Reading about the history of Microsoft Flight Simulator in Wikipedia, it is apparent that it originated because of Bill Gates fascination with the sensation of flight.Now that Steve Ballmer is CEO it may well put an end to the nonsense (from the shareholders view) of continuing development on a title without realizing its full sales potential.Regards, Mike Mann

Do you what the sales targets at MS are?  Without knowing the sales targets, your prediction of the demise of MS flight titles is a bit premature.

Do you what the sales targets at MS are? Without knowing the sales targets, your prediction of the demise of MS flight titles is a bit premature.

Here I thought I was presenting a scenario where Microsoft Flight would be increasing their sales. This is quite the opposite of saying that I am predicting the demise of MS flight titles.Regards, Mike Mann

Microsoft is already a huge player in FPS market…so mission accomplished :)And that’s a very crowded and competitive market with space for only a few big winners...so well done.But, if developers only made FPS's gamers would get fed up.A developer like MS needs to be diversified.For years the most profitable vehicle in the auto industry has been the SUV.But automakers can’t just make SUV’s.There’s also a demand for variety.

Not so huge! Microsoft had only in single entry in the US Top Ten console games for 2009 with Halo 3: ODST at #9. Activation Blizzard was #1 and #8 with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 for the Xbox360 and PS3 respectively. Nintensdo of America filled the remaining 7 places. Microsoft doesn't appear at all in the US Top Ten PC games . Microsoft is already diversified into:Windows & Windows Live DivisionServer and Tools DivisionOnline Services DivisionMicrosoft Business DivisionEntertainment and Devices DivisionHowever, interesting though this thread is, it has avoiding the point that the developers of a game that earns hundreds of millions of dollars can afford to spend more on development that can the developer of a game that only earns tens of millions of dollars. In the latter case, it's no use having a wish-list as long as your arm because it's unlikely to viable. Also such a lower earning game is more vulnerable when the operations of the division developing it come under scrutiny. If FSX had been earning at the same rate as the most succerssful games, I very much doubt if ACES would have been closed.

Hey guys, imagine Microsoft Flight with the physics engine of H.A.W.X. :))Straight from the flight website: The new “Microsoft Flight” retains the full fidelity simulation longtime fans have come to expect while offering all players a whole new look and feel, a wide range of new game play and challenges, persistent experiences and social connectivity.Everything should be fine.

Hey guys, imagine Microsoft Flight with the physics engine of H.A.W.X. :))Straight from the flight website: The new “Microsoft Flight” retains the full fidelity simulation longtime fans have come to expect while offering all players a whole new look and feel, a wide range of new game play and challenges, persistent experiences and social connectivity.Everything should be fine.

This is, of course, marketing speak. It could mean: the full fidelity simulation longtime fans have come to expect - it's FSXoffering all players a whole new look - there's a new graphic interface wide range of new game play and challenges: you'll be able to play competitive games with your friendspersistent experiences and social connectivity: you can chat to your friends online

Not so huge! Microsoft had only in single entry in the US Top Ten console games for 2009 with Halo 3: ODST at #9. Activation Blizzard was #1 and #8 with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 for the Xbox360 and PS3 respectively. Nintensdo of America filled the remaining 7 places. Microsoft doesn't appear at all in the US Top Ten PC games . Microsoft is already diversified into:Windows & Windows Live DivisionServer and Tools DivisionOnline Services DivisionMicrosoft Business DivisionEntertainment and Devices DivisionHowever, interesting though this thread is, it has avoiding the point that the developers of a game that earns hundreds of millions of dollars can afford to spend more on development that can the developer of a game that only earns tens of millions of dollars. In the latter case, it's no use having a wish-list as long as your arm because it's unlikely to viable. Also such a lower earning game is more vulnerable when the operations of the division developing it come under scrutiny. If FSX had been earning at the same rate as the most succerssful games, I very much doubt if ACES would have been closed.

Respectfully - Halo is blockbuster huge: )So I’m not exactly sure what you mean.No one dismisses 34million lifetime units.And we should add Gears of War to that, another excellent shooter franchise.My point was MS Games is already fighting the battle on this front…with good licenses and ideas...and success.Any hardcore game designer will say this flying franchise can have no role in that fight...no matter what you change it's a sow's ear.But for MS Games as a whole, flying is an asset…otherwise, as you know, they would have killed it.There is something to be said for a diverse portfolio…a cash cow can suddenly loose favor.Also, I’m rather proud Activision Blizzard has done so well :)For the record...just formerly of Activision Blizzard by way of Vivendi Universal - currently on sabbatical

Respectfully - Halo is blockbuster huge: )So I’m not exactly sure what you mean.No one dismisses 34million lifetime units.And we should add Gears of War to that, another excellent shooter franchise.My point was MS Games is already fighting the battle on this front…with good licenses and ideas...and success.Any hardcore game designer will say this flying franchise can have no role in that fight...no matter what you change.But for MS Games as a whole, flying is an asset…otherwise, as you know, they would have killed it.There is something to be said for a diverse portfolio…as your cash cow may suddenly loose favor.Also, I’m rather proud Activision Blizzard has done so well :)

I understand (open to correction) that Call of Duty has sold about 80M copies including the latest release this month.My point still remains that Flight Simulator sales don't even approach this, with the consequence that it will have a much more limited development budget and be vulnerable if there's ever any questions about MGS's overall performance

Here I thought I was presenting a scenario where Microsoft Flight would be increasing their sales. This is quite the opposite of saying that I am predicting the demise of MS flight titles.Regards, Mike Mann

well .. you note suggests that it was Bill Gates fascination with flight is what give birth to MS delving in the flight sim genre... and that Ballmer was more practical and would not develop software based on passion but strictly on the by numbers.  

well .. you note suggests that it was Bill Gates fascination with flight is what give birth to MS delving in the flight sim genre... and that Ballmer was more practical and would not develop software based on passion but strictly on the by numbers.

Exactly right!!The way for Ballmer to increase the numbers is to develop Microsoft Flight as more game and less simulation which I can see will generate way more sales.The number of people comparing FSX to SomeTopArcadeGame are incredibly numerous even on Flight Simulation sites! Extremely annoying to us true flight simulation enthusiasts, but we are definitely a minority.Regards, Mike Mann

The webisode shows otherwise ! Even if it was more game like as long as ADD-ONs can be developed on it we will be in good hands !

Exactly right!!The way for Ballmer to increase the numbers is to develop Microsoft Flight as more game and less simulation which I can see will generate way more sales.The number of people comparing FSX to SomeTopArcadeGame are incredibly numerous even on Flight Simulation sites! Extremely annoying to us true flight simulation enthusiasts, but we are definitely a minority.Regards, Mike Mann

well .. you note suggests that it was Bill Gates fascination with flight is what give birth to MS delving in the flight sim genre... and that Ballmer was more practical and would not develop software based on passion but strictly on the by numbers.

Bill Gates still sits on the MS Board.http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/bod/bod.aspxHe was also the sole reason Apple exists today. "He gave them a huge infusion of cash in 1998. Apple is only allowed to exist so MS can skirt monopoly laws."

Until MS reveals some specs for Flight we are all whistling in the dark. While MS is certainly a "for profit" enterprise, many such companies also fund non profit projects and activities that will enhance their reputation and public image. Look no further than the auto industry funding of racing cars- a money loser directly but a terrific display of expertise- that sells a lot of cars.It is not beyond the realm of possibility that MS sees Flight in this way. That is to say that Flight might very well be be produced as a means to showcase MicroSoft technological expertise. Certainly that was the case in the Bill Gates era.There is also the potential that Flight will be a spinoff from MS flight simulation software they supply commercially to the aerospace industry.Pending firm info from MS, I remain an optimist!!Alex Reid

There is also the potential that Flight will be a spinoff from MS flight simulation software they supply commercially to the aerospace industry.

They better not do any spinning off or Lockheed Martin will be just a little upset!Microsoft ESP was the industrial grade simulator that they sold to Lockheed Martin which now calls it Prepar3D. Just as Lockheed Martin is specifically excluded from the Entertainment market, so too is Microsoft excluded from the commercial (gov't/industrial) applications of flight simulation.Regards, Mike Mann

They better not do any spinning off or Lockheed Martin will be just a little upset!Microsoft ESP was the industrial grade simulator that they sold to Lockheed Martin which now calls it Prepar3D. Just as Lockheed Martin is specifically excluded from the Entertainment market, so too is Microsoft excluded from the commercial (gov't/industrial) applications of flight simulation.Regards, Mike Mann

Mike- One has to assume that MS continues to develop new elements/improvements or versions for Prepar3D. It would seem logical that MS would likely retain rights to such innovations and would be able to provide them in some form, to their new NON COMMERCIAL offering: FLIGHT.I would be very surprised if MS would let themselves be restricted as to what innovations they can offer to the ENTERTAINMENT market place. Only if Lockheed Martin paid for such ongoing development would MS be restricted in the use of Prepare3D enhancements.A pure guess would be that the sale of Prepare3D to LM included a provision preventing MS from offering an enhanced Flight Simulator "entertainment" product for a specified period- perhaps five years. I can't visualize MS selling perpetual rights and hence being blocked forever from developing FS- although they may have agreed to not use the term "Flight Simulator" which has a commercial connotation. Hence the use of "FLIGHT".Alex Reid

Mike- One has to assume that MS continues to develop new elements/improvements or versions for Prepar3D.

Actually Microsoft doesn't continue to develop for Prepar3D. Lockheed's license did include source code and the right to create derivative works. Which if you read the Lockheed Martin Press Release states "Changes under way include military scenarios and features to create custom training solutions, such as a weapons capability."Regards, Mike Mann