HeadTracking systems on the DCS Series

We, the undersigned, call on Eagle Dynamics to include support for another head tracking system within LockOn and the DCS Series, additional to the commercial offering from NaturalPoint - TrackIR. We are aware that Eagle Dynamics stopped developing a tracking protocol by request of NaturalPoint. This petition has been started to show the level of support there is for alternative methods of head tracking and hope that it will encourage Eagle Dynamics to continue its development.

A general summary of our case has been outlined below:
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Objective
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We would like the DCS/LockOn line of products be enhanced to support additional widely-available view direction control devices in addition to the existing TrackIR, mouse and keyboard. Additional view control devices include:

* webcams
* Wiimote
* Kinect


Benefits
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We believe supporting additional view controls would:

* Make DCS and LockOn products more accessible for those without TrackIR hardware but with webcams.

* Give a better user experience for users that use webcams already if support was included in the game.

* Give the DCS line more options to use future head-tracking technologies (Microsoft Kinect etc).

* While still allowing users who have TrackIR hardware to continue to use their devices.


How to achieve this
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There are numerous Free Software libraries that can be used to support additional view control devices. These include, but are not limited to:

* FreeTrack: http://www.free-track.net/english/ [50,000+ downloads]
* FaceTrackNoIR: http://facetracknoir.sourceforge.net/home/default.htm [20,000+ downloads so far]
* Predator: http://info.ee.surrey.ac.uk/Personal/Z.Kalal/tld.html

In particular, after discussion with the FaceTrackkNoIR developer he has stated a willingness to assist Eagle Dynamics with integration if necessary.


Example: Armed Assault
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Please note that there is a precedent for this request. The Armed Assault (ArmA) game by Bohemia Interactive Studio was in a similar position where they only supported TrackIR hardware. A user-initiated petition was signed by over 900 people requesting support for FreeTrack in addition to TrackIR. Bohemia Interactive responded positively and provided support for FreeTrack via an update.

This shows that Bohemia Interactive was able to support TrackIR as well as FreeTrack in their commercial product. If it was possible for Bohemia Interactive we cannot see a reason why The Fighter Collection/Eagle Dynamics could not similarly support multiple view direction devices.


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We hope that the support for this petition will persuade Eagle Dynamics to support an alternative HeadTracking system with its Lockon/DCS series of Flight Simulators.