FS9 - pretty decent platformFSX - many improvements, but many "performance issues," only some of which new hardware has managed to overcome.FSvNext - ACES continued improvements, but were moving in a direction contrary to the desires of their "bosses" at MS GAME Studios, the results of which were the nearly complete sacking of the ACES team.Microsoft Flight - new "in-house" team working from the previous codebase (FS9) but now focused on streamlining the platform into the MS LIVE for Windows paradigm, and using the latest DX11 APIs and tools.What is really astonishing (albeit not at all surprising) is that a few hundred carefully chosen words in an official MS Press Release have probably generated well over 1,000,000,000 words (of mostly worthless BS!) in less than 24 hours! :(

Bill,With all due respect, you are "in the know". Most of us users are completely unaware with what platform is being used, tools, api's, etc. Although you're most likely under NDA, as are many prominent 3PD's, us end-users are clueless to the behind the scenes actions, trials and tribulations of ACES and the FS development team. - Blake

True with that, however remember this, that was a photoshopped screenshot, and I've seen enough of DX11 to know it's plausible. To reference the Mythbusters, it's not busted, but it's not confirmed either. I know it could be rendered, but part of me thinks it's real given that it's DX11 and what I've seen of tech demos of DX11, along with some rumors I heard about FS11 before ACES got canned (which I will not go in to here because they are strictly rumors).

The motion blur is too good for realtime. Theres too many samples & its too precise for a 2D effect. Its possible for an enclosed tech-demo of course. I worked on FMV for videogame intros for 10 years. This isn't ingame; & even if parts of it are, its highly enhanced in post.

So what happened to "Simulator"...?

I'll tell you what 'happened' It's called the 'legal side-step' When they closed down the FSX studio, they (the employees and contractors) were producing valid and good product and output. You can let people go from an organization pretty cleanly if you declare that the operation in which they worked, and the 'work' itself of which the department produced was being ended. The fact that they call this only 'FLIGHT!' is on the advice of their legal team in which they clearly wish to distance themselves from an on-going franchise that was known as 'Microsoft Flight Simulator. That is the ONLY reason they would drop the 'Simulator' in the title as for it to appear that it is a totally new franchise that was not 'foreseen' when they closed down the old in-house studio and put so many out of work. Who knows what those salaries were in total, and to what extent the new hires and contractors will be compensated for the uh..er...'new' Flight! franchise!!!Microsoft probably had a clause in all the former member's contracts that should they 'cancel' the flight sim franchise rather than just terminating their employ...that there would be no monetary compensation packages, etc. Just what is legally proscribed.So...no 'Simulator' in the name...but it will be 'added' in the title by all of us when it comes out....it will be the 'cerebral correction' by all of us.... FS11? Flight Simulator? Flight!? All the same...except through the eyes of Microsoft's retained legal department.........My three cents....

True. I don't think I've seen so many wet knickers since it was announced the Beatles were coming to town!!!

If I had to choose between being able to see The Beatles live or to get MS Flight Live, I'd go for The Beatles...! Just imagine...

Microsoft Flight - new "in-house" team working from the previous codebase (FS9)..

Could you elaborate this please?Thank you very much

working from the previous codebase (FS9)

I like that bit of info very much Bill

Another thought - If that were really an in-"game" video rather than just a render, I think that would mean the development is further along then is probably the case. If they were that far along I think they would be releasing a lot more information and screen shots then they are. Who knows, this is a fun thread though.Loved the knickers comment.

I had to resize this down to 1600 X 769, but it looks like we may have cloud shadows now if you look in the distance beyond the airport. This may or may not be an in game screen shot.

Interesting to see these analyzations of the very little material we have yet. To add my findings (someone mentioned that there may be only a few islands and planes in Flight), the image in the word FLIGHT shows a part of the Globe. Also the airport in the background image seems too big to be just an island strip.

I'll tell you what 'happened' It's called the 'legal side-step'

I doubt it. First of all, Washington is an at-will employment state, meaning that anyone can quit or be fired for any reason that doesn't violate civil rights protections. The name is just a rebranding. It's an old franchise, and it's pretty typical to give something a new label to attract new audiences. What remains to be seen is whether is stays true to the "sim" spirit of MSFS. We'll see.

It was a joint venture - they did all the gauges etc... CS did the models.

Thanks Ryan and tf51d for lighten that up for me, i didn't know about the joint venture. I'll keep my mouth shut for the rest of the day/week :(

I Think this will be a game not a sim, cant really see the idea of first firing the whole staff behind the simulator, and then a few years later start from scratch on a new sim. But we have our simulator, and it runs nicely now with addons so who cares anyway.

I thought they made the interior model and systems, but CS made the external model

Yes, that's correct, we made the VC and Gauges for the F-18, CS made the external model and ACES made the flight model and the sounds. We also made the Gauges for the EH-101 included in FSX Acceleration. And Things-to-Come made the Edwards Air base scenery.So yes, 3rd party devs have already been involved in a previous Flight Sim product released by Microsoft.

I guess I will start looking for a part time job to be able to buy a whole new slew of add-ons! :(

The pesimist in me wonders if we need to take the "bring a new perspective" from the pres statement literal. Lots of console flight games use the behind the aircraft perspective and judging from the screenshots a lot of serious flightsimmers spend lots of time on the outside of their plane.I certainly don't expect there to be improved AI traffic or enhanced ATC in this new game. I'm guessing mission oriented bushflying and sightseeing. A bit like Pilot Wings on the N64 with realistic graphics. Could be fun though. Flying around in a realistic looking area full of things to do can make this a good game.

I'll tell you what 'happened' It's called the 'legal side-step' When they closed down the FSX studio, they (the employees and contractors) were producing valid and good product and output. You can let people go from an organization pretty cleanly if you declare that the operation in which they worked, and the 'work' itself of which the department produced was being ended. The fact that they call this only 'FLIGHT!' is on the advice of their legal team in which they clearly wish to distance themselves from an on-going franchise that was known as 'Microsoft Flight Simulator. That is the ONLY reason they would drop the 'Simulator' in the title as for it to appear that it is a totally new franchise that was not 'foreseen' when they closed down the old in-house studio and put so many out of work. Who knows what those salaries were in total, and to what extent the new hires and contractors will be compensated for the uh..er...'new' Flight! franchise!!!Microsoft probably had a clause in all the former member's contracts that should they 'cancel' the flight sim franchise rather than just terminating their employ...that there would be no monetary compensation packages, etc. Just what is legally proscribed.So...no 'Simulator' in the name...but it will be 'added' in the title by all of us when it comes out....it will be the 'cerebral correction' by all of us.... FS11? Flight Simulator? Flight!? All the same...except through the eyes of Microsoft's retained legal department.........My three cents....

I have it on good authority that this guy is a former Aces employee. :(