New "Microsoft Flight"

[Joe]

A farewell to MS FS as "simulator"?

www.pcworld.com/article/203440/microsoft_flight_announced_loses_simulator_tag.html?tk=hp_new

The truth is we don't know. It's only a paper launch. On the one hand, this may be more a marketing move-- drop the technical sounding "simulator" and put a Kate Moss looking babe with a clingy tee-shirt and headset on your website, and mission is halfway accomplished.

Some of the phraseology suggests a desire to retain long-time fans, but that could be mere marketing as well.

[flaminghotsauce]

I was just watching the video at Microsoft.com/games/flight

If it's a simulator that looks as good as that video, I'll be on it. If it's a stupid game, well.... I'll probably still be on it.

[Capt Zlogg]

hmmm.......have they developed the hardware needed to use it properly already, comrade?

[flaminghotsauce]

I was reading elsewhere about the new "Flight". Supposedly, they are prioritizing PERFORMANCE as a #1 agenda item. Someone's blog who works there or something, but I can't remember where I was reading this.

Anyway, it's all rumor till it's released. BUT, if they really do focus on performance first, we may end up with a very nice new sim, with good accurate simulation for us experienced users, and with newbie-friendly features as well.

I figure as good as Nintendo can make stuff look with such poor hardware, surely.....

[Tom Goodrick]

Do you think there is any chance they will understand what "PERFORMANCE" is this time around? Or will we have to tweak their flight models like we have in the past to get published "PERFORMANCE" from their default flight models?

[flaminghotsauce]

Tom, I think they're talking performance via software/hardware and smooth frame rates and that kind of stuff. I don't think they're talking accurate flight performance, although an improvement there in the default aircraft would be a welcome addition.

There is a lot of speculation that this just has to mean going back to the FS9 engine! I don't think that's the plan myself, but I don't know. Also, there's a good chance they've been working for a while already, and possibly could put out the new sim next year.

All rumor, speculation, wishes, hopes, and dreams, of course.

[n7rg]

Well what I have read it going to be A pay by the mounth of or buy a card at wallmart.
You log in to fly; log off afterward, with little in your computer to configure. No freeware development; no custom scenery, etc, just a game

[Joe]

Well I think that's sort of the idea behind Windows Live, to which they referred in the press release surrounding the closing of Aces Studio. I hadn't read anything specific like that. I could see them emulating the STEAM distribution and copy-protection model, where you have to be online to play, but that's just a verification routine and all the game and computing is done locally. I sure hope they don't try to do cloud gaming with this-- the tech is no where close to being ready for it. If the clip that's been released is any indication, there's no way they could cloud that today and probably not for years.

Man, I sure hope I'm right . . .

[flaminghotsauce]

Well, WORST case scenario is it sucks and we keep our FS9 and FSX and upgrade the hardware. I can't see it being a cloud computer system. But I can see MS wanting to charge a monthly charge for it! They're like that.

[Joe]

I saw a post on a gaming forum from a guy from a Polish gaming site who says the core flightsim will still be there, but that there will be more "lean-back" (probably meant "laid-back") options for the more casual types, with which he compared Flight Unlimited III. When asked his source, he said he was under NDA and had said all he could. So, you have to take that info for what it is, definitely with a grain of salt.

[flaminghotsauce]

I was reading about some airliner that has been released with "easier" systems, i.e. lots of stuff deemed unnecessary for the fun of flying. I kind of see that as what MS would like to do to accomodate both newbies, but with hard settings to keep guys like us happy too. If I were Microsoft, that would be my goal anyway. It would make the best business sense to get as many people into the hobby without overwhelming them. How many kids want to dredge through a 200 page manual to be able to start that jet? Lots want to just jump in and have fun.

It's kind of like that now. I turn off crash detection for the kids so they can fly without crashing every 12 seconds or so, but I can set it on hard, and enjoy plotting flights, doing the math, and flying properly. NOW, if Microsoft flight can pull this off with PERFORMANCE as job #1, we'll have a serious winner on our hands.

If not, no great loss. FSX simply rocks.

[Joe]

I agree.

BTW, for kids I like using the floatplanes because they can use the whole body of water for taking off and landing, no worries about staying on or aiming for a runway-- plus you get the cool effects from the outside views-- plus the Otter and Goose rock.

[Tom Goodrick]

There's more hype on the topic. I found this at flyingmag.com:


March 15, 2011
Goodbye Flight Simulator, Hello Microsoft Flight
8
Microsoft has closed the studio responsible for the successful Flight Simulator franchise and is starting fresh with a whole new series.

The article states that LockheedMartin has bought the license for the Microsoft Flight Simulator and will continue selling versions of it such as Flight Simulator X. They will also incorporate it into several more professional simulators they sell to military and commercial aviation customers.

Meanwhile Microsoft may soften the technology of the sim and market it for social interaction scenarios: go for a spin through the clouds with your friends on Facebook. When you fly near Chicago you'll have to be on the lookout for a gang of 12-year-olds buzzing through the Class B airspace in supersonic jets.

The more things change they just go all to he--.

[louross]

Somewhere on a forum they said that MS was not going to release it for 3rd party add-ons. If that's the case, it's not even a consideration for me. I'd have quit FS back with the 2002 version if it weren't for the add-ons.
lr.

[Chris Ross]

hmmm Well I guess I'll wait and see what turns out but basicaly I agree with you Lou( I wonder if we are related?)
FS9 and FSX for me