I was reading an article here: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/01/06/microsoft_flight_sim_free/ nothing new.But I call your attention to this sentence toward the end of the article that was very interesting:" It looks likely that Microsoft will either sell upgrades, aping Zynga’s business model, and/or come to a deal with the existing developer base for a level of compatibility - in exchange for a 30 per cent cut of the take." - The RegisterApparently the writer seems to knows a little inside information on the dealings of Microsoft vs the developers and what it would take to get the developers back into the Games Live! Store. The going price seems to be 30% of the cut. This is the first word I've seen of this outside our community so I'm lead to believe that for him to quote such percentage he's talking to someone either at MS or on the development side. Secondly the writer seems to think that the door is still open to negotiations between the two sides.Yeah, I know trying to reason with Microsoft is probably like inviting Darth Vader to your wedding and trying to convince him to stop Force Choking your guests. But hey...I thought I'd ask.Comments?

If MS can strike a deal, then Flight will boom. I don't care what flack I get for saying that, but that is my only major problem with it atm. The other changes I can easily accommodate to, especially since Ive had too many frustrations with FSX (so that will likely change my views). I hope that MS will tweak a few aspects, and then some of us (if not too stubborn) can adapt... I just hope for Flight to flourish, as a simulator as well as a 'game'. :)

Too late for any of that !Thank god for us that the Big Developers are just NOT interested in Microsoft's BS.http://forum.avsim.n...ghts-on-flight/

Edited January 7, 201214 yr by RYR738

If MS can strike a deal, then Flight will boom.

I doubt it. My prediction is that it will turn a modest profit before fizzling out, and Microsoft will quit the flight sim business for good.

Edited January 7, 201214 yr by Mountain Man

MS is going the "build it ant they will come" route. Now 30% seems heavy, but I would also suspect volume discounts might be the order of the day.Cheers,- jahman.

I doubt it. My prediction is that it will turn a modest profit before fizzling out, and Microsoft will quit the flight sim business for good.

My prediction is they will loose money on it and it will die out as MS pulls resources away from making DLC that is not selling ... and then the idiots that are usually the overpaid decision makers at companies like MS will pull the pull on any flight sim.BUTI still think a real simulator, with the ability to dumb it down if the user chooses could work and be profitable with a marketplace type store in it where third party devs like orbx and pmdg could sell their wares and MS get a cut.. just not some outrageous cut and total control like it seemed they wanted.

Edited January 7, 201214 yr by mikea76

30% is also what apple takes so that may just be an industry norm

Anyone ever read the details for XBox developers? Yes, the percentage isn't too bad, but...MS insists that they sign over the IP rights to the product...

Anyone ever read the details for XBox developers? Yes, the percentage isn't too bad, but...MS insists that they sign over the IP rights to the product...

Ah...that may bebwhy we are seeing such negativity from devs.30% cut wouldnt necessarily be a problem, if you addon moves from niche/heavily pirated fsx addon to mainstream game dlc. I could see the revenue streams of a lot of devs increasing. But loss of IP would be a deal breaker for the orbxs and pmdgs of the world.

" It looks likely that Microsoft will either sell upgrades, aping Zynga’s business model, and/or come to a deal with the existing developer base for a level of compatibility - in exchange for a 30 per cent cut of the take." - The RegisterComments?

The quoted percentage is not out of line with other online venues. My guesstimation is that there is more than pure $$$ involved, such as Fr. Bill's concerns, that stands in the way of any developer wanting to get in on a piece of Flight's pie.

If you consider that 30% also pays for marketing (sort of), distribution and sales processing, it is't that much after all, although I agree there's no way I would agree to loss of IP either. If MS demanded that then there's no way there are going to get 90% of major FS developers to even consider it.

MS insists that they sign over the IP rights to the product...

The IP rights for the compiled product, not the source I would hope?Cheers,- jahman.

Anyone ever read the details for XBox developers? Yes, the percentage isn't too bad, but...MS insists that they sign over the IP rights to the product...

Yeah 30% doesnt seem too bad, considering the fact that the marketplace will probably reach at least 10x the amount of potential customers compared to selling an addon in the developers own online store. However, signing over the IP rights is obviously totally out of the question, an outrageous requirement to say the least

Edited January 7, 201214 yr by Sekstifire

I don't thing ms is really trustworthy for an agreement with Flight. They screwed high quality development houses that were engaged for a long time with them and they strung this community along in having us believe they were building a simulator. I was not only a customer of the flight simulation series over the years, but I am a current potential customer of microsoft, however, this sure has me thinking twice when it comes to buying products from them now and in the future.

The IP rights for the compiled product, not the source I would hope?

No, that includes all the source files, master texture PSD files, etc. Although this applies to XBox developers, I can't see them changing the scheme for "MS LIVE Flight" at all......but, we'll just have to wait and see. MS seems to have developed a habit of "fooling us" lately. :(