PMDG delays the 737NG3 to the end of 2021

Sad news. Looks like complex aircraft are out of the question at this point, Majestic had already said that the SDK isn’t ready.

There's a 7 page thread on this at Avsim…

 

Sadly I take this news as half empty rather than half full when it comes to seeing any complex airliners in FS20. We can only hope PMDG have sat down with Asobo and showing them what a flight sim actually needs to do (as opposed to a scenery simulator). At the moment we still haven't got a fully functional FMC system on the jets and even after the last patch it still doesn't keep the flight plan when you re-load a saved flight.

 

Mind personally I always thought PMDG stuff a bit over-priced, probably get burned at the stake for that comment I know. Their 737 doesn't work very well in FSX-SE, funnily enough the FMC doesn't save the flight plan there either - something which seems to go back quite a few years.

 

I will just be happy to get some Just Flight level jets in there to fly.

Their 737 doesn't work very well in FSX-SE, funnily enough the FMC doesn't save the flight plan there either - something which seems to go back quite a few years.

 

Now that's a coincidence! Haven't Asobo been working on MSFS with PMDG up to now?

I hope Asobo aren't working with PMDG exclusively and are also collaborating with Aerosoft for example.

For the hardcore simulator patrons this is disappointing news, but I don't think it is the most critical issue facing MSFS FS2020. The first real difference maker will be the ability of the community to create freeware aircraft to populate the simulator. This has been the lifeblood of FS98-FSX. You need someone creating the Piper TriPacer, the C182RG, the Stearman. Those types of planes are the domain of the freeware community, and without them, the new product will face strong headwinds. Second, while the hardcore appreciate the complexity of PMDG, a large portion of the community will be satisfied with the likes of FAIB style work, something that looks nice but lacks features and maybe accurate performance, but is an easy to use product. Without those folks the community won't thrive. I am not sure that Asobo has yet recognized the value in a thriving freeware community. It will be at their peril if they don't facilitate a rapid influx of quality freeware aircraft. This opens the doors for someone to do a really nice B737-300,400,500 entry where the complex FMC isn't critical. It isn't necessary that the air conditioner switches work, if it has a working set of flight instruments and a flight model that feels close. Those developers will be critical to the success of this program! I do hope we see those folks come on board soon! Edited September 27, 2020 by plainsman

As I said above, just something that works a bit better than the default would be nice. Over the years when I've joined various VA's (usually lasted about a month) I collected some rather nice freeware jets for FS9 and FSX. Some actually quite superb. That might be a source to keep an eye for the next few months.

I am really sad to here this. I own 2 PMDG aircraft and they are superb. Hopefully, in the mean time other developers will come up with workable GA aircraft with a 6 pack.

Sad to say...but don't hold your breath for add-on aircraft any time soon. Asobo still has to fix what is broken first. Why would any aircraft developer put in the work and expense of building an add-on only to have it not work after the next Asobo patch release. I am not sure people realize what a mess we are in with this simulator. Months and months to go for anything approaching high quality to hit the shelves. Better days ahead.....I hope! :)

Sad to say...but don't hold your breath for add-on aircraft any time soon.

 

Aerosoft have their CRJ and Twin Otter in progress right now, and Aeroplane Heaven have a Spitfire coming soon to name but two other payware developers. PMDG had better get their fingers out before some other, maybe as yet unknown, developer beats them to it...

I'm a show me kind of a guy.....we'll see what washes down the creek bed.

Aerosoft have their CRJ and Twin Otter in progress right now, and Aeroplane Heaven have a Spitfire coming soon to name but two other payware developers. PMDG had better get their fingers out before some other, maybe as yet unknown, developer beats them to it...

 

There are many alternatives to PMDG, so the mistake may be theirs, or they my be proved right in he long run. Not having the product available certainly gives a lead to their competition, and money saved from my own pocket!

Who knows what 2021 might bring - and by whom?

I'm a show me kind of a guy.....we'll see what washes down the creek bed.

 

:D ;) I agree. As usual, PMDG will be latecomers to this sim as well, but this one is very different to the rest - the rate at which freeware scenery, missions and utilities are appearing is incredible and if PMDG are seen to be dragging their feet, a fully functional freeware 737NG could steal their thunder anytime between now and Q3 2021. The script kiddies are just cutting their teeth on the default airliners right now.

I requested two of my local landmarks from a freeware scenery modder on Friday, and on Saturday morning they were available for download!

Today, I've just completed my first NeoFly Bush Pilot cargo flight - NeoFly is a freeware version of something like Just Flight's Air Hauler. You can fly IFR from your local airfield if you choose, it's not restricted to bush flying. It has a very simple interface, but with quite sophisticated mission types, a career mode, flight tracking, bespoke radio comms and sound effects.

It's incredible to me how such a program can be available, as freeware, just a month after the launch of MSFS.

That's why I say PMDG had better get their fingers out... by Q3 2021 we could be asking "PMD who? And they're asking how much?"

Edited September 27, 2020 by tiger1962

:D ;) I agree. As usual, PMDG will be latecomers to this sim as well, but this one is very different to the rest - the rate at which freeware scenery, missions and utilities are appearing is incredible and if PMDG are seen to be dragging their feet, a fully functional freeware 737NG could steal their thunder anytime between now and Q3 2021.

 

...

 

It's incredible to me how such a program can be available, as freeware, just a month after the launch of MSFS.

That's why I say PMDG had better get their fingers out...

 

While PMDG is always one of the slower ones, this is almost certainly a case of the sim and its SDK not having the required support and functionality. And if so, any potential freeware 737 would run into the same limitations too. Maybe a freeware 737 will come along that is good enough for many, but I suspect something with the same level of detail as PMDG's offerings won't show up much, if any, sooner.

Maybe a freeware 737 will come along that is good enough for many

 

My point exactly, the full sales potential will have been missed and only the hardcore PMDG fans will be prepared to buy it.

While PMDG is always one of the slower ones, this is almost certainly a case of the sim and its SDK not having the required support and functionality.

 

I suspect that the SDK isn't being created to PMDG's own requirements, because Asobo are trying to cater for all developers equally. PMDG have been a big fish in a small pond which has become even smaller over time. With the new MSFS, the flood gates are now wide open.

Edited September 27, 2020 by tiger1962

PMDG knows MSFS stinks and it will be maybe a year before it runs right.

I guess the other sim platforms would be the only ones delighted with this news.

My point exactly, the full sales potential will have been missed and only the hardcore PMDG fans will be prepared to buy it.

 

I really doubt there is much crossover between those that would find a relatively simpler freeware or payware version good enough and those that want the full PMDG level of detail, so I doubt they will lose many sales. This situation already exists with current sims as it is, and doesn’t seem to have hurt them.

Not only that when you look at what PMDG are charging for some of their stuff (three figure sums for certain items) that's not going to appeal to the casual or even semi serious simmer on a budget of maybe £30 or £40 for a single aircraft type. MS are going to want aircraft on the Marketplace that sell quickly and in large quantity.

 

Not sure when PMDG got so expensive, in the past I bought the 737 NG 600/700, 747 Queen and MD11X on disc and don't recall being that expensive - the Queen was maybe £50, can't find it in my Amazon order history ATM.

I suspect that the SDK isn't being created to PMDG's own requirements, because Asobo are trying to cater for all developers equally.

 

Yes, PMDG is far from the only developer that is waiting for updates to the sim and SDK, but this doesn’t mean they need to pull their fingers out or are moving too slow.

Not sure when PMDG got so expensive, in the past I bought the 737 NG 600/700, 747 Queen and MD11X on disc and don't recall being that expensive - the Queen was maybe £50, can't find it in my Amazon order history ATM.

 

It happened when P3D came out, and since enough people proved they were willing to pay the new prices, they kept them. They are a business after all, so why leave money on the table? In addition, I strongly suspect they are happy to keep the higher prices as a way to filter out the more casual simmers that would be overwhelmed by the level of detail they provide, and thus keep their support costs down (not to mention potential bad reviews from users out of their depth). PMDG wouldn’t be the first company to do this. Either way, it seems to be working and has opened up the market to other developers to fill in the gap PMDG has created.

Not only that when you look at what PMDG are charging for some of their stuff (three figure sums for certain items) that's not going to appeal to the casual or even semi serious simmer on a budget of maybe £30 or £40 for a single aircraft type.

 

Spot on Vern. MSFS is an Xbox title, how many of the millions of Xbox gamers are seasoned flight simmers who've ever heard of PMDG before, and will be inclined to gamble the cost of the sim itself on a single plane?

It happened when P3D came out, and since enough people proved they were willing to pay the new prices, they kept them.

 

I hear what you're saying, but P3D wasn't a quantum leap in programming from FSX, even with the 64-bit change. MSFS is a start-from-scratch exercise, the heaviest of all investments in programming time and effort. Is the existing, and shrinking, customer base going to be worth the investment? Plenty of long-time simmers hate this new sim and won't make the move.

I hear what you're saying, but P3D wasn't a quantum leap in programming from FSX, even with the 64-bit change. MSFS is a start-from-scratch exercise, the heaviest of all investments in programming time and effort. Is the existing, and shrinking, customer base going to be worth the investment? Plenty of long-time simmers hate this new sim and won't make the move.

 

Whether it will be worth the investment is a good question, and will depend a lot on how far Asobo and Microsoft are willing to go with the sim's functionality and SDK. P3D, and X-Plane too, have basically had a couple decades to build out their features and APIs, so do have a pretty big head start. On the other hand, MSFS has a much larger budget and development team, at least currently, and could well pass both incumbent sims if Microsoft remains dedicated to it.

Well £100+ (or $100+) is well beyond the limit of what I would pay for a single aircraft add-on - period!

 

I'll be over at the Just Flight check in counter...

Whether it will be worth the investment is a good question, and will depend a lot on how far Asobo and Microsoft are willing to go with the sim's functionality and SDK. P3D, and X-Plane too, have basically had a couple decades to build out their features and APIs, so do have a pretty big head start. On the other hand, MSFS has a much larger budget and development team, at least currently, and could well pass both incumbent sims if Microsoft remains dedicated to it.

 

Yes indeed, there's also the case that P3D and X-Plane are based on fairly unique (if not outdated) code by today's standards, accessible only to specialists, whereas MSFS is based on current code and is therefore accessible to a global community of current game developers and modders, who are blindingly quick off the mark.

Next year won't do any more. PMDG can't just take their own sweet time and expect the flight sim community to patiently wait.

Now more than ever, PMDG and all the other established flight sim developers need to be like General MacArthur, "Firstest with the Mostest".