New Microsoft Flight Simulator

New Microsoft Flight SImulator

Microsoft has officially announced a new Flight Simulator that they are building called Microsoft Flight.

Speculation has been growing since ACES Studios was closed last year. Developers and flight simmers have been scrambling to make sense of why Microsoft would discontinue such a successful and longstanding game.

So, what’s the catch?

Hopefully the catch is something big and beautiful!

Here is what I’d like to see in the new Simulator. Because details are few right now, these are only speculative:

Get rid of all the old code-

Start new for today’s technology

Speaking of Technology-

I want it to run well on Multiple Cores and Multiple GPUs

Keep the DieHards in Mind-

I would like to see the simulator be really complex as we’ve seen

Fly Like the Real Thing-

Flight Simulator is so much different than real flight… I want better flight characteristics!

“Reinvent the Yoke”-

Don’t waste my time, Microsoft… Let’s see something really special here. Take some risks and make this awesome.

GO HERE FOR MORE- THE OFFICIAL MICROSOFT FLIGHT LINK

(Note the video is NOT real footage. It’s either CG (my guess) or in game footage!)

What would you like to see in the new simulator?

Ramsey Soudah

I’d like to be able to fly for 7 hours without worrying about it crashing.

I’d like it to be more realistic

I’d like ALL airports to have correct coordinates, ILS etc

and I want it YESTERDAY!

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/ Chris Palmer

HERE HERE!

Don Whyte

right we want it here, here
hear, hear!

Leif Mikkelsen

It will not be a simulator, rather a GAME what I understand…..so it wont be for me!
/ Leffe

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/ Chris Palmer

That’s what some say, but until we see it, I’m inclined to believe we’ll see something much better and more capable.

Tony Baldo

Hey Chris,

Indeed, only time will tell, so it’s best we all wait and see first…….still, I just can’t help but be a touch worried that it will in fact be a game and not a true simulator by our standards. The fact that “simulator” has been removed from the title is not encouraging. I spoke earlier today with a friend of mine who like me began way back with FS2, but is more pesimistic than me….his fears are that “it will be some sort of Xbox type of game where you just fly over a small but highly detailed scenery area and have to complete missions like flying through rings or something (explicative removed by author ) like that”. Hopefully our worst fears will not be realized, but it’s best we sit back and see 1st, as only time will tell.

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/ Chris Palmer

Yeah,
I think it’s natural to be skeptical. The rest of us will continue to use FS2004 or FSX if that’s the case. AND the community will still live on.

With that said, I’m actually encouraged by the fact that they changed it to just ‘Flight’. Why? Because it shows they are getting back to the basics and realizing it’s all about FLIGHT anyway. Not about FSX version that, and Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight.

Let’s get the basics done REALLY well, leave out all the crappy default airplanes, and give us a solid base simulator that developers can then make amazing things.

KaCe_

WoaH! Hey thanks for the post Chris, I never heard anything about this till now on your BLOG. I enjoyed that video and totally agree with the stuff u mentioned above, I hope Microsoft really blow people away. FSX is awesome but relies on too many third party addons, Id like to see it have its own integrated weather Engine for a start, hey who knows maybe they can partner up with REX or similar? Is that possible? I guess maybe not! I really hope it’s not a GAME like Leffe said, simulator and a game are two different things, I got this from a website:

Fans of the series may be a bit unnerved by the fact that Microsoft has eliminated the word “Simulator” from the title, added a the outline of a buxom pilot to the right side of the screen, and said it will be “welcoming everyone, including long-time fans, to experience the magic of flight”.

Kace

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/ Chris Palmer

The fact that it said it will welcome long time fans is encouraging.

If you look in my reply above to Tony, you’ll also see why I think eliminating the word ‘Simulator’ is a good thing.

I’m actually pretty excited about this!

Louis

I, for one, have great expectations for this product. What if they removed the word “simulator” to emphasize that it is nearly beyond mere “simulation”. What if they are trying to say, “Hey, guys you wanted true flight? Well here it is. Flight, pure and simple.”

signmanbob

It’s obvious to me that it will be a live online game, like World of Warcraft, with monthly charges and not a simulator that you load on your harddrive.
Probably something that you could either play on Xbox or a PC.
I’m sure the graphics will be out of this world and continuously improving.
But I think I will stick to FSX. I’m very happy with the way that it is running now. Since I have never piloted a real aircraft, my ignorance keeps me bliss of its minor realism short-comings, anyway.
Anyway, I’ve been told by several pilots that the biggest difference between FSX and real is the “feeling” that you get from the “seat of your pants” when real flying and handling an aircraft. I don’t think Microsoft is going to be able to replicate that “feeling” with a live online game anyway.

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/ Chris Palmer

I’m optimistic. I’d like to see more about it.

nelsonde

Would like to know if this is gameplay and where they’re at with development. Just saw a source speculating 2010 release. What happened to the “community” gurus that hyped FSX?

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/ Chris Palmer

2010 seems way too early. I doubt it’s that far along if they’re just announcing it now.

I’d GUESS 2012.

Not sure what you mean by the gurus hyping FSX. I think FSX has been a promising platform all along.

With that said, the code is so old and bogged down that it just doesn’t work well on modern systems (that goes for FS2004 as well) so it’s time to start fresh.

I’m optimistic about this, but if it ends up being a ‘game’, it’ll just be something I do for fun rather than something I take more seriously like a simulator.

Calvin

This is interesting… Although it may not be the same type of game the FS series is…

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/ Chris Palmer

Only time will tell!

signmanbob

I’m sure we will be hearing plenty about it for the next few months.
Like I say, if they are making a “simulator”, it will get a lot of support, but if it is a “game” as in Xbox (which is where the real money is) the same enthusiast that have enjoyed FSX will not be too excited, even if the graphics is better.
Also, one of the big attractions of FSX (and FS9) for me has been the third party addons. If this turns out to be an live online game, run off of a server, that will eliminate all third party developers unless they have a way of getting around it.
Oh, by the way, Captain Sim just released his 707 for FSX, speaking of third party. Now that’s something to get excited about.

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/ Chris Palmer

Thanks Bob! Always great to have you around. You’re the man.

You know, I can even get excited about this if it IS a game (which I do not think it is) because I love flying. I have a few XBOX games that are pretty sweet, which a joystick that plugs in. It’s good fun!

But, what I want and what I think it will be is a ground up, brand new simulator.

signmanbob

Your welcome Chris and I hope you’re right about the simulator.
It will be interesting to see what Microsoft’s view is on it.
1. Did they relieve Aces of duty because they were disappointed with FSX, in that it had too many problems and wasn’t realistic enough, wanting to bring the gift of extreme realism to the nitch market of realistic flight sim enthusiasts?

2. Did they relieve Aces of duty because they didn’t plan to expand on the path of a realistic simulation and wanted to court the massive assets available within the gaming community who would want more of an “arcade” format?

Find answers to these and more questions in our next episode…

nelsonde

No disrespect to FSX, though it did have a bumpy start. What I refered to was people like Hal Bryant “?” and Taildragger “??” who were active in the FS community with blog updates and who showed up at AVSIM events. Microsoft “outreach” as it were. I’m enthused that the series hasn’t died, and I’m hopeful.

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/ Chris Palmer

Me too.

Although sad, those guys aren’t on the team anymore. Most of them took up positions with completely new companies.

As much as I like them, and respect them, and love them, this is good news.

We have a new, fresh slate.

BRING ON A NEW SIMULATOR, FROM THE GROUND UP!

Otto Schaefer

Well. I’m very carefull with Microsoft’s announcements. About a year ago they fired the complete team, telling FS is dead. No they are announcing Microsoft Flight. And watch out the missing word “Simulator” I guess, if there’s something coming it will be a (online)game nothing more.
So if you are looking for a serious Flight Simulator have a look at Aerosoft.com. They are planning an advanced Simulator, not for professionals (part of their main business), but for simmers likes us looking for something that comes close to real life, but gives you also the possibility to do it the easy way.

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/ Chris Palmer

Hey Otto,
Thanks for the comment.

I don’t get how dropping the word ‘Simulator’ means it wont be a simulator, and it will be a game, though. Maybe you can explain that logic. Just doesn’t make sense to me.

Eric

I say: Give XPlane more attention than it gets.

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/ Chris Palmer

X-Plane is on the rise. I certainly wouldn’t cry if X-Plane pulled ahead and became everyone’s simulator.

May the best simulator win!

Toby

This is great news!
Hopefully it will be as deep as you want.
If you want a console experience, you can have it.
If you want a full-on simulator, you can get that too.
Who cares what they said or did, it’s what they deliver that counts.
If the guys from REX and Orbx are somehow involved, this could be what we’ve all been waiting for.
I don’t hold up much hope for backwards compatibility but it would be nice if I didn’t have to spend thousands on add-ons again!

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/ Chris Palmer

Thanks Toby. Thoughtful post! Love this part.

“Who cares what they said or did, it’s what they deliver that counts.”
http://www.flyaoamedia.com/ Chris Palmer

“I don’t hold up much hope for backwards compatibility but it would be nice if I didn’t have to spend thousands on add-ons again!”

Actually, it’d be better if they made it NOT SUCK from the beginning.

Better initial product, less things to buy.

Default FSX is HORRID. They better not pull that on us again.

Rob

I’m very excited about this. My speculation is that scenery will possibly be licensed from orbx. Perhaps it’s wishful thinking!

I’m personally hoping for much better third party support. Imagine being able to install aircraft or scenery packs like installing gadgets.

I’m also expecting much more efficient use of hardware.

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/ Chris Palmer

Agreed! Couldn’t agree more. I think ORBX could show them a thing or two about how to get things done.

Although, I have a feeling Microsoft wouldn’t be willing to pay ORBX for what they’re worth.

As they say, “Give a man a fish and he’ll eat. Teach a man to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime”.

Hopefully ORBX can get up there and teach them a thing or two.

http://the-best-cousins.blogspot.com João António Figueiredo

Hello Chris!
I would like to connect my simulator onto the internet easily because i have lots of problems in fsx in that area!!
I also want compatibility with scenarys from fsx!!
best regars from Portugal!!
Congratulations Chris
João António Figueiredo, Portugal, Porto

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/ Chris Palmer

Hey Joao,
That’d be nice if the multiplayer was much more simple. Implementing some of Microsofts experience in XBOX Live (not saying this is for XBOX, just saying they have experience with multiplayer) would help a lot.

As far as compatible FSX sceneries… Honestly, I hope not. Why?

Because I want this to be an all new simulator my computer can actually run.

MS needs to get their head out of the past and throw EVERY LINE OF OLD CODE AWAY.

It’s time to start new for the 21st Century, already.

Ramsey Soudah

There’s gonna be a lot of disappointed true simmers.. but loads of happy kids under 12 !!!!!
Microsoft… listen to the true hardcore fans!!

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/ Chris Palmer

You know, I’ve met a lot of the ACES team over the years. From what I gather, MS knows and recognizes that the FS community is very large and very die hard. All of the gaming genre know this.

They’d be stupid to alienate all of us. And I doubt they will.

They are in the business of making money too.

http://iblueyonder.com/ Bill Womack

My take on this whole dropping of the “simulator” from the title is that it’s a way to sneak a realistic simulator into more homes. Hard as it may be to believe, selling Flight as a game will garner it a much larger audience than saying “it’s the most realistic flight simulation ever produced”. That may be music to our ears, but there are a whole bunch of people who tuned out as soon as they heard “realistic”. I don’t care if they call it “Flying Pink Unicorns on Neptune” as long as I move some sliders and make it a realistic sim.

http:www.janvaane.nl KLM149

…read the press announcement…you won’t find anything about a new simulator …
quote:
Introducing “Microsoft Flight”

Twenty-eight years after the debut of “Microsoft Flight Simulator 1.0,” Microsoft Game Studios also announced the internal development of “Microsoft Flight,” a new Windows exclusive. “Microsoft Flight” will bring a new perspective to the long-standing genre, welcoming everyone, including long-time fans, to experience the magic of flight.

A teaser of the future of Flight on the Windows-based PC is available at http://www.microsoft.com/games/flight.
unquote

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/ Chris Palmer

Just because it doesn’t say ‘Simulator’ doesn’t mean it’s not a simulator.

It clearly states that long time fans will be included which means they don’t hate us like everyone thinks!

I think it’ll be a simulator, albiet, with more ‘game’ aspects (remember, FSX had missions and other ‘game’ stuff) but it’ll still have the core.

We can ignore the rest.

Anyway, just my opinions.

axel31

Please, do not make a year 5000 pc harware needed to run it.
Please, do not make a 5 flight hours (or less) of flight and, once you arrived, I crash simulator.
Please, do not make a toon based graphics….

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/ Chris Palmer

AMEN
AMEN
AMEN

and

HALLELUJAH!

http://www.smartscreenuk.com IPete2

When I heard the news I got very excited, then became a little less so when I realised it was more likely to be a game rather than a simulator.

One really nice aspect of this which I haven’t seen mentioned in the thread, is that it is going to be a Microsoft LIVE product, which may mean its going to be multiplayer capable, with achievements etc perhaps, out of the box?

This would be like the log book, but public and probably with a better structure.

I am with Chris on the get rid of ALL the old code too! We want true multi-core, multi thread capabilities, with the bells and whistles too!

In reality I have no idea of how many people would be ready to purchase this new “Flight”, but Microsoft must be aware of the vibrant community and the number of add ons we continue to purchase, will these be cross compatible, upgradeable? Do we want all new stuff?

Great news overall – any idea of a release date? Maybe in the next few months, as this is a PR tease.

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/ Chris Palmer

MS doesn’t do ‘few month’ PR teases. They prepare, prepare, and prepare some more. This isn’t Apple (Disclaimer, I’m an Apple fanatic)

With that said, I mostly agree with what you say. I’m glad you didn’t bash it and you’re giving it a shot.

I really doubt they’ll leave the community behind, but only time will tell.

http://citizengodden.com Paul Godden

Thanks for the update Chris. I have a copy of the video at citizengodden.com if anyone’s interested – although it’s not even that obvious if it’s the real game on show – I’m guessing it isn’t.

As far as I see it, 2 things could be going on here.

1) As people have said, it’s going to be a “game” – remove the simulator from the title. Dumb it down a bit. Make it accessible to everyone, make lots of cash – alienate the community further from MS. After all, they did axe the whole department that was working on the FS series. They must have thought it not profitable at least at that point – and probably even now.

2) Simulator removed from the title, to separate it from FSX and the team behind it. Not to say it will be worse or better. Make it *sound* a little more mainstream and accessible? MS have been looking at the 3rd party development sites for scenery, effects, aircraft and realised they were wrong – so they’re getting back into the simulation game again.

It just hope it’s number 2 – but then if it isn’t – I still have FSX, which I’m still playing daily.

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/ Chris Palmer

Here’s the thing… and this comment is in response to both 1 and 2, because I think it shares a common thread.

Microsoft tried to ALREADY make FSX a game. They tried missions, they tried GameSpy, they had the REALLY annoying menu music…

They’ve already shown they want it to be a game! But… It was also still a simulator.

This may sound totally crazy, but I respect that:

A- Microsoft closed ACES. Obviously it wasn’t working. The simulator was and is annoying (I still love it) because it’s so old! Some recent tweaks have revealed things that have been available in the simulator code for YEARS.

I means, we get a new simulator but every time the addon planes look like the same crappy old ones? That’s because they mostly are!

B- I’m encouraged they dropped ‘Simulator’ from their title. Get back to basics and do the basics right. Regardless of whether they end up calling it a game or not, it’ll still be a simulator.

Daniel Davison

Tweaks? What tweaks?

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/ Chris Palmer

The new Jesus tweaks. He basically hacked all the code and found old things hidden in the sim (that not even MS knew about).

http://iblueyonder.com/ Bill Womack

Hey, I like the interface music in FSX!

austin

i have to also say for number one, they may be dumbing it down but dont you think more people like simulators alot more? doing the missions get annoying if you cant pass them sometimes and its not as fun with missions cause you have certain stuff you cant do. i rather them keep it as a simulator and be on a gaming system. my computers dont really have all the nessary software for the games and when it does it doesnt work at its best for me. b\put it on a new gaming system such as xbox360 and it dosnt freeze up constantly aand you dont have to have all these stupid programs and updates. thats my opinon

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/ Chris Palmer

Guys, guys, guys… Awesome thoughts, great discussion here, but let me point something out:

WE KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS YET

I’ve noticed that every time a new simulator comes out, everyone starts getting all riled up that MS will leave the community behind and it’ll become a game.

I think MS would be stupid if they totally go rid of the simulator aspects of the game.

One way or another, it’s going to be a simulator.

To speculate that it would have the whole world covered and so on is just WAY too early to tell. We simply don’t know enough about it to judge, and I think we should be hopeful.

Hope is kinda crappy and pointless, but this could truly be a simulator we can ALL come together on.

All-in-all, we just don’t know yet!

http://iblueyonder.com/ Bill Womack

Hope is no more crappy and pointless than uninformed speculation… and it makes me feel a lot better. Pound for pound, I’ll go with hope.

http://aflightsimblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/microsoft-flight-announced.html Jon Monreal

Hey Chris,

I’m a bit glad to see at least a few people optimistic about Microsoft Flight (to offer the other viewpoint); however, I have to agree that prospects don’t look good.

Without ACES, one has to wonder what experience the people at Microsoft Game Studios have with flight simulators. Even if that is what this is, can they do it right?

A simulator that can be both a game and more serious simulator sounds interesting, but then the question is raised of whether or not they could pull it off.

Also, even though it mentions welcoming “long-time fans,” I don’t think that means that it will definitely cater to us. Perhaps they’re simply hoping that fans will accept a somewhat different format.

I think that if it was a simulator, they would call it a simulator, even if they removed the word from the title.

I do hope you’re right, though.
http://www.xplane10.wordpress.com Simon W

well Xplane 10 is looking pretty good
http://www.x-plane.com/v10-pix/2.jpg
http://www.x-plane.com/v10-pix/3.jpg

I hope this ms product goes well, but hey, let’s wait for Aerosoft to wow us too
axel31

Dear Microsoft:
Hi, I have 5, 200 core processor in my mainboard, made by organic brain based computer, with a real human brain based ram memory, total a lot of gigas…
I have to tell You that my machine is not capable to run your new simulator in full mode…
Please, re-write the code (again).
All Yours: A sad and angry very old user.
Sorry, I will not believe until I see, so I love simulator the same way I HATE it.

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/ Chris Palmer

HAHAHAHA!

Charles Earl

Everything that everyone has basically asked for already sounds great!

For me, more specifically, I would hope at least the “out of the box” flight dynamics and detailing on par with the A2A Piper Cub with Accusim for every included plane (less planes and higher quality out of the box!). Default scenery that looks and feels at least as good (and geographically accurate) as the Default ORBX PNW scenery (At least as geographically accurate too). Airports, floatplane bases, scenery objects all in correct positions and underling ground scenery in high resolution photoreal. Also make all the airport details correct per current charts, Flight Supplements and AFD’s. And lastly! Partner with Garmin to include current and past working models of 296, GNS430 and 530 WAAS at the quality level of Reality XP versions and make them interchangeable in cockpits. On that note make the cockpits like in real life! Allow swapping out of gauges within the default simulator easy and point and click. NO MORE CFG FILE EDITING DAMNIT! And speaking of guages? Make them up to the standards of RXP!

Ok. Microsoft. Go hire the ORBX team and the RXP team and the A2A, Carenado and Real Air guys.

At very high settings it should be at 40 – 60 fps on todays typical gaming PC. *crosses fingers*

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/ Chris Palmer

HAHAHA!

This is a good little rant. I like it.

I agree with a lot of what you say.

I have a feeling they can’t make ‘Art’ like A2A, RXP, ORBX and REX though. And more.

Those guys will still follow behind to clean things up.

But, we need a better DEFAULT platform to build on.

Charles Earl

Forgot to say. If they went strictly Win 7 64bit, they could achieve these things. 32bit is just not powerful or efficient enough. Pretty much everyone serious about simulation has a PC built in the last few years and has (or would be willing to) jump to Win7 64. Those with the financial means that is. I know everyone can’t be buying new computers all the time. By 2012 (if that’s when this comes out), a 4GHz i7 with a GTX470 and 6GB RAM will be the upper middle of the road standard.

Here’s hoping!

Charles.

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/ Chris Palmer

*Crosses Fingers*
*Knocks on Wood*

You said it.

Daniel Davison

Wow, do I hope everyone’s optimism is right.

I see this from a different perspective, though. (But see disclaimer below!)
— MS has a ***long*** history of pre-emptively announcing a software product to stop other (much smaller) companies from developing a similar product. This happened a lot in the 1980s and 1990s, although I can only recall one case in the last 5 years. This tactic almost always worked, and IIRC, MS rarely produced the announced product. (You can check this in PC Magazine archives.) Two good friends of mine were laid off due to MS pre-emptive announcements (one in the late 1980s and the other in the mid-1990s). My first thought when I saw the press release was that they were trying to bully Aerosoft. My second thought was that they were not going to succeed.

— I’m puzzled by the wording in the announcement vs. what MS has said in their last annual report. The announcement specifically says “Windows”. Industry analysts (financial, not columnists) as well as MS’ annual report both show (relatively) declining revenue on the Windows side and that Xbox & XBOX Live is more of a cash cow (on a percentage basis)…and they see the Xbox franchise as the future of MS. (Remember that Apple’s market cap is now greater than Microsoft’s.)

— So, the announcement specifically says “Windows” but all other indications are MS is going to be focusing on development of Xbox-related products to improve the bottom line.

—While I’d like to believe that MS pays attention & cares about the FS community, Flight Simulator is such a tiny contribution to the bottom line that I really, really, really doubt it. They’ve abruptly dropped much bigger products ($$ and number of users) than FS. IIRC FS is a quarter of a percent of total MS sales.

— I think they dropped “Simulator” from the title to make the new product less “scary”, or, said another way, “acceptable” to a wider audience.

I sure hope I’m wrong about MS’ intentions!

dan davison
disclaimer: I had chemo yesterday & the above could be chemo-brain and exhaustion.

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/ Chris Palmer

Dan,
First of all, you’re in my prayers! Chemo is really rough. I had a friend go through it a few years ago, and my heart goes out to you my friend.

Surprisingly, the chemo brain is working quite well, so you must be fighting a good fight.

You make some really good points here. I also think that MS is trying to make it ‘less intimidating’ by dropping the word ‘simulator’. Overall, I think it’s being read into too much.

One point, I think, however, has to do with how different this game is. (it’s a game at the end of the day… sorry guys. At least it is in their mind)

For example, you don’t see a real world counterpart to World of Warcraft. You don’t see real world usage for Modern Warfare. You don’t see Napoleon actually using Age of Empires to practice is war strategy.

What I’m getting at here is that although there is a large FS community (yes it’s large and VERY fanatical) you also have a HUUUUUUGE real flight community that using Microsoft Flight Simulators to stay sharp on instrument skills.

Although this isn’t widely adopted, it’s honestly where most kids start out loving aviation, on top of just being at airshows and stuff.

So although many of us don’t eventually turn fanatical about flight simulator, many people still buy the simulator to stay sharp and fall in love with flight.

FS isn’t exclusive to us fanatics. It never has been, and never will be.

SO

I think it WILL in fact be a simulator. Again, only opinion. It’s still too early to tell.

http://www.lime-it.co.uk Phil Mosley

Exciting times..

First Aces is finished about a year ago and flight simulation goes into limbo.
Add on developers such as REX, PMDG, ORBX and the like really pushing the cumbersome and sluggish FSX engine to almost as far as it can go.

Now we have on the Radar
1) Flight
2) Aerosofts 2013 simulator
3) X-plane 10

Following these is going to be fun. “Flight” I think will be a simulator, but tailored better to get novices involved and hopefully build up an even bigger fanbase. Think about it, if MS were to go the opposite way and push out some half baked Cesna ‘afterburner’ arcade crap then they would be laughed at. Lets see what comes next in terms of info from them.
Aerosoft talk a good game and come across as knowing what everyone disliked about FSX and will hopefully try and right all those wrongs – I have high hopes for this.
X-plane 10 – Not used Xplane myself but the newe screen shots that surfaced the other day look bloody good.

Phil

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/ Chris Palmer

Phil,
X-plane is actually quite amazing, from a flight dynamic perspective, and doesn’t look half bad either!

Aerosoft… Well, it’s Aerosoft. Again, that’ll be cool to follow like you said.

Exciting times, to say the least!

signmanbob

They all have something going for them:
1. Microsoft has the experience
2. Aerosoft knows what simmers want
3. X-Plane has a little of both
I think, in the end, it looks like the sim enthusiast will be the winner, but I’m not about to give up all of my great addons just yet.
I have FSX where I want it now. Stable and smooth running with great addons.

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/ Chris Palmer

Amen to that. Can’t disagree with anything there.

Dennis M

Why change the name of a 28-year-old franchise?

I’ll guess. Because the mass market video game consumer associates the name “Flight Simulator” with “… too complicated,” “… too much reading,” “… too boring.” That mass market consumer will not come near anything with the name “Flight Simulator” on it.

Civilian flight simulation is a niche (read small) market. Microsoft fired the Aces team because they no longer want to cater to niche markets. They stated at the time that future releases would cater to a broader, less exclusive audience. Hmmm, what could they have mean’t by that?

For those who think MS will produce a combination arcade flying game/serious simulator, I ask why would they bother? The money to be made is in Xbox titles. If MS released a paid update to FSX that fixed a few of its issues, the hard-core simmers would line up to buy it.

Others have said, “Gee, maybe the addon developers will partner with Microsoft and incorporate their products in the sim so I won’t have to buy addons.” Yeah, the addon developers should all jump on that deal. Makes perfect business sense to destroy your own market.

Yes, I’m sorry to be the skunk at the picnic, but I don’t see Microsoft moving in a direction that will make serious flight simmers happy, so I await the eventual release of MS “Grand Theft Airplane.”

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/ Chris Palmer

Dear Skunk

You could be 100% right about this. But… We are still so early to tell, it’s all speculation. Speculation for me, speculation for you. All just speculation.

I do give you credit for having the ‘stinkiest’ comment of all. But it’s a really convincing stench, I’ll give that to you.

-This is all in good fun, I hope you know!

Throttle On
http://aflightsimblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/microsoft-flight-announced.html Jon Monreal

Hey Dennis,

I think you make an important point about the canning of ACES. I question whether or not Microsoft would even be capable of producing a sim that could appeal to both the mass market and hardcore fans without the experience of ACES.

At the same time, I do find it strange that Microsoft would make this a Windows exclusive if it’s only supposed to be arcadey and not like a sim.

Anyways, more fuel for the speculative fire.

axel31

signmanbob:
What hardware do You have, please?
Christian Smith

When i hear the word “Simulator”#xx I think slow, old & not so good looking. FS11 would sound like an updated FSX. “Flight” sounds to me Quick, New & Lively. I’m praying for new code, FSX feels like all planes are flying on water with cumbersome movements.

PLEASE MS NO “CESNA AFTERBURNERS”

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/ Chris Palmer

You said it much better than I could.

Personally, I don’t want another FS version. I want something new and fresh, like you describe.

That’s why I have hope. The old team is gone, they are taking drastic measures even with the name, so it all sounds appealing at this point.

Zsolt Monostori

Hi Chris, hi all!

Whatever the new “thing” will be, I am looking forward to it. Digging in the words they used, I still believe that it can be anything: even a great simulator and not necessarilty a kid’s console game. Long time fans welcome – it sounds promising – and I agree with Chris, they’d be really stupid ruling out the core FSX community! We ARE flight simulator, leaving us out is suicide for Microsoft, at least for their new title. Why would they be so stupid? Honestly? I am very optimistic, and even if it turns out to be worse then I expect, X-Plane 10 will come next April, and despite I hate the recent version from the bottom of my heart, I guess the new X-Plane will be a serious hit. Long live the genre!

Cheers,
Zsolt

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/ Chris Palmer

Thanks for the great comment, Zsolt.

Great points here.

DaveL

It is my opinion that we all should resist any software that has a recurring fee. If the market will bear it, of course publishers will move to that sales model. Vote with your wallets and keep software as a single purchase!
Michael

I am kind of looking forward to this product, but I don’t think it’ll have all the things I’d like. I read the press release and it stated that it was on the LIVE platform. Me, being a very (maybe a little too much!) active member of VATSIM-UK, a division of the Virtual Air Traffic Simulation Network, I would say that I wouldn’t wish to buy this product unless if it had compatibility with something like FSUIPC, and I knew that someone would make a new client just for Microsoft Flight.

http://aflightsimblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/microsoft-flight-announced.html Jon Monreal

Hey Michael,

I think that if Microsoft Flight is accepted by the community and is capable of supporting add-ons, we will see clients developed for Microsoft Flight just as we have seen development for FSX before it. After all, nobody forced anybody to switch to FSX, and while some still stand by FS9 (and it is a great simulator) that didn’t stop the development of clients for FSX.

whats goin on here

well from my perspective, i believe that its going to be a game, but dont get me wrong, they still will have the best of both worlds. the thing that makes me think that this will be an ill-fated release is that
as soon as this comes out, what if MS did not offer the SDK to third party companies, before it comes out and you are basically stuck with the void of being limited to the “factory set” in the title, the reason i thought that was in the news it said “internal-production” or whatever. alas with that being said, many communities in the FS community will be “grounded” for a while when the eventuality of the big switch will kill member bases and throughout other things as well…
vicvroom

I can’t help but think this will be some sort of xbox game with the pc version an after thought. Hope I am wrong but microsoft seem mor intrested in xbox development than developing something for pcs. I guess time will tell and I truely hope I am wrong but I don’t thinks so
whats goin on here

***UPDATE*** the reason it is being called “Flight” and not “Flight Simulator” is because since Bruce Atwick, the original creator of Flight Simulator on the Apple 2 i believe, decided to take back the rights to the name of “Flight Simulator” after the demise of ACES Studio and saw a chance since it seemed that Microsoft was dropping the franchise. and that is why it cannot have the name / and or logo saying “Flight Simulator”

Namaste,
Dylan

signmanbob

That’s interesting. Leaves some hope.

Bioni

Every game in the world is considered a REAL TIME SIMULATOR…

You get a real time physical response to a real time joystick input, even when you’re just playing basketball. Does’t matter what the game play is like, that’s not what defines a simulation.
signmanbob

I think when they are referring to “Real Time”, they are talking about playing on a server with a pay-while-you-play format like “World of Warcraft”.
signmanbob

Here is a little more info on it from AVwebFlash
http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/1709-full.html#203163

Microsoft’s Return To Flight

Last year, layoffs at Microsoft put the future of Flight Simulator X (FSX), popular amongst both desk jockeys interested in flight and real pilots interested in maintaining their skills, in question; now, we’re seeing clues of a new beginning. Microsoft has announced that a new game, “Flight,” is in the works. And it will be the first flight simulation offering released by the company since 2006. The company says it’s targeting flying enthusiasts interested in an emphasis on accuracy and realism, but hasn’t offered many details. CNET.com recently noted that Microsoft has licensed some of its technology to Lockheed Martin for a forthcoming military training program called Prepar3D. The web page for that program says it can help train pilots “to fly the world’s most advanced fighter jet.” It’s not known if Prepar3D shares anything with “Flight.” For now, all we have is a vague announcement to expect “a new perspective” that welcomes everyone, and a vague video.

And the video will have to do, because insiders speculate that Microsoft won’t offer the game in Beta until sometime in 2011. When Microsoft closed down the Aces game studio responsible for Flight Simulator X, it said the franchise would continue. Microsoft Flight appears to be the answer. And until then, FSX should still work just fine.
maikel rozemeijer

I have followed the links some days ago and when you get too the press letter you can read that this ms flight will be free ware.

I think it is just like online pool in the msn game rooms, so not an all too big sim.

Maikel.

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/ Chris Palmer

I’d be REALLY surprised if that’s true!

signmanbob

Bummer!!
SKorny

I have been following the forums on aerosoft concerning their attempt on building a complete new sim for months now. You can’t imagine their efforts in talking to flight simmers and addon developpers all over the world. In the forums big discussions went on about the 3d-engine, performance scaling to multipe cores and multiple graphic processors, about the weather engines and third party software interfaces, about how they could make cockpit builders happy and divide the load to multiple computers. The most active forum members are invited into closed discussion forum (after they signed a nda). They spoke about a multi million dollar investment. After all, I am REALLY REALLY excited about what they may be able to pull off untill 2013. After all they are doing it from scratch.

signmanbob

I am also much more excited about what Aerosoft will build than what Microsoft is planning.
Aerosoft has their thumb on the pulse of the flight sim community and developers.
They build their own software, plus publish other developers work. They run one of the most active forums in the flight sim community and constantly do market research into what flight simmers will spend money on.
I know that when Aerosoft builds a flight sim, they will make one that the software they now sell will be able to run on it, either directly or with some modifying program.
Aerosoft has their eye on money from the flight sim community by giving them something that they want and, historically, anything that Aerosoft builds, simply works great.
Microsoft has their eye on money from the mass population of the World, not just the flight sim community and although they have done reasonably well with MSFS, they are simply out of touch now.
What forum do they use to interact with the flight sim community or developers on a daily bases? None that I know of.
Mathijs Kok interacts with the flight sim community asking and answering questions every day. Who can even get a hold of Microsoft to give them an opinion?
If Microsoft invests the time and money to build a serious simulator for this nitch market, I will be very surprised.

SKorny

Am i allowed to post links directly here? Let’s have a try:
http://www.forum.aerosoft.com/index.php?showforum=278
That should be the link to the english Aerosoft Flight Simulator 2012 (Project name) Forum.
Some things that came across:

- It WILL BE DX11, as they are planning to use tessselation a lot
- it’ll be designed to scale as good as possible with multiple cpu and graphics processors and even to multiple computers (use your old computer to do weather updates, atc addons, or even have the plane running on a second machine while running outside views on the first)
- it’s not going to be hardcore simmers only, newbies are considered a very important custumor group
- fsx addons (even from aerosoft) will not be compatible because they want to do a complete new code base, engine etc., but it was once said that aerosoft addons can be exchanged for free. That would safe me a thousand bucks probably . They probably just recompile their stuff and if they charge a small upgrade fee nobody will mind. After all; they will make much better addons in 2 or 3 years especially when having access to their own optimized code base and fsx will just be pretty old and limited by then

I think it’s not a Microsoft vs. Aerosoft thing. I am sure the MS Flight will be great. But MS has to look after a much wider customer base like the xbox and casual gamers. (I am not a native English speaker, so forgive me if some expression are not 100% on the spot here.) Aerosoft is concentrating very much on people like us, who spend thousands of dollars in hard- and software addons and are NEVER going to be satisfied until they get into the real thing. Maybe MS will do a good job and leting go of ACES was a step to start from scratch, which would be a good thing.

Some good competition has never been a bad thing for customers, and there is a huge market for both companies. I do have X-plane, FSX and FS9. Everyone one is great in its own way and field, so will be MS Flight and AFS 2012, as will hopefully be the new X-Plane (12?) by then.

signmanbob

Again, I agree. I don’t think what Microsoft is planning will be a bad thing at all, just not directed toward the nitch market of realism fanatics. Graphics, I expect will be awesome. Systems, weather, ATC, etc., I expect, won’t.
I was hoping that Aerosoft would make existing products work, but that will probably be impossible. Credit for existing products would be better than nothing, although I expect that credit will only apply for a limited time.

maikel rozemeijer

Okey, my bad. I am Dutch and did translate the text wrong.

“COLOGNE, Germany — Aug. 17, 2010 — On the eve of gamescom 2010, the world’s largest consumer-oriented games showcase, Microsoft Corp. unveiled the newest addition to the famed “Age of Empires” franchise, “Age of Empires Online.” Microsoft also announced the development of “Microsoft Flight,” a new entry inspired by the best-selling “Microsoft Flight Simulator” franchise. Published by Microsoft Game Studios, these new titles, along with the previously announced “Fable III,” fully integrate the free* Games for Windows – LIVE online service to deliver compelling socially connected gameplay experiences.”
* Tellss an broadband internet connection is needed)

The free part is probaly about the online game mode. This gives me also hopes for a new sim!

Maikel.
IPete2

Hi guys,

Hot off the press: (actually luke warm as it is from last week)

Just been listening to Podcast ‘Tech News Today’ from last week – podcast number 56 has a small but interesting piece on Flight at 26 minutes in – saying it is reportedly in Alpha stage ready for internal testing according to Kevin Unakst (Senior Director in MicroSoft Game Unit).

Just thought you’d like to know.

IPete2.
Mike

Hi all,

Perhaps Microsoft is going to use Flight as a concept and have different flavors of it. Much like the “Premium”, “Professional” and “Ultimate” versions of Windows 7; maybe Flight will cater to the different audiences. By having a more game-like version that keeps more of the real world tasks under the program’s control but still using the same the same core logic (scenery rendering, all of the programming that gives the aircraft their “feel”, etc.) the program development could benefit from additional funding from those who aren’t as interested in the lower level details of what it *actually* takes to fly an aircraft.

With the “different flavors” concept, the Sim Community may end up turning in more initial cash to gain the ability to touch the various controls that were locked/behind the scenes in the gaming version but we would be the recipients of a better funded core program. In addition, a more basic version could whet the appetite of people who didn’t realize they *would* like to get into the lower level details of flight and bring new sim fans to the community. Plus MS could then get more funds from those who didn’t buy the “Ultimate” version to begin with.

On the word Simulator:
X-Plane doesn’t have the word “Simulator” in its title, so I’m not disturbed by the word not being included in Flight’s title. If we completely wanted to simulate real life, we’d be looking for a program that doesn’t let us get into the pilot seat without passing a simulated pilot’s license test, right? Darn… it was meant to be sarcastic, but maybe there’s an idea. The Sim could have a Career Mode or something that locks the more advanced planes until you show proficiency with the easier ones or maybe even would require you to pass tests along the way.

OK, there’s too many words here, so I’m stoping now!
Nko

Obviously it’s gonna be a simulator. If it become a game, it’s sill a freaking simulator, you’ll have your option in the menu to create your flight plan etc like usual… Except that like most games nowadays it will have a game mode with missions etc… A bit like there was in the last one, but with probably some sort of scenario englobing it all…And i personnaly liked thoses missions more than doing some random “simulation”, I want to see some creativity, engines problems etc… It’s a great idea that it expent beyond just being a simulation. And nowadays most game even with a storyline mode, have an online mode multiplayer mode etc.
Ray

I’d like to see flight simulator interactive with satellite images of the earth for a real look to the terrain.

http://redeagleflighttraining.com Wayne

Ray
Right on with the satellite images.
I have been a FS nut since FS 1 where scenery was made up of about 1/4 inch blocks (or it seamed that way), but it was ok then because we could actually “Fly” at last. I am much older now (75) since FS1, and have finally accomplished my 60 year dream of actually building and flying my own “Real” airplane for the past few years. I thank all the MSFS series for keeping this dream alive for all those growing family years until time and $ would allow me to make my dream of flying come true. When the weather is bad for real flying, I enjoying my pretend flying using FSX but miss some of the FS9 aircraft. The thrill of flying, even on a simulator, has been passed onto my grandchildren to the point I have started a Jr. or basic flight training school http://www.redeagleflighttraining.com with a final student graduation present of a “real” flight in our “real” airplane under the EAA Young eagles program.
In comparison to the earlier scenery, FSX is Great, but my students do ask why the ground gets so fuzzy when they come in for practice landings and can’t see their house too well when they fly over it. Google Earth is ok above 2500 ft and Megescenery (for $) is about the same. To your pont about better satellite images, we don’t really need to read a house number or car plate giving the “Bad Guys” too much detail, but good detail at 100 to 200 feet would be nice when landing and give our future pilots a better feel of a Great Landing.
Thanks for the Great Idea.
Wevansee@att.net

austin

i want it to be for a console such as xbox 360 or ps3, but i want it to be sorta the same. i like the features and the scenary but i want it to be faster and not freeze up and i dont want it having so many requirments. and i like the features where you can be the air traffic controller or talk to one. and have all the airports and maybe some miltary based stuff. i dont want missions, i want a simulator thats like flying so when this comes out i hope its like what ive just stated

Namejsv

Hello fellow simmers! Have to say – there we can see rather many different interests and wishes for the new sim. Yes, I agree with many of them, except one thing: WHY in the hell you want some improved, better talking or more intuitive built in ATC?? They can spend years and years with that, but its never gonna be even close to what you expect from ATC. Doesnt matter if its ground/twr/app or ctr position. It can never be same good as a real human atc. And for this reason there are such networks like VATSIM, IVAO (I hope I dont advertise something forbidden here! If I do, please excuse me!) Dont be afraid to connect, learn a little how to use it and ask if you need advice. Its easy, but most of all… it is far more realistic than any built in ATC! Since the first day I started to use VATSIM, I have never even opened the built-in ATC window in the sim.
Namejsv

Hello fellow simmers! Have to say – there we can see rather many different interests and wishes for the new sim. Yes, I agree with many of them, except one thing: WHY in the hell you want some improved, better talking or more intuitive built in ATC?? They can spend years and years with that, but its never gonna be even close to what you expect from ATC. Doesnt matter if its ground/twr/app or ctr position. It can never be same good as a real human atc. And for this reason there are such networks like VATSIM, IVAO (I hope I dont advertise something forbidden here! If I do, please excuse me!) Dont be afraid to connect, learn a little how to use it and ask if you need advice. Its easy, but most of all… it is far more realistic than any built in ATC! Since the first day I started to use VATSIM, I have never even opened the built-in ATC window in the sim.

Kenneth

This is what I want in the new Microsoft Flight:

1. Real world flight dynamics. One of the things I don’t like about flight simulator is that the flight controls are way too sensitive and the aircraft responds way too rapidly in every manuever you make. I’ve flown Cessna aircrafts in the real world and the same aircraft in flight simulator is no match, as far as flight controls are concerned. Both flight simulators perform tasks too rapidly.

2. I’m not sure how to explain this but another thing I don’t like about flight simulator 2004 and FSX is the fisheye appearence. This is most noticeable when you set your zoom factor at 0.50 or 0.30. I guess you might say it’s like you’re looking through a lens that has a curved shape to it. If you set your zoom factor at 0.30, you’ll notice how fast the runway appears to pass you when you take-off. This is not noticeable when the zoom factor is set at 1 but I believe it gives a small impression that the ground or the terrain is moving a little faster than it looks in the real world. Of course, I’m not saying to set your zoom factor at any other setting other than 1. This is just for demonstration purposes. Even with the zoom factor set at 1, I believe if you were able to pan beyond the edge of your screen, the fisheye appearence would be noticeable. I want a simulator that gives you the correct real world view as well as real world flight dynamics.
Frank Parker

I did some extensive research and it “appears” is going to be a log-in to a network game. Mixing a little VATSIM with a little bit of FSX and little bits and pieces of the XBOX technology. I can’t remember who wrote the post, but someone is on track..flying around doing missions with every kid on the block logged-in flying around without a clue. )-:

BUT as Chris stated…we’ll see!

Previous post: Intro to Approach Charts

Next post: PMDG 737 NGX Gettin’ Down and Dirty