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P-12C Pilot

The Flight Simulator experience and other tangential thoughts
It's Never Too Late

I often see posts where users are wondering if it's too late to submit wishlists for FSX. Although my title for this post implies it's not too late, in all honesty it is too late to include major NEW features in FSX. Interestingly many of the wishlists we see include features we are building, so in the end many of you will be very happy.

It's never too late because we will do a lot of tuning and bug fixing as we push through the end game and many requests have as much to do with tuning and bugs as anything. So keep the feedback coming for FSX.

Just as importantly, I am actively working on Flight Simulator design post FSX out five or so years from now. Obviously I can't tell you what we MAY do, or when we MAY release anything, but the work is moving forward and we will iterate and think and iterate some more until we get it right.

Here is the HUGE caveat: The business world can change rapidly and all of the work I am doing now for our future may never see the light of day. IF FSX doesn't sell well, or meet our very high expectations, then who knows where we could end up.

I personally believe that our active community and some of the new thought about how and what we do going forward will be huge for the franchise and nothing but greatness is ahead for all of us.

Posted: Monday, March 27, 2006 10:18 AM by P-12C

Comments

Max Roodveldt said:

Part of the fun of doing add-ons for FS is trying to keep up with the possibilities every new version gives us. So don't grant us our wishes too quickly or you will take out the challenge. Who wants a perfect sim anyway...:-))
All I hope for is that you sell as many copies as needed to keep the dev. team alive and well - so we all will have a second change to correct missed oppertunities...
# March 27, 2006 3:46 PM

Alpha-Pete said:

All I can say is you have my dream job working on FS, it's always been my dream to work sounds on a game specially flightsim. I suppose my biggest wishes are just that and I don't expect them to be done just because I want them.

Things on my list are increased number of engines allowed, the ability to have mixed engine types (six turning and four burning etc).

Two big things that might not make it for a while I think would be cool are directional thrust (allowing for VTOL stuff) and possibly an upgrade to the sound system. Hope I don't sound like I'm demanding any of this stuff but just thinking aloud

Keep it up.
# March 27, 2006 4:36 PM

Dennis_k said:

I think FSX will do well when it's released.
Just look at the amount of reactions post when there are new screenshots around. And not all the people who are amazed by the shots will post. So in my opinion, there's little chance you would sc*** up this game. I see the versions of FS as a evolution. Each version will improve.
# March 28, 2006 12:58 AM

karijno said:

Hi,

im italian fan of FS ... i have a question .. but FS2004 , for Microsoft, sold well or not... cause i think that FS2004 there was a "milestone" :) for all fs users. and FS2002 have sold more or less than FS2004?!?.... go boys.. when fsx go out all in shop!!!! ;)  


Fabio

karijno@tin.it
# March 28, 2006 7:03 AM

Francois_Dumas said:

Hi Paul,

frankly, I think that the (continued) success of FS is not so much depending on the next batch of technical innovations, but much more on the acceptance and support of MS of the core communities USING and pushing FS.

There are many things I feel we can do TOGETHER to make FS(X) the success it deserves to be.. things we can not do on our own.

Looking forward to a new era of co-operation with MS, add-on developers and FS users, all equally interested in keeping this saga alive !!

Kindest regards,
Francois
# March 29, 2006 6:20 PM

P-12C said:

Francois, generally I agree and I think we are making huge strides in this area with much more to come.

That said, our enthusiast core is a small percentage of our overall user base and it's the other users that we need to motivate to buy FSX. The whole balance thing comes into play here in that we need for the core enthusiasts to continue to be satisfied and enthusiastic as casual users upgrade and start going on-line.

We want these users to have a great experience on-line, to download and buy third party products, and become engaged in the community.

Many of these users don't differentiate between MS products and third party products, they think it's all one in the same. We know this because of the calls we get for customer support on products we didn't make and the e-mail we get to FS_Ideas.

The more we can support third parties to produce higher quality and the more seemless the various add-on products can be installed and integrated into FSX the better off we will all be. We all win with that scenario.

Hopefully the vocal minority that will complain about anything and everything they can think of, no matter how small, will not have a negative impact on users venturing on-line for the first time.
# April 3, 2006 12:01 PM

P-12C said:

Fabio, we aren't allowed to talk about sales numbers for any version of the product. Besides, I don't actually know the answer.
# April 3, 2006 12:02 PM

karijno said:

No problem.... i m sure  that success of FS saga will continue for a long long long time.... And i hope that all FS comunity(me too) help you and all FS Team for continue make this fantastic  product.. Thanks

Fabio
# April 5, 2006 1:09 PM
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