SP2 Post is Live

[PhilTaylor]

If we can have an intelligent, rational discussion I will participate.

See http://blogs.msdn.com/ptaylor

[krigl]

Hi Mr Taylor,

Thank you for posting here; I hope you get some rational discussion, though not everyone is capable of it - those who are not are not particularly welcome on this site and I hope the moderating team will be able to keep them under control....

1. My first impression, as a DX9, XP user is that the new SP seems okay - certainly an added 20% efficiency in FPS is a good thing, and the extra planes in Acc. are a bonus. As I understand it we will need to buy Acceleration to get SP2 fixes, which people might not like - if what you mean is they fix stuff in SP2 which doesn't work as intended - if that's the case perhaps you'll offer those fixes as a free patch seperately?? If not the case, either rewording of SP2 'fixes' 'might' be an idea, or I just need a new brain  ;D - sorry, posting from work, very busy but wanted to react as I'm within a fortnight or so of buying FSX...

2. Will add-ons like Active Sky X, X graphics, Flight Environment X also work with SP2? And is it possible that in the future there will be products like this produced that won't work without SP2, or Accelleration for that matter?

3. I am one of the many people who love taking screenshots. I'm of course disappointed that all the external eye candy didn't get done - sunrays and a realistic looking water bodies would be simply wonderful. I can live without shadows in the VC, but other people will of course say the opposite. My personal opinion would be - given the choice between fulfilling expectations, and providing something different which was not expected and will please some and not others, I'd have gone with fulfilling expectations, if it was possible. I think you have a feeling on those lines yourself, hence the note that 'there's no reason to flame us'. People will, of course....

4. The thing that I particularly am disappointed with is: Yes, I would be happy with SP2 and might buy Accelleraton at some point... but if there was SP3 on the horizon which finally met those expectations. Yet the Studio is moving on and leaving FSX behind now? Well, you can naturally expect a lot of people won't be happy with that. But it will die down again... and people will start looking forward to FX11.... with hope  :)

To close, these are just my personal hurried impressions, got to get back to work now.

Maybe I misread some stuff - however I offer these opinions in case they are helpful - FS is my big hobby, I love FS9 and I fully expect to love FSX even more!! It looks wonderful, and almost every one who uses it seems to be in love with it now...Thank you very much for all your hard work, and for taking the time to come in here and ask us what we think!!!

Roger Turland

[Daube]

Thanks a lot for the notification.

[Slotback]

$30 looks like a nice price for fsX considering what you get.

as I understand it we will need to buy Acceleration to get SP2 fixes, which people might not like

Quote from Avsim:

The SP2 fixes have been integrated into Acceleration, but as a stand alone patch they will be released after the xpack as a download, just like SP1.

[firemonte007]

one quick question....will SP2 work with DX9????

[PhilTaylor]

one quick question....will SP2 work with DX9????

I clearly list a set of DX9 features for everyone as well as DX10 features for Vista users with a DX10 graphics card.

[ThePilot_Ace]

Why do we have to wait to download SP2 for free - I just cannot think of a reason apart from a marketing tatic - it is to make the people who can't wait buy the x-pack?

Can you promise us SP2 will be before Christmas?

[Mobius]

Looks great Phil, thanks for the update.  

You mentioned that the FS team was moving on, and that FSX-DX10 is just a preview, so I take it that means there will be another FS sometime in the near future.  I understand that there is nothing official being said, and all that, but does since FSX is the DX10 preview, will the next project be a DX10 exclusive?

Thanks again Phil, and keep up the great work, I'm looking forward to Acceleration, SP2, and whatever is next.

[Mobius]

Why do we have to wait to download SP2 for free

Because you're not developing it yourself.

Can you promise us SP2 will be before Christmas?

Oh boy, here we go again...

[HugoCampos]

I was already expecting this so I'm not surprised by anything. We'll have to wait for FS11 or FSXI or whatever it is called to see the cool DX10 eye-candy.

[ThePilot_Ace]

Why do we have to wait to download SP2 for free

Because you're not developing it yourself.

Can you promise us SP2 will be before Christmas?

Oh boy, here we go again...

Maybe for people like you I may have to rephrase. "Why do we have to wait for the free SP2 after the x-pack comes out?"

[NickN]

Why do we have to wait to download SP2 for free - I just cannot think of a reason apart from a marketing tatic - it is to make the people who can't wait buy the x-pack?

Can you promise us SP2 will be before Christmas?

It is not a marketing tactic

Aces is not the marketing team, they are the developers.

SP2 was designed with Acceleration. They must now switch their focus from testing/developing Acceleration which has SP2-DX10 incorporated into it, to ensuring a stand alone SP2 will function properly without Acceleration installed, and, ensure that no elements of it may be missed between the packaged and downloaded version.





As far as I am aware there will be no SP3 but that is something Phil would be better qualified to answer.

As of the release of SP2-DX10, it is my understanding the shift to FS11 will commence and from what I have read a bit of thought is already going into that direction.


I only have one thing to say about that, please seriously consider a 64bit build

[NickN]

also, if I read Phil's message correctly, this is the end of certain backwards compatibility in MSFS.

I wonder if this is a hint that as of FS11 you must have DX10 hardware. There may be no DX9 support?

At least that is how I interpret part of the message about backwards compatibility, I may not be reading that correctly.


If there is a commitment to move forward and no longer move backwards, I think it would be a good idea to consider that x64 should also be a move forward. Starting from scratch I would think a x32 and x64 version could be possible.

EDIT: I just re-read the comment about backwards compatibility. I think that is pointed at compatibility with older MSFS and not the rendering engine.

[HugoCampos]

also, if I read Phil's message correctly, this is the end of certain backwards compatibility in MSFS.

I wonder if this is a hint that as of FS11 you must have DX10 hardware. There may be no DX9 support?

At least that is how I interpret part of the message about backwards compatibility, I may not be reading that correctly.


If there is a commitment to move forward and no longer move backwards, I think it would be a good idea to consider that x64 should also be a move forward. Starting from scratch I would think a x32 and x64 version could be possible.

I think so too. And really, it's not that hard to produce an x64 FS. You would only need to change  a bit of code, some compiler options and then make a new build... and even without any x64 specific optimization I think it would provide a nice performance boost on x64 processors.
For FS11, though, I think they should definitely either go with both x86 and x64 or just move on to x64.... most people have an x64 processor now... and by the release date of FS11 most people should also have an x64 OS.

[Mobius]

Maybe for people like you I may have to rephrase. "Why do we have to wait for the free SP2 after the x-pack comes out?"

Because, in addition to what Nick stated as the actual, technical reason, this is not a charity, so don't sound off at Phil for something that is not in his hands at all.  He's doing us and SimV a huge favor by giving us this information, and people like you are just dumping on it.  If you have an issue with Microsoft's marketing, why don't you take it up with them, instead of the developers.  

Great, now I'm turning this into a stupid debate.  If any response to this post is posted, I will be responding with PM's so this announcement isn't bogged down.  Anyone who needs to respond to this post, please do so in PM's as well.  This thread is about the announcement, so let's keep it on track, and I know I am probably the reason it got off track, but now I'm trying to get it back on track.  Thanks, and thanks again to Phil.