7 minutes ago, terpsnation said:

Perhaps they know that they aren't in a position to compete with the big platforms at the moment, so will take all revenue streams they can access.

They've been clear about going where the users are, and when it comes to games, that's Steam right now. Under Mr. Nadella, Microsoft has been changing many of their policies, including this one. They aren't as focused on having everything under their control if it means selling more products overall.

23 minutes ago, Chock said:

Not quite. If you pre-order it, you're basically good to go when it unlocks, since you can install the mechanism for it to get working on your system right after you purchase it (just did so). Thus if there is a heavy server load on the MS store on release day preventing you from proceeding with purchasing it (this might be the case, it always is when a new version of P3D is released), you would avoid that issue and be merrily D/L ing the actual files, instead of battling with having your credit card accepted on a site which may be bogged down with similar transactions.

The other reason (purely psychological, admittedly) is that forking out 109 quid for the super-duper version, as I just did, I'll probably be over the fact that it cost me over a ton by the time it's ready to mess around with. 🤣

Of course I could have gone with the bog standard version for 60 quid, which compares quite favourably with the cost of the Academic version of P3D and is quite a decent price in my opinion, but in my experience with MS sims, it's usually better to get the Deluxe super-duper full on versions, since there have been occasions in the past where standard versions of MS flight sims have not been capable of running the fancier add-ons. An example of that was the A2A Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress, which would not function on a standard copy of FSX as it stood when released, since it needed the extra engine management functions which were part of the Acceleration and Deluxe versions of FSX.

Anyhow, there is no need to get concerned if you don't want to pre-order it. Just don't pre-order it. Simple. 🙂

“Install the mechanism for it to get working”? Chock; I too, bought the super premium version yesterday, but I didn’t see what you are referring to there. How do I install that mechanism?

Stan

8 minutes ago, spilok said:

“Install the mechanism for it to get working”? Chock; I too, bought the super premium version yesterday, but I didn’t see what you are referring to there. How do I install that mechanism?

Stan

If you buy it on pre-order, it should direct you to install it, but if it does not, go to your MS account and find where the new sim is listed as something you own and you should see an 'install/play' button. Click on that. It may direct you to add your PC to the list of registered devices with MS, so if you need to do that, then go ahead. Once all that is done, and you click to install it, you should see something of about 20Mb or so in size downloading and installing. If you then look on your PC's start menu, you should see this, with the new sim listed:

 

When the sim is officially released, clicking on that will trigger the download of the full sim, so you should be good to go the moment the official release date unlocks it. Right now if you click on it, it just says it isn't unlocked yet and directs you to the website for further details on the release date.

Edited July 14, 20205 yr by Chock

I'm surprised that no one is waiting on the Steam release, specially considering that they've put telemetry in FSX Steam "We've released a new beta branch for FSX:SE that will help us gain valuable new telemetry data that will help us in the development of the new Microsoft Flight Simulator". Also considering that MS has a major store front on Steam with Xbox Game Studios, they even have upcoming releases scheduled. Also the fact that Steam doesn't look to kindly to "exclusive" titles bound to other store fronts. I just can't see MS stabbing Steam in the back with it being exclusive to the MS Store only. I strongly believe that this will be on Steam before release.

42 minutes ago, bonchie said:

This answers some questions about the Alpha, namely why we weren't testing all the different planes announced. As many in the alpha forum suspected, we've been on a nerfed version of the game, mainly to test server loads if I had to guess.

Nothing new there..That's what alpha testing is all about.

4 hours ago, Muklum said:

How did you manage that? I can't pre-order because the order form is insisting on a US address and zipcode, despite the fact that my MS account shows my residence as UK.

I fear that we should say: "Welcome to the Microsoft Store, where easy things are put in the most complicated possible way"! 😂

I think I will pre-order a can of beer instead.

Cheers, Ed

4 minutes ago, FPStewy said:

I'm surprised that no one is waiting on the Steam release, specially considering that they've put telemetry in FSX Steam "We've released a new beta branch for FSX:SE that will help us gain valuable new telemetry data that will help us in the development of the new Microsoft Flight Simulator". Also considering that MS has a major store front on Steam with Xbox Game Studios, they even have upcoming releases scheduled. Also the fact that Steam doesn't look to kindly to "exclusive" titles bound to other store fronts. I just can't see MS stabbing Steam in the back with it being exclusive to the MS Store only. I strongly believe that this will be on Steam before release.

Even if you do not buy on Steam, traditionally, you have always been able to add non-Steam purchased titles, which are also listed for purchase on Steam, to your Steam library of titles even if you bought them elsewhere. For example, Bohemia Interactive's 'Take On Helicopters' is one such title where you can do this.

13 minutes ago, goates said:

They've been clear about going where the users are, and when it comes to games, that's Steam right now. Under Mr. Nadella, Microsoft has been changing many of their policies, including this one. They aren't as focused on having everything under their control if it means selling more products overall.

This is true - I've been very pleased with the direction that MS has moved recently.  I do think in the future you will see Xbox Game Pass turn more and more into a "Netflix for Gaming" when game streaming becomes more feasible - MS knows that their main competitors in this space are Amazon and Google, and not Valve.  I imagine perhaps that they are moving more into a "gamer friendly" role right now in order to continue supplying people that prefer to download and run games on their own machines, and then will service a different crowd via streaming on Xbox Game Pass.

1 hour ago, B777ER said:

I've asked that numerous times and zero answers. They mention their proprietary online system and that's it.

Why is this even a question?  It's not like Vatsim is baked into Xplane, FSX or P3D...there's a client (e.g. Vpilot, Xpilot or SB) that injects data into our simulators.  MSFS2020 developers have already stated they plan to ensure the SDK offers more options; thus, I think it's only a matter of time before someone develops a client capable of facilitating a connection with the VATSIM network. Heck, if the SDK is as powerful as stated, we may not even need FSUIPC.  In short, it's not IF, but WHEN we'll have a compatible client.

5 hours ago, severniae said:

But, what is the point of a pre-order? There is no benefit whatsoever. 

 

I still fail to understand why grown adults are so hyped they would throw their money on an over-hyped product instead of doing what we usually do - let the casuals eat the early bugs, wait for reviews and then make a purchasing decision based on impartial discussion and review, instead of hype-centric marketing tactics.

It remains to be seen whether there are any tangible benefits to pre-ordering, but there are certainly psychological benefits. Having first played Flight Simulator 36 years ago on an Apple II clone that I built from scratch, I've been eagerly anticipating this new version since it was announced last year. Six months ago I spent $2000 building a new PC primarily for this app, and I just ordered a $250 flight yoke. Why would I now balk at handing over a paltry $120 to Microsoft ten days before the product's release date? It's my small way of saying to Microsoft, "Thank you for resurrecting this product!". This will be a massive upgrade for me, as I have played no other flight sims since FSX. For me personally, it cannot possibly be "over-hyped".

Of course there will be bugs -- only a fool would think otherwise. But I am 100% certain that I will derive tremendous enjoyment from whatever they release on the 18th. This certainty is based on the ample feedback that has been provided by alpha testers.

Nobody is forcing you to pre-order, and there is no reason for you, as a "grown adult", to obsess over those who feel differently than you about it.

Mark

8 minutes ago, kingm56 said:

Why is this even a question?  It's not like Vatsim is baked into Xplane, FSX or P3D...there's a client (e.g. Vpilot, Xpilot or SB) that injects data into our simulators.  MSFS2020 developers have already stated they plan to ensure the SDK offers more options; thus, I think it's only a matter of time before someone develops a client capable of facilitating a connection with the VATSIM network. Heck, if the SDK is as powerful as stated, we may not even need FSUIPC.  In short, it's not IF, but WHEN we'll have a compatible client.

Agree, if they allow third party multiplayer software usage. You'd think they would have at least mentioned it. You never know though, they may choose to keep the online community soley in their own online system.

but we still need w10 to point to another drive (even if preorder)IF we want to "APP" this to a nother

 SSD right ?

Thanks

Michael Moe

 

Edited July 14, 20205 yr by Michael Moe

19 hours ago, jlund said:

I'm wondering if the "+ Offers in-app purchases" will be things like Navblue, MeteoBlue and Flight aware, since there's no mention of them in any of the three versions.?.

In-app purchase refers to the market place in the sim where you can buy addons.

Edited July 14, 20205 yr by threegreen

17 hours ago, edpatino said:

Well, now, I'm started to think about which one of my simulators will be dumped out from both of my systems. Looking at my signature, which one would you choose?.

Cheers, Ed

Honestly I would keep all of them. Just wait to fly the MSFS not a quick VFR, better try IFR and some long hauls, and when you feel you are not missing any of your sims go for it. I think that as an old alpha insider I can recommend that. It will be a learning curve current simmers will have to deal with. 

Cheers, Ric

 

 

2 hours ago, FPStewy said:

I'm surprised that no one is waiting on the Steam release, specially considering that they've put telemetry in FSX Steam "We've released a new beta branch for FSX:SE that will help us gain valuable new telemetry data that will help us in the development of the new Microsoft Flight Simulator". Also considering that MS has a major store front on Steam with Xbox Game Studios, they even have upcoming releases scheduled. Also the fact that Steam doesn't look to kindly to "exclusive" titles bound to other store fronts. I just can't see MS stabbing Steam in the back with it being exclusive to the MS Store only. I strongly believe that this will be on Steam before release.

Steam release will happen after a significant, unknown delay. Microsoft have said that they have no further information on this at this time. So it will (almost certainly) happen, but you’re likely to be missing out on several months of MSFS simming if you wait for Steam.