Does anyone have any rational ideas as to why Microsoft has not made mention of FS2006? It's not like they have to keep secrets from their flight simulation competitors. There aren't any. What is so darn exciting about the upcoming version is that the current one is so close to blissfulness that you know the next one is absolutely going to kick some butt! I for one check Avsim several times a day for the bold print that will say something like, "Microsoft announces Flight Simulator 2006..." with subtext saying something like, "The Microsoft flight simulator group has been hard at work for about two years planning the most significant upgrade since FS2002, and it will include the following features..." Where is it? Why have they not announced it? RH

Hello Robbie,Don't want to dampen your spirits pal, but this really has been beaten to death over the last couple of months in the forums. Just do a 'search' for FS2006 etc, and you'll get all the answers you seek, complete with conspiracy theories too !!! ;-) Happy FlyinEd.:-sun1

Software developers do not like to announce a product until a close-to final feature list can be given out. There is nothing worse than someone announcing all these great features only to have them not make it into the final version of the software. Just announcing the name of the next version isn't worthwhile.Fs2004's release was kept very quiet as well, so this is nothing unusual. There is also NO indication that the next version will be "2006". It could come later. We just don't know. Meanwhile, enjoy fs2004!

That's because Microsoft has sold the simulator franchise to Rockstar Games, who are busy incorporating into the next installment of Grand Theft Auto. There are about a good half dozen flying missions in GTA San Andreas, so it makes sense to me. ricardo

FS2004 was revealed months prior to its release with upcoming features. RH

>Why have they not announced it? >WHY? so stupid people woud keep asking questions like this. Sorry, but could not resist this one.Michael J.WinXP-Home SP2,AMD64 3500+,Abit AV8,Radeon X800Pro,36GB Raptor,1GB PC3200,Audigy 2

I don't get it Michael. Are you saying that they will make no announcements before they release FS2006? And, by not doing so, it will somehow prevent people from inquiring when it might be released. How does asking such questions make the person who asks it a "stupid" person? RH

>FS2004 was revealed months prior to its release with upcoming>features. >>RHYes it was. But before that announcement there was nothing at all from MS. Just like now. The lack of news before the announcement is no reason to worry.

Hi Robbie,Its not actually a stupid question, just one that's been asked over and over and over and over and over again, with the same answer every time. Nothing will be announced until shortly before the release.Alastair

>WHY? so stupid people woud keep asking questions like this.>Sorry, but could not resist this one.:-roll

>> ...is that the current one is so close to blissfulness...I agree! That's why I'm using flight simulator and enjoying it to the max rather than stalking the forums waiting for news of 2006 (or whatever it may be).If you really love FS2004 that much, what's the big deal about when the next version will be launched? You might have a point in searching for release news if you had problems with the current version and the next version promised to remedy those problems. That doesn't seem to be the case.If you stop and think about it, the anxiety over the lack of an announcement is self-motivated. So enjoy what you have now and save up the worries for the release when you discover all of the add-ons that need to be updated because you were so anxious to get the newest version."Life is what happens when your busy making plans"

They have probably kept it a secret because it's just another half-way done upgrade like FS9 was. Oh and maybe a year and a half later they will patch 2006!!!Anyway if they do make an announcement, it will definately be at the E3 expo.

Well you asked for it. 'A theory' that is.There is so much going on hardware-wise that honestly I think direction is changing by the minute. You have dual-core, XP 64 bit etc.... I would guess they are finalising what the next FS will take advantage of.I wouldn't be surprised if it's not announced till next year.Another wild theory? They are going to port it to XBOX 360!Here you go, two theories for the price of one. ;-)

>>>Why have they not announced it? >>>>WHY? so stupid people woud keep asking questions like this.>Sorry, but could not resist this one.:-lolcommon mike, wasnt that abit off the table there? lol.. i feel the same way.. haha.. but common man... lets be civilized.. even as hard as it might sound.. :-lol

common alex, if you think fs9 was a half @$$ upgrade from 02, go to the last version and fly it for a week. World of difference..Scenery, more dynamic atc, gps, aircraft added.. ground textures, water textures, CLOUDS for one.. :-lol... seems almost endless..