Being a typical holiday traveller, I just got back from the airport and had a chance to read the latest PC Gamer on my my flight with an interesting article about the "hardcore sim business". I usually don't read that magazine, but they didn't carry the latest Computer Pilot at the airport. ;-)According to this article FS2004 has sold 677,300 copies in the USA alone, generating $28.4m in revenue, which is more than any other simulation COMBINED. For example, Silent Hunter just sold approx. 57,500 copies, generating $2.2m in revenue, Falcon 4.0 19,500 copies with a mere $0.5m. Beware, those figures are only for the US.The flight sim business seems to be actually a huge performer for Microsoft games and is perennial top-20 performer of all computer games.Again, I am only quoting the article, which claims to have gotten their data from the NPD Funworld - America's leading provider for software sales.Pretty impressive, I would think.Pat(Edit for typo)

I have heard there are some 20 million copies of FS world-wide. Now whether that is all versions combined throughout the years or just FS2004 I don't know but in either case I feel confident FS will be around with us until I am old & gray. ;)

maybe 20 million packaged and shipped to distributors by microsoft... but 20 million copies actually sold? thats a big stretch... but it is possible

BIG numbers, but doesn't it show how small the `hardcore` element we are! Both in numerical terms (which is something aftermarket developers already know I'm sure) and in percentage terms, which is a little bit more worrying.A `typical` ratio for hardcore enthusiasts is usually between 5-10%. On that basis, seems like we're failing to get the message across and we could do more to encourage our fellow MS Flight Sim owners who only fly default aircraft in default flights from default airports to get more `under the hood` and get more, much more, out of the purchase?Avsim, you're best placed. How about and education and training program in conjunction with AOPA? They seems like the real world Organisation that best recognizes the benefits of simming (not counting the USAF)`Training Tomorrows Pilots Today`Night school courses, home study syllabus, recognized qualification that could be used to shorten the time taken to get a real plane into the air. Tie it in with Harrison Ford and the Young Eagles to `reward` qualifying students with some hands-on time in a real aircraft.MS to sponsor - sells more copies of FS and reinfirces the `good` side of what FS is about - not bombs, bullets or bigotry.Should be a winner!Allcott

I wonder what it would cost to get Avsim's logo and link on the back of the box for the next FS version along with AMD, ATI, Nvidia, etc...

Check out the (very) small business I am starting.www.flyingscool.comBasically, I am introducing children and adults to flying through the use of MSFS in classes at my local recreation department. My first class starts on January 10. I tried it out on my son's first grade class and they loved it. My problem will be advertising, which I need to do better.Eventually, I'd like to expand it to providing enrichment programs for schools in the area. I've already gotten in touch with the local Young Eagles chapter in Stow, MA, so I can even offer flights to those adolescents 17 and under.I've got a lot to learn :-)Hmm, guess I should make a sig for myself, eh? That would be a [email protected]

Congrats on starting your own business, Thomas. I hope it "takes off"! No pun intended. Well, maybe a little. :-) It looks like something that could really catch on and maybe put a few bucks in your pocket. Please post back at Avsim regularly and let us know how it is going!God bless,Earl