Dear Rob and the team,With the news overnight that Microsoft Flight will almost certainly not provide for the survival of our community, I was wondering if/when you will be providing information concerning what you see as the future of flight simulator, and what direction PMDG is likely to take. Has this decision already been made, or does it depend on what MS Flight looks like when it is released? I understand you may be limited by the NDA, though perhaps you might be able to tell us when you are likely to make an announcement about these issues.Already several developers have made comment on the alpha process and have mentioned the loss of Microsoft cooperation with addon developers almost two years ago, most recently John from Orbx. Does this also hold true for the PMDG team's involvement with Flight? It seems many developers are getting behind Prepar3d v2 as it should be an improved version of the FSX engine. What simulator platform(s) will PMDG likely be supporting in the future?As one of the most important companies to the hardcore flight simulation community, and one of the most loved by that community, I feel it is very important that PMDG helps to steer the community in the direction it will best be served, preferably in consultation and cooperation with the other major stakeholders.Thankyou in anticipation,

Edited January 5, 201214 yr by gbalean

We are all awaiting an "official annoucment" from the team, regarding the above, the 777 progress and secret projects.

+1. Now that the NDA is somewhat lifted, or at least the latest news have devs like ORBX commenting on the whole MS Flight thing as Geoff said, it would be great to know what PMDG thinks about it all

I would hope going forward pmdg would look at P3D in addition to staying with FSX.

Edited January 5, 201214 yr by B777ER

There was no news overnight that changed the future of flight simming. There was news about how Microsoft Flight will be marketed, but the only surprising bit I read was that the base pack will be free. Clever marketing perhaps, but not exactly a game changer. It will help get people to try it who would not otherwise be interested in flight simulation - and yes, that is a good thing! It is a very, very good thing! Some of those people will find they like flying and will be want to learn more. Of course, many will stay in Microsofts universe and be perfectly happy, and more power to them, but some will want a little more and start exploring other options. They are the new customers that PMDG and other developers have no other way of reaching. Whether MS Flight is utterly brilliant, or just a childish game really does not matter very much. What does matter is that it will create new generation of flight simmers and that is what will help our hobby to survive.

+1We're all very keen to hear from PMDG on their stance regarding Prepar3D. Thanks!

There was no news overnight that changed the future of flight simming.

I disagree. The news that there will be no SDK, and that the thrid party devs are excluded puts a nail in that coffin.

I'm sure we'll have a statement when the time is right guys - as of right now we don't.Just to shoot down a likely rumor though that could start up - we are not actively developing anything for Flight. I don't want people getting the idea that we are in secret or anything. We're making a 777 for FSX, that's the next project. (along with the secret one, which also does not involve Flight, both are FSX)

I think there was a comment previously on these boards that alluded to some of what we have learned about Flight. My supposition is that as long as addon developers aren't getting good ROI, they aren't going to support MS' Flight scheme.

I disagree. The news that there will be no SDK, and that the thrid party devs are excluded puts a nail in that coffin.

This is the main show stopper, very true

I'm sure we'll have a statement when the time is right guys - as of right now we don't.Just to shoot down a likely rumor though that could start up - we are not actively developing anything for Flight. I don't want people getting the idea that we are in secret or anything. We're making a 777 for FSX, that's the next project. (along with the secret one, which also does not involve Flight, both are FSX)

Fair enough, thanks for your input Ryan

...I disagree. The news that there will be no SDK, and that the thrid party devs are excluded puts a nail in that coffin.

Third party devs are not excluded.

Third party devs are not excluded.

How do you know that? In the Flight forums there are sources saying there's no SDK, info from ORBX & Aerosoft & Tom AllensworthWhat do you know they don't?

Third party devs are not excluded.

You might want to read the statement from the Orbx guys in the Flight forum...

Its pretty obvious that there will be third party addons in Flight, or at least that Microsoft is planning for third party addons, if you read this post http://forum.avsim.n...07#entry2212007

Edited January 5, 201214 yr by Sekstifire

Its pretty obvious that there will be third party addons in Flight, or at least that Microsoft is planning for third party addons, if you read this post http://forum.avsim.n...07#entry2212007

That's precisely one of the post that confirms there will be no 3rd party development as we know it Johan.I think you have it backwardsTom is saying that the only FSX 3rd party developer there who considered a partnership with MS declined the offer because the percentage of the sale given back to the developer was a deal breaker

From what I've read the model for third party distribution is like iTunes.If a 3rd party wants to develop something for Flight, MS gets a cut. The amount of the "cut" seems to be the issue.