https://fselite.net/news/navigraph-flightsim-community-2020-survey-results-now-available/

No surprises really, MFS dominates... 🙂

1 hour ago, tonywob said:

https://fselite.net/news/navigraph-flightsim-community-2020-survey-results-now-available/

No surprises really, MFS dominates... 🙂

 

Ah, but does it?

 

Interestingly, if you add XP11.0 - 11.41 and XP11.50+ data together, usage is ~60% (within 1 or 2 percentage points of MSFS).

P3D, if combining v4 and v5 usage, gives ~50% usage.

Comparing the 'hardcore' use of each sim, (i.e. 'most of the time') MSFS, XP11 and P3D v4+v5 all sit within 23% - 26% of total respondents.

It's a lot closer than the graph data first suggests, with half of each sim platform's users apparently using another sim.

What it does show, IMO, is how much MSFS looks like a next generation sim. It has an impressive user base for less than 6 months since release.

Indeed that's pretty interesting... the number of X-Plane users is actually higher than I would have expected, especially those who are in the "most of the time category".

The P3D numbers if you add up all versions show a similar story as well

52.1% of respondents did not switch to a new flight simulator in 2020. In other words, slightly more than half of the community (who responded) have not switched to the new Microsoft Flight Simulator...

2 hours ago, F737NG said:

It's a lot closer than the graph data first suggests, with half of each sim platform's users apparently using another sim.

+1

No surprise that the US, Britain and Germany top the poll for simmers. But based on per capita surely that would put Britain out in front by quite a margin? US has five times the population but only twice as many users.

 

Glad to see XP11 is not far, and sure XP12 will get even higher in the ranking, something tells me ...

Also glad to see DCS very well positioned :-)

Ah yes, lies, damned lies and statistics. Already here are efforts to interpret the results to suit the opinion of the author of the post. We already know that those who went to the trouble of completing this survey, as I did, are a niche within a niche, with some of the more ardent "simmers" stating in these very forums that they did not. It's mildly interesting on a general scale but I would guess that the developers' sales figures will be far more telling, but of course far less accessible to those who harbour a desire to dictate their policy to them.

43 minutes ago, Reader said:

Ah yes, lies, damned lies and statistics. Already here are efforts to interpret the results to suit the opinion of the author of the post.

Some people merely pointed out that looking closer at the presentation of the data shows it's not quite as the first look would suggest and that's true. That doesn't mean anyone is trying to twist the interpretation of the data to suit their opinion...

54 minutes ago, Reader said:

Ah yes, lies, damned lies and statistics. Already here are efforts to interpret the results to suit the opinion of the author of the post.

All the survey does is provide an insight into the flight sim usage of people who took the survey. As you say, this group of people is a niche within a niche.

Given the marketing campaign, the accessibility on a gaming platform and the ease of finding it on the Xbox store, MSFS is clearly going to have user numbers many multiples greater than either XP, P3D, and a.n.other flight sim.

Other than interesting data points, the only correct take away that anyone can truly derive from these results is that developers are correct in following the market to provide products for the MSFS platform. The niche of people most likely to buy add-ons have migrated (in part or fully) to MSFS.

Somewhat worringly, results show that user numbers are down for P3D. They have transitioned to MSFS and even XP in larger percentage terms than were drawn in. Combined with P3D v4 use greater than P3D v5, it's not a healthy look.

8 minutes ago, F737NG said:

Somewhat worringly, results show that user numbers are down for P3D. They have transitioned to MSFS and even XP in larger percentage terms than were drawn in. Combined with P3D v4 use greater than P3D v5, it's not a healthy look.

I'm just speculating here, but I think most people on P3D may have got to a point at which they either stay at where they are, e. g. staying with 4.5 rather than updating to 5.1 because it's not worth it for them, or do update but stay with P3D for a lack of a better alternative that suits their needs. By that I mean addons. I assume the vast majority is going where their addons go, so to speak, because P3D itself I think doesn't incite much in itself. It has changed a lot under the hood but only to some extent visually and feature-wise and I imagine that is what's explaining the (albeit slightly) shrinking numbers. Throw in the rather unstable and troublesome release of P3D v5, where the most exciting new feature (besides performance improvements) (EA) is still lacking in many ways, and it probably doesn't look too bright going forward, unless LM deviate in some way to seriously breathe new life into P3D.

I'm still on P3D myself and won't go anywhere in the near future. P3D v6 or some of the v5 updates could potentially change things a lot, but given its history I don't expect much else other than smaller improvements. What's keeping me are my addons and the aircraft I fly. I still do enjoy P3D and 5.1 is working well, but if/when the type of experience I have in P3D becomes available in MSFS, I'll be going there. I guess this is the same for many if not most P3D users at this point, so I think these numbers are not surprising. It's pretty much what I expected.

15 hours ago, Ray Proudfoot said:

No surprise that the US, Britain and Germany top the poll for simmers. But based on per capita surely that would put Britain out in front by quite a margin? US has five times the population but only twice as many users.

 

Interesting. Yes 

Edited January 13, 20215 yr by fluffyflops

15 hours ago, Reader said:

but of course far less accessible to those who harbour a desire to dictate their policy to them.

 who might those policy dictators be? "They" must be few and far between as I've not seen anyone dictating policy; just because I use FSX:SE I don't try to preach that there must be more FSX users, that no one should be using the latest sim..

You make it sound like politics when it was only a simple user survey. Our differing opinions do not dictate policies.

Flight simulation forums are well stocked with "useful suggestions" on how various developers should run their businesses and with those who seek to promote their choice of simulator as the best one, as I am certain that you well know. It is noteworthy that the Navigraph survey does not make comment but simply presents their gathered statistics. Your use of the word "politics" is about as far out of context as it is possible to be. In case it was not clear, the "policy" referred to is business policy, not political policy.

As an old marketing man back in the 60s - I take the figures with pinch of salt - especially the usage of the various sims - where the main 3 came in at differing times of the year - eg MSFS has been tried by 60+% - but dropped back to 30% full time - why ??would be a better question. E.G. How many of that 30% reverted back to P3DV4/V5 - and included that move - in P3DV4+5 part time section or split the time between the 2 sim variations?. V4 and V5 must be added together if we wish to compare with MSFS. Personaly I use both 

V4 for low and slow and ancient aircraft - and V5 -  high level and tubes - not to mention $00000s of Orbyx world scenery

 I find it strange that no one seems to be commenting on the effect - that the introduction of MSFS Sim into the new X Box Series X - will do to the market in July - when the sim can be guaranteed to work in 4K HDR10 and DX12. The 12 months between release of the PC sim - might indicate that we have been Beta testing MSFS to ensure that an X Box Sim is bug free - and give developers more time to produce for the X Box DLC

If the developers of addons are allowed to provide airports and aircraft to the X box as they now do to the PC - version what will happen then to P3D /X plane - and that market will be huge - many more than the existing one

I currently use X Box one X with a thrustmaster Hotas and Honeycomb have already announced hardware for The new X Box

my Honeycomb Bravo came to day and that will work in the new X Box.  Roll on July!!

Edited January 14, 20215 yr by jaytee73