The DCS world just keeps getting bigger, and angrier

Close on the heels of the Normandy map, which provides a playground for the small collection of WWII era planes, comes the Persian Gulf map. DCS World is arguably, at its very core, a modern air combat simulator and the Persian Gulf is an international hot spot when it comes to modern political/military disagreements. The Strait of Hormuz is always a potential problem due to its importance to shipping, and especially when it comes to shipping oil. If the strait gets blocked, it is next to impossible for the middle east oil magnates to get their product to market. In a region that is already politically unstable, it doesn't take much to get fleets of military ships headed that way.

There's also enough open water outside of the strait to play host to aircraft carriers too, so the upcoming DCS Harrier and F-18 will feel right at home.

DCS tends to create extremely complex and attractive maps that actually behave well on lower-power PCs, as opposed to many other flight sims that bog down with sub-par scenery. Add in the strong VR component and you have what might be the industry leader in consumer-grade military flight simulation.

The Persian Gulp map is currently available for pre-purchase in the DCS eStore for $39.99, which is $10 off the release price of $49.99. Hopefully DCS already has enough contemporaneous equipment to populate it with so we don't end up on the hook for a $29 asset pack, which is what happened with the Normandy map.

From the DCS home office:

The Persian Gulf Map for DCS World focuses on the Strait of Hormuz, which is the strategic choke point between the oil-rich Persian Gulf and the rest of the world. Flanked by Iran to the North and western-supported UAE and Oman to the south, this has been one of the world’s most dangerous flash points for decades. It was the location of Operation Praying Mantis in 1988 in which the US Navy sank several Iranian naval vessels.

The region also includes the vast Arabian Sea that is well-suited for combat aircraft carrier operations, and it will be an amazing area of operations for the upcoming Hornet and Tomcat. Be it from land bases in Iran, UAE and Oman, or from the deck of an aircraft carrier, the Persian Gulf Map offers a wide array of combat mission scenarios to prove your mettle.

Key Features:

• 200,000 sq km highly detailed map area that centers on the Strait of Hormuz.
• As part of DCS World 2.5, this map include highly detailed terrain, textures, seas, and buildings.
• 13 accurately created airbases in Iran, the UAE and Oman. Airbases include a variety of landing aids that can include TACAN, VASI lights, realistic approach lights, and VOR.
• Detailed cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Bandar Abbas with unique buildings.
• "Strong Hold" islands such as Abu Musa, Siri, and the Tunb islands.
• Iran, the UAE and Oman will be added to the list of DCS World nations.
• Unique trees, bushes, grass and other vegetation using speedtree technology.
• Varied terrain from towering mountains and valleys to desert plains.
• New Iranian liveries