Let me translate that for you... "If anything MS will increase the cost of downloadable content (3rd party addons)..."

It's definitely a risk. And presently Steam is far too expensive for FS developers to use...so there precedent.One way for Live to gain market share is treat developers better.And if they don't others, like Flight1, will get their clients.That is until the platforms (FSX or Windows) are locked down.I suppose that is risk too...but it's a reversal of a long tradition of open architecture philosophy.Not to mention hard to do for long on a PC.Steam is great but it

I predict the next FS will indeed be 'locked-down'. Someone at Microsoft thinks the LIVE platform needs to be in total and absolute control, including dipping into the 3rd party developer pockets.A current $50 addon aircraft will have to be in the $75-$100 range to offset paying Mr. Balmer and his servants a cut. This is a path I doubth Bill Gates would have taken... but, he's no longer there so whatcha gonna do? :)

A current $50 addon aircraft will have to be in the $75-$100 range to offset paying Mr. Balmer and his servants a cut. This is a path I doubth Bill Gates would have taken... but, he's no longer there so whatcha gonna do? :)

It's equally possible that the vastly increased exposure such an outlet would provide would increase sales volume enough to allow for reduced prices, and still have a HUGE increase in net-net profit per product.

I predict the next FS will indeed be 'locked-down'. Someone at Microsoft thinks the LIVE platform needs to be in total and absolute control, including dipping into the 3rd party developer pockets.A current $50 addon aircraft will have to be in the $75-$100 range to offset paying Mr. Balmer and his servants a cut. This is a path I doubth Bill Gates would have taken... but, he's no longer there so whatcha gonna do? :)

MS (fsx) gets tremendous value from 3PD

MS (fsx) gets tremendous value from 3PD's at a very low cost to them.Danny

What value? How many people buy Flight Simulator because they already know of the add-ons available -very few I imagine? I suggest that it's 3PDs who benefit from the existence of FS - without it they wouldn't exist.

MS (fsx) gets tremendous value from 3PD's at a very low cost to them.It's a model relationship - to be emulated.Many would agree, they couldn't clampdown on this free-market without destroying it.Maybe they could attempt to rebuild one using contactors

What value? How many people buy Flight Simulator because they already know of the add-ons available -very few I imagine? I suggest that it's 3PDs who benefit from the existence of FS - without it they wouldn't exist.

I agree with both points.And, obviously it

That would be extremely beneficial to everyone in my mind, Why?There are a tonne of people who have MSFS, but have no idea of the addon market behind it. A few years ago I showed my flight instructor the PMDG 747, and his jaw dropped - He had been flightsimming for a while, but had absolutely no idea of the "Creations" that have been made for FS. It sent me on a mission to ask other instructors and staff at that flightschool. None of them knew, though all of them had used or owned MSFS.Show the masses what they've been missing?

Since you mention the PMDG 744, I'll guess that this is within the last 2-3 years, which brings me to my point: what is the matter with these "unaware" people? I found sites like flightsim.com and avsim.com 12 years ago by using a search engine. Even a casual glance/read of the first 20 hits when searching for "flight simulator" will quickly make you realize that a vast 3rd party (pay and freeware) ecosystem exists around MSFS. Do people really not make use of search engines when using the web? I can't believe that someone who loves to fly, and is on their way to making a living at it, doesn't know how to find these resources.

From a dev perspective the "centralized market portal model" would require clearance/restrictions as to quality, features set, etc.

Thank goodness for that... bring it on then.

No point in searching if you don't know what you should search for.That's the thing - They don't know so they don't look for it.

Thank goodness for that... bring it on then.

That would bump a $50 aircraft addon to over $100. Still want them to 'bring it on'??

That assertation is based on?Do you know what Microsoft would impose in regards to Quality control, and or fees?100$ software generally doesn't sell like hotcakes unless it's important software (Like say, the windows operating system) sometimes software can go for a couple thousand when it's going to be used for business.When it comes to the end user though, cheaper=more appealing. More appealing=More likely to buy. It's a Balancing act.Unless of course you have information from the source (Microsoft) that states otherwise. (50 dollar addons becoming 100 dollar addons). Microsoft isn't about to drag down the third party market. Take a cut of the profits? sure, I wouldn't put it past them, but driving up the prices by 200% and lowering sales/profits?Not going to happen, Microsoft has more brains than that - Even with Mr. Ballmer in the driver's seat

That would bump a $50 aircraft addon to over $100. Still want them to 'bring it on'??

That assertation is based on?Do you know what Microsoft would impose in regards to Quality control, and or fees?100$ software generally doesn't sell like hotcakes unless it's important software (Like say, the windows operating system) sometimes software can go for a couple thousand when it's going to be used for business.When it comes to the end user though, cheaper=more appealing. More appealing=More likely to buy. It's a Balancing act.Unless of course you have information from the source (Microsoft) that states otherwise. (50 dollar addons becoming 100 dollar addons). Microsoft isn't about to drag down the third party market. Take a cut of the profits? sure, I wouldn't put it past them, but driving up the prices by 200% and lowering sales/profits?Not going to happen, Microsoft has more brains than that - Even with Mr. Ballmer in the driver's seat

You truly have no grasp of the actual cost of addon development... the cost. For MS to get their 'cut' the developers would have to practically double their prices to compensate for that as well as cost of purchasing licenses to develop for the platform. After all... do you think a WHQL certified driver (as example) is done for free by MS?

A driver, is an example of software which is used by 10's of thousands of patrons who use that particular piece of hardware. It's cost is offset by the profit margrins of the Hardware maker. Thus it is reasonable and affordable (Or in the case of a company like Nvidia who regularly WHQL's it's drivers Hundreds of thousands of patrons, if not millions)Normal market value 50 dollarsMicrosoft isn't going to charge 50 dollars or 100% of market value to the product.You truly must have no grasp of marketing.a Normal 20%~ publishing cut removes your profit margins by a whopping 10 dollars, They could and probably will take more than that - Even then the sheer marketing provided by such is enough to offset the loss per sale and net a profit for the overall sales. The idea is for microsoft to make money on the venture and not kill it (By losing a company such as Eaglesoft, money).Do you really take microsoft for a bunch of monkey's flinging poo and destroying the world and its submarkets?

You truly have no grasp of the actual cost of addon development... the cost. For MS to get their 'cut' the developers would have to practically double their prices to compensate for that as well as cost of purchasing licenses to develop for the platform. After all... do you think a WHQL certified driver (as example) is done for free by MS?

Do you really take microsoft for a bunch of monkey's flinging poo and destroying the world and its submarkets?

Absolutely. In fact, they have the track record to prove that, where software is concerned.30+ years in the software industry and yes, I've seen it.

Well it's a good thing Microsoft flight simulator isn't an apple product isn't it? :). With regards to competition - Microsoft is extraordinarily unforgiving. When it comes to items of self interest and profits - they get the job done nicely. Microsoft didn't become the biggest because they passed up an opportunity of a bountiful relationship. That relationship always has to keep the consumer in mind though, or the relationship fails at its goal of being profitable. If the software developers have no motive for being in the relationship (Not enough money to benefit)? they won't be..... It's another fact, and again they'd(microsoft) then cease to be profitable in the venture. What's worse is they would drive away a percentage of their customers - Whom typically invest in the addon market.

Absolutely. In fact, they have the track record to prove that, where software is concerned.30+ years in the software industry and yes, I've seen it.