My gut tells me that those constraints are going to only get tighter if Microsoft sees Prepar3D as a threat to Flight. Lockheed Martin has so far gotten away with selling directly to consumers which is forbidden by their licensing agreement, so it probably won't be long for Microsoft to start tightening the screws.

You seem to be an expert on the licence agreement between LM and MSCan you supply evidence of these claims?I am sure the LM lawyers and product teams are well aware of what they are doing legally.

What aggression and tone are you talking about? Do we need to put smileys at the end of every sentence? You're the ones who bring XPX up in these forums, get a grip!

At least X-Plane has nothing to do with the failure of FLIGHT. That's for sure ;) (<- smiley)

I could care less who makes it... I am a "flying a plane on my computer realistically" fan, 3rd party developers have made me spoiled over the years and there is a certain way I expect to be able to fly my planes realistically now. I really don't care who makes it just as long as I can have it.

Glenn, you must realize M$ still sell FSX to the public. I bet they still make a lot of sales. Why on Earth would they allow a licensing agreement to upset those sales?

The only way I'd develop anything for X-Plane is if Austin Meyers paid me $1,000,000 up front. The reason? Products developed for X-Plane rarely make it to the next point-release unscathed, requiring rework by the developers.

This hasn't been true since around version 8. And if a point release does break something, Laminar Research will work with the developer to fix it on Laminar's end, so it doesn't take any effort on the part of third-party developers except to inform Laminar of the problem. I know you've been corrected on this point a number of times, so now you are deliberately spreading false information.

Edited January 5, 201214 yr by Mountain Man

Mathijs,We both know P3D is a temporary beta for LM. When they get the software to military standards, they'll pull the plug.

I have no idea where you get that from. I been exchanging emails for John (he is the top guy for P3D) and that's just not true. Can't say more, but it is just not true.

I could care less who makes it... I am a "flying a plane on my computer realistically" fan

And that's the answer. No one said FSX was dead. If you enjoy it, great! Developers aren't going home and quitting because M$ has changed directions, they'll continue to support your hobby.

My gut tells me that those constraints are going to only get tighter if Microsoft sees Prepar3D as a threat to Flight. Lockheed Martin has so far gotten away with selling directly to consumers which is forbidden by their licensing agreement, so it probably won't be long for Microsoft to start tightening the screws.

Nonsense. If you really think a company like LM would do business like that you simply do not get it. Clearly they can not sell it like FSX V2 to customers but everybody can just buy a license without any issues. Not for the buyer and not for LM.Instead of spreading all these false and silly rumors who don't you just ask them? I did and I got a perfectly understandable answer. Clear enough to know that what you wrote is just not true.

You seem to be an expert on the licence agreement between LM and MS

I'm not an expert. I just know that the license prevents LM from marketing and selling directly to consumers, but they've gotten around this restriction by selling a so-called "developer's version" directly to consumers for $10/mo. with absolutely no effort made to confirm that those paying actually are developers. As I said, if Microsoft thinks that Prepard3D is a threat to Flight then it's pretty certain they'll put the screws to LM.

Glenn, you must realize M$ still sell FSX to the public. I bet they still make a lot of sales. Why on Earth would they allow a licensing agreement to upset those sales?

It doesnt matter what yours or my opinion is. The bottom line is LM are doing exaclty that. They have a means to get P3D in consumers hands. If they are doing this then the legal team at LM must have given the ok.Anything else is just pure specualation as to what the agreement between MS and LM is.Here is some more specualtion for you - Maybe LM purchased the code lock, stock and barrel from MS and MS has NO say in who LM sells P3D to. Have you considered that?

Nonsense. If you really think a company like LM would do business like that you simply do not get it. Clearly they can not sell it like FSX V2 to customers but everybody can just buy a license without any issues. Not for the buyer and not for LM.Instead of spreading all these false and silly rumors who don't you just ask them? I did and I got a perfectly understandable answer. Clear enough to know that what you wrote is just not true.

Any chance you could share that answer?

I'm not an expert. I just know that the license prevents LM from marketing and selling directly to consumers, but they've gotten around this restriction by selling a so-called "developer's version" directly to consumers for $10/mo. with absolutely no effort made to confirm that those paying actually are developers. As I said, if Microsoft thinks that Prepard3D is a threat to Flight then it's pretty certain they'll put the screws to LM.

Its not just the $10 per month version.I can simply buy the $499 version as well with my credit card right now with no explanation as to why I am buying it required.

Instead of spreading all these false and silly rumors who don't you just ask them? I did and I got a perfectly understandable answer. Clear enough to know that what you wrote is just not true.

What did you expect them say? "Oh, yeah, we're totally exploiting a loophole, but SHHHHH! Don't tell anybody!" Of course they're going to tell you that everything is on the up-and-up.

This hasn't been true since around version 8. And if a point release does break something, Laminar Research will work with the developer to fix it on Laminar's end, so it doesn't take any effort on the part of third-party developers except to inform Laminar of the problem. I know you've been corrected on this point a number of times, so now you are deliberately spreading false information.

Indeed indeed. I am surprised about the level of discussion here. It's so easy just to ask people and get the facts right before shooting a load of rumors into a forum. But who cares? Much more fun to say X-Plane breaks everything with every update and that P3D will is sold illegally and will be pulled of the market soon. Are we feeding trolls? They used to be rare on these forums.

What did you expect them say? "Oh, yeah, we're totally exploiting a loophole, but SHHHHH! Don't tell anybody!" Of course they're going to tell you that everything is on the up-and-up.

Wow, if you think a company like LM is going to exploit a loophole where they could potentially end up in trouble then either you dont know corporate lawyers very well or you are just being silly. I am not sure which.......