[6] The game has extensive support for joysticks and HOTAS input devices ranging from gamepads[7] to 1:1 replica cockpits.

[11] A mission editor is included for users to create their own scenarios and campaigns with support for scripting in Lua.

The community has developed tools to create missions using procedural generation[12][13][14] and real-time editing,[15] and hosts servers that simulate dynamic battlefields.

[16][17][18] DCS World acts as a unified modular platform, in contrast to previous installments in the series which were standalone products.

[24] The United States Air Force's 355th Training Squadron at Davis-Monthan AFB makes use of DCS as an instrument and weapons-system trainer for the A-10C.

[25] Before the Mirage 2000C was retired in 2022, the French Air Force used DCS for both instrument and tactical training with the M-2000C module, citing insufficient numbers of professional simulators.

[51] Flaming Cliffs 3 was released later that year, which added aircraft from Lock On as modules of DCS World.

2.0 added support for more detailed terrain including the Nevada Test and Training Range map.

[59] DCS World 2.7 was released as an open beta in April 2021, with new weather and clouds as well as improved piston engine simulation.

[62] DCS World 2.8 was released as an open beta in October 2022, improving atmospheric effects and AI basic fighter maneuvers.

[63] DCS World 2.9 was released as an open beta in October 2023, featuring support for Nvidia DLSS and AMD FSR, improvements to multiplayer voice chat, higher fidelity data link and radar simulation, and new graphics and camera effects.

The 2024 modules were adapted from work created for another Eagle Dynamics product, Modern Air Combat, which was "shelved" earlier in 2024.

A large portion of aircraft and terrains in the DCS World ecosystem are developed by companies officially licensed by Eagle Dynamics to produce modules for the simulator.

[72] Eagle Dynamics offered full refunds to customers and introduced a code escrow policy for future third party agreements.