You and others like you obviously did not read the news that MS is not making anymore flight simulations or it's likely there will not be any more until at least 2010.The '2004' version is the best really as it is the software addon people that make this hobby great.Using the bog standard B737 for instance highlights how much real enthusiasm Bill Gates has for flight simulation and the fact that it rockets into the sky with the verve of an F-16, says it all.'2004' has really rocked it for me and there has to be limit as to how far MS can constructively go in order to sell their new product.I remember saying to others within my 'VA' that it wasn't worth buying 2004 just for ATC and clouds. The latter was being supplied very adequately before by certain add-on suppliers.No, '2004' to me is the pinnacle. I would prefer to persevere with that while purchasing shareware and enjoying the really superb freeware available via the 'Avsim' downloads that is just getting better and better.But thats just my four-penneth for what it's worth.Dave.ASUS KT333 M/Board, Radeon9800Pro128mb, 1024DDR, ATI xp2400+CPU, 80 gb HDD

>You and others like you obviously did not read the news that>MS is not making anymore flight simulations or it's likely>there will not be any more until at least 2010.> Where exactly did you read this? Please do tell...........Dave

>You and others like you obviously did not read the news that>MS is not making anymore flight simulations or it's likely>there will not be any more until at least 2010.>>>>But thats just my four-penneth for what it's worth.>>Dave.>>ASUS KT333 M/Board, Radeon9800Pro128mb, 1024DDR, ATI>xp2400+CPU, 80 gb HDDIf you watched the recent film clip of the 'tour' of the FS offices, you would have heard the answer the interviewer got when pressing for any hints as to a next release date, or next version: the answer was neither one way nor the other....typically noncommittal, in fact the interviewee said that he could not comment even if he knew.Therefore, if one of the leading hands on the project claims he doesn't know, and couldn't say even if he _did_ know, who and where does your source come from?

Just think, B&W TV was the pinnacle for people too. If that's how you feel, great. I prefer to have ANYTHING newer as soon as possible. If they would release enhancements every year, you can bet I'd be first in line. If you think the sky and clouds and default air files and ATC is a pinnacle, have fun being stuck in the past just like people in their 70's like my father say "We didn't have this stuff when I was young". So that means you can't learn or grow? That's hogwash and I know people in their 90's I've dealt with learning and adapting to the same things I am able to learn at 36.Carmine http://ftp.avsim.com/dcforum/Images/wave.gif

There are a number of problems with frequent, insignificant updates-Every version runs slower than the old one = new hardware needed-It takes a long time for addon developers to learn the tricks of the new sim and for MS to bring out those SDK's. With FS2004, we flew our addon planes with no raindrops in the cockpit view for over 6 months before MS told us how to do that. With a new FS every year, addons would only begin to fully utilize the sim when the next one is released.-New versions require updates to most of our current addons which usually takes a while. During thise time we're stuck with default aircraft.-A new FS costs money. Granted, it's no more than the price of 3-4 good addons but still.

Interesting thread., it got me thinking about the difference between 2002 and FS9. Sure the default scenery (particularly the sky) is improved, but not radically. IMHO it seems to me that the greatest improvements revolved around the brilliant add-on programmers out there and their products such as ATC enhancements, AI traffic, scenery add-ons (UK VFR/Terrain, Swiss Pro, FSGenesis to name but a few), real world weather enhancements, default aircraft replacements, active cockpits/cabin crews, flight adventures, water and road replacements etc., the list goes on!To me these are what makes the Sim come alive., (FS10?.. whenever)Just my two halfpennys worthCheersDan :-)

Well I would like to give my two cents. Hopefully I won't get flamed for having an opinion.First of all let me say that I have had every version of Flight Simulator since Flight Simulator II by Sublogic for the Atari 800 released back in 1984. I have enjoyed the past 20 years of Flight Simulator and I will continue to do so as long as it exists on my computer whether that be FS9 or a newer version to come along.I do not have any connections to the Flight Sim team or anyone at Microsoft so what I state here is just a hunch and a personal opinion. Here is what I believe.I do not think there will be a version of Flight Simulator released next year. Why? Read on.1. There has been a lot of speculation (more so than ever) about the release of a version next year. Why so much speculation? Does somebody know something but can't spill the beans? Something is unusual.2. Microsoft released a patch this month for FS9, 14 months after its initial release. That seems a bit unlike Microsoft as they would usually at this time be hard at work on the next version.3. Hasn't anybody noticed that some of the other Microsoft titles have been canceled or put on hiatus? Here are some that come to mind.Combat Flight SimulatorTrain SimulatorLinks Golf4. I happen to be friends with a well known Train Simulator addon developer and when MSTS 2 was canceled the word he got was Microsoft could not fit the new version into their budget, meaning lack of money. And to support that...5. I read on another forum a couple of days ago that a forum member had received Microsoft's yearly financial report and it stated that although Microsoft made $2 billion on its entertainment division, it lost $1.1 billion! If that amount of money was lost some cuts would have to made. Finally...6. Anybody ever heard of Longhorn? You know Microsoft's next OS. I heard through the grapevine that Microsoft was pooling all of its resources to get Longhorn finished. And to add to that, wouldn't it make sense to hold off on releasing any new games until that OS is finished? I mean this is a major OS upgrade and for Longhorn to really shine applications will have to be re-written in 64 bit. Maybe, maybe not.Anyway like I said these are just my personal opinions for the purpose of conversation and discussion. Some of you out there know better than I do and have the connections. But something does seem a little fishy about the possibility of the next version not being released in 2006.If a new version is released next year I will be the first in line to purchase it as I have been for the previous versions. If a new version isn't released then I am happy and content with the current version and all of its wonderful addons.Todd

I'd be perfectly happy if we could just get a PSS 747-400 forFS2004.Peter Sydney Australia

Well to speak to Todd I say I recently saw a video tour in which was taken very currently and there was a fair amount of staff at MSFS. So if there is to be not another sim, why are they there and what are they working on? To speak to Peter I'd be perfectly happy if MS would just release a great new ATC engine in the next version. I personal love fly the small GA and everytime I try an IFR flight in a heavy I feel its worthless to have ATC if the procedures are so basic or wrong and the go arounds and sequencing makes the flight a waste of time. Love FS9 and what MS puts out just hoping the next version leaves us speechless with its ATC engine.

Even with the very best high end hardware available today you can't run FS9 with all the bells and whistles - perhaps in 12 months the required hardware will be available, so what point in raising the bar yet again! I think MS may wait until after Longhorn is released for FS10.Bruce

>2. Microsoft released a patch this month for FS9, 14 months>after its initial release. That seems a bit unlike Microsoft>as they would usually at this time be hard at work on the next>version.>Perhaps the reason it was released after 14 months was because the FS team were hard at work on the next version.

HI Tood, "Anyway like I said these are just my personal opinions for the purpose of conversation and discussion. Some of you out there know better than I do and have the connections. But something does seem a little fishy about the possibility of the next version not being released in 2006."When avsim have assisted to meet the Ms team and had the announcement of Ms patch for fs2004, Ms developper said to one members of avsim staff, there will have announcementnews about the next version of MsFs from about 56 month from the fs2004 patch release, and the same amount of change that's have been made in from fs2002 to fs2004 will be made in th next version.It appears it will be the same cycle 2 years release.ThanksChris Willis[link:fsw.simflight.com/FSWMenuFsSim.html]Clouds And Addons For MsFs

Chris:I read and clearly understood the statement that Microsoft would have news about the next version at a later date although that statement means nothing. The news could be "Coming Soon FS2006" or it could be news that they will wait a while before releasing the next version. I not trying to be a doomsayer or have negative thoughts, it's just a slight hunch I have that possibly there may not be a version released next year.I'll shut up now as you may actually know otherwise. :-)ToddPS But something does seem a little fishy about the possibility of the next version not being released in 2006.I meant to say 2005 and not 2006.

Damn it and I just upgraded my PC....This is a conspiracy with the hardware nanufactures......lolStelios

>Even with the very best high end hardware available today you>can't run FS9 with all the bells and whistles - perhaps in 12>months the required hardware will be available, so what point>in raising the bar yet again! I think MS may wait until after>Longhorn is released for FS10.>>BruceThats a good point! If we all have to upgrade to use a new verson of flight sim, why do 'Microshock' produce programs that are no good for the majority?Are they not in the business of selling USEABLE programs or, what?Dave.ASUS KT333 M/Board, Radeon9800Pro128mb, 1024DDR, ATI xp2400+CPU, 80 gb HDD