those content creators on tutorials and resources for bms. Strong and venerable household names for bms on youtube. I have Supanova and Krause videos tucked away in my storage drive. These are useful contents anytime. My wish is to see these two flightsim grow because they are about the only two good modern combat flightsims one can find now. To see falcon 4.0 still kicking dust and rocking in modern times is just phenomenal if you would compare it to likes of Jane's, the DID EF2000 and others of her days. Good job on this video. Thank you for sharing 👍

[@samurai1-18]

You're so welcome. Thank you for the awesome comments!

[@rwhunt99]

There is no problems with flying the sim you enjoy, and it is great that people are willing to suffer through the learning curves on both sims. While I did used to use Falcon 4 and started to get into BMS just to get back into the seat of an F-16 so I could go into DCS with a good idea of what to expect when they launched their version of the F-16. I guess I'm not a fan boy of any one thing, and I do enjoy seeing the passion in people who get "it". I do fly DCS and I know people are frustrated right now with the situation in MP, but ED will get it ironed out because they are feeling the heat. So, it's great there are options out there for everyone. I have been subscribed to Lorik and Unleashed code both!

[@samurai1-18]

Yeah, I think both are amazing in their own ways. Thanks for your comment.

[@Naara.]

this is the exact video I wanted, thank you

[@DD-sw1dd]

The ATC and dynamic campaign in BMS keeps bringing me back. Nothing like flying into enemy territory only to see the mission is suicide, then return to base after taking out afew enemy aircraft with the enemy hot on ur tail as you attempt to lure them into friendly SAMS....then you contact the tower and enter a real landing pattern with tower dictating your altitude and heading. Hardest part for me is remapping the TGP zoom to a macro on my TM warthog stick. Requires some midi file editing. Other than that, my transition back is easy.

[@JayDKBGames]

Good video I've been a BMS simmer forever but after trying DCS the graphics just floored me and I tried to go back to BMS and just couldn't get past the graphics. I've never put much emphasis on the Dynamic campaign because I've never been able to complete one. I like them both but with limited time I had to chose one and I have to stick with DCS for now.

[@samurai1-18]

Yeah, fair enough...we're at least lucky enough that we have a bit of a choice. I don't blame you at all -- DCS is gorgeous...

[@macgeek2112]

I also started with BMS and learned a lot over about a years time, but I never mastered it. When I jumped into DCS, I was hooked on the graphics. I really miss the fully functioning F16 and ED's choice to model the Block 50 which doesn't have the terrain following capability like the BMS Viper.

[@anderson9905]

Wow! love it. Very nice video buddy.

[@samurai1-18]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for your comment...

[@TheF16fan]

About the Axisnumber, BMS allows. I have a F-16 Homecockpit, and in there are 21 Axis at the moment. I'm using the all without any problems :)

[@samurai1-18]

Whoa -- I didn't know it was that many! Yeah, I don't think it'll be an issue for me...

[@OperatorPuski]

Not to mention that awesome hard copy F-16 manual. Still got it

[@falcononehottie]

We did the transition from BMS to DCS, cause DCS in VR is Fantastic....

[@samurai1-18]

I really should try VR at some point...

[@jaeloo]

thanks! broad me back into BMS

[@samurai1-18]

Glad to hear that!

[@David-nu6kw]

Much appreciated!

[@keithhitchman3328]

Nicely done!

[@samurai1-18]

Thanks!

[@dcdell2008]

I too have been trying to get back to the F-16 sim since I first flew the Falcon 3.0 back in the days...and hoping to learn from some of your experiences and tips...I too have most of the modules of DCS and the one difference why I keep returning back to BMS is, I get on a Jet in DCS and I look around and admire the gorgeous graphics and sadly, that's where it ends...BMS on the other hand has a more of the that strategic rich feature and some very good tactical jet flying fun...frankly I only signed up on DCS due to the Back Shark helicopter as I had so much fun flying the Jane's AH-64 Longbow...so yes, in my opinion, BMS is old and the graphics are dated, but that campaign engine is gold that on other sim creator can touch or imitate...thanks for sharing and I have liked and subscribed

[@swarajkar3086]

That where it ends? Mate what?

[@fzijlstra2906]

Thank you for your vid. I will try bms tomorrow morning. It has been a while since the last time i played it. I still have a 'copy' of falcon4 on my harddrive somewhere. I believe it only needs a falcon.exe file to install.

[@samurai1-18]

Great! Yeah, as long as the original exe file is on your HDD, the BMS installer should work...

[@craigharris41]

Enjoyed BMS but had issues with some missions (Training) not loading. I like DCS as well and recommend that when the modules go on sale....to purchase them. $79.99 for F-16, F-18 and worlds are going to break most folk.

[@samurai1-18]

Yeah, DCS can be an expensive hobby for sure. The TE missions tend to work for me...not sure what I've done differently...

[@jakobole]

And you quoted Krause! Thumbs up!

[@samurai1-18]

Krause is a leg end

[@jakobole]

@@samurai1-18 I've had the honor of flying with him a handfull times back in the day. Goodt times!

[@BrunoBarata78]

I have serious doubts DCS will ever be able to have a dynamic campaign like Falcon does. I know they are suposedly working on it, but I think it's more than DCS legacy engine, I think it's ED's design philosophy. DCS renders for example every bomblet on a cluster munition or skeet on a smart cluster munition, they are unwilling to compromise with a mathematical probability solution to handle munitions. Falcon on the other hand only renders things in the player bubble, everything else happens in a 2D methematical simulation, and I'd argue that you really need that if you plan to simulate a full sized war, no matter how much more powerfull computers got since 1998, you just can't have it all.

[@theegg-viator4707]

Great Content!

[@samurai1-18]

Thanks!

[@jackcolquit]

You nailed it!

[@samurai1-18]

Thanks!

[@SVgamer72]

Great video

[@samurai1-18]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@KJ-kn8pg]

Hey man great video, I would like to try out bms, I already played dcs but I just feel like bms looks better(in terms of dynamic missions and the F-16 module not graphics) so from what site do you recommend me to install it? Btw are there still multiplayer servers on? I have read that in order to have bms you need the base game which is falcon 4.0 so where should I install it? A dcs noob here, thanks mate, cheers!

[@lewis424]

Could you train in the DCS F-16, and then easily ( control mapping aside ) transition to the BMS F-16(s)?

[@samurai1-18]

I'm not entirely sure, as I've not really flown the DCS Viper. But I think it's still got a ways to go in terms of systems modelling, and that's where the BMS version is different, as it's very, VERY accurately modelled. So I think that might be tough. I'd suggest that at least right now, you'd be better off training on the BMS F16 and then cut over to the DCS one...

[@lewis424]

@@samurai1-18 awesome, thanks for the info

[@bigmarkdarula]

Thanks After playing ace combat 7 and ms flight sim 20 I need to get into this It’s on sale as well on steam

[@samurai1-18]

It's fun for sure...

[@trick4p]

good video!!!!

[@pranze3484]

I'm really concerned about current DCS perf, makes me frisky to invest time and money right now as a beginner. Thanks for the review

[@franciscolastra5852]

Im another falcon pilot im actualy in the ver 4.32 and the main reason is that it does not require the original falcon 4 instal to play, besides i do not have any kindd of videos on my channel, most of my knowledge come from the AF version of falcon 4, rigth now im making some changes in the game like the lightnings in the scenarios, i depurate the the effects to improve the performence, because in the original, the effects are one after another and another for the same element and that make it to dam heavy, i took the aegean scenario and made 3 new campains, right now im fixing the israeli scenario and making new campains, i also have a special mapping for an xbox controler where is only mapped hotas controls and ofcourse the view controls so anything else is controled from the cockpit. i may share a new independient installer, with the 4 scenarios combined.

[@samurai1-18]

Cool

[@hfritz8589]

Samurai, I would be interested in your thoughts on aircraft spotting between the two sims. To our group, it seems we had no issues with spotting in F4/BMS, but it is notoriously difficult in DCS.

[@samurai1-18]

This is a REALLY good topic -- it's one of the main differences between the sims. BMS uses smart scaling, which tries to compensate for the loss of visual fidelity that happens as a result of the use of a 2D screen (FoV, pixel density, etc) to synthetically represent a 3D shape in comparison to real life. The smart scaling system uses an algorithm to scale the in-game size of the object up to make visual detection difficulty comparable to that in real life. Details here: why485.itch.io/smart-scaling-demonstration I'm not _entirely_ sure if DCS uses a scaling algorithm or not, but I find visual detection using DCS is much harder. I'm no flight expert, but I _am_ in pilot training and have flown a little bit, and I find visual detection in real life is FAR easier than DCS. I believe the "dot label" system in DCS is designed to overcome this shortcoming. While I prefer BMS's scaling, I like the dot label system as well...

[@hfritz8589]

@@samurai1-18 Yessir, that is pretty much what we have surmised in our group. You have put to words our thoughts. We do use the dots in DCS to try and make up for the spotting difficulty (I know some find that "impure"). We have had multiple discussions on what to do and how to do it to mitigate the fact we are on a computer; not just 2D as even VR users have issues there. Then you have the fact of flying against AI (we fly PvP occasionally as well) where the AI "knows" if you are friendly or enemy and does not need to go through the target ID thing while the human players do, at least for simulations' sake. Therefore we have discussed view mods to make the dots one color vs. two, but have probably settled on the red/blue colors due to the AI thing (if you will). In my years (past!) of flying F4/BMS I do not recall any such discussions or issues. It just never came up. I would also agree that spotting other aircraft in RL is nowhere near as difficult as it is in DCS (I was a PIT), and it felt about what it is in F4/BMS. Seems they got it right, or really close to reality in F4! Regarding BMS vs. DCS I think our group just really prefers DCS due to the ability to fly real (well, kinda - but you know what I mean) naval ops as well as the various aircraft that are not hacks. Then add the visuals on top of that and we are pretty much staying there. I can see your point regarding single player though - I have longed for a campaign ala F4 for DCS for years. One mission set we have found close is Surrexen's missions which is almost all we do nowadays. So despite its issues, we fully support DCS and hope thier dynamic campaign will be even half as good as the good old F4 dynamic campaigns. And yeah - sometimes the DCS visuals are just plain awesome.

[@hfritz8589]

Sorry, forgot to add. One of our guys found an interview on the fighter pilot podcast with Red Six AR. They are creating an augmented reality system for training, but feel it could be extended to RL by displaying actual contact labels on the visor to show their positions in sync with the aircraft system of course. Sounds a lot like DCS dot labels to us!

[@kentt8032]

Do you have a video of your flight sim setup?

[@samurai1-18]

I don't. Want to see one? It's not special...

[@ThunderingVipers]

I've used the alternative launcher but the key setup i make in it don't get loaded in the game, the default key setup comes up. Help please.

[@samurai1-18]

I'm not sure, Bilal...mine works every time...

[@ThunderingVipers]

@@samurai1-18 I messed up my updates thats why

[@lilvinegar5526]

Are the cockpits clickable in bms?

[@samurai1-18]

Yup!

[@MaxSterling01]

If you want some cool .PDFs dealing with the F-16 and Falcon 4.0 check out F-16.net under the downloads section. Lots of Falcon material as well as the unclassified F-16 stuff to read.

[@samurai1-18]

Very cool!

[@scottl9660]

I fly on the hoggit server hope to see you there

[@samurai1-18]

Cool; I fly under Samurai 1-1

[@scottl9660]

As an update Hoggit is DCS only at this point, Veterans Gaming has a public 24hr campaign though. See you there.

[@mro9466]

I'm also trying to get into BMS ! Not the most user friendly interface ^^

[@samurai1-18]

It's not, but what it lacks in intuitiveness, it more than makes up for in extensibility and power. Stick with it! You will be rewarded for your patience...

[@claudiodiaz9752]

I'm returning to Falcon. Last time I played it FreeFalcon was still a thing. I cannot find the option to enable monochromatic mfds. Do anybody knows how?

[@samurai1-18]

I think there is an option in the configuration....

[@shakmcgee1421]

its nice to see falcon 4.0 is still going strong after all these years... only wish my favorite sim (MS Combat simulator 2) had had the same love sigh :( anyone know why Microsoft never made another combat simulator again after?

[@samurai1-18]

I loved that sim as well. Not sure why MS is no longer in the game, but I'd imagine it has something to do with the dwindling market size of the combat flight sim niche...

[@hugofelix4491]

BMS feels alive

[@samurai1-18]

^^^this

[@m96920]

Is there any app for smartphones to handle avionics from there?

[@samurai1-18]

I'm not sure. It would be cool if there was...

[@ernestwinslow7316]

There was one for android phone but not sure if it is still supported. Yeah I tried one back in the days. You can search on the android playstore or the iPhone store with falcon 4 BMS search word.

[@Davidjune1970]

The biggest difference between the two simulators The campaign and missions in falcon 4/BMS makes you feel like you are actually part of a war. Even looking at just the air base you fly out, it is alive with NPC flights that are each running their own missions which you could follow to their conclusion if you want. It’s very disconcerting to come back from your own mission with low fuel only to be stacked with dozens of other flights that are landing and taking off ... then to be jumped by a flight of enemy fighters just when your bingo fuel warning goes off.

[@samurai1-18]

Yeah, so true!

[@ernestwinslow7316]

ATC is outstanding in bms

[@lawrencepickering1564]

I have Falcon 4.0 Allied Force, will it take the BMS program?

[@samurai1-18]

Alas no; you need the original F4. You can get it from Good Old Games though -- it's super-cheap

[@theaceofspades485]

I went from BMS to DCS. I had lots of issues getting BMS to work on my new computer and gave up on the voodoo magic to get it to run. I do miss it though because DCS F-16 does not come close to the depth of BMS.

[@samurai1-18]

Really? It shouldn't be that hard. The updates are a bit nuanced, but that should be the only odd bit...

[@theaceofspades485]

@@samurai1-18 It was crashing upon start up with: Falcon BMS.exe caused an EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION I found a thread about it in bmsforums with a list of 'fixes' its been awhile but I recall trying several with no avail. I have limited free time so I get easily frustrated with long troubleshooting. 😔

[@matheusgclassen]

@@theaceofspades485 the fix for that should be an exception for BMS on your anti-virus afaik

[@humbertolazarte8744]

Hello please ,the path 4,34 TAKE EL F5 tiger 2 drag parachute please

[@samurai1-18]

wha?

[@Tertius_Oculus]

Reinstalled BMS as well as my friend did.... the experience I remember having in the BMS dynamic campaign is incredible, it's a real active and alive battlefield in the 2D as well as in the 3D world. I believe that lots of DCS flyers don't have a clue what this is besides saying "it's dynamic missions". Whenever I fire up DCS, it feels constantly bad.. sandbox has no purpose for me personally, it's pure boredom. On one hand you got different expert models of aircraft and a suberb graphic etc. ... on the other hand the content is so thin. It's like having different luxury cars in the garage and no racetrack to drive on incl. a competition after learning how to master that beast. I don't believe they will surpass Falcons dynamic campaign and my brain already got branded with (DCS = boredom/low content) after all these years =( SAM logic & tactics with ambushes/pinging, supplies moving all around the map with a destination which makes sense, ground battles (not scripted) evolving at the FLOT, mission planning/strike packages with SEAD, an escort etc., the world still is alive in the 2D worlds (menues) with the small map and a news ticker telling us what happened, pilots (+skills), resources, strategic battle plans... and many more. The best: you can fly with your friends. While you just sit in the menues, he flies his own seperate mission. Sorry about my "strong" opinion but 22 years after mainly one dude did the work for Falcons dynamic campaign is really shame. That's the time where efforts have been lowered and games have ben utilizing KISS (keept it simple stupid (+beautiful)).

[@samurai1-18]

I don't disagree with much of this, but there are ways to inject engaging content in DCS. Have you tried DCS Liberation? It's pretty cool. Not as good as the dynamic campaign engine in BMS (I'm not sure anything will ever be), but still pretty awesome.

[@Tertius_Oculus]

​@@samurai1-18 About to try DCS Liberation. The hardest part is that DCS is branded as a boring sim in my brain since lots of years. There is a way to inject engaging content but... it simply isn't enough to release chaotic mods-requiring trial and error missions like back in the days of F/A-18 Interceptor by EA.... on the Amiga.

[@RavenCodex]

I own a Quest 2 and a few Alienware R10's My Primary with R7 5800 non X, 64 GB ram, 3080ti 12 GB.. BMS is just as fine in VR as is DCS.

[@gregorybentley5707]

With 4.36 having just come out do you still have BMS in your sim rotation? I absolutely hope so because everything you said more relevant than ever but I don't see any BMS videos on your channel anymore

[@Setmose]

One other tool you might want to include in your getting started list (or maybe it's my insane completionist list) is the Tacview post-mission analysis package. Very professional, and fun to use. www.tacview.net/product/en/

[@samurai1-18]

Yeah, good tip!

[@armhunter]

After playing DCS in VR I cant ever go back to flat screen!

[@simisg2121]

When did dcs get raytracing

[@William3000x]

I love BMS and wish I was able to fly it right now, but it won't even start anymore. I've tried everything I've read in forums, but nothing seems to fix my problem. The game launches, screen goes black, freezes for a couple of seconds, and crashes so hard that I can't even Alt+TAB out of it. The crashed black screen persists on top of everything else that is running and I can't even see anything. Forcing it to launch in windowed mode merely reduces the problem by making the crashed black screen not cover the entire desktop space and I can cycle into the Task Manager and kill the Falcon 4 process. But it doesn't prevent it from crashing anyway. I had a GREAT time enjoying the DCS Free-For-All Month that Eagle Dynamics gave us, and had some multiplayer fun with the Viper and the Hornet in the Persian Gulf map, but now it's over and I can't afford buying these modules at the moment. I miss flying the 16 and 18.

[@samurai1-18]

Sorry to hear that. Maybe try a fresh install of BMS?

[@RTS907]

Do you have an old monitor or display in your basement? When you mentioned black screen, I’m wondering if it switched to a video mode that your new display can’t handle. Since it’s an old program, that would be the first place I would look. Also make sure you are using the latest video drivers for your card. If you have the old hardware and a little time, it’s worth a shot! Now that I’m thinking about it, first just lower you video resolution and bit depth before launching the game. It might read you current display settings as it launches. ( try the 2nd one first, it’s the quickest to try)

[@jojo24911]

How do you get BMS?

[@samurai1-18]

I used a site called "good old games"...

[@joegagliano3362]

@@samurai1-18 I have the original Falcon 4.0 but don't know how to download that BMS UPDATE

[@samurai1-18]

@@joegagliano3362 Ah. Try the Benchmark Sims website: www.benchmarksims.org/forum/content.php

[@Ed-ty1kr]

If you are my age, and have experienced the progression of both flight sims, you will have both installed on your hard drive. But I started with a Commodore 64 and the MicroProse F15 Strike Eagle back in 1985, up to the current DCS and BMS, and even a bit of IL2 mixed in between. I've played Falcon, Falcon AT, Falcon 3.0, Falcon 4.0, Falcon 4.0 Allied Force, and on through the BSM mods. Ive also been through the original SU 27 Flanker, Lock On, Flaming Cliffs 1 & 2, A-10, Ka50 Black Shark and on to todays DCS World... And I must say, since there are only two developers making realistic modern combat sims, you might as well have both. And no, War Thunder is not a simulator, not in a true sense anyway, fun.. but no.

[@getsideways7257]

While I'm not the biggest fan of graphics, I should definitely mention you are missing out on the Channel map. Persian Gulf just can't hold a candle to it. In fact, this is the most immersive map in a flight sim currently (and I don't think MSFS2020 is going to change that). But the graphics overall is not that great, really. At least not yet. I wonder if by "ray tracing" you meant Screen Space Local Reflections... That's not really RT, but it does kill the frames noticeably too.

[@samurai1-18]

Thanks! I've not got the Channel map, as I don't tend to fly the warbirds, but maybe I should?

[@getsideways7257]

@@samurai1-18 You are welcome! Even though I've had made several attempts to get into warbirds in the past, it wasn't until I tried them in DCS relatively recently that they have clicked with me. Although with modern jets I would still prefer guns only duels, so maybe there is also that... Anyhow, even if you are against getting familiar with them, what about helicopters for the change of pace? They require a lot of skill to master them. An ideal distraction from the jets when you need one. The problem with the choppers is that they demand lots of ground detail compared to fast movers. That's where the Channel map comes into play. Previously I would never care much about where I fly these things, but the map changed all this in an instant. You just need to see it for yourself. Although it is pretty heavy on the resources, but even if I can dial in the settings that result in enough performance to hover a helicopter there, I don't think you'll have any problem at all. Personally I would recommend getting all three: the map, the P-47D and the Huey (or the Mi-8). Hope you'll enjoy it as much as I do, if not more.

[@channelwright9137]

I will always have a soft spot for Falcon 4. However, the problem i could never get over with falcon/BMS is the 30 mile weapon bubble. Stand off weapon are therefore kind of redundant and only there for athetics.

[@samurai1-18]

I don't understand quite what you mean by the 30 mile bubble...

[@skinless333x2]

I am sure this is great when you are a F-16 enthusiast but I am not, I do love my F-14B in DCS. I would rather like to see the people from BMS come over to DCS and help ED out. Especially since that comment Nick made. I respect the work people put into it but I don't see myself ever going to play it.

[@samurai1-18]

Fair enough. I do find there seems to be a bit of an "us and them" thing going on -- many hardcore BMSers are derogatory to DCS and vice versa. There is nothing wrong with respecting the other, but choosing one to focus on. I commend you, sir!

[@cjlight331]

Excellent. Would have been good to get a word of the real world weather tho.

[@samurai1-18]

Do you mean F4wx?

[@susannedugas8219]

You forgot the fundamental singularity that separates the two 'simulators': DCS is a cash cow; BMS is a labor of love. Because of that, DCS is always half-baked at the 85% completion level, while BMS strives for perfection. More than anything else, the love of money taints DCS, and the developers of BMS are absolved of this sin. With the implementation of 4.35 and the inclusion of DX11, BMS is well on its way to graphical greatness, not to mention the inclusion of VR.

[@cayenne7792]

Ray tracing? where?

[@getsideways7257]

Not even in the works, as far as I'm aware

[@cayenne7792]

@@getsideways7257 Samurai 1-1 Says DCS uses raytracing @2:19, what are you talking about?

[@samurai1-18]

My bad, guys -- I thought it did. But take away the erroneous detail for a second, and the overarching theme is still true; DCS has far more contemporary and higher fidelity graphics than BMS...

[@getsideways7257]

@@samurai1-18 The only sim with promised ray tracing support I'm aware of was Assetto Corsa Competizione. Not sure what happened to that, but it seems like KS have dropped the idea for the time being. If one is curious, they could try augmenting DCS with ReShade coupled with the mcflypg's screen space ray traced global illumination shaders, but I'm not even sure if that will work at all. Also a beast of a GPU is a must for that. Again, it's only screen space (based on the depth buffer).

[@ttdsi5745]

Little did you know.

[@SimMaverick]

This is just crazy are u real flyer?

[@samurai1-18]

Crazy in what way? I've taken a few lessons, but don't have my licence yet...

[@Ultrajamz]

I’ve heard the BMS Enemy Combat AI is smarter

[@collinpankratz8735]

ironic he is talking about the graphics in dcs now after 2.7

[@Piergeiron]

If only BMS natively supported input devices with >32 buttons. Can't use my HOTAS without Njoy and Joystick Gremlin and whatnot and I refuse to do that. So I don't play BMS anymore.

[@samurai1-18]

Sorry to hear that, pal. I'm pretty happy with the button availability, but I _have_ lost one of my hat switches on my TM Warthog throttle...

[@Piergeiron]

@@samurai1-18 yeah, you know - between my VKB Stick and Virpil Throttle I have way over 40 buttons per device, and I'm losing more than just one 4-way AND I can't even invert my preferred thrust axis - its in the end just not worth it.

[@whiskizyo2067]

DCS - either dumb or literally cheating AI, bad performance issues, no dynamic missions, plenty of bugs and apparently unrealistic flying mechanics (real fighter pilots saying apparently you lose speed too quickly and gain it back too slowly - nerfed maneuverability so the servers dont catch on fire due to all those pretty graphics?). I hope you touch on these important points

[@samurai1-18]

All true...but I still enjoy it...

[@-_Nuke_-]

I can convince you to try BMS rather than just DCS with a simple phrase. BMS simulates the real F16 closely to 40% accuracy and DCS simulates it at 0,4% accuracy.

[@danybackstone]

Apart the fact already told here that Falcon has been built from a RTS core (which is the core of dynamic campaign DCS can't do), I can't agree with some arguments. First, Falcon 4 is 22y old, DCS is built upon the Lock On engine wich 17y old, not counting previous games like falcon 3, su27, FA-18 3/Korea/OIF (graphsim). Second, to those who thinks you feel being like in a real war with BMS, last time I played F4 AF, I took a F15E, loaded tons of durandal, flew around korea and bombed every single China airports. Received medals for this, and won the war the same day (on hardest difficulty). Moreover, to me, BMS IS a sandbox. In DCS, if you fail the mission, it's game over (at least in single player). Thirdly, It's well know that DCS is in perpetual evolution, Microprose has bailed out until recently, so yes, if you're playing beta version on DCS, don't be mad if your game is unstable. It's worse in private beta, and there's always tons of things dev are testing internally that you'll never see in the official release. But you still can run Black Shark 1 if you want, and it's stable. Scripting engine is not a bad thing, it can be very powerful, but it's very time consuming to create. Many games are based upon this, and it's working well, creating a custom world around you. So no, I won't go back to BMS for now, because DCS has many things to offer, even staying with one module paid 8 years ago (BS2).

[@samurai1-18]

Thanks for your thoughts!

[@yurikirsanov8763]

Never had any instabilities, crashes or anything similar with DCS Open Beta even in multiplayer. There are some things that are not implemented in aircraft or work incorrectly, but no stability issues for sure.

[@samurai1-18]

You're lucky!

[@michaeltuffin8147]

ED won't survive unless it produces a dynamic campaign on par with with the F4 one. Players have been pining for one for years.

[@kontoname]

Uhm... could you point out where DCS uses raytracing? It doesn't even have proper dynamic lighting... Just try taxing under airport lights at night - your whole plane will be pitch black. DCS uses VERY dated graphics. Couldn't agree any better with the rest though. Stability, maturity and especially the amazing tools for content creation. Not to mention the mess with addons and DLC that prevent others to join your mission if they don't have the assets e.g. from asset pack.

[@samurai1-18]

Yeah, I can't; I got it wrong -- sorry about that.

[@simonnomis5302]

bms is war. it feels real...dcs is a dedicated plane sim and its impressive give a vietnam map planes and dynamic war and dcs will be king......most of dcs maps are out of place....

[@tsangarisjohn]

I don’t like BMS’s flight model. It is way to linear, not natural. Doesn’t seem natural at all. Unless it’s something in my settings I’m not aware of. It feels like a game not a simulation.

[@colderwar]

DCS is almost always broken in some way, and ED don't really seem to care too much as long as the money keeps coming in. Third party modules take years to reach a finished state and even then they are really never finished because the core engine underlying it all is forever changing and fucking their efforts up. Assuming they are making any effort in the first place, Razbam and others.... Falcon BMS looks pretty horrible, and all the other BMS planes range from 'just about acceptable by the low standards prevailing' to 'I could draw a better plane than that when I was 7 years old ' - so anyone who is only mildly interested in F-16's and might want another jet is out of luck. I wish Microprose or someone else would enter the jet combat sim game...that would force Eagle Dynamics to get a grip.

[@samurai1-18]

You're not wrong; competition is always good for the consumer...