how much better will FSX be?

[57825]

i remember when running fs2000 that i was always thinking about how much better the next version will be, then with fs2002 that expectation began to diminish, till now i am almost considering waiting till fsx is amazing cheap (read: buy used on ebay) and not rushing out to buy it right away. i also fear that fsx will hardly be worth running with an older pc, but i hope to be proved wrong with that (it will be a long time i get a new one, since this is still pretty good). but am i the only one not completely phyced for a new version?

[RatRace]

(so far) I ‘ve lived through all versions of MS FS (I’m that old, “sigh”). Changes to FS have almost always been “evolutionary” rather than “revolutionary”, and follow changes in technology (hardware), albeit with a serious time lag. The latter is no criticism, all software lags behind hardware (software engineers have never been able to cope with the fast progress of hardware technology).

If you’re expecting a completely new experience from FSX, than yes, you’re bound to be disappointed.
One compelling reason to upgrade might be the many improvements third-party developers will be able to squeeze out of the new FS. Wait and see is not always a bad option ...

[n4gix]

>If you’re expecting a completely new experience from FSX,
>than yes, you’re bound to be disappointed.

Well, this time around I suspect that you will be jaw-droppingly amazed... :)

[RatRace]

>>If you’re expecting a completely new experience from FSX,
>>than yes, you’re bound to be disappointed.
>
>Well, this time around I suspect that you will be
>jaw-droppingly amazed... :)

hmmm, how much is MS paying you to join the teasing game ? :-) :-) :-)

[Mojo2000]

>all software lags behind
>hardware (software engineers have never been able to cope with
>the fast progress of hardware technology).

I always thought that FS9 forced the hardware industry to push the limits?... I still can't afford the right hardware to make my install run everything at full speed and full detail.

[tgibson]

I would predict they are paying him nothing. However, Bill has always been very enthusiastic about FS, and he is continuing that very refreshing trend. And of course great excitement about the new FS will not hurt sales of his payware!

Just ribbing you, Bill... :)

Take care,

[n4gix]

>I would predict they are paying him nothing. However, Bill
>has always been very enthusiastic about FS, and he is
>continuing that very refreshing trend. And of course great
>excitement about the new FS will not hurt sales of his
>payware!
>
>Just ribbing you, Bill... :)

Of course, Tom... ;)

My only motive is indeed my own enthusiasm, which is only tempered by my certainty of the line(s) I cannot cross. Time will reveal all...

"Teasing" is the interpretive world view of those who've not yet learned to read what isn't written; it is a mystery shrouded in an enigma...

[sclincoln]

>I always thought that FS9 forced the hardware industry to push
>the limits?... I still can't afford the right hardware to make
>my install run everything at full speed and full detail.

FS has always been one of the most demanding programs out there but the fact that FS can also run (albeit in neutered fashion) on quite old machines has probably somewhat limited what could be done if they were merely aiming at people with high-end machines. For example, as I understand it, the last couple iterations made some use of GPUs but ran just fine on computers with integrated graphics (unlike lots of other hard-core games out there). If they had required a recent GPU to even run the program, I'm sure there were some things they could have done but decided not to in the interests of compatibility with the widest range of machines. A tradeoff to be sure but one I think they had to make.

Now, if they decided to make two versions like FS2002 and make the standard version for the lower end and the pro version for the top end, that would be really cool. I'd easily pay triple for a really tricked out version that was designed to take full advantage of all available technology.