Simviation Forum - backwards compatibility, really ?

Reply #15 - Feb 11^th, 2006 at 4:27am

Hagar Offline
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Meanwhile, back on subject ... Wink

Quite a number of my FS2002 aircraft work fine in FS9 (with some dynamics tweaking) - but there are some that don't, strangely. These are the Freeware Flight Group's (FFG) 737 models. Being something of a 737 collector, FFG's -900 was one of the very few -900s out there, and was excellent in FS2002. However, the engine interiors disappear in FS9, leading me to suspect that the FFG 737s were originally designed for FS2000 and upgraded. (Having to use a flyable Aardvark -900 at the moment until someone designs a bespoke -900!)

Probably created before the FS2004 SDKs were available. Typically this was several months after the sim was released. I've said before that the problem with backwards compatability is that it restricts what can be done in the way of major improvements. You can't have it both ways.

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Reply #16 - Feb 11^th, 2006 at 4:57am

microlight Offline
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I guess that it's always going to be a challenge for the developers to move forward with software like FS, where so many talented people out there go to great lengths to write addons for the current version of it. Doesn't happen in many other software products as far as I'm aware.

An alternative might be for the developers to cover all the bases and provide a complete range of addons with the product as 'standard' - but then who in these forums would want that? Half the fun is with tinkering and adding things on.

On a constructive note - at least it would challenge the current sim population to get busy PDQ!

Wink

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Reply #17 - Feb 11^th, 2006 at 6:34am

x_jasper Offline
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Some very constructive input here. Lets just hope Microsoft have an eye on what the sim community is expecting.

In my opinion they really are going to have to get this one right, otherwise I suspect two sales failures (CFS3) from a marketing point of view will mean Microsoft withdraws from flight simulators.

Short of straight answers from Microsoft, at the moment all we can do is speculate.

It would be quite annoying though to have gone to the bother of upgrading to premium spec, only to find there was no point in doing so.

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Jasper

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Reply #18 - Feb 11^th, 2006 at 5:29pm

Katahu Offline
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In my opinion they really are going to have to get this one right, otherwise I suspect two sales failures (CFS3) from a marketing point of view will mean Microsoft withdraws from flight simulators.

CFS3 only failed because it had a different engine than all the other sims in the past [except FS95 and earlier]. If M$ continues to use the same engine as usual, then FS will live on. And right now, there is a 99% chance that M$ will still use the old engine since they are concerned about compatibility.

$10 says that FSX will not fail.

BTW, making a sim [let alone the whole world] is a daunting task and all sims are prone to errors [like video game glitches]. Look at Orbiter Space Flight Simulator. The sim crashed to the desktop whenever you orbit too long [especially if you are traveling from planet to planet]. X-Plane is not immune either. They still have to fix the water landings [seaplanes tend to bouce too much] and it should have a simpler Aircraft Maker program. So, as the old saying goes:

"Nobody is perfect."

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Reply #19 - Feb 12^th, 2006 at 12:41am

Dianna78sg Offline
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I hoping the way on creating scenery is not as different than FS2004...coz I already used to it...and I hope for capabilities on making ground scenery without have to use previous version of FS's sdk (as in FS2004, you have to use FS2002 sdk to create ground that cast shadow)

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Reply #20 - Feb 12^th, 2006 at 6:49am

x_jasper Offline
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Quoted:CFS3 only failed because it had a different engine than all the other sims.

Actually the flight engine in CFS3 is the same as FS2002.

Problems with poor modelling in the flight engine do seem common to all versions. Examples are: ground speed scaling, and altitude factoring in particular with jets to name but two faults.

What we are talking about here is not rocket science for the developers at MS, there are issues with all MS sims which for some bizarre reason just reappear with each version. I am sure these are not the result of error but are deliberate, possibly down to some marketing strategy.

It could be that MS wants to clearly deffine their product as a game, rather than a simulator. A 'simulator' in the true sense would demand certain basic attributes correctly modelled, and for MS this means the danger of a standardised product which is good for us but not good for them. In other words, if they make a perfect product they would put themselves out of business.

Better from a sales point of view to effectively keep it as a game, and keep on selling new versions.

I have read quite a lot about FSX on the net and it is interesting to see most of the sim community has common views about MS, FSX and sims in general. I think what is happening now is that the community has matured to the point where much will be expected of this latest offering, and they will expect to see none of the endemic traits of the other versions.

"Please MS, no more springy bouncy stall ridden pitch" Cry

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jasper

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Reply #21 - Feb 12^th, 2006 at 2:15pm

Katahu Offline
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Quoted:CFS3 only failed because it had a different engine than all the other sims.

Actually the flight engine in CFS3 is the same as FS2002.

I have BOTH CFS3 and FS2002 [as well as FS95 and FS98]. Tell me, how many CFS3 addons can work in FS2002? If you can show me at least ONE that can work in both of those sims, then I'll shut up. But in the meantime, do your research.

After carefully reading every review that I saw in the FS community [not just in this forum, but in others as well], it turns out that FS2002 and CFS2 [two] have similar engines, not CFS3 [three]. I believe you must have misread a review or the review you read must have been inaccurate.

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Reply #22 - Feb 12^th, 2006 at 2:27pm

Hagar Offline
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After carefully reading every review that I saw in the FS community [not just in this forum, but in others as well], it turns out that FS2002 and CFS2 [two] have similar engines, not CFS3 [three]. I believe you must have misread a review or the review you read must have been inaccurate.

I was inclined to agree with you on this Kat but after reading his comments carefully Jasper is referring to the flight model, not the graphics engine. http://www.microsoft.com/games/combatfs3/readers_faq.asp
Quote:

Q: I am avidly awaiting the game's release! I understand from the FAQ that older aircraft will not import to CFS3; but will that work both ways? Will the new CFS3 aircraft import back to FS2K2 or CFS2?
A: This is popular question from the add-on community. Both Combat Flight Simulator 3 and Flight Simulator 2002 have grown to the point where they now use independent code bases, but continue to share the aircraft flight model engine. In order to implement the new graphics engine for Combat Flight Simulator 3, aircraft formats needed to be altered for the new product.

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Reply #23 - Feb 12^th, 2006 at 2:38pm

Katahu Offline
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I was inclined to agree with you on this Kat but after reading his comments carefully Jasper is referring to the flight model, not the graphics engine. http://www.microsoft.com/games/combatfs3/readers_faq.asp

Woops!

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Reply #24 - Feb 14^th, 2006 at 2:11pm

x_jasper Offline
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lol

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