I thought I'd share a bizarre story with you about something strange that happened to me four years ago this month. My daughter and I were attending a group dinner, when we were introduced to a gentleman in his 30s named Kevin. Kevin was an avid gamer and, for a time, hosted a local podcast discussing all the latest news within the gamer community.

At some point during dinner, I mentioned to Kevin that I was a flight sim enthusiast. He immediately responded that he'd just heard exciting news about Microsoft restarting its flight sim franchise, but this time on XBOX. This news intrigued me greatly, and I remember saying to my daughter that I'll probably need to upgrade to the latest XBOX hardware when the new flight sim comes out. I was very excited.

Strangely, however, whenever I attempted to learn more about the new flight sim, I found absolutely nothing about it online. Over a period of months, I kept trying to learn more. Again, there was zero information -- not a word. I finally tracked down Kevin's email address and asked him his source of information about Microsoft's plans. After a few weeks, he finally wrote back and said he was mistaken about the new sim, and he apologized for falsely raising my hopes.

During the intervening four years, Kevin seems to have disappeared from the face of the earth. His email doesn't work. His podcast no longer exists. I can't find him on Facebook. And nobody seems to know his current whereabouts. So this is my question: Did Kevin somehow overhear early, inside plans about MSFS 2020 and was then warned not to share the information with anyone? Or was Kevin's "mistaken" statement to me four years ago -- that Microsoft was restarting Flight Sim on XBOX -- just an amazing coincidence?

5 hours ago, David Mills said:

Did Kevin somehow overhear early, inside plans about MSFS 2020 and was then warned not to share the information with anyone?

MSFS has been in development for quite a long time.  It sounds like he had some inside information.

 

5 hours ago, David Mills said:

During the intervening four years, Kevin seems to have disappeared from the face of the earth.

Wow!  I figured Microsoft finally learned to write an NDA with some real teeth, but this is a little scary!  Now we know why no one is willing to talk about any involvement. 😄

Hook

I don't think I could stand another 6 months of B/S.

Don't be spreading these malicious rumors about Microsoft's activities. You have been warned...😠   

More seriously, I once knew a Mike about 13 years ago who assured me Microsoft was starting to use alien technology to recreate a virtual world. Coincidence? I don't think so.

My takeaway from this is that "Kevin" was a time traveller, who has happily played MSFS in 2021 and beyond.

When he realised his mistake, he obviously teleported back to his own time and universe, which is why you can't find him now.

Poor guy's been redacted.  (Is that the right word?  Does it work in this context?)  I'll bet if you have a group photo that includes him, he won't be in it any more. 😄

Hook

4 hours ago, rjfry said:

I don't think I could stand another 6 months of B/S.

It's going to be a year.  You're gonna have to stand another 6 months twice in a row, then for who knows how long after that.  Have a nice day. 🙂

Hook

How much money on the fact that "Kevin" is actually now on the MSFS team as we speak????

Tony

15 hours ago, David Mills said:

During the intervening four years, Kevin seems to have disappeared from the face of the earth. His email doesn't work. His podcast no longer exists. I can't find him on Facebook. And nobody seems to know his current whereabouts. 

Let this be a warning to those who intend to break the nda. MS isn't playing around.

I like the time travel theory. If only I had access to the hardware....

17 hours ago, David Mills said:

I thought I'd share a bizarre story with you about something strange that happened to me four years ago this month. My daughter and I were attending a group dinner, when we were introduced to a gentleman in his 30s named Kevin. Kevin was an avid gamer and, for a time, hosted a local podcast discussing all the latest news within the gamer community.

At some point during dinner, I mentioned to Kevin that I was a flight sim enthusiast. He immediately responded that he'd just heard exciting news about Microsoft restarting its flight sim franchise, but this time on XBOX. This news intrigued me greatly, and I remember saying to my daughter that I'll probably need to upgrade to the latest XBOX hardware when the new flight sim comes out. I was very excited.

Strangely, however, whenever I attempted to learn more about the new flight sim, I found absolutely nothing about it online. Over a period of months, I kept trying to learn more. Again, there was zero information -- not a word. I finally tracked down Kevin's email address and asked him his source of information about Microsoft's plans. After a few weeks, he finally wrote back and said he was mistaken about the new sim, and he apologized for falsely raising my hopes.

During the intervening four years, Kevin seems to have disappeared from the face of the earth. His email doesn't work. His podcast no longer exists. I can't find him on Facebook. And nobody seems to know his current whereabouts. So this is my question: Did Kevin somehow overhear early, inside plans about MSFS 2020 and was then warned not to share the information with anyone? Or was Kevin's "mistaken" statement to me four years ago -- that Microsoft was restarting Flight Sim on XBOX -- just an amazing coincidence?

Right off the bat however no XBOX is necessary fortunately.  What was Kevins podcast called?

He knew too much and they let him disappear... Microsoft has done it again!

Edited September 23, 20196 yr by FlyerNYC

Kevin who?  Fake news! 😆