V2.4 runs pretty smooth for me. Much better than V2.2 (which I had previously). I did a clean install though. Without ASN running, I was upward of 45fps outside of the city at a very high graphic settings (ultra). When adding an 3rd party plane + ASN, I go down to about 30fps @ 1440p resolution.  Its very smooth and I didn't crash to desktop yet.  Bring on the 64 bit version !

 

 

If anyone is serious about flight simulation, I can't think of a better place than LM to provide that platform.  113,000 employees and wealth of resources of data.  In many ways, I would much rather have LM working on this platform than Microsoft.

 

Great point Rob! Although I've had a question bouncing around my head for a while: What's in it for LM? Huge company, and like you said they have their finger in many pies and I'm sure the revenues from sales of the sim support the actual costs of team, but what is their objective with having and supporting the sim? Is there a decent market out there for the sim in professional and multi user education/training applications (ie anything that is not us home simmers) don't get me wrong, I'm so happy to be along for the ride and to benefit from them doing this work. I just want to understand how it makes sense to them economically, my guess is that it's relatively low risk for them, from what you said about the size of their team my guess is that with a 1-2 million dollar operating budget than can fund the project, that means that if they sell 20-40 thousand copies of the academic license they're in the black, but $2 million is chump change for LM so I just like to know what their goal for the project is. If it's an outreach and engagement tool then it works, I'm now a LM "fan" where before I just saw them as a huge government contract company. This post is kind of oen ended but it's what bounces around my head from time to time.

 

 

but what is their objective with having and supporting the sim?

 

I would assume that they want to provide a training platform for this:

 

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/what-we-do/aerospace-defense/unmanned-systems.html

 

 

 

Is there a decent market out there for the sim in professional and multi user education/training applications

 

That is peanuts for Lockheed Martin...

LM has a very large training and logistics arm. They provide training for not only military but civilian pilots. I believe a lot of their future focus will be on mission creation and scenarios. I see a lot of long term potential for Prepar3d.

 

Vic

Great point Rob! Although I've had a question bouncing around my head for a while: What's in it for LM? Huge company, and like you said they have their finger in many pies and I'm sure the revenues from sales of the sim support the actual costs of team, but what is their objective with having and supporting the sim?

Why do they bother with Flight Sim Software Dev? Spend a bit of time reading online about the company. For one thing, LM don't buy simulators, They bought the whole company that makes Sims. That in it's self is a pretty good reason but I suspect in is only one small part of the story. They also package entire training programs that are sold to countries along with new aircraft. These training programs can often go on for years. That program in most cases is going to be based on Prepar3D or some version of it. Also remember that this is not only a flight sim. It covers watercraft, Tanks, Search and Rescue, and the list goes on. They have a 5 year program to develope a NUC power plant the size of an 18 wheeler. Trust me when I say, Don't worry about LM. They ask us simmers to ride along so just say thanks! and enjoy the trip.

Edited January 14, 201511 yr by n4gix
Moved reply out of the quoted box.

 

 

Don't worry about LM. They ask us simmers to ride along so just say thanks! and enjoy the trip.

 

Which is exactly what I said in my post!

 

 

I see a lot of long term potential for Prepar3d.

 

I'm hoping to see the return of space flight ... and who knows, even space exploration ... but I'm not sure I'm hardcore enough to do trips to Mars in real time ... however, I'm certain someone will ... build it and they will come.

 

 

 

What's in it for LM?

 

The answer (or at least clues) are all contained in LM's web site(s) -- look beyond LM Prepar3D and at Lockheed Martin the company.

 

Cheers, Rob.

 

 

I'm hoping to see the return of space flight ... and who knows, even space exploration ... but I'm not sure I'm hardcore enough to do trips to Mars in real time ... however, I'm certain someone will ... build it and they will come.

 

Have you ever tried Kerbal Space Program? Pretty fun and addictive, but the physics are pretty accurate

 

 

I'm hoping to see the return of space flight ... and who knows, even space exploration

 

I have the same hope. Once we get our country back then I believe it will happen.

 

 

Once we get our country back

 

Not going to happen I'm afraid.  The good old USA is heading down the same path as the British, Dutch, French, Italian ... Viking, Barbarian and Mongol (ad nauseum) empires/age of superiority etc.etc.  It is the cycle of life.  Nothing lasts forever ... not even FS9.  B)

 

Korea started it, Vietnam kindled it and 9/11 tore it asunder. These observations come from one of your staunchest allies, Australia.  

 

I note our designers were selected by GM to design/build the two concept cars displayed at the Detroit Motor Show.  I also note, with regret, the German Volkswagen Golf has been voted No.1 in the USA.  When you get your country back ... indeed.

• Realistically, and partially stated earlier, licensing FSX was an extremely inexpensive way for LM to get an existing codebase and a ready group of competent reviewers, testers and developers who want to help them develop the product for free!  What we pay for the EULA licensing is chump change compared to the millions that government and industry pay for LM's many solutions to very complex problems.  I can easily see the P3D codebase being the sim engine for all manner of LM training systems from combat to surface warfare and navigation to undersea to space.  That, gentlemen and gentlewomen, is why P3d is going to be around for awhile and will continue being developed.  We are the global testbed and lucky beneficiary and not the end consumer.  The build it and they will come scenario as Rob pointed out will be the driver.  Once the 64-bit version comes out - and they probably have parallel development going on - then the add-on developers will get busy and add-ons will follow.  We won't see PMDG level products immediately, but they will come sooner rather than later - because there is money to be made.   

I have the deepest respect for the fighting men and women of the world of OZ, but when there is trouble in the Pacific in 10 years, I suspect the phone will ring at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue - and we will answer the call as we always have.  Perhaps we haven't been so reliable of late, but in the end, we'll be there.

 

This is totally of topic and I apologize for that, but I feel compelled to respond.

I agree totally off topic. I also apologise but likewise feel compelled to respond.

 

 

 

I suspect the phone will ring at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

 

Possibly ... the ANZUS treaty ... is a two way commitment.

 

 

will answer the call as we always have

 

A little unfair methinks. So far it is Australia who has joined USA in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and led in Timor. And does Australia have Intel and Military bases in the US?

 

Facts, only the facts. 

Please bring this back on topic ... I think AVSIM has a place for political debates.

 

Cheers, Rob.

Good question, there is a lot of silence around V2.5 at this moment.

Also the forums of LM are very quiet, no reply's from the development team since a long time.

 

 

I have the same hope. Once we get our country back then I believe it will happen.

 

Sorry guys!! That was meant "Tongue in Cheek" Not "Foot in Mouth"! LOL Back to Flight Simming