Yes, I’m back, but just to deliver some data for you folks to interpret. I was lucky enough to have a few minutes at the end of class today with my 8^th graders because they finished their World War I test in good time. So, in the spur of the moment, I decided to conduct an informal survey of students who identified themselves as game players and who volunteered to answer my questions. I found a video online of the game sequence of Flight and showed it to the students on my SmartBoard. I also asked several questions about their reaction, off the cuff in my first class with answers on scrap paper, and then on a printed questionnaire in my other 8^th grade classes. I’ll place a disclaimer here that this data is, of course, unscientific. However, I tried to be fair and consistent in my presentation to the students about the game. So, here’s some information about what I showed, what I asked, and the responses I received.Video Clip: http://www.5min.com/...ntage-517240367Students Surveyed: 44 Ages: 13-15Questionnaire Text:

(I created these notes and questions in less than five minutes. If I had taken more time, I might have changed the wording of some of the bullets and/or questions. However, once I had started the process with one class, I kept the information the same for all the classes.)

Informal Survey: Microsoft Flight!

Microsoft Flight!

• Free to Download
• Big Island of Hawaii
• Biplane and Seaplane
• Various Games & Challenges
• Multiplayer Up to 16 Players
• P-51 and Other Islands & Airplanes are DLC
  • P-51 = $8
  • Additional Airplane = $15
  • Other Hawaiian Islands & One Extra Airplane = $20

1. What is the game you currently play most?2. Would you download and play Microsoft Flight?

• Yes. Why?
• No. Why?

3. How much would you be willing to pay for DLC for this game?4. Do you think you would get bored with this game?Data:1. What is the game you currently play most?

Notes: Some students offered multiple responses for this question. Games are listed in order of occurrence (multiple responses marked as “# X –”) then in alphabetical order.

• 19 X – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
• 6 X – Halo Series/Halo Reach
• 4 X – Fallout New Vegas
• 3 X – Gears of War 3
• 3 X – Saints Row: The Third
• 2 X – Call of Duty 2
• 2 X – Left 4 Dead
• 2 X – Minecraft
• Angry Birds
• Assassin’s Creed
• Battlefield Three
• Call of Duty (version not specified)
• Call of Duty: Black Ops
• Dark Souls
• Grand Theft Auto 4
• Just Dance
• Oblivion
• Red Dead Redemption Undead Nightmare
• Saints Row 2
• Skate 2
• Skylanders

2. Would you download and play Microsoft Flight? 43 Responses

Notes: Not every student provided a reason with their response. Responses are as students wrote them and are listed in alphabetical order.

Yes: 28 – 65%Reasons:

• BC it would be a relaxing game. Something away from the violence.
• Because it’s like Google Earth
• I just want to try it out
• I like planes and multiplayer flying games.
• I like to pilot planes in games
• I think it looks like a cool game that me and my brother would like.
• It looks cool
• It looks cool.
• It looks fun
• It looks fun and I like flying planes
• It looks like fun, airplanes are cool, graphics are good.
• It sounds fun to play. And the graphics are good.
• Looks cool
• Looks fun
• Looks fun, realistic.
• So I can crash into things
• So, I can try. And I like planes.
• Sounds fun. Looks fun.
• Yeah, it looks fun
• Yes – good graphics – fun airplane flying
• Yes because it’s free but I wouldn’t pay $20 to expand it.
• Yes, because I like most of the Microsoft games and I like planes.
• Yes, because it is a free roam, level up game.
• Yes, because it looks cool and I would play it.
• Yes, because it seems really cool.
• Yes, because its (sic) free and you can try it and if you like it you can buy more
• Yes, I like games with aircrafts
• Yes. Because I love flight simulator. I think it’s pricy for add ons though

No: 15 – 35%Reasons:

• Because I didn’t like it.
• Can’t kill any thing
• I don’t have Windows Live.
• I don’t want to pay and if I just fly around that’s boring
• It looks easy and boreing (sic)
• No because all you do is collect coins
• No because it cost money for other stuff
• No because it looks not worth its graphics or memory.
• No because there is no shooting
• No because there isn’t any violence
• No, because I don’t like flying games.
• No, it’s boring
• No. I can’t kill anything
• Too Busy

3. How much would you be willing to pay for DLC for this game? 39 Sortable Responses

Notes: Responses are listed in order of occurrence then in alphabetical order.I made an effort to categorize the responses by price range.

Comments:

• 9X – Nothing
• 8 X – $5
• 4 X – $10
• 2 X -- $20
• 2 X -- $8
• 2 X – $5-10
• $40
• 1 cent
• 15 bucks
• 240 ms points (3 dollars)
• 600 pts.
• As much as needed.
• Cost too much
• Free
• I have no idea.
• I would buy the DLC only if it was less expensive
• I wouldn’t
• No money, can’t buy
• No more than $20
• Not much, 5 or 6 dollars

Range Table

Nothing – 13X – 33%< 5$ – 2X – 5%$5 – 8X – 21%$5-$10 – 6X – 15%$10 – 4X – 10%$15 – 1X – 3%$20 – 3X – 8%> $20 – 2X – 5%(sorry, my MS Word table didn't translate well graphically)

4. Do you think you would get bored with this game? 42 ResponsesYes: 22 – 52%Comments:

• 3 X – After a while
• Eventually
• Flying would get boring
• I get bored easily. Yes.
• Over a long period of time
• Probably
• Yes very fast (sad face) 5 year olds
• Yes very quickly
• Yes, after a while.
• Yes…quickly

No: 9 – 21%Comments:

• Flying is fun.
• Not really it looks cool

Not Definitive: 11 – 26%Comments:

• 4 X – Maybe
• After a while I would. But it would be a good alternative when I got bored with other games.
• After maybe a few months but if I got the DLCs then no.
• I don’t know probably because I like the Wii and that’s about it.
• I will have to play it first.
• It depends what I feel.
• Maybe if I can’t play multiplayer.
• Possibly. It would be cool if you could walk around.

Unsolicited Follow-Up Comments:

• Great graphics.
• How come there’s no stuff to shoot?
• I’m in Civil Air Patrol. I already use flight simulator there. I can’t wait to try this.

Okay, I hope you have fun with this data (no fighting kids). And, I'm outta here (didn't get my invitation to the birthday party).

28 yes but 22 would get bored and 11 might get bored.Now, I wonder if you did the same thing with your FSX what the results would be?

Thanks for taking the time to do this.It would be interesting if you could do the survey with FSX showing the depth and complexity of the product.My 14 yr old son has tried FSX. Most of the time is spent trying to do rolls and loops in a 747.-ed

What me really frightens in this data is that 13-15 year old kiddies play that much shooters, most of them are only sold to people being older than 18. At least in Germany. Ok, I also have my flight-less times (this week was one of them) but then I tend towards strategy instead of simple point'n'shoot games. Especially the Command&Conquer Generals series and Axis&Allies are among the very often played ones.

It would be interesting to do the same thing with one of my high school classes. Though, they'd probably think I'm nuts. :(

Edited February 11, 201214 yr by HughesMDflyer4

There do seem to be some hard core gamers into the 'fighting' and 'shooting' games, as shown. I guess this wouldn't appeal to them. MS doesn't seem to be doing any warbirds with shooting abilities anyway. Thanks for the survey though, very interesting!

And I suspect this is precisely the age group being targetted by MS. I also think the proportion of kids playing violent games is disturbing, especially since a large number of them are rated M for mature. Oh, I worry about this generation.

And I suspect this is precisely the age group being targetted by MS.I also think the proportion of kids playing violent games is disturbing, especially since a large number of them are rated M for mature. Oh, I worry about this generation.

I'm part of this generation and even I worry. I don't play any of the violent games...I have no interest in shooting and killing people/other things. Flight sim is my hobby. I'd rather not let violent games keep me from my true interest.

And I suspect this is precisely the age group being targetted by MS.

Why do you feel that Flight was targeted at 13 to 15 year olds?

According to the

2011 Essential Facts About the Computer and Video Game Industry, 42% of the gaming audience is female, with women 18 and older now make up a larger portion of gamers than boys 17 and younger.

If MS was trying to attract the largest number of gamers, Flight would not be targeted at 14 year olds. My demographic group would actually be a much better choice.

Edited February 11, 201214 yr by Arwen

Why do you fee that Flight was targeted at 13 to 15 year olds?

According to the

2011 Essential Facts About the Computer and Video Game Industry

42% of the gaming audience is female, with w

omen 18 and older now make up a larger portion of gamers than boys 17 and younger.

If MS was trying to attract the largest number of gamers, Flight would not be targeted at 14 year olds. My demographic group would actually be a much better choice.

Good point. I guess I was being a tad facetious. I'm just having a hard time getting over the Windows Live element. I admit I'm getting old, but I associate Windows live with Grand Theft Auto and similar titles.

I do not consider FSX a game, but a sim. I think our hobby attracts a different type of mentality. A more mature mind set. I like the slower pace of flying verses a fast type game realiant on a reflex type skill set. I would think it should appeal to more women as they are thinkers and planners verses men who like to shoot and blow stuff up. Then again men love complex equipment with lots of switches to flick, push and turn. I guess there is something for everybody. I personally enjoy nap of the earth flying and sight seeing, and a nice flight model, prefer helicopters. Not to poo poo on kids, when I was young, I prefered fast type action where as now, I'll saunter down the trail slowly enjoying the sights and stop to smell the roses. I get my action fix by playing drums at gigs.

Edited February 11, 201214 yr by drumsonly2002

You're not alone, because a LOT of people on the forum seem to have a distorted idea of what a Windows Live game is. Eighty percent of today's PC games are bought digitally (most through Steam, Origin, and Windows Live).According to MS's Games for Windows Live Facebook page, FSX is now listed as a Windows Live Game

Edited February 11, 201214 yr by Arwen

4. Do you think you would get bored with this game? 42 ResponsesYes: 22 – 52%I can vouch for that one and I'm far from that age group :)

Lol, what a great post :) Thanks for the survey and I'm sure the kids enjoyed taking it as much as I did reading it.I think we underestimate kids…the challenges they take on and the skills they can learn...and very quickly too. There’s a whole variety of skills in the games they mentioned. I bet half of us here, the half that don’t play games, would get our butts whopped by your class in Call of Duty :( And we’d probably say it was all too hard :( As for Flight, maybe it won't be hard enough to keep their attention. I don't think BTW that Flight was designed for kids...kids are way too game savvy.

You're not alone, because a LOT of people on the forum seem to have a distorted idea of what a Windows Live game is. Eighty percent of today's PC games are bought digitally (most through Steam, Origin, and Windows Live).According to MS's Games for Windows Live Facebook page, FSX is now listed as a Windows Live Game

Yeah, but Windows Live is not really very good system... Somehow with windows Live I managed to create two identical accounts and now when I try to log in its hard to tell which one is right one & which password I need to use.