Having read the reply from Mathijs Kok in relation to a question about the price of Brussels Airport in MFS it made me wonder if all 3rd party addons will only be available via the Microsoft Store.

If that’s the case and I reiterate IF, then everything could become more expensive as an additional charge would almost certainly be levied. It might also explain how some of the running costs could be recouped.

https://forum.aerosoft.com/index.php?/topic/71084-brussels-international-preview/&do=findComment&comment=992795

This is just me making an educated guess how things could pan out.

I wouldn't assume just from his one-liner answer that it means it will only be available in the flight store. I would rather assume that for him to give a meaningful answer, he would have to ALSO configure the pricing with the flight store in mind.

Edited August 13, 20205 yr by Andreas Stangenes

But who is going to buy from Microsoft if you can get the same product cheaper by getting it from Aerosoft?

Being in the store also opens up a huge addressable market that might not otherwise be aware of these add-ons allowing developers to make more money, creating more open competition, and possibly even lower prices.  It could be a win-win-win.

Orbx products will available with their Orbx Direct/Central app.  They even said it on their forums.  That means third party doesn't have to go to Windows Store

Please read this https://orbxsystems.com/forum/topic/198113-first-products-announced-for-microsoft-flight-simulator/

 

"To support the new platform, we will be releasing several products available at, or shortly after, launch. During the launch window, new products will be available for purchase at competitive pricing levels, ranging from US$7.99 to US$19.99 through both OrbxDirect and the Microsoft FlightSim Marketplace."

Yep 2 Stores there.

Edited August 13, 20205 yr by Skywolf

Well I would think that Aerosoft would still want to encourage traffic to their store. I know Orbx has stated that their products will be available on both their store and the sim's market place.

The sim's store will encourage newcomers to the hobby to look into add-ons. Also, there are small developers who may not have the resources to host their own online store. 

 

2 minutes ago, Skywolf said:

That means third party doesn't have to go to Windows Store

Which Asobo even clarified couple of weeks back too.

Just now, Skywolf said:

Orbx products will available with their Orbx Direct/Central app.  They even said it on their forums.  That means third party doesn't have to go to Windows Store

In that case it was an interesting reply by Mathijs. I don’t know what products ORBX are making available for MFS. Perhaps there are limitations or exceptions.

As I said, I’m just reporting what I’ve seen and trying to work things out.

Just now, CaribbeanCLANK said:

Well I would think that Aerosoft would still want to encourage traffic to their store. I know Orbx has stated that their products will be available on both their store and the sim's market place.

The sim's store will encourage newcomers to the hobby to look into add-ons. Also, there are small developers who may not have the resources to host their own online store. 

 

MS wants user traffic through their store.  They gotta compete with Apple's store/Steam Store/Countless others - even GOG, Epic - they all have stores now.  I can just see the "App Store wars" will start from all the players lol.  But for now we shouldn't have to worry as much.  Multiple pathways exist

1 minute ago, CaribbeanCLANK said:

Well I would think that Aerosoft would still want to encourage traffic to their store. I know Orbx has stated that their products will be available on both their store and the sim's market place.

The sim's store will encourage newcomers to the hobby to look into add-ons. Also, there are small developers who may not have the resources to host their own online store. 

Many small developers use SimMarket who charge commission of course. I wonder if we might see a price war.

I actually would rather to see all 3rd party addons going through MSFS store exclusively. I'm tired of installing extra installers and establishing accounts etc for each of those developers. I spent enough of my life (way too much!) tweaking FSX/P3D/XP, and this time I want everything a single click and just fly!

1 minute ago, Ray Proudfoot said:

Many small developers use SimMarket who charge commission of course. I wonder if we might see a price war.

The response from the 3rd party community has been very encouraging. Compared to a similar launch of a new sim not too long ago, everyone seems to be very eager to develop for the new platform. 

And it will not be in Microsoft's favor to have a different price on their store front. If this is the case, very few people will purchase from them. Also, what are their (Microsoft) plans for add-ons content for purchase. Will additional hand crafted airports come at a cost or will they be included in free world updates?

Tons of questions. We will just have to wait and see how is all unfolds. 

1 minute ago, FlyIce said:

I actually would rather to see all 3rd party addons going through MSFS store exclusively. I'm tired of installing extra installers and establishing accounts etc for each of those developers. I spent enough of my life (way too much!) tweaking FSX/P3D/XP, and this time I want everything a single click and just fly!

All add-on content must be compiled into a custom package and installed into a separate add-on folder, no matter where they are sold.

@CaribbeanCLANK, I agree that 3rd party developers seem very positive about providing products for MFS. I can only suggest you watch that Aerosoft topic. It could be illuminating.

1 minute ago, FlyIce said:

I actually would rather to see all 3rd party addons going through MSFS store exclusively. I'm tired of installing extra installers and establishing accounts etc for each of those developers. I spent enough of my life (way too much!) tweaking FSX/P3D/XP, and this time I want everything a single click and just fly!

I see your point.

Orbx is offering existing customers a discount if you already own a product and the only way to redeem that discount is to upgrade that product on their online store. So for this reason, supporting your favorite devs by using their store will be to your advantage.