I now understand that there is quite a bit of anger directed at Microsoft. I wish I could forward all these emails to them. Many people who responded to me felt like Microsoft had sold them a bill of goods with all the hype that surrounded FS2K. In defense of MS, creating a simulator of this magnitude is no easy task, so I'll cut the designers a bit of slack. It's the marketing department that did that spin. However, many respondents felt that it didn't matter what FS2000 had to offer, the decrease in frame rates ruined it for them.
In my case I get frame rates of 15-30 fps. My computer only freezes up when I want to look out of the cockpit in a different direction and have to hold a number key down to do it. That freezes it momentarily when I hold the key down and then freezes again when I let it go as it switches back to the front view. Of course in FS98, I would just press the number key of the view desired and it would stay there as long as I'd like. I like it better the FS98 way.
So probably the biggest reason why people are not loading FS2000 is because of the type of computer that is needed to run it. They just don't have the money to spend on a machine that is powerful enough to make it a smooth flying experience. What a complete miscalculation on MS's part. Who knows, maybe they were trying to sell more computers.
Now for the people who have a system that can run both simulators, what I've learned is that the sim of choice is more or less dictated by what they use it for. I am the person who flies the commercial jets (IFR). En route scenery is not as important to me as what I see on approach and detail of the airport. The FS2000 defendants are more the purists. They are the people who are more inclined to fly the props to cruise around and enjoy the scenery (VFR). Airport detail is less important than realistic looking mountains. FS2K fans enjoy the fact that they can use real aviation charts to navigate the sim. On the development side, the scenery designers love that FS2K allows them more flexibility in designing add-ons. It's just unfortunate that scenery takes more time to develop. I agree that there has been quite an improvement in the weather and scenery. Oh how I'd love to have rain in FS98. I've even seen some pretty amazing planes in FS2K, with multiple sides and moving parts. However, some of the latter planes in FS98 have almost the same characteristics. In fact, a current 737-300 first officer told me that the flight engine is not only more accurate in FS98, but whoever designed it for FS2000 didn't fully understand aerodynamics!
There are theories that FS2000 is only a "bridge" between the most excellent FS98 and the new FS2002. I would hope that Microsoft has learned some sort of lesson from this and works to improve the MSFS franchise by incorporating the best aspects of FS98 and FS2K...with decent frame rates. I may be asking a lot. Realistically or not, I also believe that some work should be contracted out to the certain individuals who have produced some of the best add-ons for both sims. We have seen that MS designers don't do too well with panels and buildings. Remember the default FS98 737 panel? Need I say more? However, what the designers at Microsoft can do is provide a foundation for the sub-contract developers to come in and create the panels and buildings. There are also regular "joes" in the flightsim community who should be selected as beta-testers for FS2002.
After reading each and every one of the emails, I have come to this conclusion. Both FS98 and FS2000 will continue to co-exist. Usually when the newly updated product is released, the older version just goes away. Well instead of completely pulling FS98, MS has now repackaged the sim and called it FS Classic. I think that speaks volumes as to the success of FS98 and the lack of confidence in FS2000. As far as I can recall, there have never been two MSFS versions on shelves at the same time. Anyone remember New Coke? When that failed, it was back to Classic Coke. In this case, one WILL NOT replace the other. I have found there are a great deal of people, who for many different reasons, have no intention of upgrading to FS2K. Which brings me to offering some advice to commercial and freeware developers. Keep the FS98 add-ons coming! If a commercial company is developing an FS2000 add-on, try and make it FS98 compatible as well. You'll reach a broader market.
So, just how successful is FS2000? For the reasons I have outlined, there is no clear mandate. Personally, I think when it comes to FS2K, I'm going to sit this one out. I can't wait to see what FS2002 holds. This has been a fantastic exercise. All the emails that I received were from very articulate people who have had very well thought out opinions. The outpouring of passionate responses (most E-mails were multiple pages) makes me feel proud to be a small part of a great community that is dedicated to the continued success of flightsimming as a hobby.
Thank you very much for your input.
Rob Olson
ATP Captain #2963G
Noble Airlines DFW Hub
RockmanO@aol.com
