Another one bites the dust (developer that is).

[N400QW 205]

My car is now 10 years old- but has only 70,000 on the odometer. Since it still does the job I ask of it- no plans to buy a new one.For servicing, I look for a garage sign that says in effect "We service both new AND old cars".I don't recall seeing any signs saying "We service only the newest cars". Such a shop will tend to have a limited customer base. And perhaps an uncertain future?Alex Reid

Ah, but you will find manufactures who build only new cars, not old cars. :(

[flightwatch 68]

Most developers are a lot like politicians.

It's funny that you mention that because Mr. Randazzo (PMDG's owner) is running for Lt. Governor in my wonderful state of Nevada.

It is time for us to start respecting the dev's decision and be happy with what we've got! Heck, to this day I think Acura dropping the Legend Coupe was the DUMBEST thing the company ever did. A lot of others do too, every time I go to my dealer we talk about how much we loved that car but I am not going to sit here and challenge their business decisions and expect them to start making it again because of my emotional connection...Paul

What is happening here would be more like Honda dropping the entire Acura line...or Toyota dropping Lexus. Regardless, it is their decision to make. Matt

[greggerm 312]

My car is now 10 years old- but has only 70,000 on the odometer. Since it still does the job I ask of it- no plans to buy a new one. I don't recall seeing any signs saying "We service only the newest cars". Such a shop will tend to have a limited customer base. And perhaps an uncertain future?

Actually, it's more like having a functional 10 year old car with a permanently installed cassette player, and finding out that music publishers are no longer going to be producing tapes. Sure, all your old tapes will continue to work just fine, but the newest music won't be playable. -Greg

[Bob Scott 7,760]

Actually, it's more like having a functional 10 year old car with a permanently installed cassette player, and finding out that music publishers are no longer going to be producing tapes. Sure, all your old tapes will continue to work just fine, but the newest music won't be playable. -Greg

Ah, but that newest music is mostly hip-hop noise, to which its listeners gyrate mindlessly to frivolous stimulation by sight and sound...Come to think of it, maybe that really isn't such a bad analogy. :-DCheerioBob ScottColonel, USAF (ret)ATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-VColorado Springs, CO

[n4gix 4,961]

But, methinks the developers are forgetting something. New FSX users from outside the community is drying up as stores put FSX in the bargin bin or off the shelves altogether. In another year or two you'd better hope that the other 1/2 of the existing FS9 community flocks to FSX, because I betcha none of ya have a plan if that doesn't happen and your FSX sales go down the toilet too.

What then does this announcement from Microsoft do to your above supposition? :( Microsoft Flight Simulator X - temporarily sold out...We're making more! http://www.microsoft.com/Products/Games/FS...es/soldOut.aspxDon't you suppose that MS might just know something about "Marketing" and wouldn't be "making more" if there were no ROI for their efforts? :(

[JSkorna 138]

The cost to copy more DVDs, generate keys, and ship is a small drop in a big bucket for MS. Please don't conclude next that FSX is just flying off the store shelves in incredible numbers and MS wants to cash in on this new found interest in FSX.

[G7USL 117]

Ah, but you will find manufactures who build only new cars, not old cars. :(

.................And you will find more garages servicing old cars than new :(

[january 19]

Ah, but you will find manufactures who build only new cars, not old cars. :(

Hi Ron- Ah, but the FS addon software houses are actually "aftermarket" manufacturers- not original equipment manufacturers. The "original equipment" is either FSX or FS9, perhaps FS8 or earlier- the manufacturer of which, has discontinued all development- but continues to sell from his "unlimited" inventory. X Plane is, today, the only manufacturer of new "cars".However, there are automobile aftermarket manufacturers today who continue to produce parts for the venerable Model T. And make money while doing so- some 80 years later.The real questions are- "At what cost could I manufacture 'parts' for FS9? And would the market be large enough at that cost plus a profit, to carry on such a fabrication business ???A further consideration is that FS9 is a saturated market in contrast to FSX being very unsaturated at this time. Hence the product mix may be different between the two. Just because an FSX addon sold poorly in FS9 version, means only that 9ers did not see value for money. A failure in market analysis.Anybody here who remembers the Ford Edsel?Alex Reid

[N400QW 205]

Hi Ron- Ah, but the FS addon software houses are actually "aftermarket" manufacturers- not original equipment manufacturers. The "original equipment" is either FSX or FS9, perhaps FS8 or earlier- the manufacturer of which, has discontinued all development- but continues to sell from his "unlimited" inventory. X Plane is, today, the only manufacturer of new "cars".However, there are automobile aftermarket manufacturers today who continue to produce parts for the venerable Model T. And make money while doing so- some 80 years later.The real questions are- "At what cost could I manufacture 'parts' for FS9? And would the market be large enough at that cost plus a profit, to carry on such a fabrication business ???A further consideration is that FS9 is a saturated market in contrast to FSX being very unsaturated at this time. Hence the product mix may be different between the two. Just because an FSX addon sold poorly in FS9 version, means only that 9ers did not see value for money. A failure in market analysis.Anybody here who remembers the Ford Edsel?Alex Reid

Ha ha, I'm well aquainted with the parts and pieces aftermarket as I've restored a 1960 Chevy Impala. Yes I do remember the Edsel.Ok I'll play but please remember that from our view we are OEM from our shop regardless of sim version.We have a history of building specific sim versions at their own pricepoint and have the scars to prove it. :( That policy remains in place and will only be effected by new products which are FSX Only. Those FS9 products and their FSX Counterparts already prove the wide margin differences in sales numbers for say a Cirrus SR22G3 Turbo.The proximate cause for the disparity may be attributed to market saturation, lack of desire by users, poor product implimentation, or a combination of all three.Nevertheless, poor sales numbers for a specific version means, at some point, dropping the FS9 counterpart in favor of the FSX Only version as in this example. :(

[Coral Sea 0]

Hi.The comparison with cars is being placed in a wrong way, the correct would be like this:FS9 is the old car model, produced years ago by "Microsoft Motor Company".FSX is the new car model, produced by the same "Microsoft Motor Company" too. Both cars are sold without CD/DVD players. Like FS9 and FSX are sold without add-ons.Some companies produce and sell different CD/DVD players (add-ons) for each car, you choose wich one to buy, according to age of the car you have.Some other companies produce and sell CD/DVD players (add-ons) that will play nice on both cars, no matter their age.Some other companies produce and sell CD/DVD players (add-ons) that will only work on older cars.Finally, some other companies want to produce and sell CD/DVD players (add-ons) that will play only on the newer cars.I think this would show better the comparison. Of course that each company has its own strategy and reasons to choose the type of CD/DVD player to produce and sell.My best regards,Carlos Pereira.www.tropicalsim.comPS: if there were really MS cars, I would like to know if after parking and turning the keys, some alert would pop up and ask: "Are you sure you really want to shut-down the engine?" :(

[G7USL 117]

http://www.airsimmer.com/support/index.php?showtopic=6821

[flightwatch 68]

This thread is starting to remind me of one of those healthcare town hall meetings. No matter how many examples that the general population makes in contrast to said developers reasoning, they don't care. They have made up their minds, and that is that.

[Mike_CFII_MEL 825]

Hi,It tells me Microsoft stopped production some time ago and finally ran out of copies, the software is just about four (4) years old. Wonder how many more copies will be made before Microsoft stops production of FSX all together.

What then does this announcement from Microsoft do to your above supposition? :( Microsoft Flight Simulator X - temporarily sold out...We're making more! http://www.microsoft.com/Products/Games/FS...es/soldOut.aspxDon't you suppose that MS might just know something about "Marketing" and wouldn't be "making more" if there were no ROI for their efforts? :(

[N400QW 205]

Hi,It tells me Microsoft stopped production some time ago and finally ran out of copies, the software is just about four (4) years old. Wonder how many more copies will be made before Microsoft stops production of FSX all together.

Umm, until it is no longer viable to do so. :( The funny part is I've seen FS98 disks in bargain bins for 9.95.

[january 19]

---------PS: if there were really MS cars, I would like to know if after parking and turning the keys, some alert would pop up and ask: "Are you sure you really want to shut-down the engine?" :(

And only MS could create a Shut Down button labelled "Start"! Alex Reid