loki

The MSFS series has certainly been a big driver for new hardware in the past, however, I'm not sure it is nearly as big any more. At least not in the same way. Much of the difference between MSFS and other sims, or games in general, is around new technologies such as the AI used to generate the scenery, streaming photogrammetry etc. For the latest and greatest graphics, the Unreal engine, and others, are more relevant to more people these days.

One point that has come out of Microsoft's push to buy Activision is that they aren't looking to release a new console until 2028. https://dotesports.com/general/news/when-will-the-next-xbox-be-released

While each new sim has always pushed the envelope when it comes to hardware, MSFS2020 did run pretty well at release on mid-range systems without too much of an impact on graphics etc. Unlike FSX which barely ran on anything lower than the high end requirements without reducing settings to the bare minimum (granted it got caught out by the move to multi-core CPUS, and wasn't the only one). The need to have it run on Xbox consoles will mean they have to optimize it well.

Microsoft gives a couple more tidbits in the interview linked below. Sounds like a new version of the current sim with the new features, similar to going from FS2002 to FS2004 to FSX. Seems like they're portraying the 10 year commitment as being about the franchise, not just the current MSFS2020. If virtually all add-ons will be supported in the new sim, the transition shouldn't be too bad. On the other hand, there is the questions as to how long they support MSFS2020 and it's connections to the servers.

So, a normal day?

They have put up a FAQ with a couple answers. https://www.flightsimulator.com/microsoft-flight-simulator-2024-faq/

While I agree that the online requirements are an issue for some, I disagree on the hardware side. One could certainly go out and buy the fastest, most powerful hardware around to run the sim, but it is not needed to have a good experience.

Unfortunately it looks like Microsoft has dropped the $1 trial offer for their PC Game Pass that would have let you easily try out MSFS for cheap. You can still sign up for one month of the PC Game Pass, but's ~$10/month, depending on your country. Could sign up for a month, cancel and buy the sim if you like it. https://www.xbox.com/en-CA/xbox-game-pass/pc-game-pass

Let's stay on target topic. If you see an issue, use the report button and move on.

No, that doesn't make Steam malware. By definition malware is software that is doing something malicious to the user's computer, often including hiding what it does. Simply having admin access does not make a piece of software malware. Steam became popular because it offered a good balance between the convenience of buying, installing and updating games for users with fairly un-intrusive DRM to protect against the many software pirates out. Moving saved game files doesn't count as malware as the user did give permission to update the games (whether they understood that is a different topic). If you don't want it to automatically update your games, then disable it. You also don't need to keep it running if you don't want. On the other hand, I think you have a rose coloured glasses view of buying software on CDs and DVDs. Far too many of those had DRM schemes that did actually interfere with the user's computer and did qualify as malware, breaking things like DVD burning software or outright installing rootkits without telling the user at all. Remove any of this DRM, and the game would fail to run no different than removing Steam would (and sometimes it couldn't be easily removed at all once installed). And, yes, some developers still go too far with tying their games to online DRM, but that is the fault of the developer, not Steam itself. If you don't want to buy from Steam, most games are available in multiple online storefronts these days. MSFS itself can be bought through the MS Store or Steam, and most other games can be bought through one or more of Steam, Epic Games, GOG, Ubisoft or EA's online stores. As for Google search, it became the most popular search engine because it was the best one around, and arguably still is. Edit: There are also a number of games on Steam that don't require any DRM to run. https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/List_of_DRM-free_games_on_Steam

Which developers are you referring to? Any issues should be directed to whomever developed the Connie in question. And again, this topic is about comparing the photos, not getting into another debate about what's wrong with the sim, or which sim is better etc.

Let's stick to comparing the two photos shall we?

The MSFS flight modelling has had some pretty big upgrades since launch, including the addition of a CFD model and new propeller modelling. And a list of coming aircraft that support the new flight modelling. https://forums.flightsimulator.com/t/new-propeller-cfd-soft-body-simulation-aircraft-list/504719

Check the link I shared above for an idea of what aircraft are in the pipeline for MSFS, including military ones. https://msfsaddons.com/2022/06/20/our-continuously-updated-list-of-aircraft-under-development-for-msfs/ Blackbird (formerly MilViz) has a Corsair out, with more coming. https://blackbirdsims.com/flight/product_listing.php At least one developer is working on bringing military AI to MSFS. https://militaryaiworks.com/briefing-room/preview-of-our-first-msfs-package

One dev announced work on a 727. https://www.thresholdx.net/news/swsfsr PMDG brought over their DC-6. https://pmdg.com/pmdg-dc-6-for-msfs/ Aero Dynamics is working on a DC-10. https://fselite.net/content/aero-dynamics-dc-10-kc-10-for-msfs-progress-update/ And there are others coming. Being essentially a new sim, it will take time for devs to bring more aircraft to MSFS. https://msfsaddons.com/2022/06/20/our-continuously-updated-list-of-aircraft-under-development-for-msfs/

There can be a pretty big difference between a relatively simple website hosted by the likes of GoDaddy and a custom server running something like Active Sky. Keep paying GoDaddy, or whoever the hosting company is, and they will keep the web servers up and running, allowing your website to stay up for years with little effort on your part. When it comes to something like Active Sky, however, a big part of the server maintenance and support falls on the developer directly, and is not always trivial. Fail to keep up with security patches and you will soon find your server taken over by anyone from script kiddies to crypto mining to ransomware gangs. Making sure those upgrades and security patches don't break your software takes time and the more software you need to test against, the more effort it takes. This might be a rounding error for a company the size of Microsoft, but for smaller outfits such as HiFi Simulations, it can quickly become a big drag on resources, taking resources away from other products.

Many developers offer their add-ons for sale elsewhere, including their own sites as well as other online storefronts such as here at the Flightsim.com Store, Orbx, Simmarket and Aerosoft. Start with the developer's website and go from there.

Yes, if you're looking for aircraft and scenery add-ons etc., then the built-in Marketplace is the only option for Xbox users. Note that prices are largely set by the add-on developers, not Microsoft.

As Jim touched on, a number of the changes to the Steam Edition are under the hood, meaning there is no way you can apply them to the boxed version. I've copied a link to the Steam Edition release notes for reference. Note the first point regarding recompiling the sim with a more modern compiler in particular. https://web.archive.org/web/20141219113120/http://steamcommunity.com/app/314160/discussions/1/626329820729615790/ For tweaks, as they are very system and user dependent, you should start with the settings in the sim and then work through one of the FSX setup guides. Make sure to try each tweak individually though to see if they actually make a difference for your system and use case. Someone flying PMDG airliners is going to need different settings and tweaks than someone flying around the bush somewhere, for example. https://kostasfsworld.wordpress.com/fsx-software-and-hardware-guide/ And with the laptops, have the fans and heat sink (dust blocking airflow etc) been cleaned recently? Laptops aren't the greatest when it comes to cooling.

As Nels is no longer directly involved in the running of the site, it would be better to contact Adrian K about this.

Steam will be dropping support for the Windows 7 and 8 operating systems on January 1st, 2024. Anyone still running on those systems will presumably lose access to any games bought through Steam, including FSX Steam Edition. https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/03/steam-will-end-support-for-windows-7-and-8-in-january-of-2024/

In addition to the tips provided above, make sure the Microsoft Store app and Xbox Gaming Services are updated as well.

For those looking to purchase the sim, all editions are 25% off on Steam right now. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1250410/Microsoft_Flight_Simulator_40th_Anniversary_Edition/

Yes, it can be used that way, though Acronis (often included with drives these days) and other programs are usually easier to use and handle migrating to larger drives better.

Those third party programs are better supported, have more features and typically work better. Microsoft doesn't really seem to care about Windows Backup Image feature at this point either as it's a little buried in the settings (I suspect they would rather you paid to use OneDrive for backing up your files).