I usually do not post on the forum and have been a lurker for a while, but I just finished listening to Mr. Randazzo's Fancon speech as well as his interview during the flight that was done for Tony's cause and I have to say I have been blown away by his passion and commitment to the FS community. There is no question or request accompanying this post, these are just my thoughts on the impact of PMDG on the FS community and I am curious to hear the thoughts of other fellow posters.

 

1. As someone who was an avid simmer in the 90s and early 2000's with the early FS versions, I gradually lost interest in the hobby 2005 onwards, mostly due to life taking over but also because FS seem to have hit a plateau in innovation. After a hiatus I came back to FS in 2012 and I remember my first flight with the NGX blew me away! FS had grown leaps and bounds in the time that I was away and I must say I have never been happier with the state of FS, primarily because of NGX. The pace of innovation leapfrogged several milestones with NGX and has spurred on add-ons to new heights. When listening to the Mr. Randazzo's Fancon speech, I couldn't help but admire his and PMDG's passion for the community as well as his thoughts on the future of FS.

 

2. On the topic of release dates, I must admit, it used to frustrate me that PMDG would not give out release dates, I used to think it was a way for them to let the community simmer with anticipation, which would eventually help their sales. I used to also think that it was a pretty cocky way to do business - however, after listening to Mr. Randazzo, I can't help but be convinced that their first and foremost goal is to help the FS community and push the envelope for what is possible in FSX. For that as a community, we should be thankful that there is actually a developer out there who is willing to take the heat on release dates in the interest of delivering a path-breaking product. I am not naive and I do understand at the end of the day the revenues still matter - however I do believe I can trust that PMDG's primary goal is to further the FS development boundaries and encourage innovation in the community. Revenues and profits tend to follow innovation and I am sure PMDG is and will be very well compensated - but their intent and heart seem to be in the right place! Therefore, as a community I think we should be more patient with the way PMDG handles release dates and allow this company to work as they seem best. With their track record, we know we will thank them for it eventually.

 

3. Finally, on the future of FS, I cant help but wonder what PMDG has in store for us not just after the 777 or the 747, but years in the future. Clearly this is a company that is working with X-Plane as well as some other developers it would seem - and I have never been more excited for the future of simming after listening to the Fancon speech. At the risk of speculating, I wouldn't be surprised if 5+ years from now we see a brand new simulator, free from some of the MS baggage and that PMDG would have an instrumental hand in making that happen. Again, this is pure speculation, but I wouldn't be surprised if the talent at PMDG will eventually be leveraged for not just aircraft development but also for creating a brand new sim (while collaborating with others). I can only hope so! 

 

Curious to hear the thoughts of other posters who have also listened to Mr. Randazzo's speech and if you had a similar reaction to it.

My main interest is just what the next platform is going to be. As it stands, most, if not all, developers are focused on FSX. We now know PMDG are working with X-Plane devs and Rob certainly sounds excited by the help, support and progress that is being made here.

 

I just wonder where that pivotal moment will be. Will it be with X-Plane...will it be when PMDG get their first product working on that platform? Are we going to see a more collaborative effort from devs such as PMDG, FSL, Majestic etc who combine with companies such as Laminar Research to make the next-gen platform? Details aren't very forthcoming at the moment (at least to the public) so it's kinda hard to judge, but there'll be a pivotal moment and that's when the mass transition will start. (A la Myspace to Facebook etc)

Anubhav: I could not agree more with all of your statements. I have not posted it here yet but I have always thought that when the next platform comes around I am sure that PMDG will be a part of it. I have been in business for 25 years and the professionalism that PMDG has led the Industry with is unparalleled. They have definitely set a new standard without hurting the competition. As a matter of fact the competition has grown making it better for us all. I think that is another reason why Rob and PMDG gets the awards.

 

Thanks,

Ron

Hi.

 

I first used a flight sim on the Sinclair ZX81 with its 16k ram pack and in stunning black and white pixels, not vey impressive in any way, I got bored ppretty soon with it,and my sister took back her cassette player anyway so thats where I left flight simulation.

 

Early on last year while at the local store I saw this FSX Gold box on the shelf, having looked at it for some time I decided to give it a go pretty much doubting what was written on the box, I really had my eyes opened when I finaly got round to setting up and really didnt have any idea what to do with it. :wacko:

 

Many utube vids later I came to an appeal (Flight For Tony) as you mentioned above, and I also was in on that and lucky enough to hear the Talk that Rob gave to everyone there. I pretty much sat through the whole event without sleep and at that time I had very little knowledge on payware or PMDG, The whole appeal was an eye opener for me.

 

I was moved at the way the community came together  and though I had no idea what to with the PMDG NGX series that was one of the things I came away with ( I still dont have a clue ) :rolleyes:  But When Pete (Froogle) was interviewing Rob I was on the edge of my seat the whole time taking everything in.

 

Pretty much the same with this recent talk given at Fancon, and I was so relieved that some very kind person came up with this recording, it was most appreciated and again I was listening to so much more than just a talk. I am completely behind Rob and PMDG with this whole (No release date ideal ).

"She will be ready for the market whenever that is and however long that takes is how long it takes,"

 Well something very much like that, means that every care has been taken to cover anything and everything that can be improved.

 

We recently saw some anger over ther release date thing, I cant begin to imagine what the reaction would be if the T7 was just thrown out there as is and then a problem showed up with the software, In brief, it turns out we are a pretty demanding mob with some very high expectations, Wouldnt you want to make sure all is well and cover every angle, well how  can you set a  date on that?

 

Overall it  seems that FS is going through some changes and all good I hope but only time will tell, the only thing I know is, however long it takes is how long it takes,  I  can wait :lol:

 

Guss

Capt. Rob - after listening to your speech for the first time yesterday, I'm curious to know if the early 747 simulator you referred to, for your document sales, was in fact the PS1 747 add-on?  I vaguely remember how big of deal that add-on was for community.  Although I tinkered with FS in the mid to late 80's, it wasn't until Sublogic came out with their Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) simulator in the early 90's, which I used all the ways up to the release of Windows '95 (and FS-6?).  IMO, Sublogic ATP was so far ahead of it's time, it wasn't exceeded until PS1 and then of course, the future PMDG add-on's. 

 

Ah, the early days of buying FS products off-the-shelf at Babbages in the local mall...  Thank goodness for today's Internet purchases and downloads.  I can't stand going to the local mall anymore; I must be getting old, LOL...

Gents-

 

I'm very thankful for the kind words you guys have offered regarding these two talks.

 

The FANCON speech was quite a bit of fun because there were a number of folks in the room that have known me a long time- and as such they felt quite comfortable poking some fun and having some laughs.  (Tom...  and Dave... Trouble makers, both of them!)  Funny thing about that talk was:  I walked up to the mic not really having a clear idea where I was going.  LOL...  If it didn't go well I was just going to talk about the Electra.

 

Al-  The simulator of which I spoke was indeed the Aerowinx 747-400PS1.  That really fueled my addiction to detail in simulation. 

Congrats to you sir. Its easy to believe a company like PMDG is still around with so many satisfied customers over the years.

Still can remember my first purchase with PMDG Boeing 777 for FLY!/FLY2!

So I'm sure the New B777 series for FSX will be a beast.

 

Cheers,

Talking about new flight simulators, I wonder what happened to the one Aerosoft promised?

Hmm yes the next simulator is indeed interesting. Although PMDG is working with Xplane obviously, he alluded to this other platform.

Maybe we will see PMDG develop their own.

 

PFS -    Precision Flight Simulator.  :ph34r: 

I have been swimming in a pool of my drool since I heard the speech :lol:

I have been swimming in a pool of my drool since I heard the speech :lol:

 

Keep it off your keyboard, RSR and PMDG do not reimburse for keyboards made worthless by spitting out whatever you are drinking or drooling on yourself...  

 

 

Paul Solk

Paul thats a good one and its been years friend :Big Grin:

Keep it off your keyboard, RSR and PMDG do not reimburse for keyboards made worthless by spitting out whatever you are drinking or drooling on yourself...  

 

 

Paul Solk

:lol:  :lol: :drinks:  :LMAO:  

Hi all,

 

I was most impressed with Captain Robert's speech, and it really does show the amount of enthusiasm and passion that goes into all of PMDG's work. All their products are truly ground breaking and have advanced FSX with each new one.

 

I started simming way back with FS98, missed FS2000 but then moved to FS9 when we bought a new computer but my experience was always hampered by the PC's performance. I think my first PMDG products were the 747 queen and then the 737NG for FS9. A few years ago after an unfortunate marriage breakup, not through simming I should add, I decided to buy  a new PC to take my mind off things, and have been enjoying faultless FSX simming ever since

 

However my one concern with the future of simming is if a developer decides to take over with a new sim which proves to be wonderful and everyone jumps ship to the new platform and abandon's all the work been done in FSX. I for one have so many addon's for FSX that I would have to think very long and  hard before following. My hope is that if someone where to update our simming experience  it would be with the hope that addon's we all use for FSX would still be compatible.  Similar to Prepare3D but allowing PMDG addon's and all the others to be used legally with full support. In my eyes FSX does work well although a bit slow, but it's stable and I enjoy using it. I think it would be a shame if the likes of PMDG were to abandon FSX for a new platform. Just my opinion! With the line of forthcoming products announced by Robert and the team I hope that PMDG will be supporting FSX for a good few years yet!

 

As for release dates, wow what a hot potatoe, I can't for the life of me see why a developer would want to be tied to getting a product released by a certain date, sounds like madness. You would want to release a product when it's finished, not when a few enthusiastic simmers think you should release it. Lets face it, whatever PMDG, A2A, Quality Wings, Majestic and a host of others release, there is a fair chance everyone will all buy it anyway, so why not take your time, get it right and please all those enthusiastic simmers with a first class product. Anyway I think the PMDG 777 has been finished ages and PMDG and Robert have decided to keep it for themselves and are flying happily round the virtual skies smiling at all us lesser mortals in 747's, MD11 and 737's, just joking!

 

Well congratulations to Robert and the PMDG team on all their hard won awards, long may they continue to provide stunning recreations of our favourite aircraft.

 

Happy Flying,

 If it didn't go well I was just going to talk about the Electra.

 MMMM....Electra.......

 

Best,

David