I just don't get why they don't fix their approach now once and for all instead of later. They should have sussed this a lot sooner. Anyone in software development could tell you that the longer you leave a flawed method in a project the more costly (in both time and money) it becomes to fix later on.

 

I guess you have your answer right there. They seemingly don't want to fix it.

Kannwar,

 

Read it again...."They don't play well with others"...it's not because they can't, it's because they don't want to.

Just to be clear, since my understanding of how this works is fairly shallow; if Orbx used the "append" method, would they have the same texture freedom/variety for various regions as they have now?

Good question. Just a few days ago and in another thread, Holger explained the thinking behind the current FTX switching.

in default FSX, more than 50% of the blendmasks for the urban and agricultural classes are "locked". That means one can spend thousands of man hours creating lovely landclass textures but then those will never properly blend with the adjacent textures because the FSX global landclass config file assigns incorrect stand-ins. And that's just one of several such issues in landscape development. The question for the developer thus is: do I limit the quality of my add-on (and blame MS/ACES for it) or do I unlock its full potential and ask users to accept compatibility issues and/or switching tools? As long as the end user is fully aware of the limitations of either approach there's no right or wrong, IMO, just two different types of compromises.

 

Cheers, Holger

http://forum.aerosof..._40#entry432349

 

Now I'm pretty excited to see how the Orbx global approach turns out. I wished there were different regions to buy as I'm already a GEX user. On the price point, it's reasonable when compared to a (fictional) GEX global purchase. In fact, it may then turn out to actually be inexpensive when compared.

 

The screenshots look good and I especially like the fact that Eastern Europe and Asia may receive an improvement.

Kannwar,

 

Read it again...."They don't play well with others"...it's not because they can't, it's because they don't want to.

 

I know and that's exactly what I was getting at in my post.

Hi

just a thought.

whats to stop tubeliner people like me from using FTX Global??

i buy payware airports for whatever region i fly in anyway.so i just install them with FTX global.seems like a very good upgrade to me for the price.

 

steve

From the current looks, I'd say you are spot on Steve. Well, you would be too if your statement was pointing at GEX, being the competitor but, currently, not offering the global approach.

From the current looks, I'd say you are spot on Steve. Well, you would be too if your statement was pointing at GEX, being the competitor but, currently, not offering the global approach.

 

I have never been so sure about "the global approach". As far as I can tell from watching posts over time, the majority of people have specific geographical areas of interest that they tend to stick to pretty faithfully.

 

In my own case, I tend to be drawn out of my accustomed areas only by the introduction of some particularly tasty new piece of scenery, and even then only for a while. That being the case, buying particular areas piecemeal ala' Gex might be a much more attractive option in several ways than this, considering the price.

With GEX expanding, you may be right. If one is 'stuck' to only a few areas, it doesn't make sense to go for the global stuff. Buying the preferred region is cheaper and the downside of looking at default FSX stuff outside of it may never gain weight. I wished there was an Asian edition or something. That would fill some gaps for me.

 

Maybe Orbx offers the collection at those 190 bucks and then also offers certain parts of it. Like their Australia package. You can get the full thing or just Blue, Red and so on.

 

For folks without GEX or other titles, the full 190 Dollar package may be ideal. But my guess would be that the ones which already run this or that addon, may not like to replace all of them. Hence the note to e.g. go for South, East, West and North 'global' packages.

 

Perhaps offering a small part as a demo also allows for gaining new customers. The 190 Dollar entry point is a large hurdle. Even if the package value justifies it.

Textures are not a big deal except to develop them to look correct. They will not have any impact on performance but will have a positive affect on appearance if they are done correctly. From a development standpoint we are talking about quantity which is the reason for the $195. As a user I have no concern for what they will do to my FSX environment other than how it will look. Cheers jja

It's the updates that will be interesting. How will orbx world be 5 years from now?

 

will we require ongoing updates if all it is are textures we are replacing?

It's the updates that will be interesting. How will orbx world be 5 years from now?

 

will we require ongoing updates if all it is are textures we are replacing?

 

I know I sound like a broken record but there is more than one way to skin a cat...what else could have they included in this package...better not include everything they could have and make another package down the road to be sold to the same cats ....you buy the first package and after that if you want compatibility what do you do....buy what ever the other package can be knowing that it will only work if you have the first package...do I hear landclass or else?

Judging from the initial announcement on the FTX site, this Orbx world package isn't even in alpha stage as yet - or did I read that wrong? If that is the case there should be some time for some community input - maybe that's the reason for "testing" the market with John's previews? Marketing plans can change.

 

I also noticed that GEX had received an update. Looks as thought the interface has been collapsed in to a single one, but did the graphics also get updated?

It's the updates that will be interesting. How will orbx world be 5 years from now?

 

will we require ongoing updates if all it is are textures we are replacing?

 

I sincerely hope that in 5 years time ... we all would have adopted the next Flight Sim platform. Can I get an Amen :rolleyes:

 

 

I sincerely hope that in 5 years time ... we all would have adopted the next Flight Sim platform. Can I get an Amen :rolleyes:

 

I doubt it. Prepar3d is the only thing to look forward to and look how slow development is taking.

 

It's been several years and we can't even get a updated FSInn or new vatsim client!

also noticed that GEX had received an update. Looks as thought the interface has been collapsed in to a single one, but did the graphics also get updated?

Correct Danny. Europe received a major update, whilst USA, tropics Canada and Alaska received a heavy make over as well.

 

As for Asia, Australia and New Zealand, which is the next release from Flight 1, I am wondering if the Orbx announcement is going to hurt sales. I hope not, as I have always admired the support and the pricing discounts (for existing users) that is offered with new releases.

Will I switch over to the Orbx global offering ? Probably not, as I have yet to forgive them for there past treatment of there loyal customers.