Lockheed Martin Prepar3D Development Status Thread - Updated 25OCT14

[rsrandazzo 6,353]

Captains,

 

With the official unveiling of the PMDG 777-200LR/F and PMDG 777-300ER packages currently in development for Prepar3D, I thought it might be helpful to update this development status thread to include the latest information related to our work with P3D.

 

Some of the information is repetitive from previous updates, but is included below in the interest of completeness.  If I don't cover a particular topic in this thread, it likely means that we do not have specific information available or that we will make what information we do have available at a later date.

 

This thread will continue be updated from time-to-time as more information becomes available.

 

General Status:

============

The following products are currently in development and are about to enter final testing pending release:

 

PMDG 777-200LR/F Base Package

PMDG 777-300ER Expansion

 

The following products are expected to be released during 1Q15 and/or early 2Q15:

 

PMDG BAe JetStream 4100

PMDG 737-800/900NG Base Package

PMDG 737-600/700 Expansion

PMDG 747-400v2.0 Base Package

 

(The order in which products are listed here does not reflect their release order or timeline...)

 

Release of new products being developed under the PMDG Classics product line are also under consideration for release as P3D titles.  PMDG does not intend to release any of our legacy products such as the PMDG MD-11 or PMDG 747-400X into the P3D platform.

 

Products that enter development following the PMDG 747-400 v2.0 will be considered on a case-by-case basis depending upon their marketability on the P3D platform.

 

 

Licensing and Use:

===============

Unlike products developed on the Microsoft Flight Simulator X (FSX) platform, products on the P3D platform will be offered with a range of licensing options.  These options will initially include only a General Study, Education/Academic-STEM and Familiarization licensing model but will eventually expand to include licensing models to cover training, classroom training and training center/airline site license versions.

 

Customer Licensing for General and Personal Training licenses will be handled directly through PMDG's current eCommerce portal.  All other licensing options will be handled on customer-specific non-public portals.

 

Costs for licensing of P3D based products will vary based upon the license model chosen and the desired use.  This will enable PMDG customers to choose a range of cost options based upon their needs and license requirements, from Home Entertainment (using FSX) up through PMDG Certified Training Solutions customized for specific airline customers.

 

PRICING:

=======

Lockheed Martin's Prepar3D simulation platform is an enterprise platform with a range of licensing options.  PMDG's product lines will likewise offer a range of options but will generally be more expensive than products released on purely entertainment simulation platforms such as Microsoft Simulator.

 

Upon completion of approval/licensing from our licensing partners, PMDG anticipates offering licenses in the following categories:

 

Individual User Non-Professional/Non-Training

Professional User*

Corporate/Training Center*

 

Initially PMDG will offer only the Individual User Non-Professional/Non-Training license on P3D.  It is anticipated this license will fall in the sub $200 range.  This license tier will not require an annual support contract.

 

*Professional and Corporate/Training Center customers are encouraged to contact PMDG directly in order that we can recommend a licensing solution to minimize costs while providing the greatest level of flexibility.  Please note that these two license tiers will require the purchase of an annual support agreement.

 

TRAINING CENTER & AIRLINE CUSTOMIZATION:

=======================================

Training Centers and Airline customers will be able to purchase a general version of a PMDG product for P3D, or alternately PMDG can create a private version that tailors the aircraft equipment options to match the customer fleet.  This version can be made available only to designated crew members through a private portal.  (Please contact us directly via our site for more information on customization.)

 

Note: Training enabled licenses depend upon certification from Boeing and licensing by same.  This product line is not yet available.

 

LICENSE CONVERSION/DUAL USE:

============================

Customers who own a license to use a PMDG product on a platform other than P3D will not be able to convert the non-P3D license for use on P3D.  PMDG licensing is issued on a per-platform and per-product basis and this is not anticipated to change with the addition of new simulation platforms to the marketplace.

 

We are currently evaluating offering promotional pricing for users who wish to change platforms, but the details of this offer are still being evaluated and the program will be offered for a very limited period of time.

 

x64 UPDATES:

============

It is anticipated that P3D will be offered in an x64 variation at some point in the future.  PMDG will be monitoring development of the x64 version of P3D in order to manage the process by which we begin offering x64 compatible versions of our products for P3D users.

 

Based on our knowledge of the process at this time, we anticipate that x64 upgrades will be made available to licensed users of PMDG products at no cost.  This information is subject to change pending the development, testing and release of an x64 version of P3D.

 

 

Okay- I think that covers the "officialese" sounding stuff...  (I'm sorry if it all sounds very dry, but I am trying to cover a broad range of topics as concisely as possible while maintaining reasonable expectations for those looking forward to these new product lines...)

 

I will be back to post more information and previews of the upcoming P3D releases as it becomes available!

[Manny 1,293]

"Based on our knowledge of the process at this time, we anticipate that x64 upgrades will be made available to licensed users of PMDG products at no cost."

 

Hmmm...! 

[Richard Sennett 2,499]

A bit higher than I thought - I guess if you want to play you have to pay

 

Is that 200 dollar figure for both packages ?

 

PMDG 777-200LR/F Base Package

PMDG 777-300ER Expansion

[HighTowers 1,434]

Guess that rules me out. Thats outta my league for aircraft addons.  Prepar3d academic is $60, you would think the addons would follow like the rest. Gotta get used to sub par aircraft I guess. 

[Baylorguy 39]

If you read carefully it says "sub 200 range." That does not necessarily mean $200. I would wait until final pricing is out.

[rsrandazzo 6,353]

Gents-

 

Yes- I would definitely not throw yourself off the ledge until we actually get to publishing pricing...

 

I chose the phrase "sub $200" intentionally so that we could alleviate some concerns out there.  You will recall I described the 777 for FSX as "less than $300" a few years ago- so I wouldn't sweat it too much.

 

(And no- those two estimate ranges are not linear so nobody try to second guess me here...  we haven't set the price yet, I promise!) 

[sbclark 55]

He also mentioned this as well:
 
"We are currently evaluating offering promotional pricing for users who wish to change platforms, but the details of this offer are still being evaluated and the program will be offered for a very limited period of time."
 
So it may not be too painful...........after all, there is a path forward with P3D as there may come a time when FSX will no longer be compatible with future Windows operating systems, plus there is a potential future of moving on to 64 bit version of P3D (good bye OOM's), plus Oculus Rift is coming, just to name a couple of future advances.

 

I'm jazzed.............it wasn't all that long ago when the pundits were claiming flight simming  was dying..............looks like they were wrong. The future is bright,

 

Bill Clark

[rsrandazzo 6,353]

Bill-

 

I agree.  I have been optimistic on the future for a few years now- in spite of the FSX shutdown drama.  It has taken some time to get PMDG adjusted to thinking like a multi-platform developer- but it has been fun to watch the future unfold.

 

I think we are in for some great years ahead for all of us that love simming.

[Richard Sennett 2,499]

I think we are in for some great years ahead for all of us that love simming.

 

What will be will be I'm in Rob - no brainer when it comes to PMDG products - just wait and see but glad you have posted all this info - should be fun

[Baylorguy 39]

I love this line:

 

"And no- those two estimate ranges are not linear so nobody try to second guess me here...  we haven't set the price yet, I promise!

 

It is funny to me because Rob knows how simmers think better than simmers do.  It is quite enjoyable to see how many conspiracy theories swirl around these parts, and I would imagine it is likely part of the fun when working for a top shelf development team like PMDG (reminds me of the weather radar gag within a gag... or something???).  

 

Heck, the CIA should start recruiting from these forums... I think the simming community could churn out at least 2-3 analytics agents per month

 

Anyway, I am excited and will have to pull out the plastic in the coming months.

[max2770 74]

While I understand that the "promotional pricing" will be limited, I wish to thank the team for it - I'm in the process of switching everything to P3D and now fly everything on that platform, except for the 777.  I wouldn't have had the means to buy it again at full price, but will for sure take advantage of the "existing customer discount".

[mari8it 11]

ok , my first concern is the release,and I hope that is soon cause My 777 cockpit project is blocked waiting for a good 777 inP3D , after I will start to worry about the price......one step at a time....in italy we say...it is useless to bend their head before it is broken.

Thank you PMDG

[JSilva 42]

Just one thing to ask. Will the expansion pack (PMDG 777-300ER) will still cost 1/3 of the price you would get for the base product (in this case, the PMDG 777-200LR/F) and it still would require the base product (just like FSX).

[liketofly1 11]

Thanks Captain,

 

Good info, for me personally I like those two parts most:

 

 

 

We are currently evaluating offering promotional pricing for users who wish to change platforms, but the details of this offer are still being evaluated and the program will be offered for a very limited period of time.

 

You're not leaving your loyal costumers behind - and

 

 

 

PMDG will be monitoring development of the x64 version of P3D in order to manage the process by which we begin offering x64 compatible versions of our products for P3D users.
 
Based on our knowledge of the process at this time, we anticipate that x64 upgrades will be made available to licensed users of PMDG products at no cost. 

 

You're looking at the future - Yippie :-))

 

We'll have a bright future!

 

kind regards

[calooom 48]

Is everyone else missing some more news I don't think I've seen before...!!?!?

 

 

The following products are expected to be released during 1Q15 and/or early 2Q15:

 

PMDG 747-400v2.0 Base Package