Open-Source Flight-sim?

[sandgate]

We all know how Linux has developed under an open-source scenario, with programmers from all over the world having input into it's development.

OK!

Picture this hypothetical scenario.............

Bill Gates retires to enjoy the rest of his days on an island with no computers and few plug-points. His shining new replacement looks at the MS portfolio and says,"We need to rationalise this company if we are going to build it up into something worthwhile and profitable. Why are we selling games when our core business is operating systems and business software? Take us out of the games market by the end of the year", and so plans are put in place to accomplish this. By the end of the year there will be no FS2006 (or whatever)!

Now, there is a point to this story and here it comes.

If MS decided to drop Flightsim, could the FS community develop and sustain a flightsim based on open-source code to rival or beat what we have now?

Think about it.

We have very clever developers who design the planes, the scenery, the mesh, the landclass, the airports, and all types of other aspects of our hobby, all facilitated by our beloved FS. Would it be possible that our FS could continue supported by these companies and talented individuals who produce these add-ons. And would the end result be better or worse?

It's a thought that intrigues me and if we are all honest, can anyone say they have never considered the situation where MS would eventually get fed up of Flightsims and produce no more new ones - and what would our lives be like then?

What are your thoughts, fellow flightsimmers?

Happy days

John

[RyanbATC]

Well, I'm kinda lazy, so I didnt read your whole thing, but there is already an open source linux-based flightsim. I think its called Flight Gear....www.flightgear.org

[Armitage_Shanks]

I think it is possible. I think it would be TOTALLY different from FS as we know it. I think it would happen but it would not be as good. There would be a smaller amount of money and people power invested in it.

[lnuss]

Keep in mind that the developers you refer to, good as they are, don't generally do much with FS itself (with an exception or two), but rather they "plug in" to interfaces designed into the product for that purpose. Flight Gear Flight Sim is, in fact, an open source program to which anyone may contribute.

They have "mesh terrain" for most of the world, and runways can (and do) slope with the terrain, there is a rudimentary AI and ATC interface and aircraft visuals are usable. It's even possible to import some pieces of aircraft (not flight models, though) from MSFS into Flight Gear. There is provision for buildings, etc. There is also a weather engine.

This program runs under both Windows and Linux (and I expect it's been ported elsewhere, as well). While it's not yet as sophisticated in most respects as the MS product, it is a continual work in progress, and the current version is miles ahead of what it was a year and more ago. It's a neat and fun part-time alternative to MSFS, and it continues to get better with every new release (a few months apart). In Linux (and maybe Windows, if you compile the parts yourself), it even has multiplayer, though I've not yet tried it, so can't comment beyond the fact that it's there.

So the basic premise of your question has been answered a resounding "YES!" Try it (free from flightgear.org) and see what you think.

[sandgate]

Thanks for the feedback. Believe it or not, Flightgear is a new one to me - will look it up and investigate.

John

[zoynyne]

I was surprised a while back to learn that MSFS is the biggest selling entertainment software title of all time.

I REALLY would not have expected that!

I used to think that MS probably lost money on FS, but I'm not so sure about that anymore.

I bet FS makes a profit.

It might be nothing compared to Windows and all the other MS products, but as long as something can generate a decent profit, and grab a decent market share, a company generally won't discontinue it.

And it's no secret that there IS a market for flightsim products out there.

[rcarlson123]

It may be the best selling title since it is also the longest-running title. I'm not sure when the first version came out, but I remember playing FS4.0 something like 12 years ago.

In terms of unit sales of a given version, I doubt that it beats out some other games like Quake or Half-Life, but I don't know for sure. Those games get pirated so much that maybe in terms of actual sales, they're still below FS.

I've always wondered how MS could make money on the FS line, too. When you think about what goes into making a sim as extensive as FS, it seems like they must spend incredible amounts of money developing each new release. I'd love to see actual figures for the cost of development and marketing (they do cable ads ... can't be cheap) versus actual unit sales.

[simworx]

Great idea and Simworx plans to make it happen, and build it into a full 360 rotation in roll and approx 14 degrees in pitch DIY set of kits and plans with our open software. If you help us get this project funded then it will happen sooner than later.
Our plan is for it to interface with several software titles like FSX, Prepar3d, Pacific Fighters, X-Plane, etc, etc and operate motion controllers from several different manufacturers.
http://www.indiegogo.com/flight-sim-...1820267?c=home