I was reading up about new Microsoft Releases and found this site with a list of releases in 2005 from MS:http://bink.nu/?ArticleID=3126Anyway - I couldn't find FS2006 on the list (although it does say it's not a comprehensive list), and just wondered if anyone had any news or sites with good sources for news on it?Have MS already said that this is somthing that they are working on, or are we assuming that? (I just asking after all of the threads about FS2006 "wishlists" I've seen.)ThanksGary

I am guessing that no one knows, or if they do know they are tied up in an NDA agreement.I personally at not sure if there will be a FS2006, and to be quite honest, for the foreseeable future I am more than happy with 2004.If it comes, it comes, if not, its not the end of the world.Dan.

Yeah - I seem to remember someone once saying that they thought it would be the last version of Flight Sim, so when I started seeing the wishlists, I wondered if MS had said something - maybe when they announced the patch or something.I agree the it's a brilliant simulator the way it is, and not wanting to start another wishlist, I personally would love to see the ATC improved, though (holding patterns, etc). That is my one real problem with flight simulator.

I've been seeing wishlists for FS2005, FS2006, whatever (I've seen many names) as well as announcements from people saying they know someone who knows someone etc. etc. who works for Microsoft about a new version ever since FS2004 hit the market.Some of those people say there won't be a new version, others talk about all kinds of completely unrealistic new things that would be implemented.It's a recurring theme, exactly the same happened when FS2002 hit the streets.It's heating up now (again as with FS2002) that FS2004 has been out for a good year...If and when Microsoft themselves post a press release on their own website that's when I'll believe there will be a new version.If that press release mentions features then that's what I'll be looking for in the new product.

I wonder how happy we would be if there were no future releases? and for how long.Look back at the other sims which have kept going with a devout group of enthusiasts.In a very short time they become dated looking and not inkeeping with the latest techology and advancements.If this was the case then I would rather ask the question of who could step forward to produce a sim of the time.I wouldnt expect it to be a worldwide sim but maybe a limited sim confined to the USA or Europe.I often wondered what someone like the makers of IL2 would be able to do with a GA/Commercial sim based on their IL2 structure?Anyway fingers crossed that there will indeed be a FS2006Peter

Considering there's such a huge number of developers creating things for FS, I think their combined efforts would turn any sim - Flightgear, X-Plane etc. into a great sim with lots of complex planes, ATC, scenery etc. in no time should Microsoft cease to develop the FS series.

"If and when Microsoft themselves post a press release on their own website that's when I'll believe there will be a new version.If that press release mentions features then that's what I'll be looking for in the new product."That's the same test I use as well. If FS2006 is released and it follows the same pattern that FS2004, FS2002 and FS2000 did, I'd expect the first release of info from Microsoft to arrive in the next 5-10 weeks. All three prior "200x" sims were announced early in the year of their release, and released in the fall of the same year.-JohnEdit: I should add that some magazines and websites will try to "scoop" other sites like Avsim by posting an educated guess on FS2006's announcment. If they are right, some will flock to them as if they are insiders and gather 'round their forums like groupies. If they are wrong, most wrong guesses are quickly forgotten.

By the same token, however, Microsoft are also talking more and more with each version to the people who do the add-ons. From what I am hearing, the vast majority of add-on developers want a longer cycle between releases for them to sell their add-ons and their customers to use them before they go pear-shaped - as they do with every new version of FS.Me? I don't want FS2006. FS2007 might be nice, but with the average PC lifecycle being three years (in industry... make that 3 minutes in gaming circles!) I don't see why FS shouldn't be on a three yearly cycle as well. If they want to add new features in the meantime, what's wrong with the 9.1, 9.2, 9.3 etc releases that most other software manufacturers use? :-)Ian P.

>If they want to>add new features in the meantime, what's wrong with the 9.1,>9.2, 9.3 etc releases that most other software manufacturers>use? :-)There was a time when Microsoft would say that these releases weren't used to add functionality - just correct functionality that should work but doesn't. I think that went out of the window with XP SP2, though.I take your point about add-on developers not wanting new versions so often - I guess that is why they are talking more and more to these add-on developers. Perhaps they need to have advance copies of the software (or perhaps they already do)?BTW, I wasn't being impatient, just wondering if anything had been said.

hello All, I guess it comes down to this for me: If they release 2006- or 2007- or 2008, great, if not, well, that's just as well also.I deal with what we have, and how to improve it, with addon's, new products and such and don't really worry about the FS future. I say that because I doubt very seriuosly if MS will abandon FS and not produce another . . . however, if they would, we would all just have to learn to live with it or develope our own . . . which would be a monumental task, to say the least.The will give us plenty of notice when it is coming out, and I am sure they have already set in stone, (if there is to be a future release) what will be improved upon and what will not. Worrying about it just is much to do about nothing. Just my not so humble .03 cents worth.Best to allClayhttp://www.dreamfleet2000.com/gfx/images/F...ers/Dopke01.jpgClayton T. Dopke (Clay)Major, USAF (retired)"Drac"

The team announced a while back that work had begun on the next version. However, it wasn't mentioned as FS2K6 specifically, and no proposed release date was given. See weblogs.asp.net and no, I don't remember the date of the blog entry.DJ

Costco Sales? May be unrelated but I saw a number of boxes of FS2004 for sale at Costco for about $29.00. Could they be clearing out inventory?? (Thinking of how Costco sometimes carries clearance items from suppliers) Bill G, KSAT

I remember that, and they also said they were doing a complete overhaul of the included aircraft (or one needed to be done or something like that). MS mentioned they were working on a new FS version back when they introduced the patch FS9.1, and on of the avsim staff were there and they mentioned it to him... Does anyone else remember this?RH

Apparently not...DJ

"Apparently not..."What, six minutes go by between Robbie's question and your reply? Sure you don't want to allow people a little more time to respond--perhaps get home from the office, let the dogs out...before settling into the Avsim forums? :)