More information about the event in the dedicated page.
The reveal of the F-14B(U) has been greeted by a complete, massive meltdown in Heatblur’s Discord server. The reason? The price of the F-14B Upgrade. So, let’s have a quick look at the “controversy”, assuming there is one, and some of the points I saw raised by players.
The Issue
The core of the matter is the price of the F-14B(U): circa £35, €43, or $50 US. This is higher than what most people expected. Whether it is justified or not, or too high or low, I won’t tell now. People have different means, currencies, incomes, and whatnot. 35 quid is not much here, but it might be in some other areas of the world.
Still, there is a way to assess the value of the module better, and it is via a series of considerations about what it offers.
Comparisons with other Modules
The most common point raised is the upcoming F-100D. For clarity’s sake, yep, I bought it, even if I am not interested in the F-100D. I would have preferred a dual seater F-100F for obvious reasons, but I totally see why Grinnelli went for the D. The reason I bought it is simple: the work the devs put into it looks fantastic, and I wanted to support that. Same reason why I bought the MiG-29 9.12A. However, I think that comparing the B(U) and the F-100D is a gross mistake: one is closer and closer to becoming fully digital (F-14D when?) and has brand-new avionics. The other is knobs and switches, and a very neat RWR. There is not a lot to discover inside the displays, and the work the devs have put into the module is not hidden there, which is something that happens with digital and 4th-gen fighters.
This concept is not the easiest to explain (and not sounding disrespectful is even harder!). Opening a parenthesis with IT, it is somewhat like comparing frontend and backend. Some applications might weigh more on one side, if that makes sense. Users may perceive the complexity of an application by what they see, but this does not mean what lies behind is related to that in any way. A single button on an application may trigger thousands of lines of code. Back to DCS, a store’s management system might be a couple of pages on an MFD. Not a big deal, right? Well, those pages might have more functions than 30 or 40 buttons, knobs, and switches. From a user perspective, knobs and switches are more impressive, but there is no equivalence with the development work required to make those MFD pages. This fact can skew a player’s perception.
The Big Misunderstanding
Let’s now move forward to why I think a higher price is justified and what I am not convinced about, starting from a simple matter that has probably created more confusion than expected: the name of the module itself, F-14B Upgrade. This version of the real Tomcat is actually called “Upgrade”, and the DCS module reflects that. However, this is not a DCS upgrade a-la F-5E, and I’m still not sure what it was about. The B(U) is an almost completely new aircraft. The avionics, such as PTID, are drastically different and have updated functionalities. Brand new is the air-to-ground management system and related toys such as the JDAM. The CAP has been replaced by a new digital pad interfaced with a new GPS-assisted INS. The HUD is modern and new, accompanied by new MFDs. Other features include a new countermeasures system, the ability to transmit images, and a new data-cartridge system to simplify avionics configuration, and much more.
So, what is left of the old F-14B? The engines and aircraft performance, probably, but it depends on whether the aircraft’s weight has changed. Still, even if they were the same, the B(U) has a digital flight system. Not fly-by-wire yet, and thank god for that, I love non-fly-by-wire in videogames, but it is a wholly new feature, and not a minor one! Next, the AWG-9 is more or less the same, but the main interface is brand new and has a ton of modern features.
On top of that, there are improvements that will be applied to the whole F-14 line, such as Jester receiving features from the F-4E, in-game browser and manual, the grease pencil, campaigns, et cetera. Imagine if Heatblur had locked those features behind the purchase of the B(U)!
I think the point is rather clearer now: this is not a DCS module upgrade, it is an almost completely new DCS module, with innovations and improvements cascading to the previous four other Tomcats: the -95, -135 Early and Late, and the B.
What Can be Improved
I think the biggest issue with this launch has been the timing. The reveal trailer is fantastic, as usual, and showed tons of the new features and improvements. It convincingly conveyed the idea that the B Upgrade is a de facto new module. But… It was late. It was released after the newsletter, or at least that’s how I received them. If this odd timing issue hadn’t happened, players would have probably understood the amount of work poured into the B(U), leading, I suppose, to fewer complaints.
The other point is different: I didn’t expect the lack of a stand-alone version. I am sure there is a reason behind it, either commercial, technical, or both, for instance, a separated module would duplicate several gigabytes of data, I suppose.
I think a stand-alone version, if feasible, would help players to have more options, which is always good. It would also reinforce the idea that the B-Upgrade is not an Upgrade… if you see what I mean!
Anyway, I tossed a line into the aether, and we’ll see what happens.
Conclusions: Vote with your Wallet
The note on the world status quo neatly links to a simple concept: these days, money is all that matters. My voice means zilch, your voice too, most of the time. The only way we can have an impact is via our wallet, by purchasing or not purchasing a certain product. So, do you like what the B(U) brings to the DCS Tomcat family? Great, buy it. You don’t like it, or you think it is too much? Then don’t. It is that simple. Perhaps wait for a future further discount, or play something else.
Personally, I like what I have seen in the trailer, and I have seen the amount of work poured into it. I am not interested in the F-14B(U), as it is too modern. But I am not particularly interested in the F-100D and the MiG-29 9.12A, but I bought all of them anyway to support the considerable improvements the devs have made.
To wrap this up, think with your head. Perhaps wait for further previews or information, and then decide.