Just a quick pause for thought really. Amidst all of the moaning about what this sim does and doesn’t deliver. And how expensive it is etc. Just consider that Microsoft have given us the entire world as a playground. Most of it in pretty amazing detail.

As a basis for comparison, I also fly DCS. And I’ve just checked their latest map offering, Syria. It is currently on sale at a discounted $39.99. And that is for just the tiniest portion of the globe. And presented in less detail than we have as default.  Suffice to say that my way of thinking has now been radically altered by MSFS. I shall NOT be buying Syria, nor any other minute fraction of the earth in any other sim ever. And look forward to the day when using quality satellite imagery, and the cleverly generated buildings and landmarks, becomes the standard. I think the days of developers selling us such meagre portions must surely be numbered. Can you imagine how much the world would cost if you bought it within DCS. 

I, for one, am thoroughly delighted with what this sim has given me thus far, even at this early, slightly rocky, stage. And I cannot wait to see how things unfold over the coming weeks, months and years 🙂

Edited September 1, 20205 yr by Bilbosmeggins
Typo

I don't think it quite stands as a completely direct comparison. What you get with that Syria map is a download which functions as complete target environment for combat missions, with hand-crafted structures populating it, rather than merely some terrain to fly over. In terms of product, it's more akin to a collection of fancy add-on airports and cityscapes over a massive area for a civilian flight sim, and in this light it compares much more favourably price-wise.

That's true of a lot of DCS stuff. Take the MiG-29 for example; it doesn't have a 'clickable' cockpit, but it still functions via keyboard shortcuts and is a good replication of the real aeroplane, and I think I paid about about fifteen quid for that if I recall correctly. You can't get a payware Cessna for that in P3D, FSX or MSFS.

Edited September 1, 20205 yr by Chock

No, I realise that. But ask me which of the two I would rather see out of my aircraft window, and there is no comparison. Now, if DCS were to offer the same hand-crafted buildings on top of the Bing imagery, it could be a different story entirely.

thank you MS & ASOBO 😁

4 hours ago, Nedo68 said:

....thank you MS & ASOBO 😁

Now go forth and build upon it... 

My sentiment being that it's a heck of a good start which TPDs can only improve upon..

4 hours ago, Nedo68 said:

thank you MS & ASOBO 😁

Say hello to my little friend !!

4 hours ago, Bilbosmeggins said:

But ask me which of the two I would rather see out of my aircraft window, and there is no comparison.

That's gonna come down to what the individual buyer is looking for. I bought the F18 and Supercarrier module in DCS just to have fun flying on and off the boat. I ended up getting hooked and now I do full on combat - something I was never interested in for all the years I've been flight simming. 

Honestly I almost don't notice the scenery when I'm in combat. I'll probably buy Syria if there are any missions that require it. No, it's not as high-detail as a lot of MSFS scenery is, but then I can't shoot people down in MSFS either. 😉

 

Edited September 1, 20205 yr by eslader