Can I ask a silly question? For those who are contemplating the switch, or have already made it, to P3D, which version are they paying for? I have been advised that the only license you need is the Academic license @ $59.95, and not the Professional @ $199.  Since we are talking flight simming here and not nuclear submarines and space craft, I'd think that the Academic version would be sufficient.

 

Am I wrong? Or is there any reason to pay $199 for a flight sim at this time?

You already answered your own question

Can I ask a silly question? For those who are contemplating the switch, or have already made it, to P3D, which version are they paying for? I have been advised that the only license you need is the Academic license @ $59.95, and not the Professional @ $199.  Since we are talking flight simming here and not nuclear submarines and space craft, I'd think that the Academic version would be sufficient.

 

Am I wrong? Or is there any reason to pay $199 for a flight sim at this time?

Technically the 60$ version is for undergrads and students and using it for simulation (without those conditions)  will be illegal. The pro version allows you to do what you are intending which is general flight simming im assuming. You can cheat Lockheed if you want but if get into any trouble you cant blame anyone

 

HOWEVER, if you are a student by all means go ahead!

 

 

if the legal obstacles to offering their products will result in a price that is outside the grasp of most consumers, they shouldn't bother with the matter.  

Well done, sir.

 

I'll answer this by quoting my own post, because I've said this about a million times now:

 

 

again: P3D is not aimed at the home simmer, regardless of what the sim group thinks

 

 

Another way to say this: if the legal obstacles to offering their products will result in a price that is outside the grasp of most consumers, they shouldn't bother with the matter.  

 

You seem to forget one thing: PMDG has stated they are seeking to expand into commercial sims. Why? Because they are expanding their market, getting add-ons out there for pilots in training, airlines,... Simply put, the commercial side of things.

 

Let's all say it again: Prepar3D, and the add-ons, are NOT aimed at us, the home simmer. Backdoors exist to use it, but I think we all know PMDG isn't exactly a huge fan of backdoors.

I cannot see why all the leading flight simulation software suppliers do not develop a flight sim program of their own?

 

I know that Aerosoft were planning to when, it was announced that Microshaft wouldn't be doing any more.

 

The resources and the knowledge is out there, together with the Aces group that wasn't allowed to finish FSX so, if this happened we would have 64 bits, touch screen and a license to last and last.

 

The best guaranteed future for all suppliers.

 

What about it guys?  Are you not interested in your future, long term?

 

 

again: P3D is not aimed at the home simmer, regardless of what the sim group thinks

 

Gotta agree with Kyle. Lockheed Martin is crystal clear on this :

 

• Professionals – This license is intended for professional skills training. This group could include private pilots, commercial flight schools, military personnel, civil organizations such as firefighters/emergency response or students pursuing a technical degree or an advanced degree such as a masters or PhD.

Can Prepar3D be used for entertainment?

No, Lockheed Martin does not offer Prepar3D for entertainment, and we have no plans to enter the entertainment space. The EULAs explain that Prepar3D can be used for purposes other than personal/consumer entertainment.

 

 

Read here http://www.prepar3d.com/frequently-asked-questions/

so I won't be surprised if PMDG's detailed 777 would cost more than 1000 bucks for P3d. Since it will be used by Aviation schools and training centers. 

and ofcourse PMDG will be providing them Commercial level support which is far superior than regular consumer support.

Technically the 60$ version is for undergrads and students and using it for simulation (without those conditions) will be illegal.

 

No, it would NOT be "illegal", just contrary to the EULA, that would be a tort, a civil issue, not criminal.

 

And in any case, I have yet to hear of LM pursuing the matter, my impression is they simply dont care about that affair.

 

 

To be honest (and purely guessing) I'm assuming that a new purchase, at full price, would be necessary...

 

That being said - given the nature of the license, I'm afraid the price would be double (or triple) of the price of FSX license... If that's the case, I'm checking out... :(

 

I will be willing to buy a REASONABLY priced version for P3D, ie on a par with FSX version.

 

If much more expensive as you surmise, I would like tio hear valid reasons for that, because AFAIK there aren't any.

I would assume that one reason (valid or otherwise) would be the steep price, that PMDG would have to pay to get the license to release their products for the P3D platform

You can talk about the legal logistics until you're blue in the face but at the end of the day if PMDG can't offer any of their products on PMDG at consumer prices they will cease to remain relevant to consumers using P3D.

 

Agreed. We always knew FSX was a dead end.

 

You see, whats VERY COOL about P3D is that LM brought in some of the old ACES programmers. Now P3D is what FSX should have been, and is only getting better.

 

You can, for example, fly Dinos jets with AI Carriers and vLSO in P3D no problems.

 

P3D is a very sweet ride indeed.

 

IMHO developers like VRS and PMDG need to seriously watch P3D and see if it can make a move to support the "Academic" version with reasonable pricing.

 

Otherwise, high quality developers like VRS and say PMDG will disappear from the private consumer market soon. Folks like me are not wasting any more $$ on the dead end of FSX.

 

Also, to PMDG specifically, IMHO XPX is a waste of time:  until Austin recognizes there are other sorts of flying beyond GA, I see no reason for us heavy fliers to bother with that platform.  And I see no indications over there he is making any moves in that direction, or did I miss something?

I'll answer this by quoting my own post, because I've said this about a million times now:

 

Thanks for the assumption.  I am an undergrad majoring in aviation.  Pretty sure I'm the target audience, as per the EULA.  

Thanks for the assumption.  I am an undergrad majoring in aviation.  Pretty sure I'm the target audience, as per the EULA.  

 

This of course misses the point entirely:  the fundamental question at hand is whether LM is thinking of changing their P3D EULA to allow general consumer use.  I hope they do:  the revenue would be a drop in the bucket to their revenue stream, but would be a wonderfully cheap way to raise their public good graces and awareness.  Cant hurt with the DOD budget draw downs that must come.

What you may see from PMDG is that their products may be used with the Pro version of P3D only...

 

And since I'm military, I can use it legally...

Technically the 60$ version is for undergrads and students and using it for simulation (without those conditions)  will be illegal. The pro version allows you to do what you are intending which is general flight simming im assuming. You can cheat Lockheed if you want but if get into any trouble you cant blame anyone

HOWEVER, if you are a student by all means go ahead!

So to switch over to P3D, after investing probably $500 - $1000 in FSX (weather, scenery, flight planning, and very expensive aircraft), I now have to fork out another $200 for the license, and most of my more expensive aircraft will (probably) not work with P3D until:

 

1) PMDG gets around to making it so, and

2) I pay another $200 to $400 (if you guys are right about PMDG licensing for P3D) so that I can now fly all of my costly aircraft in P3D.

 

Well, I guess I'm now out of my league. Flight simming is being priced out of the market for us old guys on retirement and pensions.  Right now, I'm cheating by flying with my old Saitek X52 and pedals, on a machine (you can look at my PC) that is making it right now.  But I keep trying to keep up, and the planes keep getting more and more expensive (even the lowly Flight1 King Air I want next is $60), I cannot see any future in this hobby if I can't afford it. 

 

So I guess I'm stuck with FSX for the duration. I've actually got it to fly very well with little trouble (as long as I don't keep switching to outside views :huh: ) and everything I buy right now works with it. I'll hold the fort until FSX doesn't work anymore, and then I'll take up another hobby, like Call of Duty :p0128:

 

 

Gotta agree with Kyle. Lockheed Martin is crystal clear on this :



Professionals – This license is intended for professional skills training. This group could include private pilots, commercial flight schools, military personnel, civil organizations such as firefighters/emergency response or students pursuing a technical degree or an advanced degree such as a masters or PhD.

Can Prepar3D be used for entertainment?

No, Lockheed Martin does not offer Prepar3D for entertainment, and we have no plans to enter the entertainment space. The EULAs explain that Prepar3D can be used for purposes other than personal/consumer entertainment.

 

I have read their EUAL ad nasuem ... and unless LM changes their minds, IMHO the hobby of flying heavy commercial jets on the home pc is doomed.  XPX is not the answer, it is a GA focused platform, no AI traffic, no immersion.  FSX is a dead end, an unstable unfinished mess.