

DCS World Steam Edition
Price History
Past 36 months · Updated dailyPrices cover Steam and 39 authorized stores; only legitimate offers are counted. The chart shows weekly market-wide lows and Steam's official price across the past 36 months.
































































































































01About DCS World Steam Edition
DCS World Steam Edition is a free-to-play digital battlefield built around flying the Su-25T attack jet and TF-51D Mustang. Fly across the Caucasus and Mariana Islands, or use the Mission Editor to build missions and campaigns. Network play includes PvP, PvE, and multi-crew aircraft. Player rating: 85% from 41,437 reviews.
Credits
Lowest recorded in 36 months
$0.002023-08-12 · SteamBase game · same records as the chart above; USD history, not a regional Steam low.Language support
| Language | Interface | Subtitles | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simplified Chinese | Yes | Yes | — |
| English | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| German | Yes | Yes | — |
Show 4 more languages
| Language | Interface | Subtitles | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Yes | Yes | — |
| Russian | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Czech | Yes | Yes | — |
| French | Yes | Yes | — |
Steam PC edition data · 2026-10-28
02Before you buy
Free starting content
DCS World Steam Edition is free to play on Steam and includes the Su-25T, TF-51D, and Caucasus and Mariana Islands maps.
Modes and language
The Steam listing includes single-player, multiplayer, and co-op. Supported languages include English interface and full audio.
03Frequently asked questions
What does the free download include?
The free download includes the Su-25T, TF-51D, and maps of the Caucasus and Mariana Islands.
Can I play solo or with others?
Yes. Steam lists single-player, multiplayer, and co-op.
Can I make my own missions?
The Mission Editor supports creating your own missions and campaigns; online play includes PvP and PvE servers.
Popular Steam reviews
Native-language selection · 10 reviewsSelected helpful reviews in this language show both recommendations and criticisms. This selection does not represent the overall positive rating; opinions reflect the version reviewed.
*Starting engines* *BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP* *trying to take off* BEEPBEEP BEEPBEEP BEEPBEEP *Flying* *BEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEP* *BEEPBEEP BEEP BEEPBEEP BEEBEBEBEBE* 11/10Show moreShow less
This is a decent game still in development on a 20 year old graphics engine and that will never change, What probably also never will change is the fact the "community manager" is a total tyrant. Your opinion doesn't count and he wll remove messages without even thinking about it. If you even dare to comment on such a removal. you will be banned. Here on steam it is the same situation with the same "community manager" If this review will give me a permanent ban, so be it. At least I don't get banned on my knees.Show moreShow less
Got a cat here. Friends passing by can touch her and click Like to touch her once. __ /> フ | _ _ l /` ミ_xノ / | / ヽ ノ │ | | | / ̄| | | | | ( ̄ヽ__ヽ_)__) 二つShow moreShow less
DCS: A Beautifully Flawed Masterpiece ✈️ Before you invest your valuable time and hard-earned money into DCS, you should know the truth behind the game and its developer. This isn’t just a review; it’s an important breakdown of the realities surrounding DCS, its business practices, and why many players feel both awe and frustration. If you’re considering joining the community, this is a must-read. --- Introduction: A Study Sim Like No Other Digital Combat Simulator (DCS) isn’t just a game—it’s a study sim. This means it offers an unparalleled level of detail and realism, requiring players to dedicate countless hours learning the intricate systems of modern and historical aircraft. The visuals are breathtaking. From the stunning aircraft models to the dynamic weather effects, every detail adds to the immersion. Flying with friends in multiplayer is where DCS truly shines, delivering experiences that feel as close to real aviation as a simulation can get. However, it’s not all smooth flying. Behind the beautiful exterior lies a game that’s heavily burdened by technical and managerial shortcomings. If you’re considering diving into DCS, there are some critical things you need to know. --- Performance Woes: Old Engine, New Hardware Requirements 🖥️ DCS is built on a very old engine with legacy code that struggles to keep up with modern gaming standards. While updates are regularly pushed, the core infrastructure is woefully inefficient. As a result, the game relies heavily on brute-force hardware to maintain acceptable performance. Even with a high-end PC, you’ll likely face challenges in maintaining smooth frame rates—especially in complex missions or when using VR. It’s a frustrating situation, considering the hardware requirements feel unnecessary for what the game offers. DCS doesn’t utilize hardware efficiently, and instead, it demands top-tier specs to compensate for its outdated engine. For a game released in 2008, this reliance on raw power instead of optimization is unacceptable and a significant barrier for new players. --- The Real Problem: Eagle Dynamics and The Fighter Collection 🚩 For many, the true issue with DCS lies not in the game itself but in the company behind it—Eagle Dynamics (ED). To understand the growing dissatisfaction in the community, you must look at the connection between ED and its parent company, The Fighter Collection (TFC). TFC is a private UK-based organization focused on restoring historical military aircraft. Noble as that mission may sound, this relationship creates a troubling conflict of interest. Under the leadership of Nick Grey, who oversees both TFC and ED, many believe DCS primarily exists as a revenue source to fund TFC’s restoration projects rather than as a dedicated flight simulator platform. This dynamic has resulted in a damaging cycle: Aggressive Monetization: New modules, campaigns, and features are pushed out constantly, often in unfinished states. Unfinished Products: Promised features like Vulkan integration and the dynamic campaign remain in perpetual limbo. Neglect of Existing Modules: Older modules rarely see meaningful updates, despite being sold at premium prices. The F-15E Scandal: Deception in Plain Sight One of the most shocking examples of ED’s questionable practices is the ongoing sale of the F-15E Strike Eagle module. Developed by third-party team Razbam, the module was highly anticipated but quickly became a disaster. Razbam reportedly went unpaid by ED, leading to the dissolution of their development team. The module has since been abandoned, with no updates or support expected. Yet, ED continues to sell it as a full-price DLC without disclosing its unfinished and unsupported state. 💔 This is outright deception: Customers are not informed that the promised features are unlikely to ever materialize. There’s no warning or disclaimer, leaving buyers unaware of the risks. Refunds are nearly impossible to obtain, especially through platforms like Steam. ED knowingly leaves customers in the dark to maximize profits, prioritizing monetization over transparency and customer satisfaction. --- Monetization Over Quality: The Never-Ending Cash Grab 💸 DCS modules are expensive, often costing more than AAA games. While the depth and realism might justify the price for some, the issue lies in the delivery: Modules Are Frequently Incomplete: Many are released in unfinished states, with key features missing and updates delayed indefinitely. Paid "Upgrades": Recently, ED began charging for minor graphical improvements to older modules, despite these updates feeling like they should be free. Core Features Are Still Missing: Promises like Vulkan support or the long-awaited dynamic campaign remain unfulfilled. These issues highlight a troubling pattern: ED focuses on revenue generation at the expense of delivering a polished, reliable product. For a game so deeply rooted in community trust, this is a massive betrayal. --- Transparency and Community Relations: A Broken Trust 🤐 One of the most frustrating aspects of ED’s management is their lack of transparency. Updates are delayed without explanation. Announcements are vague or misleading. The community is often left in the dark for years regarding the status of promised features or fixes. This lack of communication, combined with aggressive monetization, leaves players feeling exploited. Instead of fostering goodwill, ED’s actions create an environment of distrust and disappointment. --- What New Players Need to Know 📖 If you’re considering joining the world of DCS, here’s what you need to understand: It’s Expensive: Modules cost as much or more than AAA games, and you’ll need multiple to get the full experience. It’s a Commitment: Learning to operate these aircraft can take weeks or months. This is not a casual game. It’s Hardware-Intensive: Without a top-tier PC, you’ll face significant performance issues. The Company is Controversial: ED’s business practices and lack of transparency have alienated a large part of the community. --- Final Thoughts: Proceed With Caution ⚠️ DCS is an amazing platform with the potential to be the ultimate flight simulator, but it’s held back by mismanagement and corporate greed. The game’s depth and realism are unparalleled, but these strengths are overshadowed by Eagle Dynamics’ troubling priorities. 💡 For New Players: Be aware of the risks before investing your time and money. Understand that many modules are incomplete, performance can be frustrating, and the company’s practices often leave players feeling exploited. 💡 For Veterans: It’s painful to watch a platform with such potential repeatedly fail its community. The aggressive monetization, broken promises, and lack of transparency are not just disappointing—they’re unacceptable. Until Eagle Dynamics addresses these core issues, DCS will remain a deeply flawed masterpiece. It’s a game that inspires awe in the skies but leaves many players grounded in frustration.Show moreShow less
How to support war against ISIS aka Islamic state. 1. Install DCS 2. Run it, Su-25 dlc is free 3. Read manual and do some routine train missions: focus on bombing, cause ISIS there are no planes yet, no dogfighting. 4. You're ready to join Russian-aerospace forces 5. Take your real-life Su-25 and bomb ISIS 6. Return home alive and give my review a thumb up for being helpful.Show moreShow less
I'm very disappointed that you make such a beautiful and complex fighter simulation game only to make the planes the most critical portion of the game so expensive that it drives people away from the game. I realize you want to make some profit in this game but come on guys do you really think people will pay 2500 dollars to get all the dlc let alone one plane for 100 dollars your out of your mindShow moreShow less
Yeah. Its a study sim. No way around it, you're going to need to read some manuals and watch some youtube videos. It will be time consuming, and it's definitely a delayed gratification. But when it all comes together, there's this moment when it clicks, you start to really understand the core of the planes or helos. And it starts becoming a lot easier. You can actually get the plane up and down reliably. No more overshooting the runway or just smacking into the ground. You know how the tedious nav system works, the guns, rockets, bombs, etc. You learn the nine-lines, and ATC jargon, the GCI callouts, and whatever the f*** taxi'ing via Mike Bravo means. Faster than you realize, somewhere over Syria, or Guam, Georgia, wherever; you pickle your laser guided GBU-12. You're sitting there patiently watching your TGP while in autopilot orbit and you wait as the bomb falls from 25,000 feet up. Randomly, you remember a month ago that you couldn't even start the plane. You cant help but grin. Then your 500 lb bomb makes contact with the beater toyota and lights up your FLIR camera like the fourth of july. That's it, that's the moment. The game has you. It only gets better.Show moreShow less
Edit: Eagle Dynamics has allegedly scammed one of their contractors, Razbam. They have allegedly done it because the owner of this company has a "warbird collection" and has taken funds out of the company account to expand his hobby and they are short on cash. Many people got banned by this developer on forums because they criticized. Great game, terrible customer handling. I criticized the developers for not working on essential controls and I got banned from the community. DCS has no competitors other than the 30 year old sim (BMS) so they can treat you in any way they want. Modules pretty much worth their money and it's good to know that developers invest a lot to import them into the game. So dont complain about the prices. Game is amazing but I encourage you to downvote in order to get the devs to treat us better. If you remember the devs talking about the price of the new carrier module; they did not focus on explaining the community that they need to spend money and a considerable time, they rather straight out said that; It is the price, either buy or don't. Not very friendly towards their supporters, you know. Edit: I have deleted a few comments criticizing my attitude. I guess they can empathize now. Edit after a long time: DCS in core has seen some solid upgrades over the last two years after the change in the CEO staff. The attitude taken towards the game and the customers has changed drastically and honestly, the updates now are more common and much more based on the feedback. In other words, quality of life updates are now based on what people demand. I will wait another year and see whether the promised Vulkan and FLIR technology makes a difference. If this is achieved whilst keeping the modules updated according to the roadmap, I will change this review to positive. Currently, the only red flag is the developers silently removing a few items from the promised features (Mk-77 from Hornet). Edit again after a few years: DCS now features the multicore implemented and the performance has increased considerably across all rigs. Looking back, ED have improved their attitude by a lot towards the community. I would suggest the developers to not delay Quality of Life updates for the sake of bigger updates. Other than that, following items are on my list before this review changes to positive: -Vulkan -Multi-sensor Integration for the Hornet (FLIR TWS and launching on Datalink contacts) -NAVFLIR (USMC Hornets were capable) -AMRAAM Performance (Notch/Lookdown filters) thing can't be notched like an antique radar. Did an amazing job in last update, well done. Lastly, change your ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ attititude towards the F-16. It is a very modular jet, add some JASSMs, SDBs, NAVFLIR, CRTs, Drag chute, AGCAS, AIM-7, Durandal, SPICE, Harpoon, IRIS-T (ask from TrueGrit already ffs, they have it), WARHUD, APKWS. All of the above except for Vulkan can be achieved in 5-6 months at worst, don't ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ me. I know what you are capable of.Show moreShow less
>Be me >DCS World is free >F-15 is only $15 >"I am Eagle" >Sit through 3 min video >"The F-15 is one of the easier aircraft to fly." >Learn how to start engines >Learn how to control throttle >Learn how to taxi >Learn how to use flaps >Certified Ace Pilot >Load in game >Start engines and taxi to runway >Good take off >Fly around a bit >"BINGO FUEL." >Time to land >On final approach >Flaps down >"♥♥♥♥!" >Start fighting controls >Plane jerking wildly >Alarm sounds >Plane basically falling out of the sky >Screaming and cursing >Approach angle is ♥♥♥♥♥♥ >Tower already on the phone with the fire department >Hits ground >Impressed with fact that I actually hit the runway with my landing gear >TOO ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ FAST >Left main gear is gone >Plane drops to left and wing decides to jump ship as well >Sparks and fire everywhere >Plane grinds to a halt on its side a few hundred yards down the runway >EJECT! >Pilot lands a few feet away >Walks to the wreckage >"Damn, I hope they don't take my wings." >Chuck Yeager spits at me 10 out of 10. Would crash again.Show moreShow less
I love this game! BUT, I hate what I am seeing too. Simply and plainly, you need lots of money to enjoy this game. This game offers an extremely immersive and realistic experience in the cockpit, but at a heavy cost. You need VR or headtracking to be effective in a dogfight. This game was MADE for dogfighting. if you don't have either of those platforms/peripherals, you are toast. There are 80 dollar flight models on this game. I eventually did pay for one because it came in a bundle, and it IS my favorite airframe, however, that is well past the value of most complete simulator games. I bought another airframe for much less. It came with no training missions whatsoever. So now I have some airframes that cost more than most games are worth after years. I am learning an airframe well, but there are no missions regarding arming that aircraft for a mission. Am I required to leave the game to learn how to do this? Do I have to ask around how to do this? I want to do introductory missions in a single-player setting so I may properly learn how to play missions in this game, without the pressure of a random online peer coaxing me through it all. I see that there are campaigns. This is good, and only for 10 dollars...I grimace, but I think it may be worth it-HOLD UP, WAIT A MINUTE, what is this? In order to use the campaign-the only campaign you offer for this airframe...I have to buy another DLC. This terrain DLC is worth half of the cost of my airframe at 40 dollars. So now I am supposed to pay an additional 50 dollars for campaign setting, and learning the game effectively...egregious...I still haven't learned how to arm the bird for war. I have already paid about 100 dollars at this point...egregious...The peripherals can augment how you feel about it too, but that is on a case by case basis.Show moreShow less
Source: original Steam user reviews. Helpful votes are an archived snapshot, not live data. Last collected: 08/15/2026.
Looking for another game? Use thesearch abovefor full price comparison + reviews.