October 7th, 2021 - Development Update

[ChaoticBeauty 6,692]

OCTOBER 7TH, 2021 DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

Posted by: Microsoft Flight Simulator Team

Screenshot by isaiahnparadise (Twitter) -Shanghai from Skyfall

 

Pre-release testing for Sim Update 6 has begun! If you are interested to see what’s coming in this update, we posted the tentative Release Notes for Sim Update 6 here. 

Later this month, our next Live Dev Q&A is scheduled for October 20th at 10:30am PT. We plan on talking more about the upcoming Reno Air Race DLC and answering top community questions. If you have specific questions about the Reno DLC, please post them here.

Have a great week!

– The MSFS team

 

DEVELOPMENT ROADMAP

Click here for the web-friendly version.

 

FEEDBACK SNAPSHOT

Click here for the web-friendly version. To learn more about Accessibility in Microsoft Flight Simulator, click here.

KEY
SU = Sim Update (6, 7, etc.)	WU = World Update
ASAP = As Soon as Possible	TBD =To Be Determined
Several Releases = Fixes will come over a series of updates
Ongoing Fixes = An item we will continually be working on
Planned = Scheduled to be worked on
Under Investigation = The team is currently looking into this issue
Not Planned = We will likely not work on this
Not Started = We have not begun investigation on this yet
Started = Development work as started on this item

 

 

COMMUNITY TRIAGE UPDATE

Click here to see our Known Issues list.

• Black Screen/Avionics: Earlier we mentioned there are likely multiple root causes. We have confirmed one of those root causes is related to battery draw. No update on the fix and release but stay tuned!

 

SDK UPDATE

• Dev Mode
  • We developed a new Aircraft Thumbnail Capture Manager which allows you to take several preset screenshots of one or several aircraft and automatically save the result in the folder of your choosing.
  • Regarding gauges, we added a new option to switch between GDI & NanoVG at runtime.
  • We improved the UI of the Objects window: it now has 2 columns, one for packages & one for objects. They have separate filters to make it a lot easier to find an object in particular.
  • Project Editor
    • We removed the ArtProj type from the list of asset group types. Existing ArtProj assets groups will be automatically converted into ModelLib asset groups.
  • Scenery Editor

• • • We are currently developing a “top/down” camera that will be particularly useful when editing an airport.
    • We added and optimized the debug OSM point features.
    • We disabled the gizmo while editing the heightmap.
    • We further optimized the exclusion polygons.
    • We fixed an issue where the windows would pop-up out of the screen when opened from the far right side of the main screen.

• • Visual Effects Editor

• • • We fixed node graph display issues when editing a newly created effect (e.g. white output pins, links disappearing upon edition).
    • We added a constraint on name when creating or renaming a visual effect.
    • Confirmation pop-up is now displayed when trying to create a new VFX with unsaved modifications on the one currently being edited.
    • We fixed several issues on the BezierCurve.

• SimConnect
  • We enabled Key Events:

• • • KEY_AILERON_RIGHT
    • KEY_AILERON_LEFT
    • KEY_ELEVATOR_UP
    • KEY_ELEVATOR_DOWN

 

3RD PARTY UPDATE

• As of 10/03, we have now approved 219 (+0) third parties into the in-sim marketplace and – so far 119 (+2) have released 545 products on PC (+7) and 156 on Xbox (+31).
• In total, 1,376 products (+20) have already been released in 3rd party stores and the in-sim marketplace. Beyond that, another 393 products (+16) from 3rd party developers are in production (253 announced, 140 unannounced). In total, over 1,769 3rd party products (+36) are either released or are in development.
• Airports:
  • 1105 airports (+11) are either released or are in various stages of development.
    • 881 airports (+15) have been released on the platform so far in various stores.
    • 439 airports (+2) have been released in the in-sim marketplace.
    • 107 airports (-2) beyond the released airports have been announced.
    • 117 airports (-2) are not announced, but the dev let us know that an airport is in production.
• Aircraft:
  • 227 aircraft (+20) are either released or are in various stages of development.
    • 74 aircraft (+2) have been released on the platform so far in various stores.
    • 42 aircraft (+0) have been released in the in-sim marketplace.
    • 130 aircraft (+18) beyond the released aircraft have been announced.
    • 23 aircraft (+0) are not announced, but the dev let us know that an aircraft is in production.
• Scenery:
  • 394 sceneries (+4) are either released or are in various stages of development.
    • 378 sceneries (+2) have been released on the platform so far in various stores.
    • 37 sceneries (+0) have been released in the in-sim marketplace.
    • 16 sceneries (+2) beyond the released scenery have been announced.
• Mission Packs:
  • 43 mission packs (+1) are either released or are in various stages of development.
    • 43 mission packs (+1) have been released on the platform so far in various stores.
    • 4 mission packs (+0) have been released in the in-sim marketplace.
    • 0 mission packs (+0) beyond the released missions have been announced.

 

MARKETPLACE UPDATES

There are 30 new products (2 on PC, 28 on Xbox), and  32 updated products (30 on PC, 2 on Xbox) in the Marketplace today.

 

30 NEW PRODUCTS: 2 ON PC, 28 ON XBOX
New on PC and Xbox ✅	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC
New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC
New on PC and Xbox ✅	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC
New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC
New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC
New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC
New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC
New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC
New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC
	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC

 

32 UPDATED PRODUCTS: 30 ON PC, 2 ON XBOX
Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC ✅
Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC ✅
Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC ✅
Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC ✅
Updated on PC and Xbox ✅	Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC ✅
Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC and Xbox ✅	Updated on PC ✅
Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC ✅
Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC ✅
Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC ✅
Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC ✅

 

TWITCH UPDATE

We stream weekly on Twitch.tv/MSFSOfficial!

In this week’s Community Fly-In, we will tour a few of them from Bond’s home country, the United Kingdom, to celebrate the new James Bond film and our recent screenshot challenge, Not Time to Fly. Click here for details. Everyone is welcome to fly along!

 

COMMUNITY VIDEO

YouTuber British Avgeek showcases two beautiful mods in this video: the PMDG DC-6 and Aerosoft’s Antarctica Vol. 1 scenery addon. Enjoy the spectacular views as British Avgeek touches down at one of the most remote, inhospitable, and magnificently desolate areas of the world.

 

FEATURED FREEWARE MOD

For over 90 years, the Royal Flying Doctor Service has provided aeromedical service to people living in remote areas of the Australian Outback. Now you can fly the Beechcraft Baron, Cessna CJ4, and TBM 930 in Microsoft Flight Simulator using the livery of the RFDS at no charge compliments of Impulse Simulations. Note that a free Orbx Direct account is required for this download.

https://orbxdirect.com/product/impulse-rfds-liveries

 

SCREENSHOT CHALLENGE

You can now submit your screenshot via Instagram and Twitter with #MSFSchallenge or the Weekly Forum Post! This week’s screenshot challenge: Upside Down

This past week our Screenshot Challenge was No Time to Fly. Here are our runner ups this week:

Screenshot by Raynen

 

Screenshot by BigrabH80 – The Alps

 

Screenshot by canuck695 – Istanbul from From Russia With Love

 

Screenshot by Chacal830000 – Venice

 

Screenshot by JazzSam – Mont Blanc (FRA) ”James Bond – The World is not enough”

 

Screenshot by DaveBGaming – Millenium Dome from The World is Never Enough

 

Screenshot by Parorng – LFIP -Tomorrow Never Dies

 

Screenshot by ScenicAtol3300 – Corfu

 

Screenshot by zkdos – Jökulsárlón Lagoon from Die Another Day

 

Screenshot by JazzSam – Lago di Como (ITA) ‘‘James Bond – Casino Royal’’

 

NEXT DEVELOPMENT UPDATE BLOG – October 14th, 2021

Sincerely,

Microsoft Flight Simulator Team

Edited October 7, 2021 by ChaoticBeauty

[Ianrivaldosmith 5,317]

Hahaha that video has one of the worst landings ever. 

[omarsmak30 4,068]

I love the screenshots for James Bond movies locations 😄

[captain420 3,099]

And that Antarctica scenery looks terrible from my opinion. Certain parts of it looks like FSX.

[ESzczesniak 128]

Would love to see the pipeline open more to new PC marketplace additions. Seems like they're spending so much time catching up Xbox, there's not much happening for PC in the marketplace.  I kind of get that, but am eager to see more new stuff for PC.

[Ianrivaldosmith 5,317]

2 minutes ago, ESzczesniak said:

Would love to see the pipeline open more to new PC marketplace additions. Seems like they're spending so much time catching up Xbox, there's not much happening for PC in the marketplace.  I kind of get that, but am eager to see more new stuff for PC.

If you ask me, there is too much stuff. I can’t keep up with it all, I’ve never seen so many addons in all my life! 

[DAD 2,650]

working on Italy … is that the new WUx? Or do we know what’s in the pipeline?

PS: Miss the pine 🌲. Is that a LOD tree issue? 

[pmb 5,137]

20 minutes ago, DAD said:

working on Italy … is that the new WUx? Or do we know what’s in the pipeline?

Saw this, too. This would provide a large connected enhanced region for VFR flying.

Kind regards, Michael

[fppilot 4,360]

So seeing some goalposts more once again.  G1000/G3000 and autopilot fixes as an example.  Now pushed to a 2021 and a 2022 hotfix.  I would love to have captured screens of previous Developmental Update communications back several months and revisit what was said then.  Live Weather and wind, now SU6 and SU7.  Was that at one time SU4 and SU5?  Correct ATC Phraseology now 2021 and 2022,  Earlier it was just 2021.  Just examples!

DX12 still at 2021.  That could be a biggie!  Will be tracking that.  Does not say SU6 or SU7.  Just 2021. Will SU8 come prior to year end?

[Bert Pieke 7,584]

54 minutes ago, fppilot said:

I would love to have captured screens of previous Developmental Update communications back several months and revisit what was said then.

What good would that do?  "Things change.."  🙂

Looks like a decent plan to me, especially since bug fixes have now been prioritized, which I happen to support.

[fppilot 4,360]

21 minutes ago, Bert Pieke said:

What good would that do?  "Things change.."  🙂

Looks like a decent plan to me, especially since bug fixes have now been prioritized, which I happen to support.

Bert, I am still not pleased with what was represented in pre-release "trailers" and still not present in the sim.  Then couple those with moving dates for improvements. May not do good as you question, but calls to task are clearly in order.  If elements are not truly in place they should not be promoted as such.  That is my continuing rub!  And the rub is no longer about the pre-release trailers and representations.  Today they are about represented dates made in the interim that now continue to move.  And move, and move.  

Promise? Deliver!  Do not promise if not certain of delivery.  

Guess I am spoiled.  I spent my working career for three different industry leaders and all three would have reigned in such representations before any were broadcast.

[cmpbellsjc 2,960]

 

Quote

PS: Miss the pine 🌲. 

I just pined it. 🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

[scotchegg 4,186]

16 minutes ago, fppilot said:

Promise? Deliver!  Do not promise if not certain of delivery. 

If you’re interpreting images and estimates as promises, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.

[Shack95 2,658]

8 hours ago, DAD said:

working on Italy … is that the new WUx? Or do we know what’s in the pipeline?

Looks like it, but it most likely won’t be the next one since Neumann said in an interview that the next WU would cover a place far away from Europe. 

[DAD 2,650]

17 minutes ago, Shack95 said:

a place far away from Europe. 

Isn’t that Italy 😉