Gee, Been simming for about 4 years. This great hobby has really come long way and so have the prices of add-ons. Anybody really making any great big bucks from this? (Beside microsft). Jist asking for yu opinions. Thanks

Not really. Sales volumes are quite low for things like FS addons. Also it's not really that expensive compared to something like golfing, let alone real flying :-lol

Current FS addons are cheap when you think what you're getting. I mean, look at the LDS 767, PMDG 737, DF 727 - you could buy one and spend months (or even years!) really getting proficient, so that, for example, you can do a manual VOR approach with one engine out in bad weather without using the pause key and without screwing up. There's real depth to these simulations and the more you put in the more satisfaction you can derive. And that's good value in my book.Alternatively you could buy a new one every week, check out the features, do a few automatic landings, and move on to the next!!At the end of the day it's your choice of course but I'm amazed that the price for most of these things is so reasonable.Ian

I think add-ons are actually geting cheaper in time, like jeans. Sure the prices go gradually up but when compared with other prices (homes, etc), inflation, etc. and what you are getting for your $1 I claim that $1 gives you now more simulation than say 6 years ago. Just take a typical high end-aircraft add-on from the past, see how many MB it was and compare with an equivalent present day aircraft. If you adjust for size (and download size usually is proportional to quality/features) and inflation you will see that your $1 goes further today.Michael J.WinXP-Home SP2,AMD64 3500+,Abit AV8,Radeon X800Pro,36GB Raptor,1GB PC3200,Audigy 2http://www.precisionmanuals.com/images/forum/747400.jpg

just take the LDS 767 or DF 727 fi...there's been hours of work put into that,and given the volume they'll sell,i think it's cheap.now,i don't want to be harsh,but can some really talented developer finally do either a DC10 or a DC8 withall them bells and whistles?take all the time you need,i'll fly my pretty HJG DC8 &panelin the meantime :-hahtataJP.http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/114253.jpg

some addons are riddiculus in price, but as more developers jump on the bandwagon to raise the prices, I'm sure they will see the sales increase slow, as people can't afford to buy all the addons they want, they'll have to choose more carefully.

You can tell by the number of downloads for an addon's repaints or freeware "addons-to-addons". Some get 200-300 some 1500dependsallen

Have been using the FS since the days of Artwick.In all that time, Ive purchased:Each version of the FS.A membership to Flighsim.comLifetime membership to FS GenesisBill Lyons WacoEaglesofts Citation XNow, at 75 years young, even with a new career in Art, am unlikely to make any more purchases, except New Versions of MSFS... Being totally content to fly Mike Stone's B1900 for regional flights. The Citation for long distances. An the Waco around Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona, The Grand Canyon, and the reservations in AZ. Many times will fly the B1900 to Fresno, then switch to the Waco, and fly around Yosemite.... What could be nicer, than flying thru the mountains and landing in the Valley. Something you could never do in reality. Flying into Yellowstone, and watching Old Faithful erupt, or landing the Float equip'd version on the Niagra River after a flight over the Falls... Flying the FS, to all the National Parks Ive camped in, allows me to relive those experiences, long after Ive forgotten what I paid for any version or Addon... A friend of mine has gone through three boats over 25' in the same time. One a sailboat I had to teach him to skipper, and get to sail at no cost to me, but the gas to get to his home. So now have the best of both worlds, with the cost of the cheapest.

Just, click here To See what Paintings I've done lately...

What you guys are all saying is valid, but I don't think it addresses the original question.He asked if anybody is making good money by creating addons? Is this a career option?In other words, this is not a discussion about the cost of add-ons, but rather, is it a business worth investing getting involved with?At least that's how I interpreted his question.Thomas Perry

P.S. I'm wondering myself. I could use some extra cash right now.

Well in that case I'd guess that no one gets rich on it - or everyone would be doing it (assuming they had the talent). I've always imagined it to be a 'labour of love' type of thing, with a smallish financial remuneration for all the hard work that's put in.Alternatively, Lou Betti and others could be funding their real world aviation activities off the backs of us simmers!!!:-) Ian

>Well in that case I'd guess that no one gets rich on it - or>everyone would be doing it (assuming they had the talent).>I've always imagined it to be a 'labour of love' type of>thing, with a smallish financial remuneration for all the hard>work that's put in.>>Alternatively, Lou Betti and others could be funding their>real world aviation activities off the backs of us simmers!!!>:-) >>IanActually, it falls into that category of jobs where the ROI is about $0.12 per hour. If you really count up the hours of work involved in even a smallish GA plane and factor in the level of art expertise demanded by today's simmers you'll see that there ain't nobody gettin' rich offen dis caper. :D

"Alternatively, Lou Betti and others could be funding their real world aviation activities off the backs of us simmers!!!":-lol:-lol:-lolBoy, ya' sure get some "entertaining" reading at this forum! I had a license and a plane before the PC was even invented (since 1975), and if you do a little research, you will see the Betti name is well-known outside of aviation circles, in an un-related industry.$0.12 per hour is a little low, but at least someone sees it for what it really is. Regards,http://www.dreamfleet2000.com/gfx/images/F...R_FORUM_LOU.jpg

Er, you do realise that was a joke Lou? Pity there isn't an 'irony' smilie. You know - irony. Wot us Brits are famous for..See youIan

Well, looking at the Flight1 homepage the other day I realized that I own 21/25 of the advertised products (I would own the Concorde too but appears not to be a download). I own most good commercialware that comes out with no regrets. I've always wondered how much a company like Flight1 could make...David