188 replies to this topic

[AlexKitch]

The thing is... with all of this in mind, I'm not really sure who Microsoft are targeting Flight at any more.  Who is their target audience?

Let's face facts, the vast majority of people playing FSX are doing so as aviation enthusiasts/hobbyists who are prepared to shell out serious hard earned cash for solid 3rd party aircraft and scenery.  By shunning this market and saying "Sorry guys, we're not going down that route any more", are they not effectively shooting themselves in both feet with a sawn-off shotgun?

If not, then who is the other market?  The 'casual' gamer?  Come on, really?  Which gamers are buying Windows Live flight games because they like the idea of flying through hoops in Hawaii with their buddies?  Everyone is playing Batman, and Modern Warfare, and Battlefield.  Get real, Microsoft.

I can't say much more until I've seen it for myself, but I sure as hope Microsoft know what they're doing.  I can't help but feel that Flight is a marketing tragedy just waiting to unfold.

Edit:  In my honest opinion, a better idea would be to at least open up the marketplace to 3rd party developers.  Allow licensed developers (such as PMDG) to make content for the game, then sell it on the marketplace for a percentage of the profit.  It's still a back-stabbing greedy approach, but at there'd at least remain some hope for the enthusiast who accepts nothing less than PMDG standards.

Edited by AlexKitch, 04 January 2012 - 08:25 PM.

[cyvr]

I hate to say it but looks like PC gaming as a whole is slowly dying out and it's safe to say that Microsoft doesn't want to spend money and resources creating another FSX because I assume they don't see a large return.

It's sad that MS couldn't create one last sim that would actually fly out of the box on current hardware Instead we're stuck with FSX which I refuse to fly and now this pile of s!!t. I guess I'll stick with FS2004 and all my add on's and hope MS changes it's mind over time and build from MS Flight and offer a full sim.

Edited by cyvr, 04 January 2012 - 08:19 PM.

[pyruvate]

RETARDS

Well, looks like we're going to have to stick with FSX and getting the most powerful computers ever, but if MS doesn't get MSF together then eventually X-Plane is going to take the market.

Edited by pyruvate, 04 January 2012 - 08:28 PM.

[Brandon-M]

This has to be a joke, right guys?!  

[AlexKitch]

Just received my Beta key and download link.

I guess it's time to see for myself.

[pyruvate]

The video is arcadey and useless :/ .  Also is it just me or does the game's color look a bit dull, like X-Plane's.

[Independence76]

OK, people, listen:

Yes, I'm disappointed, too. I'm not happy. BUT, let's look at this realistically for a moment. Do you really think that this is the final project? Do you really think they're just going to release this and pack their bags? Come on.

It's unrealistic to anticipate going from worldwide to a few islands - so how is it realistic to stop there? This could be a base testing platform for all we know. Microsoft has a history of doing things like that (if anybody has cared too look).


I don't see one video with a few killed hopes and call it quits. I may not be happy at all, but I'm going to download it for the heck of it to see if the programmers did the job they claimed to do. Then I might be hopeful of something much, much larger.

Am I being overoptimistic? Possibly, but I don't have any evidence to refute a future or expansion off of this system. I have enough logical anticipation to assume they're going to work on a much bigger project if it runs well on current systems.

[Buziel-411_RED]

While the news about addon developers is incredibly disappointing, I am hoping that will change with time. If not, then Flight might not gain much success...

As far as Hawaii being free and having to purchase the rest of the world, I don't see any issue with that. Think of Hawaii as the demo, such as St. Maarten and FSX, and the rest of the world being the full game.

I did watch the new Webisode, and while the environment and aircraft did look nice, the music was terrible. Also, some of the "gameplay" looked very arcadish, but as long as we have our free flight mode, I don't care about goofy missions.

[pyruvate]

What about:

Quote

In Microsoft Flight, players view the world from above in a visually stunning and realistic representation of the earth, complete with region-specific weather patterns, foliage, terrain and landmarks. Players can choose to take the helm using highly rendered, accurate cockpits and authentic piloting procedures, or simply use their mouse and keyboard to control the plane in an exterior view. More experienced players can tailor the flight controls to match their skill level, making Microsoft Flight easy for beginners while still challenging for the most accomplished PC pilots.

[Buziel-411_RED]

pyruvate, on Jan 4 2012, 08:45 PM, said:

What about:

Yeah, I noticed that too. I'm not abandoning all hope. However, if Microsoft blows the performance aspect, count me out.

By the way, where is BrandonF?

I don't know if this has been posted here, but here is a more complete rundown of Flight by Flyawaysimulations, who were present at the conference. http://flyawaysimula...rosoft-studios/ Some of it sounds very promising, and other parts... Well, just read it for yourself.

Edited by Rudolph-411, 04 January 2012 - 09:46 PM.

[VF1-114 Maverick]

AlexKitch, on Jan 4 2012, 08:38 PM, said:

Just received my Beta key and download link.

I guess it's time to see for myself.

Wow...I got mine too...I really wish I could say something but you know that whole NDA thing...

[.Andrew]

Woot, got a beta invite too...I wonder if most people did?

[89-LX]

.Andrew, on Jan 4 2012, 09:53 PM, said:

Woot, got a beta invite too...I wonder if most people did?

I'm guessing since Hawaii will be free anyways that "yes" is the answer.

[Romario_]

I was selected as a beta tester yet I'm not authorized as a beta user...

[.Andrew]

Santa_Claus, on Jan 4 2012, 07:01 PM, said:

I was selected as a beta tester yet I'm not authorized as a beta user...

Quote

The beta website will only work when you are signed with the LIVE ID that is linked to your gamertag, which you provided during the Flight Beta Connect registration. This may be different from LIVE ID you use to log in to Connect. (It may take up to 24 hours for your permissions to be granted to the beta website.)

[Romario_]

Yes, and I know several people outside of this site who were able to access it without any problem.

[.Andrew]

Well if it makes you feel any better I can't access it either.

[_TW_]

  @ MS Flight.  What a joke!  Oh well, at least I can now optimize FSX and not feel bad about all the great add-ons that are available.  Heck, REX and OrbX transforms FSX into a new sim alone.  OrbX needs to come out with the entire earth  

[162db]

Cat's outta the bag. Now we know why we only saw Hawaii in those screenshots and why it is no longer titled Flight Simulator. Goodbye MS and hello XP!

[Chief NWA]

I just got an email saying I've been selected for the beta. I'll probably get around to downloading it this weekend, but I'm not expecting anything exciting, especially after reading this.