Anyone remember when PMDG said they had to increase prices for their Prepar3D products because it was "professional platform?" Anyone think they'll decrease prices now that they're going back to an entertainment platform? No? OK. 😄

My point is that I don't think any of the "big names" in the ultra-detailed aircraft addons are going to be decreasing prices anytime soon.

Many here know that I've been a vocal critic of PMDG's and Captainsim's pricing policies.

Having said that, I'm a free market guy and believe that the price of something is generally whatever the market will bear.  If PMDG wants to charge $140 or whatever for a plane then that;s their decision.  They must believe that their sales will be high enough to support that price point.  If their sales aren't good enough then they'll likely lower that price.

There is also the fact that PMDG's aircraft are very complex and accurate, let's call them expert-level, and thus take a lot of time and effort to develop, thereby justifying to some extent a higher price.

What I'd like to see are more intermediate to advanced level aircraft, like Aerosoft's for example, which are still quite accurate, well-modeled, and moderately complex, but cost less.

Dave

22 hours ago, Virtual-Chris said:

I’m new to flight sims and was shocked to learn that people will pay $130 for a plane.

If you want a real fright, go lookup Star Citizen.  People have paid thousands of real dollars for space craft and the game is not any where near finished, after 7 + years.

First question is, will FS be as much opened as P3D to allows TPD using highly complex aircrafts with dll gauges ?? If not, we will have only simple aircrafts to fly with

20 minutes ago, filoux said:

First question is, will FS be as much opened as P3D to allows TPD using highly complex aircrafts with dll gauges ?? If not, we will have only simple aircrafts to fly with

MSFS2020 engine (at least for us)  is based on WebAssembly. So no external dll's or exe's. TPD code will have to run in  the browser sandbox.
But don't worry We will get the so called "study level" airplanes by TPD's, they are alredy working with MS/Asobo to ensure they can deliver their airplanes.

Edited August 15, 20205 yr by RamonB

2 hours ago, molleh said:

Anyone remember when PMDG said they had to increase prices for their Prepar3D products because it was "professional platform?" Anyone think they'll decrease prices now that they're going back to an entertainment platform? No? OK. 😄

My point is that I don't think any of the "big names" in the ultra-detailed aircraft addons are going to be decreasing prices anytime soon.

That’s their call, of course, but their potential loss as well. They can hold firm on being the high end of the market. Someone has to own that. But there is vastly more money to be made at lower price points. If they neglect that, others will swoop in and gobble up that market. Im sure before long, there will be products that do 80% of what theirs does for 20% of the price and sell 100x more. If they are smart, they will offer a range of products at different price points, but if not, competitors and new entrants to the space will seize that opportunity. 
 

The bottom line is that for us consumers, we will have more choice... thanks to the massive expansion this hobby is about to experience. 

Edited August 15, 20205 yr by Virtual-Chris

There is also a perception problem with charging less. Sticking with  PMDG, if a plane they put out has a bug. people complain .. but its more about having a $99 airplane with a bug.  PMDG is usually good about fixing stuff. people complain but ofc they do.. its a $99 plain with a bug.. then PMDG fixes it and thats the end of it.. 

but then PMDG  suddenly starts charging $10 for their airplanes.. and they have the same bug.. now its because they lowered their standards to sell it for $10... and the word gets out their quality has gone down the toilet and noone buys the plane even if they fix the issue.. I mean.. thats just a scenario and may never be the case, but it probably represents a bad dream Randazzo had once..

 

Quote

The bottom line is that for us consumers, we will have more choice... thanks to the massive expansion this hobby is about to experience. 

 

I have a suspicion that even Asobo may make a 737 .. and i doubt it will cost much to get it..   or someone else will make a default level plane at a lower price point.  It will happen for sure and lots of people will buy it. but i think PMDG will always charge around what they currently charge.  and when they cant sell enough at that price, randazzo will wish us all the best and sail off into the sunset.. THat or sell the brand and maybe the new owner will start making default level aircrafts at low prices and put a PMDG logo on it so everyone will have one. 'cause i doubt Randazzo ever will.

 

And just speaking generally about plane prices.. there are lots of $5-$20 airplanes for x-plane.. but plane maker makes it easy to slap something together.  The outside looks nice but the inside is 2d or  3d with no textures etc... A glut if crappy but cheap planes is a pretty dangerous thing too. 

2 hours ago, filoux said:

First question is, will FS be as much opened as P3D to allows TPD using highly complex aircrafts with dll gauges ?? If not, we will have only simple aircrafts to fly with

That has been discussed already. With the recent posts of PMDG and especially Aerosoft it's pretty clear there will be complex addons.

The current problem is that the SDK is far from finished.

Edited August 15, 20205 yr by tweekz

On 8/14/2020 at 12:28 PM, Chock said:

Now people have a tantrum if the tray table in seat 57 isn't functional.

Maintenance called and remarked that they seem to have misplaced the squawk. Was that seat 57 A, B, C, D, E, F or G?

4 hours ago, molleh said:

....Anyone think they'll decrease prices now that they're going back to an entertainment platform? No? OK. 

Interesting point! 

1 hour ago, n4gix said:

Maintenance called and remarked that they seem to have misplaced the squawk. Was that seat 57 A, B, C, D, E, F or G?

As long as it's not a flight I'm on - I usually am in an A319 or A320 and their just aren't that many rows!😵