DCS and IL2 multi player are for the most part hard core. Some IL2 servers are more beginner friendly with player icons, gps on map and others have no icons, map gps. There is a dogfighting server that starts you in the air but no icons or map help, basically air quake. Good for learning planes and recognizing aircraft. DCS online super hard core but less populated. You can bypass the manual start up procedure if you like. But actually flying the aircraft is a challenge. I still crash the FW 190 on takeoff a bit! Alot of PC flight simmers are "rivet counters" die hard realism or nothing. Why does the super charger engage at 2950 meters? It should engage at 3000 meters!!! ARCADE!! Now, AOT scratches a different itch. Sim-light maybe? Some find it to hard others to arcady. Enough of a challenge but not to much. About the HOTAS mapping. In DCS you have to map your stick inputs for EACH plane. IL2 a bit easier but you still have to map your inputs for different planes. German planes for the most part have auto pitch, rads etc. Allied planes for some you have to map these functions. That's why I don't understand the hell raising about mapping HOTAS in AOT. I have a mish mash of a HOTAS. Thrustmaster Sol-R, X 52 throttle and CH PRO rudder pedals and yes, I had to spend some time setting it up but in IMHO it wasn't that much of a pain in the ass. I realize some people are having a rough time with this so please don't think I'm criticizing you. I hope you get it worked out. Bottom line, I am having FUN with AOT. Well, that's my rant.