It's Finally Arrived and It's Official - Release Date Feb. 29th

[silverplate]

There's a new video posted and some new screenshots. The video shows the design team talking about how they created the aircraft and how neat one 3 year old son's developer found the program. So I guess it's official. Flight was created for 3 year olds. Wonderful. Also, one person in the video confirms that the new focus in Flight is away from actually operating an aircraft for real. Great. I think I am going to go throw up now. Please excuse me.

[greggerm]

My 3.5 month old is enthralled at sitting in front of my computer and whacking on the keyboard... I don't think my computer is designed to be a child's toy. Although we all know the overall focus and target is different than we're used to, there's no need to be quite so dramatic about it.

I'm curious as to what the future holds regarding Flight... it will be interesting, but I'm keeping my hopes well in check.

-Greg

[angels355]

It looked really good, I was amazed that they talked about instruments and using them to land if the weather doesn't allow you to see, you know like a normal simulator. MS used to put instruments on real planes to guage their true flight dynamics, I hope they are still doing that. I was really encouraged by their latest news release and video. Perhaps they have been listening to us (????) and want to turn things around. I think they should talk about the SDK now, that yes they are going to release it to third party developers. I hope it's not going to suck. They said they drew on Flight Simulator, I hope they draw another 100% out of Flight Simulator and give us everything.

They let us down over dumping the Aces and FS11, it's up to them to regain our trust and business.

[vonBobo]

"Microsoft has announced that the free-to-play Microsoft Flight will finally be launching on February 29. While the download is initially free, players will be able to access additional content for a price. On launch day a Hawaiian Adventure Pack will be released through Games For Windows LIVE for 1,600 Microsoft Points (or $20). The expansion adds an additional plane (a two-seater Vans RV-6A) and 20 missions to the core package, and two additional planes will also be available as separate purchases. The Maule M-7-260C (which includes a fully detailed cockpit) and North American P-51 Mustang will be available at launch for 1,200 points ($15) and 640 points ($8) respectively. While you're waiting for the game to launch, be sure to check out..."

So for $43, you get Hawaii (how many islands?... not that it matters), 5? airplanes, and 20 missions plus the defaults.

I think the goal here is that MS wants the continual revenue stream instead of the one time purchase, and this time they aren't sharing the aftermarket profits. Problem for us is, you can't justify game play with a pie chart.

[angels355]

"Microsoft has announced that the free-to-play Microsoft Flight will finally be launching on February 29. While the download is initially free, players will be able to access additional content for a price. On launch day a Hawaiian Adventure Pack will be released through Games For Windows LIVE for 1,600 Microsoft Points (or $20). The expansion adds an additional plane (a two-seater Vans RV-6A) and 20 missions to the core package, and two additional planes will also be available as separate purchases. The Maule M-7-260C (which includes a fully detailed cockpit) and North American P-51 Mustang will be available at launch for 1,200 points ($15) and 640 points ($8) respectively. While you're waiting for the game to launch, be sure to check out..."

So for $43, you get Hawaii (how many islands?... not that it matters), 5? airplanes, and 20 missions plus the defaults.

I think the goal here is that MS wants the continual revenue stream instead of the one time purchase, and this time they aren't sharing the aftermarket profits. Problem for us is, you can't justify game play with a pie chart.

I think it's just one island, Hawaii. I started from the very beginning flying around the world in jets, so I can't help but be a little frustrated. I think you're right on, a continual revenue stream. The Flight team was friendly and smiling, I'd like them to continue smiling with bon ami and tell us when they are going to release the SDK.

[benEggleston16]

Hell. I thought the DLC would be cheaper, than at least it might get to FSX level content with better graphics etc. But no. All hopes dashed. I'm joking. This is the first announcement, things are always rocky at first, look at FSX. Games are always expensive to begin with, but in a few months, they will be cheaper. Then there will be sales too, on steam for examle games get reduced by 90% sometimes, and these aren't terrible unusued originally-released-in-1999 games, it's up-to-date games that are supposed to be £30++. So there is still hope. We just need PATIENCE

[vonBobo]

it's up to them to regain our trust and business.

Haha! They don't care. Even though it was their own fault by not competing in the after market, MS already feels like the FS fans aren't loyal to FS (we replace every piece of default visuals in the package). So instead, they have built a sandbox, essentially telling us we are either in or we are out.

Soon the after market devs are going to anticipate the end of life for FS, and the flood to Xplane will begin. Personally, I'm thrilled thinking about the day when I can fly xplane with the added rich environment from the 3rd party devs.

[benEggleston16]

Does anyone know what it means on their ESRB Content Rating 'Crude Humour'? Or am I missing something obvious. Seems like a joke, hoe can humour effect a game's appropriateness?

PS. For Angels355, can you reply to post #80 & #74 in the 'Hawaii Only' thread?

[vonBobo]

release the SDK.

that's the variable that no one will know, and MS could change their mind about it at any time they want.

If that did happen, I would assume that even the 3rd party addons would still have to be sold through MSLive, which would mean an additional cost and no freebies. I would expect little things like smoke effects, lighting effects, all those little tweaks to be non existent. Also, can anyone confirm if MS even has precedent today for 3rd party addons in the MSlive environment? Best case scenario, I cant imagine it being like the wild west of addons we enjoy today.

[alaskancrab]

Seriously guys... go get yourselves a copy of P3D... You want an SDK you are going to have to pay for its development by pitching in 10 bucks a month. SDK's cost money, they aren't free to produce.