BrandonF, on Dec 17 2011, 05:10 PM, said:
It's going into beta in January, so its release is not "soon." Soon to them is likely Fall 2012.
Not to toot my own horn...
SwitchFX, on Jun 16 2011, 09:47 PM, said:
Pretty much. I wouldn't put it past Microsoft to push out their products during that time. Let's face the facts. They're improving their software slowly. Windows 8 is slated by what's been said already to be better than Windows 7, use CPU and memory much more efficiently, and has requirements that of Windows 7 or less, which is a great selling point. With the way Intel (and hopefully AMD!) is handling their next-generation processors, I really see great stuff in store for us simmers, and of course gamers in other markets. From what I've seen and read, I believe Windows 8 will be the first operating system from Microsoft that ditches the legacy x86 operating code, and makes use of the x86-64 platform, hence 64-bit operating code. By then, in 2012, it would be expected the world catches up with the changing times. Of course thanks to Microsoft, those who can't upgrade for various reasons will get security and update support for XP ends in April 2014, and Windows Vista ends on 2017, with Windows 7's mainstream support being terminated in January 2015. The two aforementioned operating systems, XP and Vista, were dated for the very last cycle of support. On those dates the extended support ends. If I had to guess the earliest possible date of something happening, I would say beta testing of W8 on or near December 2011, and RTM in May/June 2012, with a release to end-users by November 2012.
This would flow well with Microsoft's other software life phases. We'll most likely get surprised with a Flight demo between March-July 2012, with a release of the game in October-December 2012.
In the unlikely event we're surprised with a demo by December 2011, then push the Flight dates I wrote out a few months ahead of schedule.
Though I suppose it would be easier if we could find a willing leaker.
Edited by Santa_Claus, 17 December 2011 - 08:18 PM.