Do you think microsoft abandoned Fsimmers ?

**MdMax** · 08-28-2012, 02:03 AM

Originally Posted by bombadair

what is, and where is prepar3d obtained

This is only for developers, students, or professionals: http://www.prepar3d.com/

**mtrunz** · 08-28-2012, 08:37 AM

Well I'm not sure if they abandoned us flight simmers because we are probably the minority! Off course I'm disappointed but my passion for virtual flying never ends because I know there are alternatives, such as x-plane. But for the time being FSX is not going away anytime soon

**torkermax** · 08-28-2012, 09:08 AM

"what is, and where is prepar3d obtained"

http://www.prepar3d.com/

http://forum.avsim.net/forum/436-the...repar3d-forum/

**ftldave** · 08-28-2012, 09:15 AM

The critical point to come is when FSX finally goes out of print, when new copies can't be purchased. That's what has finally happened with Microsoft Train Simulator, install disks only available now via Ebay or other second-hand sources, and often being listed with over-the-top, inflated prices. Third-party vendors have continued to release new content for Train Simulator, but I can't help but think there are fewer new users coming onboard now ... except in India. From what I see on trainsim.com, the bulk of the remaining TrainSim CDs must be in the bargain bins in Calcutta. Good for them, but not good for the future of the sim community here in the USA and elsewhere.

I've seen postings here that say that the academic version of Prepar3D is not a "complete" version ... what is missing from it, I wonder?

**SAM Hunter** · 08-28-2012, 10:37 AM

Has anyone ever considered this?

ESP was constructed as a flight training program, the military looked into adapted it and asked Microsoft to modify the base program to there needs… The civilian aspect of FS98, FS2000, FS2002, FS2004, and FSX are just watered downed versions of the military training programs, Microsoft has been in partnership with Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Gulfstream, Dyno Tech, Northrop Grumman for years and supplies many other military contractors with not only input, but takes an active role in US defense contracts.

When Microsoft completed its contract Lockheed Martin took over and use’s the same based program in P3D. Microsoft never had the intention of making just a game with any flight simulation program; it was just an after thought to generate more revenue. Now that it is not obligated to supply the military it wants all of the flight simulation programs to die a quiet death. Microsoft is now creating and deploying it latest versions of military training software to the US Government and I’ll bet they will have a game version of the same programs in the near future.

Look around your home at everything you own a see it’s history, your TV for example. It started life as a radar for the R.A.F and U.S. Airforce, the microwave in the kitchen same application, your cell phone started as a walkie-talkie, the G.P.S. in your car also military this continues right down to the bar of soap in the bathroom. Many of the things that we take for granted in our lives started in the military and we must not forget that Microsoft like all other big companies looks to the catch the big fish in the pond first rather than catching the individual that only has $50.00 to spend.

Case in point: Dr Robert Ballard do you thing that he really went to find the Titanic just to do it? Unbeknownst to some, this trip was financed by the U.S. Navy for secret reconnaissance of the wreckage of two Navy nuclear powered attack submarines, the USS Scorpion and the USS Thresher, which sank in the 1960s, and not for Titanic.

Here are a few links of there newest items…

http://pinpoint.microsoft.com/en-us/...or-12884913328

http://www.businessweek.com/stories/...nancial-advice

http://www.theverge.com/gaming/2012/...war-simulators

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/bill-clark/8/401/983

http://www.forgefx.com/casestudies/m...-simulator.htm

David...

***n4gix*** · 08-28-2012, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by ftldave

I've seen postings here that say that the academic version of Prepar3D is not a "complete" version ... what is missing from it, I wonder?

That is false information. The only difference is a very subtle "watermark" in the upper right corner of the screen which states "Academic Version."

**mtrunz** · 08-28-2012, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by ftldave

The critical point to come is when FSX finally goes out of print, when new copies can't be purchased. That's what has finally happened with Microsoft Train Simulator, install disks only available now via Ebay or other second-hand sources, and often being listed with over-the-top, inflated prices. Third-party vendors have continued to release new content for Train Simulator, but I can't help but think there are fewer new users coming onboard now ... except in India. From what I see on trainsim.com, the bulk of the remaining TrainSim CDs must be in the bargain bins in Calcutta. Good for them, but not good for the future of the sim community here in the USA and elsewhere.

I've seen postings here that say that the academic version of Prepar3D is not a "complete" version ... what is missing from it, I wonder?

Not true! When Microsoft stopped Train Simulator development another company took it over. It's called RailWorks and they are actively working on it. It's only available on Steam I believe and 2 weeks ago they announced Train Simulator 2013 which will be released next month (every year a new version is being released). There are a ton of addons being developed as well. The website TrainSim.com is so outdated I don't even know why it's there. The website for the current train simulator is:

http://www.railsimulator.com/

So anyways,maybe that's the same is happening with FSX and this Prepar3D software!

**Jim Robinson** · 08-29-2012, 01:42 AM

Originally Posted by mgh

Also if LM finds P3d isn't commercially viable it will abandon it it as soon as it can.

With (> six figures?) wrapped up in licensing the code and a couple years invested in new development so far, my guess is LM has already given commercial viability some very serious consideration. They're not just throwing it out there to "see how it does" - c'mon. If they abandon it because it fails to be commercially viable, it'll be a safe bet that some bean counter will be looking for a job.

**mgh** · 08-29-2012, 03:53 AM

Originally Posted by Jim Robinson

With (> six figures?) wrapped up in licensing the code and a couple years invested in new development so far, my guess is LM has already given commercial viability some very serious consideration. They're not just throwing it out there to "see how it does" - c'mon. If they abandon it because it fails to be commercially viable, it'll be a safe bet that some bean counter will be looking for a job.

You should have read my post properly - I said IF.

Many companies have invested heavily onlt to find it became commercially unviable and pulled the plug. It's common sense - don't throw good money after bad.

**Jim Robinson** · 08-29-2012, 05:05 AM

I read your post just fine and I agree. Of course they won't continue to dump money into it if it fails, my dog understands that concept. Any venture is a gamble and of course oversights in market research are entirely possible. It's ludicrous however to imply that LM is blindly dumping money into P3D without the faintest idea of whether or not it'll be profitable.