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DOVETAIL GAMES’ LICENSING DEAL WITH MICROSOFT TAKES FLIGHT - 09 July 2014

It's all about Microsoft Flight Simulator X, and it's old news. Right?


Then why did this announcement not really ring any bells when I first saw it? BACK IN AUGUST!

DOVETAIL GAMES LOOKS TO THE FUTURE COLLABORATING WITH MICROSOFT

They're talking about releasing it in 2016 - "and Dovetail Games Flight Simulator, built on the foundations of Microsoft’s award-winning Flight technology."

"Award-winning" Microsoft Flight Really?

I suppose that they have to play it up



But this doesn't sound like the Microsoft game called "Flight".

"Dovetail Games Flight Simulator is set for release in 2016. For flight sim enthusiasts and gamers looking for a deeply immersive flight game, it promises to deliver the ultimate pilot’s experience, taking them on a journey from novice to pro pilot."

Although Microsoft Flight looked pretty I deleted it in less than two hours.

This may be different. We'll just have to wait and see.

There are now a lot of 'apps' out there you can download for free or buy which are better than 'Flight' was - but the reason they are limited is that simple term - 'open source' - & that they are not - and nor was 'Flight' - and the lack of the whole world. Flight only has Hawaii as starters then some more stuff was coming (you had to pay for). Limited planes (without VC's) etc etc ...

I note also the use of the word 'Game' ...

Personally I am not interested in any flying 'Game.
Personally I am not interested in any sim where I can't choose what to add and have a wide choice including lots for free (I don't like spending money unless I really have to)

The words "game" and "gamers" bothered me too.

But the phrase "For flight sim enthusiasts..." gives me hope.



When plans for FSX: SE were announced I figured that it would be on the MS Flight model - pay us for more if you want to do more.

Even after it had come out and people were saying that it was good, I kept waiting for them to say "The trial period is over. NOW, pay us for more".


After the fiasco of MF Flight, it's obvious that they would need to engage the flight sim enthusiasts, not just put out another limited game.

Take a look at Orbx/FTX. They have nothing that we need. They don't even hard sell their stuff.

Once we buy the Global Base product, we buy only what we want to, and only if we want to.

Such a strategy could work for a "new", but open & unlimited, flight sim based on the MS Flight engine.

It is working for Orbx.

I'm using non-Orbx scenery along with Orbx scenery. You could not do that with MF Flight. And it isn't hurting Orbx a bit.



But as I said, lets wait and see. Hopefully, we'll all be pleasantly surprised.

If not, then we still have what we have. And THAT is something that "they" have to take in to consideration.

Not forgetting that Dovetail is in the gaming business, (fishing sims...) & their games are distributed via Steam, probably the largest gaming distributor out there, I I'm also not holding my breath!
Remember, as well, for DTG to monetize whatever they might release, it will be targeted at their mass market, the gamers, & probably not our VERY much smaller niche market. The ideal way for them to do this, is to sell the basic 'game', & monetize the add-ons, such as what is being done with the train sims & such like.
Or even releasing 3x versions... 1x for the gamers (pretty basic, not to scare off the newbies who are dipping their toes into flight simming for the first time), 1x for the more 'involved' simmer, then the 3rd for the button pushers, those that would prefer a more 'hands-on' sim.

Just a few thoughts..
Oh, by the way....

There is no Holy Grail of flight simming out there, the search continues...

I agree with PETE and Old Airmail totally !!

Flight was really geared for the under 25 crowd " more less "GAMERS", who basically spent like 15 to 20 minutes tinkering with a Quick Flight of sum Aircraft, and really thought they had something Special, then attempted to "tout' " to the rest of US, "Veteran Serious Hard Core Flight Simulator Hobbyists", that Flight was the Future !!!

Really like in, Really

I've been Flight Simmin' since 2002, and theres 3 Kinds of Flight Simmers

1 - The Generic / Basic Flight Simmer who might maybe spend 15 to 20 minutes tinkering around flying, maybe as much a once a month , and who has hardly NO Add Ons, nor a Rig that can handle the Simulator . But spends more time with those other type fast action games


2nd - Type Simmer - now he's a tad bit more into it, has a few decent addon's, knows how to inject an Aircraft & Scenery properly, and spends as much as 20 to 30 hours a month Flying various Aircraft and just getting into learning the Navigation Techniques to get from Point A to Point B.

Then theres 3rd Type Simmer - he's totally Nuts, off his Rocker, has about every add on ya could imagine
has 2 or 3 Computer Rigs set up just to handle Flight Simulator, with Multiple Flat Panel Screen and I-Pads , and All Kinds of other Flight Simulator Hardware - Flight Yokes, Rudder Peddles, Throttle Quadrants , Head Tracking Software , Weather generating software, maybe even a Real Home Built Cockpit made from a Real Aircraft.

He also attends those Flight Simulator Conferences' across the Globe, has his own web site and YOU TUBE Channel just for Flight Simming and Supports the Flight Simulator Developers & Payware Designers & Artists of Aircraft & Scenery by purchasing decent quality Aircraft & Scenery once in a while.

Then aside from all that, you have the Aircraft & Scenery Designers who basically spend more time Developing & Designing Aircraft & Scenery and other utilities, who don't have the time to spend actually flying, because their time is tied up Developing & creating all this neat Kool Ass stuff were enjoying


The more of a ""GAME"" they turn it into, the LESS interested I'll become in it, and won't want anything to do with it !!

IF I wanted a GAME, I'd go fool & tinker with Play station & Xbox !!!!

or go to the Casino

1 look at the former Flight as soon as it came out, and started to hear the feed back from the "Serious Flight Sim Pilots" , versus the "Gamers" and I knew Flight wasn't goin' to make it, despite sum attempts and overly positive attitude from the "Gamers" who attempted to say other wize .


Theres "Gamers" and then theres Serious Flight Simulator Enthusiasts / Hobbyists , there is a Big Difference !


[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6hgAwDPQOU[/youtube]



[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5BmA3ejyHY[/youtube]

I don't actually use my Microsoft Flight Simulator as a; "Game"; but I am constantly aware of the fact that what I see on my monitor screen in front of me is merely a jumble of programmed, multi-coloured pixels being controlled by movements of my joystick.

...the rest is all in my vivid imagination!.... ....!

...and all my imaginary Aeroplanes are always Freeware, gratefully supplied by all the wonderful Freeware designers out there!

Paul....chasing the Pixels.... ...!

[quote="Jetranger"]I agree with PETE and Old Airmail totally !!

Flight was really geared for the under 25 crowd " more less "GAMERS", who basically spent like 15 to 20 minutes tinkering with a Quick Flight of sum Aircraft, and really thought they had something Special, then attempted to "tout' " to the rest of US, "Veteran Serious Hard Core Flight Simulator Hobbyists", that Flight was the Future !!!

Really like in, Really

Well, Jetranger, FSX's box has a big 3+ age on it.
The box says ' GAMES FOR WINDOWS'
It comes from Aces Gaming Studios & is/was sold in gaming stores..

I remember that they could not even give Flight! away at the time, & we, the ' established ' gamers, turned our noses up at it, calling it arcade-like etc.

However, it was actually not too bad, as a diversion. Great Hawaii scenery. So, if it was sold as a starter sim, it maybe would have done a bit better, but we all dumped it, as it was not the Holy Grail we are all looking for.

We actually need the under 25 crowd. These are the future developers out there, & it is these guys that have given us amazing add-ons, both freeware & payware, & have enhanced our emersion, & excitement. Remember, Microsoft sold us the original basic sim franchise, DTG got the re-distribution rights for FSX, with slight mods, & LM got hold of ESP & has really developed a very mature sim for the serious developers & their clients.

My thoughts go out to the poor developers out there that have to decide which sim they develop for..
FS9... yes, there are still developers
FSX... of course
FSX:SE ... DCP's from Steam
P3D ... unique in itself
DTG's new ... ??
& then, not to be forgotten,
X-Plane

Fozzer... yup, I also VERY much support the freeware guys. There are so many gems out there.
We have built up 2x sims at our VA. An Avro Shackleton & an AeroMacchi MB326, known as an 'Impala' here in South Africa, & was used as a trainer by our Air Force. Both of these are 2 seaters, & we use FS2004!!!!
We know we have found the golden nugget, when real pilots land & they ' bump' themselves in the seats anticipating the landing. So, do we need a better sim??

The subject of the post is Dovetail.

Their version of FSX is IMO as good as FS9 was in performance terms. With apparently simple changes they have reached the best sim from the MS saga. FSX boxed was always a promise but needed tweaks.

Prepar3D?. Officially is not a commercial program. Maybe with V3 they have reached the best, but is still a FSX variation and requires DX11. Being honest I feel like a "fashion" to have the LAST sim?

The big question is if sales of FSX-SE and related addons are a good business for Dovetail and developers. Don't forget that the product is Microsoft labeled.

Then Dovetail can continue developing a new sim and if they work as with FSX have done, they will make a good sim.

As per today I trust in Dovetail.