I came across this article at DevMaster.net, it's actually from Aug.2004: http://www.devmaster.net/fullstory.php?storyID=318 It's about a graphics programming book by Sebastien St-Laurent, and it says this about the author: "Sebastien is now currently employed with the Microsoft Corporation where he is a graphics developer for the upcoming Microsoft Flight Simulator 2006." Does it mean we'll have FS2006 then?? :) Question is: How reliable is this article? has anybody seen it before? Leo

I do not think there is any question of whether there will be an FS2006, it is just a matter of when it will be released.There WILL be an FS2006 / FS10. The fact that MS has not yet announced it should not lead folks to think that it will not arrive, and folks should not think that the current schedule for the next version of FS must follow past ones. Thus, all this specualtion that there will not be another version.Those of us on the development end have never questioned whether or not there will be an FS2006, we're just not sure of when it will be released. However, we do tend to expect it some time in 2006, as opposed to later in 2005 as would have been the case based on past release schedules.Regards,http://www.dreamfleet2000.com/gfx/images/F...R_FORUM_LOU.jpg

Anyone who claims to work on new development for Microsoft or any other company on a commercial release that has not yet been announced officially is either a liar or is likely to get into very serious trouble with his employer.

HiIn addition to our good simmer friend Lou's comments, I understand that MS FS's are one of, if not the biggest, software selling packages made by them.RegardsBob Wright

Not really.In volume it's likely the 4th after Windows Home, Windows Pro, and Office.In profit it's further down.

They'll only be in trouble if they can be linked back to their true identity. It's silly to assume that every leak will be punished, because generally speaking, they are not.

I don't think anyone seriously doubted that there would be a new version of FS sooner or later. What's more interesting to me is that the article talks pretty much only about shaders. I'd love to see some cool shader effects like shiny runways (when wet or icy), truly reflective water and "real" water effects in the VC.

IIRC, FS9 was announced the March prior to it's August release in 2003.

>Anyone who claims to work on new development for Microsoft or>any other company on a commercial release that has not yet>been announced officially is either a liar or is likely to get>into very serious trouble with his employer.Why should we believe that this man is a liar? Why would someone that does major graphics for the biggest games out there, lie about working for microsoft on the new FS06?

I agree with Lou with respect to a possible 2006 release. IMO FS9 is by far the best and most stable FS they've released, so to produce something better may take a little more time. Also the major developers out there are still seem to be producing heavily for FS9, rather than filling in time with smaller projects.I can personnally wait for FS2004 as im so impressed with FS9, and may stick with it for a while after the next release until reviews say it is worth it :-)

Yes but Dan, remember that MS was trying to meet a preset goal: To make FS9 available in time for Oshkosh and have enough copies presold to mark the century of flight in December (hence the name ;-) of the product). As far as historical FS releases, it was the earliest ever in a calendar year.FS doesn't have a schedule like that to meet this time and can hold back as long as needed to turn out a finished product.Bruce

FS2006 will come in its right time... I am not anxious about that, if they implement Shaders it will be a sight to see...

Either he's not working for them (and thus not breaking his contract by mentioning products that haven't been announced yet) and is thus a liar claiming to work on it... OR he IS working on it in which case he's in violation of his contract and thus not to be trusted anyway (why stop at one transgression, maybe he's the janitor wanting to make himself more important than he is for example).

Unless I'm missing something somewhere, FS2006 isn't mentioned anywhere in there "anymore"Sebastien is now currently employed with the Microsoft Corporation where he is a graphics developer for Microsoft Game Studios

Ahh they have edited the article now, thats funny. somebody in this thread have probably sent them a mail, now who could that be, oh never mind :-beerchug.OHN