REX Sky Force Very First look

[CaptKornDog 284]

Thanks for sharing the feedback and reviews, everyone.  Credit card goes back into its holding pattern and I’ll stick with AS16/ASCA.  It works fine for my sim to not change right now.

[Bobsk8 12,735]

15 minutes ago, CaptKornDog said:

Thanks for sharing the feedback and reviews, everyone.  Credit card goes back into its holding pattern and I’ll stick with AS16/ASCA.  It works fine for my sim to not change right now.

Can't imagine anything better than AS 16. 

[kingm56 1,031]

6 hours ago, rstough said:

We have made it clear that the Sky Force weather engine is up to you to use or not.  It is NOT a required function of the product.  We have made that clear from the beginning of promotion.  

We have also made it clear that the Sky Force core being the Cloud Models and all the new texture sets along with the Cloud Model injection was made to be compatible with all 3rd party weather engines.

 

Sir, there's nothing clear about your message or advertising methodologies, which have been heavily scrutinized over the last few days. Perhaps you should review your own site before chastising those critiquing your product.  Here's what your site states:

"Integrated within Sky Force 3D is a powerful and robust weather engine (used bold font on your website) that takes full advantage of all the new features to give the best experience of our new weather system. The IWX (Intelligent Weather) Engine focuses on two simple, but powerful things: Accurate Data and Accurate Experience, which sets the bar when it comes to data and experience in ONE integrated system."

My questions are the following:  If your weather engine is as "powerful" as you tout, why is there is a need to use another engine?  Upon reading this description, do you really think its unreasonable for customers to believe we're getting the most accurate weather engine on the market? Does this sound like the weather engine isn't a "core" element of this product? Does it sound like you're advocating for the use of different weather engines?  Moreover, you state REX set the "bar when it comes to Accurate Data and Accurate Experience"  However, it appears the weather injected fails to correlate with reported METARs.  Concerning the latter claim (Accurate Experience), how does the abrupt climate changes correlate with this feature?  In all your hype, where do you mention SDK/simconnect limitations? Reviewing your advertisement page, I see phrases like "BREAKS THIS BARRIER," overcomes "constraints of the simulator SDK." In fact, here's a direct quote: "Even with costly similar (italicized on your website) aftermarket products installed, weather systems severely lack due to the constraints of the simulator SDK. SKY FORCE 3D BREAKS THIS BARRIER." I'm sorry, how are you making it clear that SF3D's weather engine is not a core feature of SkyForce 3D again? 

Now we get the following explanation:

"The abrupt updates are because we are using the standard simconnect process.  No way to smooth out without hooking the system memory.  We are working on Weather Force which will provide us a means to do much more.  It is not ready though so it will be coming later."

So, we have to buy another product to ensure this "revolutionary" product works as advertised on YOUR webpage?  Where was that stated clearly, prior to release?  BTW, the requiremnt to buy a new application adds to the aggregate SF3D cost, which nullifies the assertion quoted above (e.g. your product is better and cheaper than competing products). 

I'll close by saying I think SF3D is a solid, but hardly a "revolutionary" product that "breaks the barrier."  In short, like almost every other REX product, it doesn't live up the advertisement hyperbole littered throughout the manual and/or website.  To that point, I would not 'attack' (did someone really tell a poster 'good luck with their own weather engine') the overwhelming critical comments within this thread, as they're based on REX's performance to date (obviously doesn't apply to your textures, which are second to none).  I know my comments seem overly critical; however, I think they're justified based on the claims made regarding SF3D capabilities, coupled with my past experiences with REX products (e.g Latitude, WORLDWIDE AIRPORTS HD and Overdrive).  IMO, these product also failed to live up to the hype you helped generate.  To be fair, I'm only one customer; I know you have plenty of die-hard customers that love your work.  Therefore, speaking for myself only, you have some work to do earn my dollar back; then again, you could also 'wish me good luck on creating my own weather engine.'  Nevertheless, I wouldn't dismiss these critiques...

 

 

 

[ninerwhiskey9W 19]

I dont know about "revolutionary" or "ground breaking" but SF3D textures seems to be much better optimised than REX TD textures. I tested it at YSSY and OMDB, with full overcast and heavy rain set using AS. These are sceneries wher the FPS usually drops to below 20 is such conditions, and using SF3D, I could maintain FPS upwards of 25. So I would say that makes SF3D a worthwhile purchase for me.

[Mitch24 194]

Holy c.rap people... you aren't FORCED to buy this product... should REX just close their doors is that what you want?

 

[Guest]

11 minutes ago, Bobsk8 said:

Can't imagine anything better than AS 16. 

Well, I certainly can!!!!! But it isn't SkyForce or any product that's available right now.  (My computer won't be able to handle what I imagine though, so all is good here nonetheless.)

[Seat* 53]

I want to use SF with AS 16. The problem is that AS 16 start Cloud Art. How can i make it start without Cloud Art so I can use it as wheater engine?

[aktorsyl 93]

13 minutes ago, Mitch24 said:

Holy c.rap people... you aren't FORCED to buy this product... should REX just close their doors is that what you want?

 

I don't think anyone (unless I missed it) said "oh no, I was forced to buy this product". People are saying "I bought this product based on what was advertised and it doesn't deliver", and that is completely within their rights - and helps others to make informed decisions on whether to buy it or not.

To be fair, even the negative reviews were constructive with suggestions on how it can be improved. No one was "bashing" it straight off the bat.

I bought it. I don't regret it, but if I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have bought it (yet). That's why this kind of information is crucial to potential buyers. Having said that, I'll continue using it from time to time cos yknow.. I own it now.

 

[kurtb 121]

this thread is becoming a kindergarten- enjoy the red cola and cookies- ore ask mommy for some milk!!!

[kingm56 1,031]

5 minutes ago, Mitch24 said:

Holy &%$ people... you aren't FORCED to buy this product... should REX just close their doors is that what you want?

 

I'm trying to stay on topic, but will address your question.   Do I understand you correctly, you're asserting that flight sim companies should be above criticism, because they may leave the market space?  So what...I'm sorry, I do not agree with your supposition; in fact, I outright challenge your notion.  First, as long as a market exist, someone will sell their products; flight simulation has been around for almost 40 years; developers have left and were replaced by new developers...this paradigm won't change, regardless or our opinions.  I also don't think its unreasonable for customers to expect developers to fulfill their claims; failure of the community to challenge developers will lead to inferior products.   Obviously, we're not forced to buy their products; however, we're also well within our 'rights' to express our opinions on said products.  

[Rocky_53 1,579]

25 minutes ago, kingm56 said:

Sir, there's nothing clear about your message or advertising methodologies, which have been heavily scrutinized over the last few days. Perhaps you should review your own site before chastising those critiquing your product.  Here's what your site states:

"Integrated within Sky Force 3D is a powerful and robust weather engine (used bold font on your website) that takes full advantage of all the new features to give the best experience of our new weather system. The IWX (Intelligent Weather) Engine focuses on two simple, but powerful things: Accurate Data and Accurate Experience, which sets the bar when it comes to data and experience in ONE integrated system."

My questions are the following:  If your weather engine is as "powerful" as you tout, why is there is a need to use another engine?  Upon reading this description, do you really think its unreasonable for customers to believe we're getting the most accurate weather engine on the market? Does this sound like the weather engine isn't a "core" element of this product? Does it sound like you're advocating for the use of different weather engines?  Moreover, you state REX set the "bar when it comes to Accurate Data and Accurate Experience"  However, it appears the weather injected fails to correlate with reported METARs.  Concerning the latter claim (Accurate Experience), how does the abrupt climate changes correlate with this feature?  In all your hype, where do you mention SDK/simconnect limitations? Reviewing your advertisement page, I see phrases like "BREAKS THIS BARRIER," overcomes "constraints of the simulator SDK." In fact, here's a direct quote: "Even with costly similar (italicized on your website) aftermarket products installed, weather systems severely lack due to the constraints of the simulator SDK. SKY FORCE 3D BREAKS THIS BARRIER." I'm sorry, how are you making it clear that SF3D's weather engine is not a core feature of SkyForce 3D again? 

Now we get the following explanation:

"The abrupt updates are because we are using the standard simconnect process.  No way to smooth out without hooking the system memory.  We are working on Weather Force which will provide us a means to do much more.  It is not ready though so it will be coming later."

So, we have to buy another product to ensure this "revolutionary" product works as advertised on YOUR webpage?  Where was that stated clearly, prior to release?  BTW, the requiremnt to buy a new application adds to the aggregate SF3D cost, which nullifies the assertion quoted above (e.g. your product is better and cheaper than competing products). 

I'll close by saying I think SF3D is a solid, but hardly a "revolutionary" product that "breaks the barrier."  In short, like almost every other REX product, it doesn't live up the advertisement hyperbole littered throughout the manual and/or website.  To that point, I would not 'attack' (did someone really tell a poster 'good luck with their own weather engine') the overwhelming critical comments within this thread, as they're based on REX's performance to date (obviously doesn't apply to your textures, which are second to none).  I know my comments seem overly critical; however, I think they're justified based on the claims made regarding SF3D capabilities, coupled with my past experiences with REX products (e.g Latitude, WORLDWIDE AIRPORTS HD and Overdrive).  IMO, these product also failed to live up to the hype you helped generate.  To be fair, I'm only one customer; I know you have plenty of die-hard customers that love your work.  Therefore, speaking for myself only, you have some work to do earn my dollar back; then again, you could also 'wish me good luck on creating my own weather engine.'  Nevertheless, I wouldn't dismiss these critiques...

 

 

 

Sadly Matt, I have to agree with your sentiments. I have the greatest respect for Tim and the guys over at Rex, but this latest exploit does not surprise me. They are the world's greatest marketeers, but unfortunately, without sounding disrespectful, they sell their products on the cusp of inaccuracies. I hope I am proved wrong and that the devs don't get too disheartened at the negative response.

[kingm56 1,031]

5 minutes ago, kurtb said:

this thread is becoming a kindergarten- enjoy the red cola and cookies- ore ask mommy for some milk!!!

This is the only comment remotely resembling a 'kindergarten' statement.   I have read all the comments in this thread and found most to be well articulated and thoughtful; please don't ruin this discussion for the adults....

[kingm56 1,031]

1 minute ago, Rockliffe said:

Sadly Matt, I have to agree with your sentiments. I have the greatest respect for Tim and the guys over at Rex, but this latest exploit does not surprise me. They are the world's greatest marketeers, but unfortunately, without sounding disrespectful, they sell their products on the cusp of inaccuracies. I hope I am proved wrong and that the devs don't get too disheartened at the negative response.

It's frustrating, Howard, because their products are capable; they just don't correlate with their overzealous, or exaggerated claims.  I hope they take that under advisement going forward...

[kurtb 121]

3 minutes ago, kingm56 said:

It's frustrating, Howard, because their products are capable; they just don't correlate with their overzealous, or exaggerated claims.  I hope they take that under advisement going forward...

thank goodness 

[Nyxx 6,993]

Frankly people here judging a product they have not seen in there sim is getting ridiculous. Saying AS is better! Really I have both and ASCA, envtex and rex soft clouds. 

I least I can make a judgment comparing like for like unlike blanket statements like AS is best without even trying it or even seeing SF in action. 

I have just done a flight with nothing but SF and am now doing the return flight with AS+SF.