New Microsoft Flight Simulator announced!

[Guest Murmur2k]

Exciting announcement! I wouldn't read too much into the decision to drop 'Simulator' from the name, I expect it was purely done to distance it from the original series so that they could start afresh. If they had continued the series but dropped backwards compatibility then there would have been a community uproar. Killing off the series for a while then reintroducing a new product is an easier transition and a pleasant surprise/bonus for people/developers who thought that it was all over.

[albx 17]

Great news also here http://paul-flightsimguy.spaces.live.com/default.aspx for who remember Paul (P-12C) ex-aces and still at Microsoft... he started to write again in his blog after more than 1 year. I think we will see great news reading his blog in the future... stay tuned :-)

[Hugo346 13]

Just hope it doesnt have an option on the screen that says DX11 (preview) lol.But seriously, looking at the preview I would think its probably a while before its going to be released. Some time about this time next year maybe. At least theres going to be a Stearman in there it seems.Seems like some developers are on a NDA about it too already which is a good sign. Means at least they know where its going and what backward compatibility will be like with their products.Craig

Well, it seems like one major developer, Aerosoft, is not on a NDA:http://www.forum.aerosoft.com/index.php?showtopic=37244Mathijs Kok's third post from top, page 1.The fact that Paul (PC-12) FLIGHT SIM Blog is "dusting of the cobwebs" because he "might actually need to do something with this blog in the future. :( " gives me good hope that we'll actually see a new FS we can get exited about.Hugo

[mgh 89]

"Microsoft Game Studios announces the internal development of Microsoft Flight"There's no indication of how long before it's released.Not so much a teaser as a spoiler. No one else is now likely to consider developing a competitor.

[HoratioWondersocks 4]

Hello AllPlease excuse my ignorance,but what is this "live" business.Does it mean the sim(game) will only be playable on-line?If so then I don't fancy that at all.Apart from that lets see what occurs.cheersAndy

[Lelle 1]

Hello AllPlease excuse my ignorance,but what is this "live" business.Does it mean the sim(game) will only be playable on-line?If so then I don't fancy that at all.Apart from that lets see what occurs.cheersAndy

Powered by Games for Windows – LIVE All three titles are designed with Games for Windows – LIVE at the core, delivering a seamless online gaming experience from start to finish. Log in with a single identity to earn Achievements and up your Gamerscore across Games for Windows – LIVE and Xbox LIVE. See your friends online, send and receive voice messages, text messages and game invites, and enjoy cross-platform communication. You even receive automatic game updates and the ability to extend the experience with Game Add-ons only found on the Games for Windows – LIVE Marketplace.Additional information, screenshots and trailers for “Age of Empires Online,” “Microsoft Flight,” and “Fable III” are available at the Microsoft gamescom press site at http://xbox.com/en-GB/press.//Lennart

[byork 2,259]

Powered by Games for Windows – LIVE You even receive automatic game updates and the ability to extend the experience with Game Add-ons only found on the Games for Windows – LIVE Marketplace.

If that's true, that's really going to shake up the addon industry. I really hope it's not the case.

[Wolfko 0]

Looks like ORBX is on the NDA http://orbxsystems.com/forums/index.php?topic=25358How else one could understand John's quote "I could tell you more, but I'd have to shoot you"Wolfgang

[byork 2,259]

Looks like ORBX is on the NDA http://orbxsystems.com/forums/index.php?topic=25358How else one could understand John's quote "I could tell you more, but I'd have to shoot you"Wolfgang

He watched Top Gun one too many times as an adolescent? :(

[Cirrus22 9]

Looks like ORBX is on the NDA

He added later: 'Finally, we are 100% committed to releasing content for this new platform, in whatever guise that may be; of that you have our promise.'Looks promising :)

[WarpD 824]

If that's true, that's really going to shake up the addon industry. I really hope it's not the case.

I've already stated in this forum, in another thread discussing FSnext that the primary intent was to set up an 'Apple iPhone-store-like' system. That was the only purpose for all of the 'changes' to FS. The only purpose.

[Bray 1]

Since this is part of the Windows LIVE experience it will probably require logging in to a Live account and possibly even a subscription fee?? :(

[WarpD 824]

Since this is part of the Windows LIVE experience it will probably require logging in to a Live account and possibly even a subscription fee?? :(

Yep.

[Benjamin J 751]

Logging in - yes. Subscription fee - not likely. I own many Games for Windows - LIVE titles, but none of them have you pay for your subscription.I really don't know what to think of this. on the one hand I'm happy MS continues with F(S), but on the other hand I fear this will be a "gamer's" addition of FS...

[_michal 5]

Yep.

From the press release:Games for Windows – LIVE is a free online gaming service that lets you connect and play with your friends and more than 25 million global Xbox LIVE members.