Simviation Forums

Is it worth the money to upgrade from FS2004?

To answer the question in the Subject here, four things I like:

1) Ground traffic
2) Better flight performance when comparing the same aircraft in both FS9 & FSX
3) Auto-generated wingtip vortices under certain conditions only
4) Nobody's mentioned this yet - G-force effects in the VC; you can experience your head snapping forward/back/up & down depending on the type of maneuver

Notwithstanding performance issues, as that is something that will be overcome with newer hardware, unique FSX issues I am not enamored with include:

1) A number of scenery omissions/inaccuracies have been mentioned, both here and at other forums (including comments about large desert areas all over the globe, and a recent post concerning the lack of a Hoover Dam) - these same items were correct in the default FS9, so how could they have missed them this time around?
2) I have reached the point where I feel comfortable creating addons  (aircraft & scenery) that are reasonably decent. With the advent of FSX, much of that knowledge has become redundant, as the protocol has changed drastically, with regard to designing objects for use in the sim. The difference in compatibility between FS8 & FS9 (making addons) was negligible; with FSX, it is considerable. Things have got to a point where working on addons has become more of a stressful, and less of an enjoyable, pastime (I know, nobody's holding a gun to my head, but there is a sense of satisfaction in completing your own creations and seeing others enjoy them as well). For example, adding landing/taxi lights in FSX, the fact that only special exclusions/flattens will work, gauge incompatibility (heck, I am still struggling with basic xml codes, now these are being tossed out in favour of a more compilcated version), etc.

I just felt compelled to mention these points, as it seems there is always a contradiction going on, with regard to technology. By the time you become used to it and it feels comfy, it is outdated, and time to relearn it all again with the newest version, and then the cycle repeats over & over...In the end, it's definitely worthwhile trying out the new stuff, particularly when everything comes together and it works nearly flawlessly. Also keep in mind that, if you do plan on using addons, because FSX is so new, your options will be limited; with FS9, you have access to pretty well any addon that you can conjure up in your imagination. And the same will be said for FSX in a few years, when it likely will be in the same position as is FS9 right now.

To answer your other question (e.g., is it worth it to upgrade), there are many posts out there covering the same. Not to be rude, but I am sure if you check back a few pages in the forum, you will find numerous opinions on the matter, that may help you in your decision.

lack of people/worker walking by and airport still looks a bit stiff and not 3d at all. hmm now is 2007, fsx coulda done better that that!.... not that realistic really....  :-/

i think it seriously lacks realism when it comes to emergencies. For example you decide on a flight, when you are in the air, you always get there. Why not spring us into action with an engine or electical faliure and have a real mayday situation to grab our attention?

1) A number of scenery omissions/inaccuracies have been mentioned, both here and at other forums (including comments about large desert areas all over the globe, and a recent post concerning the lack of a Hoover Dam) - these same items were correct in the default FS9, so how could they have missed them this time around?

I can answer that. In FSX, the world is no longer a cylinder.

What I like is the much improved VC's and models, and the Extra 300S awesome fly-by sound

yes i admit i like the different engine sounds you get when you rotate round the plane, and the wing view is good, i also like the underplane view with the wind sound too