The State of FS: Some Positive Thoughts

[Fr. Bill]

Having reflected on the events of this past few days, I have had time to think of some positive thoughts:

1) GMax will now never become "obsolete" for FS modeling. The last set of export tools will continue to function...  ;D

2) Now is the time for all of us to set aside any differences and band together to show our support for the FS franchise. One simple and absolutely free way is to add our names to the "100.000 Microsoft Flight Simulator Fans" Facebook page!

100.000 Microsoft Flight Simulator Fans

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5 ... 200&ref=ts

[Steve M]

I'm in.

[HarvesteR]

i'm member #925

[jime59]

For what it's worth, I joined. I always wanted to be in a band.

HarvesteR, How did you see your member # ?  
I looked and can't find it. Just curious,that's all.

[Formula_1]

I hope it helps, but sadly, I doubt it will .
I read FSX has sold over a million copies as of December, so MS knows there are a few of us that like it.
The FS series has been one of the highest selling games ever and a few years ago was the #1 seller of computer games. I don't know where it currently stands, but they know it was a successful product.

We'll just have to see how this all turns out.

[Fr. Bill]

I hope it helps, but sadly, I doubt it will .
I read FSX has sold over a million copies as of December, so MS knows there are a few of us that like it.
The FS series has been one of the highest selling games ever and a few years ago was the #1 seller of computer games. I don't know where it currently stands, but they know it was a successful product.

We'll just have to see how this all turns out.

[color=#000000]You've misunderstood... The major point isn't to somehow influence Microsoft's decision or direction, but rather to demonstrate to another game studio that there is a viable market for a real "flightsimulator" and not just a "flying game..."

[Wing Nut]

It would be nice to see some of these Aces guys split off into their own company and put out their own flight sim.  It would also be nice to see what some of these guys could do if Austin picked them up over at X-Plane....

[NickN]

The devs suggested purchasing the IP and were turned down


Paul, the head honcho at Aces will remain at MS and hopes this may come back around in some way to continue development, however what they do not know if that would be a continuation or a complete rebuild... or at all

See Phil Taylors latest blog entry for the latest details


http://www.futuregpu.org/2009/01/end-of ... s-and.html

[macca22au]

A very small tragedy in the midst of global financial catastrophe.  I doubt whether all the petitions in the world could save ACES, but maybe those listing on facebook and posting on forums such as these will at least jolt Microsoft into realising that FS users are a big group who spend a large amount of money on the basic product and the many add-ons.

It is ironic that this should happen at the time when the hardware has finally caught up with the sim.  The new i7 Intel chips and the new GTX280 GPU at last, let the game flow.

However it does mean the add-on industry has a great chance.  Some developers are already creating aircraft that rely on the main game only as the presentation medium.   The more that this is done, the less worry there will be over the base not being continually upgraded.

But right now, with the FTX, UTXs, GenX, FEX, ASX, Megascenery, France VFR, pay and freeware airfield developers,
..freeware aircraft devs, the commercial PMDG, Wilco, Eaglesoft, Flight 1 amongst many,
...FSUIPC and other utilities to smooth this and that or show us the way,
...people like Nick as great advisers, giving millions of dollars worth of help for free
... then I reckon I can get many more years out of FSX - especially with one more hardware upgrade in a year's time to the next iteration of the greatest and best.

[HarvesteR]

[quote]For what it's worth, I joined. I always wanted to be in a band.

HarvesteR, How did you see your member # ?

[Formula_1]

[quote][color=#000000]You've misunderstood... The major point isn't to somehow influence Microsoft's decision or direction, but rather to demonstrate to another game studio that there is a viable market for a real "flightsimulator" and not just a "flying game..."

[BFMF]

I fear MS may do more flight 'games' that will be geared towards consoles and ported to PC. I hope I am wrong, but I have a gut feeling about it.

I would certainly hope not. I don't see how a flight simulator could be successfull at all if it was made for a console. I would never buy it, that's for sure....

[yancovitch]

i'm probably ignorant about this, but maybe it's just a way for microsoft to get rid of staff they don't want, or want to replace.....and start fresh....

[Formula_1]

Hi again

Here is what causes the 'gut feeling' I was speaking of.

In addition, the company noted: "You should expect us to continue to invest in enabling great LIVE experiences on Windows, including flying games, but we have nothing specific to announce at this time."

Source:
http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_i ... 1#comments

I don't know, just something about that statement worries me a bit. Kinda like Bethesda's TESIV. I'm not saying that's a bad game, I actually enjoy it very much. But it isn't really a PC RPG. It is a console port of a action game with elements of a rpg.

[Wing Nut]

I think that MS simply wants everything on Xbox, and MS Games for Windows will soon be but a fond memory...