Wow.

Wasn't expecting this when I dropped by . . . but good to see that MS is finally dusting off the series to get it working.

Of course, like everyone else here, I'm filled with mixed feelings on the matter.

One of the important things that I think has been noted seems to be the naming of the thing.  "Flight" (sans "Simulator") seems to indicate to me that they aren't necessarily going for the low-brow market, but that they want to distinguish themselves from the previous versions, to let everyone know that this is an entirely new product that has nothing to do with the previous versions, which I find to be refreshing.  There was far too much backwards-compatible kowtowing in the last few releases.  So much so that it hindered the designers (and programmers from ACES) from grasping at the true potential of the release.  I for one will be glad to see a complete reboot for the series.

Another interesting aspect of this is how they will implement the 3rd-party software design.  After all, I know of no game that has a scope of this magnitude that doesn't allow modification and improvement.  Hell, that was what made MSFS so popular in the past: the ability to customize your heart out!

To that end, they can't simply release something that can ONLY be modified or fleshed-out by Maya.  The program is nearly $5,000 US, which is horribly outside most people's budget.  That was the issue they were working with for FS8 and FS9 with Gmax: they essentially needed a "dumbed-down" version of 3ds Max (a cousin of Maya!) so they stripped Max 6 (or was it 5?) down to it's bare bones and created Gmax.  So it would follow for one of two things: either they will create a Maya-esque version of Gmax, or they will restrict the content completely to authorized developers, in which case I give up on MS completely and move on to X-Plane!

Whatever happens, I'm sure this will be a few years in the making, so we all have time to save up for that 12-core, 20-GB RAM, high-fidelity interactive VR system that will tremble under the mighty weight of M$'s latest foray into the ultra-crisp, yet slightly annoying area of cutting-edge graphics with disappointing simulation behind them!

Any speculation this might be a browser based platform like they did with PGATOUR.com
h**p://www.pgatour.com/players/00/87/93/

f-35simpilot wrote on Sep 28^th, 2010 at 12:10pm:


They didn't sell the Flight Simulator name to Aerosoft. It's not called FS11 because it's separate from the original FS series. Flight is meant to replace it. They simply removed "Simulator" to give some distinction between the old series and the new sim. Also, FSX was such a wreck that the FS series had a bad name. They sure didn't want people to think this would be another FSX.

They also changed:

Q: What is "Microsoft Flight?"

A: "Microsoft Flight" is a new PC game from Microsoft Game Studios. The new title will be available on the Games for Windows – LIVE service and will bring a new perspective to the long-standing "Flight Simulator" franchise. it is an entirely new breed of virtual flight. The Games for Windows - LIVE platform sets the stage for all your virtual flight needs while connecting you to a global base of users, content and endless exploration. Microsoft Flight builds off its heritage of deep, immersive simulation and is redesigned to make the experience easier for virtual fliers of all interests and skills.

So, do these changes mean something good, or bad. (Referring to "Content is updated virtually)

alrot wrote on Sep 25^th, 2010 at 12:41pm:


I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm at least another computer away from being close to running FSX how I want to. The computer to really max out FSX is probably available commercially, but I'm not spending the $4,000 or whatever it would cost to buy it. I guess the point of my post is this: if MSFlight is something completely different than the FS series - which would in turn make it pretty likely something I'm not interested in - I have years and years and years of FSX to go before I would consider it obsolete. Tons of people will still be playing it and developing for it - I mean for God's sake, people are still playing and developing add-ons for FS9, which I believe was released over 7 years ago.

I'm not really too worried about having to jump to X-Plane if MSFlight sucks.

JBaymore wrote on Oct 5^th, 2010 at 3:17pm:



This could also be considered speculation. You can think of these things in different ways. The FAQ page can be taken positively or negatively. It all depends on how you look at it. We just have to wait and see what Microsoft gives us.

Travis wrote on Oct 5^th, 2010 at 4:35pm:


Keep in mind, also, that even after MS Flight is released, it will not be the end of FS9 or FSX. MS Flight will not put free-ware or pay-ware designers out of business. It will be MS's loss if they do snub the free-ware designers.  After all, assuming equal quality, if someone comes out with, for example, a Buck Rogers "Thunderfighter" freeware for FSX VS a MS Flight Add-on "Thunderfighter" that I have to pay for, guess which one I'll download and under what program I'll be flying in.

Boikat wrote on Oct 5^th, 2010 at 5:09pm:


ahh in my experience when something new as MSFS comes ,No matter if it works or not
its true that when FSX was released Didn't work at all but people focused on the new game ,every one bought the most expensive cpus ,video cards and RAM ,and nothing could fix that, then they release the two Service Pack ,and latter many like Nick deal with it

then  FS2004 came back because IT still didn't run too well .
It is Now that technology has achieve to the point that can run FSX ,but still we can't denied that this game has issues ,that ADD ON developers has fixed many of those details,details that YOU and ME Paid for it.


I'm sure that this new game will be much more realistic than FSX and it will not have problems 
and people will get used to it like FSX people will empty their bank accounts to buy the best computer ..

  Silly me ,we were talking about maya as a new 3d3 software develop tool, I was going to ask to allow plugins to export in their new format in gmax and 3d max ,

I was thinking to improve my models into this new FLIGHT , I was dreaming ..
M$ never listen to people ,they just wish to have xray vision to see your wallet to take your money..

all I can say is This is/was a society ,was born seriously in 1998, there are millions behind this world of MSFS , Forums ,Clubs are made because of this revolutionary Adult game
that children plays with it too, a game that allows people ,teams and companies to develop other business based in this (Payware people)  .
  Your about to destroy everything  and you will drag too , Try to listen to the people , make a better FS ,allow ANYONE built in the way YOU (M$) allow us (GMAX)
Don't be selfish ,You will earn a lot if a new MSFS comes and not this software that seems a killer of this culture.


Take a look around and see . PlaneX everyday more people are making models . what if they achieve what FSX couldn't one of these days?