Found this on the yahoo news page earlier today. Maybe a change in management will better the future flight sim releases. Then again, maybe not. What do you think?"LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The veteran Microsoft executive who headed the company's push into console video game software and is credited with launching hits like the PC favorite "Flight Simulator" and "Halo" for the Xbox (news - web sites) has resigned, Microsoft said on Tuesday. "...............Ed Fries joined Microsoft's game studio in 1995 when the company had only a PC game software operation and remained years away from a major presence in the console market. He was credited with overall responsibility for key franchises like the PC titles "Flight Simulator" and "Age of Empires" and the Xbox smash "Halo." The Xbox launched in November 2001. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...dc&sid=95573713

Sounds like he was more of a general exec for MS Games, not necessarily involved directly in FS's development...

Yes, Ed was not involved too much with Flight Sim.He was in charge overall of Microsoft Games. When I was working with Microsoft as a tester, there were three divisions. AAS (Action and Strategy), Sims (Flight Simulator) and Sports.Sports for the PC eventually folded and re-emerged when the X-box launched.AAS re-organized around the time of the purchase of FASA interactive and Digital Anvil.Ed was quite a motivating force in the company and his excitment was contageous. He was also one of the most baby-faced guys you would ever meet.The guy looked straight out of high school and was yet the big man for the entire games department for Microsoft.I couldn't guess the reason for the resignation except maybe the guy was richer than Midas, and simply needed another "kingdom" to conquer.

There was a special on the Discovery Channel if I remember correctly. It showed some behind the scenes looks at the developement of several X-Box games, including Halo 2, Odd World and Crimson Skies. He seemed to have a good feel for games, at least on counsols, and was not afraid to cancel a project that was not going well or even throw more time and money at a game that had potential. I have no idea as to his inflence over Flight Simmulator, but at least from the view given on this one show, he will be missed.Tony