I'm just wondering if when planning features for FSX, did MS ask for suggestions from the top 3rd party developers like PMDG, LDS, PSS, HiFi (ActiveSky), VatSim etc.Especially with regards to the FSX SDK. Will it be a "dream come true" for 3rd party developers?

No comments anyone? :(No one loves me, no one loves me, so I go eat worms. Chop their heads off, suck their guts out, throw their skins away. :)

It's been a whole five hours since your first post, and most of that is still morning in the US. Give it some time.

Wow!And I always thought I was the only one doing that "worm thing"!!! :-hah :-outta

Well it's afternoon in the eastern time zone so I'll take a crack, it seems from subtle hinting here and there that they may be consulting with a few 3rd party developers this time round. No details have been released as far as I know so only speculation exists but they could be making the SDK's more flexible and user friendly, though that is pure speculation on my part.Ian.

It was said by the two regular MS posters (tdrag and Pixelp) that some of the developers of ActiveCamera were brought in. I don't know if that was for 'consultation' or if it was just 'outreach', etc. So I know at least one 3rd-party has been in on things. Rhett

Hi,From what I've read it appears that there has already been some kind of payware "developer's conference" with MS (a month ago?) and the reason you've heard nothing about it is that they are now under an NDA. And to make addon releases even faster, those companies (and apparently certain freeware developers) will probably be getting the SDK early too (certain people will beta test the SDK along with the program). But this will put the rest of the freeware community at a distinct disadvantage (although I'm not sure how MS could change this). However, the SDK's being released with FSX will be something good for us niche freeware types. :)Hope this helps,--Tom GibsonCal Classic Propliner Page: http://www.calclassic.comFreeflight Design Shop: http://www.freeflightdesign.comDrop by! ___x_x_(")_x_x___

>However, the SDK's being released>with FSX will be something good for us niche freeware types. >:)>Well I have been a DC-6B, Strat, L-188, and CV240/340 pilot about as long as your site has been around Rhett

I thought we'd blogged about our approach to 3rd parties. Maybe not. But, yes, we're in communication.

Hey, my niche just got a little bigger! :)Thanks,--Tom GibsonCal Classic Propliner Page: http://www.calclassic.comFreeflight Design Shop: http://www.freeflightdesign.comDrop by! ___x_x_(")_x_x___

Not only did you blog about it but it's right there plain as day in the FSInsider for everyone to see...lol. It was widely known since day 1 when FSX was announced.