I've been around MSFS for a long time and never seen the release of a product handled in such an unprofessional, shambolic manner. Their marketing strategy is flawed. Their product is unfinished and still contains bugs the development team already knew about (but released the product anyway). The functionality of their Basic Edition of their A320 doesn't exceed the default FSX Airbus by all that far. They admit themselves that they are not happy with this product - it says so on their website!It really does not make any sense whatsoever that the people at AirSimmer have released the Basic Edition (with known bugs that are yet to be fixed - that's an important point to note) well ahead of the release of the Advanced Edition but then refuse to offer an option for purchasers of the Basic Edition to upgrade to the Advanced Edition for the price of the difference between the two (i.e. $50). For those who don't know, the Basic Edition is $39.95 and the Advanced Edition is $89.95.If they gave customers the option to upgrade from Basic to Advanced, it would allow simmers to have the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the AirSimmer A320 in its basic form without many complicated systems and it would also inject some (apparently much needed) cash into the AirSimmer bank account. It makes BOTH the Basic and Advanced Editions much more marketable than it is at present. It's really a no-brainer! AirSimmer wins, with more sales and customers win also by not needing to wait for the Advanced Edition to be released (my guess is some time in 2010, but who knows?) by those guys.Looking at a poll I created on their forum, if the guys at AirSimmer are relying on sales of the Basic Edition to help them continue development, they're going to be left devastated. They apparently justified the early release by blaming the global financial crisis. Over 80% of respondents have said they intend to wait for the Advanced Edition in the absence of any upgrade offer. Why would customers intending to use the Advanced Edition pay $129.90 (that's the price of the Basic and Advanced versions together - $39.95+$89.95=$129.90) when they could pay only $89.95 just for the Advanced Edition instead? Only a complete idiot would do that. I don't know, but it seems the guys at AirSimmer are either desperate or lacking in common sense when it comes to marketing and economics.

Only a complete idiot would do that. I don't know, but it seems the guys at AirSimmer are either desperate or lacking in common sense when it comes to marketing and economics.

No offence to those who purchased, but it seems like there are enough people or "a really excited user" out there who are willing to accept that marketing und pay! :(

I really REALLY hope they make it. A decent advanced Airbus model with somewhat accurate FBW modelling would be a welcome change from what's available now. Having bought the Digital Aviation Fokker over a year ago based on a promise, I'm a bit more wary of trusting developers blindly. They're not getting my money before they fix the bugs and release the advanced version. No two developers are alike though, so I hope that unlike others, Airsimmer is able to deliver. Looking forward to it and I'll have my VISA ready for release day after the first reports have started coming in.

No offence to those who purchased, but it seems like there are enough people or "a really excited user" out there who are willing to accept that marketing und pay! :(

Stefan, who in their right mind would pay $129.90 for the Advanced Edition (after buying the Basic Edition) when they could pay only $89.95 by buying only the Advanced Edition? The Advanced Edition will have exactly the same functionality as the Basic Edition, plus heaps more (if their website is to be believed). You'd have to be either desperate or impatient or both!

Reading through the replies with a cup of coffee OR three :( Well I'm pleased that some of you 8,000+ views over 160+ expression of open-honest opinions have now started a reaction of change in perception and acceptanceof this whole situation. For those who have dared to download this AirSimmer A320 basic product we can now start to get a true indicator and more fexible, general opinon of this products inner workings and what needs to be done AND what is the positive strong points of the product.Some videos have started to appear which lends to adding an acceptance of work completed so far but still along way to go, but she is getting there!! I really think we've got a great new product here. I'm waiting for the FSX version but for now I'm enjoying reading your posts and the new signs of encouragment for AirSimmer to work even harder in perfecting this "fly by wire" bird.I think the reaction of this thread speaks volumes for the appreciation and anticipation we feel for having the AirSimmer Airbus A320 in our hangers! :(

Stefan, who in their right mind would pay $129.90 for the Advanced Edition (after buying the Basic Edition) when they could pay only $89.95 by buying only the Advanced Edition? The Advanced Edition will have exactly the same functionality as the Basic Edition, plus heaps more (if their website is to be believed). You'd have to be either desperate or impatient or both!

No one should! But I bet, there are enough impatient and / or desperate simmers out there. I

No one should! But I bet, there are enough impatient and / or desperate simmers out there. I

Yes, I know. It's sad that the people who forked out cash to help test this product are now being taken for a ride. It speaks volumes for the ethics of the AirSimmer team... or apparent lack thereof. Beta testing should be free, in my opinion.

There is one big advantage to the AirSimmer business model which benefits us all.....We now have a group of beta testers who are NOT under an NDA, and can provide much more detail on the progress of the product.Only cost them $40... What do we call them? Extended-Extended Team? ETv2?So... Let the beta status reports flow!

There is one big advantage to the AirSimmer business model which benefits us all.....We now have a group of beta testers who are NOT under an NDA, and can provide much more detail on the progress of the product.Only cost them $40... What do we call them? Extended-Extended Team? ETv2?So... Let the beta status reports flow!

The ET NDA will be lifted very soon.

The ET NDA will be lifted very soon.

Now THAT would make this current fiasco look like a walk in the park. Lifting the ET NDA with regards to the currently vaporware "Advanced" version would be one of the worst PR mistakes AS could make. NDA should be held in place until the "advanced" version is close to roll-out (which it obviously isn't).

Well, I think AirSimmer just hammered another nail into their own coffin. Given the state in which that their A320 Basic Edition was released, I am now thinking that it is highly unlikely I'll buy even just the Advanced edition from them. Now this news! This post from the AirSimmer forum moments ago...Hi,There will not be an upgrade from Basic to Advanced.Best regards,Robin. AirSimmer Head of Quality Control - Beta Team Lead

Hi,There will not be an upgrade from Basic to Advanced.Best regards,Robin. AirSimmer Head of Quality Control - Beta Team Lead

Just read that.LOL! :( BRAVO!I new low in the flight simulation community.Anyway... CONGRATULATIONS to everyone that has bought the "basic" version. You've just encouraged another developer to pull crap like this, and even better yet, you just paid $40 to be a beta tester!http://www.airsimmer.com/support/index.php...ost&p=51672Post for those that are interested. Statement from their head of Quality Uncontrol, and locked.

I'm actually thinking the "Basic Edition" should really be called the "Default Edition" or "Freeware-That-You-Have-To-Pay-For Edition". I mean, it's not really all that different from the default FSX A320 except for a fancier looking external model and VC and the AirSimmer one has something resembling portions of an FMC while the FSX default version has nothing. Hardly worth $39.95 IMHO, especially given the fact it's still plagued by bugs that were known to developers when they released the thing!

Hi,This is the official word on upgrading from Basic to Advanced: http://www.airsimmer.com/support/index.php?showtopic=5029Best regards,Robin.AirSimmer Customer Support