Lots of demand, better make a NEW version!http://www.microsoft.com/Products/Games/FS...es/soldOut.aspx

It's funny that one of the reasons they discontinued the series and Aces was because demand wasn't as high as they wanted...

It's funny that one of the reasons they discontinued the series and Aces was because demand wasn't as high as they wanted...

Wow, I must have missed that announcement by Microsoft. Do you have a link to anything that says they have discontinued the Flight Simulator franchise and it was because of poor sales?

Wow, I must have missed that announcement by Microsoft. Do you have a link to anything that says they have discontinued the Flight Simulator franchise and it was because of poor sales?

You definitely missed it. They discontinued it a long time ago, although I can't recall why. If I remember correctly, it's been at least a year since they discontinued it.

Um, actually they closed ACES.They have a new FS-something being developed under the Games for Windows LIVE moniker with a completely different team of developers. What that is, exactly, no one but MS knows. It's my understanding, based on items and statements I've picked up here and there... ACES didn't want to make the changes that someone higher up at MS wanted with regards to making FS more game-like (less sim-like) and restricting/controlling developer access for addons. That's the real reason ACES was closed.However, FS was never 'discontinued'.

You definitely missed it. They discontinued it a long time ago, although I can't recall why. If I remember correctly, it's been at least a year since they discontinued it.

I do not believe I've missed much of anything about the going ons with the Flight Simulator franchise. But when someone says there are heretofore undisclosed reasons for the closing of ACES, blah, blah, I'd like to know or see the reference that they are using for the comment. If it's all just rumor or speculation, OK. There's been a whole boat load of that the past 15 months. I just like to deal with the known, not the unknowns.

I do not believe I've missed much of anything about the going ons with the Flight Simulator franchise. But when someone says there are heretofore undisclosed reasons for the closing of ACES, blah, blah, I'd like to know or see the reference that they are using for the comment. If it's all just rumor or speculation, OK. There's been a whole boat load of that the past 15 months. I just like to deal with the known, not the unknowns.

How about personal knowledge from first-hand sources? There are more than a few of us who are friends with some of the former ACES employees, and have gotten the information directly from them... :(

OK Bill, you're willing to confirm without revealing inside sources that ACES and the Flight Simulator franchise were canceled because of sales volume?I would have guessed it to be a portion of Microsoft that was over budget and unable to meet deadlines with any regularity. So a business decision was made to disband the group that was working on the product and fold areas of operation into existing departments of Microsoft. But that's just my speculation. Lord knows I can't go around sticking my chest out by claiming to be personal friends with any of the former dev staff. Not that I would, even if that were the case.

OK Bill, you're willing to confirm without revealing inside sources that ACES and the Flight Simulator franchise were canceled because of sales volume?I would have guessed it to be a portion of Microsoft that was over budget and unable to meet deadlines with any regularity. So a business decision was made to disband the group that was working on the product and fold areas of operation into existing departments of Microsoft. But that's just my speculation. Lord knows I can't go around sticking my chest out by claiming to be personal friends with any of the former dev staff. Not that I would, even if that were the case.

Neither Bill nor myself stated any of that whatsoever.The direction someone at MS desired to take the FS franchise did not 'gel' with the ACES team, any of them. Thus MS dismissed the ACES team and started the next version of the FS franchise in the Games for Windows LIVE team. It's really just that simple.

The direction someone at MS desired to take the FS franchise did not 'gel' with the ACES team, any of them. Thus MS dismissed the ACES team and started the next version of the FS franchise in the Games for Windows LIVE team. It's really just that simple.

Thanks; I was recently looking for an example of a post hoc ergo propter hoc fallacy.:( Only joking...I know you

Neither Bill nor myself stated any of that whatsoever.The direction someone at MS desired to take the FS franchise did not 'gel' with the ACES team, any of them. Thus MS dismissed the ACES team and started the next version of the FS franchise in the Games for Windows LIVE team. It's really just that simple.

That suggests that whatever emerges it won't be the FS11/Next that ACES were developing, and that many enthusiasts were hoping for. It also suggests that Microsoft decided ACES were unable (for whatever reason) to produce what Microsoft wanted. That surely is a further confirmation.

That suggests that whatever emerges it won't be the FS11/Next that ACES were developing, and that many enthusiasts were hoping for. It also suggests that Microsoft decided ACES were unable (for whatever reason) to produce what Microsoft wanted. That surely is a further confirmation.

Gerry, you've pretty much nailed it correctly with the above. While I suspect that it won't be quite as "gamey" as many others do, I certainly do not expect it to be a real "simulation" per se either...

Um, actually they closed ACES.They have a new FS-something being developed under the Games for Windows LIVE moniker with a completely different team of developers. What that is, exactly, no one but MS knows. It's my understanding, based on items and statements I've picked up here and there... ACES didn't want to make the changes that someone higher up at MS wanted with regards to making FS more game-like (less sim-like) and restricting/controlling developer access for addons. That's the real reason ACES was closed.However, FS was never 'discontinued'.

ACES developed a lot more titles than FS. So the decision to close ACES could not have been just about FS.

ACES developed a lot more titles than FS. So the decision to close ACES could not have been just about FS.

Yeah, after all... those who were there couldn't possibly know... right? :(

Yeah, after all... those who were there couldn't possibly know... right? :(

There are always two sides to a story and the side from "those who were there" (I assume ACES employees) does not make sense. Are you telling me that MS disbanded the whole Studio because they didn't like an opposing view regarding a single title among many titles for which they had no problem with? They could have cancelled FS and kept all the other titles. Until the "insiders" from opposing view (MS management) verify what the ACES insiders are saying, I will reserve judgement on it. Meanwhile the MS's stated official reason for dismantling the ACES makes more sense.