Wait 5 months before the release of Flight and see what happens then.

Better yet, wait one day after the release of Flight.

LOL, that's the type of answer I usually think of!!

And the fact that you have pre-ordered it means that MS definitely could not cancel its release and you get a refund, as they have done with other things right before they were due to go? So no, we don't know there will be a box, we only know it is likely there will be a box. Al

Of course Microsoft could cancel it. It wasn't ordered from Microsoft but from a Norwegian on-line seller.

Those reasons are simple, for some of us... we are now (supposedly) only a few months (or a few weeks) depending on which retail website release date you believe from seeing Flight.

The job listing provides several key bits of data that allow the discerning reader to intuit a few likely conclusions. Among the many tasks the person hired to fill this position will have to accomplish, one in particular is critical, time intensive, and likely be among the last tasks to be accomplished. Designing a beta program, recruiting the beta testers, and administering the beta process to pass along details of the reports to the appropriate team members working on Flight. Thus, in addition to the other tasks that this person must first get a handle on and accomplish, the total length of time for recruitment, training, planning and execution of the required spade work before even beginning the beta testing will likely take up to six months. Given that both FS9 and FSX both took nearly seven months of intense testing, fixes, retesting, more fixes, et cetera, it is reasonable to surmise that Flight will require a similar test cycle of about the same length of time. Taking both of the above into consideration, that makes it entirely likely that the release date for Flight will be about thirteen months from today, just in time for the "2012 Holiday Season."

Of course Microsoft could cancel it. It wasn't ordered from Microsoft but from a Norwegian on-line seller.

So it might not end up having a box then, which was my point. Al

The job listing provides several key bits of data that allow the discerning reader to intuit a few likely conclusions. Among the many tasks the person hired to fill this position will have to accomplish, one in particular is critical, time intensive, and likely be among the last tasks to be accomplished. Designing a beta program, recruiting the beta testers, and administering the beta process to pass along details of the reports to the appropriate team members working on Flight. Thus, in addition to the other tasks that this person must first get a handle on and accomplish, the total length of time for recruitment, training, planning and execution of the required spade work before even beginning the beta testing will likely take up to six months. Given that both FS9 and FSX both took nearly seven months of intense testing, fixes, retesting, more fixes, et cetera, it is reasonable to surmise that Flight will require a similar test cycle of about the same length of time. Taking both of the above into consideration, that makes it entirely likely that the release date for Flight will be about thirteen months from today, just in time for the "2012 Holiday Season."

Except that you have misquoted it. It says 'help design a beta program', which means the beta program may already be in part existent and the duties may simply be to assist that process in a minimal way, such as how people report stuff when beta testing, how the reports are collated or whatever, especially given that there are several other duties also listed and most of those pertain to communication. Not saying you are wrong, you could be spot on, but you may also be surmising what it means incorrectly. Anyone who has ever applied for a job and got it knows that job descriptions on recruitment ads are almost always complete bollox, largely intended to make the post sound more exciting than it actually is. Some favourite ones include: ''leading a team'' (translation: sorting out all kinds of crap other people don't do properly) ''a wide range of responsibilities'' (translation: you can be blamed for any mistakes that anyone makes) ''of graduate calibre'' (translation: we want someone we can pay a lower wage to, so we'll take someone straight from college with no real experience, and if you are not a complete retard, we'll let you do the filing and photocopying, and you can make the coffee), ''extensive on the job training'' (translation: you're going to have to wing it), etc. Al

Some favourite ones include: ''leading a team'' (translation: sorting out all kinds of crap other people don't do properly) ''a wide range of responsibilities'' (translation: you can be blamed for any mistakes that anyone makes) ''of graduate calibre'' (translation: we want someone we can pay a lower wage to, so we'll take someone straight from college with no real experience, and if you are not a complete retard, we'll let you do the filing and photocopying, and you can make the coffee), ''extensive on the job training'' (translation: you're going to have to wing it), etc. Al

Al, your sense of humour is awesome! I like your "translations" of the job requirements... ;) Nonetheless, even if beta started next Monday, we're still looking at likely a half-year of beta cycle, so the release date is without doubt not "several weeks" off, and indeed will probably push it into the middle of next year at the earliest... ...and that's without taking the time required to create the Gold Master and press, box, and distribute the release copies into consideration. :)

I do agree that if they are hiring someone right now then there is clearly a lot to be done, but as we don't know anything about what actually has to be done, since we know little about Flight itself, then it's anyone's guess how far off a release we are. But, if MS are going for a pay as you go model with Flight, then the position they have advertised for might actually be related to future add on and mission disks etc rather than the core program itself, so it could possibly be quite complete even if they are advertising for all that stuff. After all, how long does it take to Beta test a lap around Hawaii? Al

Al, your job description post is about spot on.. made me laugh :)

I do agree that if they are hiring someone right now then there is clearly a lot to be done, but as we don't know anything about what actually has to be done, since we know little about Flight itself, then it's anyone's guess how far off a release we are. But, if MS are going for a pay as you go model with Flight, then the position they have advertised for might actually be related to future add on and mission disks etc rather than the core program itself, so it could possibly be quite complete even if they are advertising for all that stuff. After all, how long does it take to Beta test a lap around Hawaii? Al

It may also be an existing job, that just needs a replacement, rather than a brand new position.That may also mean they are further along in the process.

When FSX was released I was at the the store on the day of release and had to get someone to go into the back and dig a copy out of a box. This time I will be waiting for at least a few months until all of the reviews, complaints, details are out. I suggest you guys to the same so you are not dissapointed. Mark.

No you won't. I think you'll buy it first day it comes out, just like all of us.

Yes they are buliding a "fun game" that just happens to be a flight sim.Where it it written that flight can not be fun. Driving a car is serious business.However, it can also be fun and that is what they are tring to promote with Flight. to get new flight simmers to keep the franchise alive......A nuts and bolts sim for the IFR people and a a bit of fun for the strictly VFR casual flier.Even the most hard core, real world aviator likes to look out a window and see and beaitiful clouds, ground scenery and revel in the glory of flight.

What's this button for ??Don't ask me..............I'm only a simmer !!

Some of the peoples tired of speculations about Flight are still reading here....tooooo funny..

YAY! No true overcast. That's what I was hoping for! I need to be able to see the ground to land, that's how the real planes do it right?