I'm not looking for flames or a locked thread, just want other input and opinions. Please keep a level head :)It seems as though certain payware companies spend too much time developing multiple add-ons simultaneously. I can think of a least two major vendors who have 3 or 4 projects going though programming. Wouldn't it make more sense to focus on one project until it's in beta, then move on to another? I suppose this is okay if the team has enough resources to do it, but I'm not sure this is always the case. Some projects never seem to be released.For example, Dreamfleet has a 737-200 and 400, 727, an ATR, and I'm sure I'm missing something.FFS has been working on it's Cirrus forever, yet is now on the SAAB, plus they just completed something else IIRC.Those two companies, aside from PMDG, put out some quality add-ons, yet they take a really long time to release. If PMDG didn't focus on the NG, I wouldn't have a heavy in FS9 at all!Again, no offense to these companies or anyone, just seems a little counterproductive.Chris

Actually, it is just the opposite. More productive. There are many skillsets and different people required in product development and delivery. Working serially would leave most sitting idle until their phase of the next aircraft project is started.

Exactly, that's why car companies make use of many common systems, parts, and even the same models to develop "product lines" at the same time. The larger groups can handle multiple projects because they have the resources to do so. (Hopefully......)Ed GreenKCLThttp://www.panelshop.com/DEV.jpg

And not just that.If a group were to work only on a single product at a time they'd miss a large potential target market constantly.Say F1 works on their ATR exclusively until it's ready. That work takes 6 months to complete.At that time there will be a surge of sales for a while (say a month, tapering off to a lower level over another month).At that point development of another product starts. That too takes 6 months. During 5 of those the company will have very little income.It's better to work on several projects in tandem, planning them for a staggered release so you have a constant stream of income and press and at the same time are able to (as stated) fully utilise all your people.

I'm not a developer, so can't really say, but I'd assume that release dates and getting a product(s) to market is everything. Anything they do would be with a view to minimizing overall development time.billg

Keeping up a steady stream of income is the most important.To achieve that a steady stream of new products is required as customers have gotten to expect free upgrades and are generally unwilling to pay for those (which is perfectly normal and expected everywhere else).

This also depends to an extent on a particular developer's team. If a certain team is very limited then most of their efforts will go to prioritizing if they have concurrent projects. If say you have a panel artist who has pretty much finished all his work on project A or just has free time he can spend that on the other project's panels. This also goes for many other development areas. I don't believe it always takes away the quality of the final products but each developer is unique in this regard. [h4]Best Wishes,Randy J. Smithhttp://www.precisionmanuals.com/images/forum/betaimg.jpgAMD 64 3200+ | ASUS KV8 DELUXE | GFORCE 5700 ULTRA @535/1000 | Maxtor 6Y080M0 SATA 80 GIG | 512 DDR 400 | Windows Xp Pro | Windows Xp Pro 64 |