release the cockpitless version, see how it sells, then sell a full cockpit version

but didn't they do this already with the maule and mustang? then why again? so obviously we see now the result of this marketing heist, the zero with - you guess it - zero cockpit

Perhaps it's just an April Fool's joke...

That, and patience for Alaska and the next airplane (please please helicopter!)

Hope it isn't exterior only model :smile:As someone else already mentioned, most likely the Zero was already done and ready to go probably even when Flight was released, on their roadmap to release one month after the release of Flight.Alaska DLC has probably already been finished, with maybe exception of fine tuning - and hopefully maybe a "real" airplane - meaning with a VC - to be included with it, and is on their scheduled to be released on x date, that date just has not been announced as of yet.I will remain hopefull - even though part of the hope I did have prior to yesterday's announcement of the cockpitless Zero, has diminished somewhat.My hope is that with the next " major " DLC, meaning Alaska - there will be something in there - maybe even if just one or two things - that does restore some of that hope for flight simmers, that got diminished yesterday. We know at one point they mentioned a release in Spring. It is Spring now, but with them releasing the "bone" the Zero today - would lead me to think it may be another month or so before the Alaska DLC.So time will tell...

Thanks Microsoft. You saved me a few bucks. If this is your idea of a quality product it looks like I will be saving more money in the future.

The Zero... let us just hope that it's sale-numbers stay pretty close to it's name.

Well one thing's for sure - this announcement has certainly not only picked up on the number of posts in this forum, but also the number of members viewing this forum...Lol.

I have the P-51, a gift from MS for beta testing, and I used it to claim the glider aerocache-haven't touched it since. Cockpitless aircraft hold no interest for me but probably does for the more gamer orientated. That's fine and I don't have a problem with MS providing such aircraft to that segment of the market. Flight is still in it's infancy and there will be DLC that won't appeal to the gamers-they won't spend money on it, as I would not spend money on this offering.I'll pay for appeals to me and pass on what doesn't, and won't spend time wondering or whining about it.

I can see it now. Swarms of Zero's making straffing runs on the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial. How sad, what are they thinking? Don't tell me it won't happen. "REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR".

Imo people have become spoiled by the fast pace of modern life, the things been out for around a month and so far has 2 external only planes and 4 soon to be 5 (fingers crossed) working vc planes. Looks like they have been ignoring the people who just want more cheap planes to fly around the free island.

It's up to Microsoft to fit in with what the customer wants not the other way around.MS were bulding this game for some time before release so they have zero excuse for not having more content available.Bryan.

I am also disappointed to see another plane without a VC I am one of those who "defend" Flight but am always trying to be as unbiased and realistic as i can. So, i'm guessing there was a good reason for them to release a Zero. It's probably like some of you guys said, Mustang was selling like crazy and they wanted to keep gamers occupied and interested in Flight and do everything they can not to lose that target group. MS is aware that hardcore simmers are willing to wait for as long as it takes to get what they want and that is why we are not their priority at the moment. Call me a dreamer but i am guessing that Alaska will be all about simmer's desires. Then, they will probably come out with another exterior model only after Alaska, again to keep gamers interested and if some of those gamers actually purchase Alaska and see what's it like to fly a plane with VC, we might be seeing less and less planes without cockpit in future.To sum it up: disappointed as i am to see a new A/C without VC, i don't think this particularly hurts simmers, it just makes us wait a little bit longer. At least they have more time to dedicate to Alaska and A/C they plan to release with it.We'll have to wait and see...Cheers

Alright i'll bite. I saw the plane and i kinda feel that it is a natural plane to implement. Im thinking that we have Hawaii to fly on, and the Zero fits well in as a combatant to the P51 :D Now all we need is some dogfighting equipment.. Like a small circle in the HUD? 2 teams with 1 flying the P51 and the other the Zero. Keep a enemy plane in the circle for 3 seconds and its out of the game, and has to land. Hehehe. In all seriousness. I dont mind the Zero. The fact that it does not have a modelled cockpit will keep me from buying it. I will save that money for a aircombat game called World of Warplanes..So thats it. If you dont want to see more planes without modelled cockpits then dont buy it. Enjoy your flight :)

Why is everyone assuming that work on the Zero only started after the sales numbers on the Mustang came in? It's been pretty clear that Microsoft will be releasing both 'basic' and 'deluxe' planes. Probably the basic (i.e. no cockpit) planes will only appeal to very few people on this forum, but there's no reason to raise such a hue and cry about it. If Microsoft continues with their plans we will in future see both planes with and without cockpits being released. Hopefully we won't have such a huge outcry every time Microsoft 'dares' to release a cockpitless plane.Some DLC Microsoft releases will appeal to you, some won't. Buy the stuff that does appeal to you, don't buy the stuff that doesn't, it really is that simple.

but didn't they do this already with the maule and mustang? then why again? so obviously we see now the result of this marketing heist, the zero with - you guess it - zero cockpit

I suspect they didn't make the Zero in the four weeks since Flight's release. It was probably made a long time ago and I suspect that we will see more DLC's like that in the following months (hopefully along with some "deluxe" aircraft as well).Time will tell in which direction Flight is going. Whether they want to go exclusively with gamers as a target group or with simmers or both.Meanwhile, I'm happy that I didn't buy the Maule yet so I have another toy to buy in the next weeks to bridge the time until a more advanced plane is released again.

I have got to say that I am pretty dissapointed with the MS dev team... I thought they listened to us more.I'm still crossing my fingers for some more deluxe aircraft....

The Zero with zero cockpit seems like a really strange product offering for 'round 2' of DLC releases, but I think it's still way too early in Flight's development to think that cockpitless planes are the 'bread and butter' of Flight. It may be that the P51 was the best "bang for the buck" from round 1. Maybe the P51 generated the most net profit. But, I'd think the Zero decision was made before DLC sales figures were being tallied (before Flight's release). As it stands, we have 4x planes with cockpits and 2 without. If that 2-to-1 ratio continues, it's nothing to care about. When there are 30 planes, there will be 20 complete planes and 10 'gamer' planes. No big deal.What I find most strange about, at least the P51, is that there is a cockpit view but MSFT made it a pain to change to that view. Sure, it's static, but it's much more enjoyable to fly from the cockpit view than from exterior or from well in front of the propeller. Why on earth would they include a cockpit, but make it annoying to switch to that view? It's a very strange decision, to me. If the Zero also includes a static cockpit, I'll continue to be baffled. . .I think the Zero was decided well before Flight was released and should not be considered an indicator as to the primary direction of Flight.