What we, on this forum think, matters very little to their marketing strategy. Also, there are plenty of people who have plenty of ideas regarding what matters to them individually. MS is putting together a product that will produce good sales volume at Best Buy and WalMart.

This is not true, the people here represent the core user base, many long time series have completely failed because they stopped listening to their core users.

This is not true, the people here represent the core user base, many long time series have completely failed because they stopped listening to their core users.

If Microsoft relied on this core user base for its revenue it would have abandoned flight Simulator development years ago.

Didn't say anything about revenue mate, but wouldn't you agree that it has been the core users that have kept it going as long as it has? The casual user will more than likely put it down after a month or two and then would they even bother with the sequel? only if they are hooked, which is when they become part of the core users.Lets hypothetically say they released a little kiddies game, where you fly around and drop paint on targets; completely ignoring what long time fans have enjoyed yet still appealing to a certain range of consumers. This might work out well for short term profits but it would be better to build a long term relationship with returning customers. This is how you would want any business to run, it's far better to have returning customers than constantly having to pull in new ones.

Didn't say anything about revenue mate, but wouldn't you agree that it has been the core users that have kept it going as long as it has? The casual user'co will more than likely put it down after a month or two and then would they even bother with the sequel? only if they are hooked, which is when they become part of the core users.Lets hypothetically say they released a little kiddies game, where you fly around and drop paint on targets; completely ignoring what long time fans have enjoyed yet still appealing to a certain range of consumers. This might work out well for short term profits but it would be better to build a long term relationship with returning customers. This is how you would want any business to run, it's far better to have returning customers than constantly having to pull in new ones.

The "core" user group, which I liken to the "advanced" is not where this title finds its profit. It is just one of many market groups. The "main" purchasing group is the casual user. They sell more copies to this group and it does not make MS any money the frequency and length of time that a core/advanced user uses the product. That, however, could change with their forthcoming revenue strategy, but they will still create this revenue strategy with the majority of purchasers in mind.

The "core" user group, which I liken to the "advanced" is not where this title finds its profit. It is just one of many market groups. The "main" purchasing group is the casual user. They sell more copies to this group and it does not make MS any money the frequency and length of time that a core/advanced user uses the product. That, however, could change with their forthcoming revenue strategy, but they will still create this revenue strategy with the majority of purchasers in mind.

That's an excellent summary of the position. My view is that Microsoft realised that ACES wasgoing down a dead-end by trying to satisfy core users and, as a result, were developing an unprofitable product and decided to disband it and change direction completely.

I disagree, it may be true for titles like COD, but with flight simulators it's such a niche market. What MS are attempting to do with Flight in my view is just broaden their core user group, maybe there is just confusion to what a core user group is. I am talking those who will buy a title over and over and the fact that you do need that group of consumers to have long term viability. Do you think they are just out there to make a one-off buck, or create more flight sim fanatics that will strengthen their future sales? Maybe, maybe not, who knows. I was just replying to the comment that they couldn't care less what we want from Flight.

it does not make MS any money the frequency and length of time that a core/advanced user uses the product.

It does make future sales a safer bet than if they are just relying on only new users. Returning customers are always better than new customers, simply because it takes a lot less effort, time and money to gain profit from this group. To me this just makes good business sense.

It does make future sales a safer bet than if they are just relying on only new users. Returning customers are always better than new customers, simply because it takes a lot less effort, time and money to gain profit from this group. To me this just makes good business sense.

why does it take Microsoft a lot less effort, time and money to sell to the core users?

I disagree, it may be true for titles like COD, but with flight simulators it's such a niche market. What MS are attempting to do with Flight in my view is just broaden their core user group, maybe there is just confusion to what a core user group is. I am talking those who will buy a title over and over and the fact that you do need that group of consumers to have long term viability. Do you think they are just out there to make a one-off buck, or create more flight sim fanatics that will strengthen their future sales? Maybe, maybe not, who knows. I was just replying to the comment that they couldn't care less what we want from Flight.It does make future sales a safer bet than if they are just relying on only new users. Returning customers are always better than new customers, simply because it takes a lot less effort, time and money to gain profit from this group. To me this just makes good business sense.

a niche market with selling over 5 million copies?hm, I'm not so sure

a niche market with selling over 5 million copies?hm, I'm not so sure

Calll of Duty has sold more than that in the US on the first day.http://www.dailymail...o=feeds-newsxml

a niche market with selling over 5 million copies?hm, I'm not so sure

Question is... out of those 5M copies sold since its release in 2006, how many people who bought FSX have it sitting in a drawer somewherecollecting dust because they didn't like it, couldn't figure it out, etc.? I probably see 5 or 6 copies a week for sale on Craigslist.The folks who stuck it out, figured the Sim out and got bit by the FS bug are the "niche" market, and I would surmise that the total numberof dedicated Simmers is relatively small compared to say, GTA, Call of Duty or Battlefield.But hey... it's 30 minutes until tea time, and after the Broncos win today (bereft of a passing game, BTW) a cup of Earl Grey sounds pretty good right about now.

They sell more copies to this group and it does not make MS any money the frequency and length of time that a core/advanced user uses the product.

...look at the success of Battlefield and World of Warcraft.You recognize these names because they have core audiences that keep them relevant.And that's how they attract uninitiated users....those franchises are user endorsed.No one expects MS to build some esoteric hardcore sim here...that's not the point.MS just needs to know how the audience, including their biggest fans, uses their product.The root of this franchise is still aviation...we're aviation fans.

...look at the success of Battlefield and World of Warcraft.You recognize these names because they have core audiences that keep them relevant.And that's how they attract uninitiated users....those franchises are user endorsed.No one expects MS to build some esoteric hardcore sim here...that's not the point.MS just needs to know how the audience, including their biggest fans, uses their product.The root of this franchise is still aviation...we're aviation fans.

The root is aviation, I totally agree. However, the profit in terms of moving many units through the distribution channel including WalMart, Best, Buy, etc. is in having the title placed in the weekly store ad and having non-aviation fans purchase it to give it a try on their laptop. We are the biggest fans, but we are not the largest revenue stream. I do hope, however, that MS, in producing a product for mass consumption, which they need to do in order to make it financially worthwhile, that they produce a product that their biggest fans (us) will embrace and that third party developers can transform from a game into a sim like they have done in the past.

And then what? No more speculation??

do you have to wear spectacles to speculate?