March 16, 2023 MSFS Development Update

[David Mills 4,774]

MARCH 16TH, 2023 DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

Posted by: Microsoft Flight Simulator Team

Screenshot by KotetuP (Twitter)

Scrolling through the Development Update blog post today you’ll see a new section to our weekly Marketplace Update: The Marketplace Backlog. This section contains information about the number of products that have been submitted by Third Party Developers for Marketplace approval. You can find more information in the Marketplace Backlog section below.

Sim Update 12 (SU12) is nearing release with a target launch date of Tuesday, March 21. Earlier this week, we provided players participating in the optional SU12 beta with a new test build. You can read the release notes for this build (1.31.22.0) on our forums here. Launching alongside SU12 will be Famous Flyer V: Antonov An-2 on all platforms and Famous Flyer IV: Antonov An-225 on Xbox (this plane was previously released on PC on February 27). 

One of the major features coming in SU12 is support for WASM aircraft on the Xbox platform. Shortly after the release of SU12, we will publish a helpful FAQ document describing what this means for Xbox simmers and responding to many of your common questions.

Also this week, members of our player community competed in the preliminary qualifying round of the Microsoft Flight Simulator Reno Air Race Series Presented by Tobii. You can read more about this event in the Community section below.

MSFS Team

 

FEEDBACK SNAPSHOT

Click here for the web-friendly version of the Feedback Snapshot.

DEVELOPMENT ROADMAP

Click here for the web-friendly version of the Development Roadmap.

MARKETPLACE UPDATE

Click here for the web-friendly version of the Marketplace Update.

There are 36 new and 26 updated products in the Marketplace today. Marketplace updates generally go live on Thursdays between the release of this blog post and 5pm PT.

36 NEW PRODUCTS: 20 ON PC, 16 ON XBOX
New on PC	New on PC and Xbox	New on PC and Xbox
New on PC and Xbox	New on PC and Xbox	New on PC and Xbox
New on PC and Xbox	New on PC and Xbox	New on PC and Xbox
New on PC and Xbox	New on PC and Xbox	New on PC and Xbox
New on PC and Xbox	New on PC and Xbox	New on PC and Xbox
New on PC and Xbox	New on PC and Xbox	New on PC and Xbox
New on PC and Xbox		New on PC and Xbox

 

26 UPDATED PRODUCTS: 15 ON PC, 11 ON XBOX
Updated on PC and Xbox	Updated on Xbox	Updated on PC and Xbox
Updated on PC	Updated on PC and Xbox	Updated on PC
Updated on PC and Xbox	Updated on PC and Xbox	Updated on PC and Xbox
Updated on PC	Updated on PC	Updated on PC and Xbox
Updated on PC	Updated on PC and Xbox	Updated on PC and Xbox
	Updated on PC and Xbox

MARKETPLACE BACKLOG

Current Backlog: 1,050 Total

In the interest of transparency, we are now sharing the number of products that have been submitted by Third Party Developers for Marketplace approval. You can find this information in the tables below which show the number of backlogged products for PC and Xbox.

There are two tables: the first shows the number of new products awaiting release, and the second shows the number of products that have already been released but have an updated version pending. If you have any questions about this new section, please ask in our official feedback thread on the forums.

BACKLOG: NEW PRODUCTS

CONTENT TYPE	PC	Xbox	Total
Aircraft	31	46	77
Airport	162	141	303
Bundle	10	9	19
Livery	74	74	148
Other	4	5	9
Mission	41	41	82
Pack	1	1	2
Scenery	128	126	254
Total	451	443	894

 

BACKLOG: UPDATED PRODUCTS

CONTENT TYPE	PC	Xbox	Total
Aircraft	16	12	28
Airport	36	27	63
Bundle	0	0	0
Livery	4	4	8
Other	1	1	2
Mission	5	5	10
Pack	0	0	0
Scenery	22	23	45
Total	84	72	156

 

SDK UPDATE

ASOBO

• No Update This Week

 

WORKING TITLE / MSFS AVIONICS FRAMEWORK

• MSFS Avionics Framework
  • We are preparing to release new documentation, source code and package code in conjunction with the Sim Update 12 release. A brief overview of the upcoming documentation is included below.
  • Remember you can find the MSFS Avionics Framework on GitHub here.
  • Upcoming framework updates:
    • Improved the IntrinsicElements interface for subscribables to match how we handle attributes in FSComponent. (AAU_02)
    • Expanded the ability to set classes dynamically on components by passing a class object that contains a boolean subscribable in addition to the class name in a single object. (AAU_02)

• Avionics Framework Documentation Updates:
  • In conjunction with the launch of Sim Update 12, we will be releasing the updated Avionics Framework and related documentation. Here are some highlights of upcoming framework features and documentation – more details will be shared next week:

• • Plugins Overview:
    • The Avionics Framework Plugin API supports two types of plugins: global plugins and airplane plugins. The two types are effectively identical at the code level and differ only in how they are loaded by the JS/HTML instrument. Global plugins are plugins that apply to multiple airplanes. Generally, these will be plugins that target a specific avionics system or related family of avionics systems as opposed to a specific airplane. Global plugins are tagged for loading by XML files placed in a pre-defined common directory and served to every instrument that supports plugins. Each instrument then chooses which global plugins to use based on the target declared by the plugins. Airplane plugins are plugins that apply to only one airplane. Airplane plugins are tagged for loading and routed to specific instruments in the airplane’s `panel.xml` file.
  • Aural Alert System and SoundServer:
    • The SDK class `SoundServer` provides an interface for playing sounds; this class allows you to queue sounds, play multiple sound events in sequence, loop sounds, and be notified when sounds are finished playing.  Aural Alert System is an Avionics Framework API which sits on top of ‘SoundServer’ and provides a more powerful interface for playing avionics-based aural alerts. This API aims to abstract away some of the queue and state logic associated with playing aural alerts triggered by specific conditions. By using Aural Alert System, you can focus on defining your alerts and their triggers instead of having to worry about the mechanical details of how to get sounds to play at the correct times and in the correct order.
  • CAS System:
    • CAS System is an Avionics Framework API that aims to provide a generic framework from which you can build a CAS (crew alerting system) for your specific avionics system. The API provides classes that handle much of the state logic involved in deciding which CAS alerts should be displayed. By design, the API provides limited support for actually rendering CAS displays since those details are largely avionics/airplane-specific.
  • G3000 Instrument:
    • The G3000 package was written to reproduce the Garmin G3000 and G5000 avionics systems in MSFS to a high degree of accuracy. In real life, G3000/5000 installations can be found in many different aircraft. Each installation shares a core set of features common to all G3000/5000 systems, but also often include numerous aircraft-specific options. Because of how extensive and detailed the aircraft-specific G3000/5000 options can be, it isn’t feasible to create a one-size-fits-all version of the avionics that could be dropped into any airframe. On the other hand, the G3000/5000 is complex enough that having to implement the entire thing for each plane would be very burdensome. To solve these issues, the G3000 package was created in such a way that allows it to be easily customized and extended. Our goal is for developers of G3000/5000-equipped planes to be able to use the package included in MSFS “as-is” while taking advantage of the provided API to tailor it to their specific needs – without ever needing to fork or copy the codebase.
  • GNS Instrument:
    • The GNS 430 and 530 package bring a new level of authenticity to these units in Microsoft Flight Simulator, but due to the inherent complexity of their operations they may pose a number of challenges that aircraft developers may have to adapt to for full integration.  This documentation explains the new options and configuration changes needed to use them.

•  

 

THIRD PARTY UPDATE

• As of 03/11, we have now approved 209 (+0) third parties into the in-sim marketplace and – so far 184 (+0) have released 1,750 products on PC(+12) and 1,464 on Xbox(+12).
• In total, 2,706 products (+7) have already been released in 3^rdparty stores and the in-sim marketplace. Beyond that, another 766 products (-2) from 3^rd party developers are in production (347 announced, 419 unannounced). In total, over 3,472 3^rd party products (+5) have either been released or are in development.
• Airports:
  • 1,852 airports (+3) are either released or are in various stages of development.
    • 1,589 airports (+5) have been released on the platform so far in various stores.
    • 993 airports (+0) have been released in the in-sim marketplace.
    • 119 airports (-2) beyond the released airports have been announced.
    • 144 airports (+0) are not announced, but the dev let us know that an airport is in production.
• Aircraft:
  • 585 aircraft (+2) are either released or are in various stages of development.
    • 214 aircraft (+2) have been released on the platform so far in various stores.
    • 152 aircraft (+0) have been released in the in-sim PC marketplace.
    • 123 aircraft (+0) have been released in the in-sim Xbox marketplace.
    • 207 aircraft (+0) beyond the released aircraft have been announced.
    • 164 aircraft (+0) are not announced, but the dev let us know that an aircraft is in production.
• Scenery:
  • 869 scenery packs (+0) are either released or are in various stages of development.
    • 765 sceneries (+0) have been released on the platform so far in various stores.
    • 283 sceneries (+0) have been released in the in-sim marketplace.
    • 21 sceneries (+0) beyond the released scenery have been announced.
    • 82 sceneries (+0) are not announced, but the dev let us know that scenery is in production.
• Mission Packs:
  • 166 mission packs (+0) are either released or are in various stages of development.
    • 137 mission packs (+0) have been released on the platform so far in various stores.
    • 67 mission packs (+0) have been released in the in-sim marketplace.
    • 0 mission packs (+0) beyond the released missions have been announced.
    • 29 mission packs (+0) are not announced, but the dev let us know that they are in production.

 

 

RENO AIR RACE SERIES

On March 15, we held the preliminary heats of the MSFS Reno Air Racing Series. Seven racers qualified for the Grand Finals (the first-place winner of each of the four heats plus three wild card spots for the fastest non-winning times). The races themselves were intense, highly-competitive, and included many dramatic lead changes!

If you missed watching the event live, you can watch the VOD here. The Grand Finals will take place next week on Wednesday, March 22 at 1900Z. You can watch all the action and cheer on the racers live on our Twitch channel. The quality of the  competition should be very high given the close finishes we saw in the qualifying heats!

Joining our hosting panel for the finals will be popular flight sim streamer Chewwy94 and Greg Gibson from the Reno Air Racing Association. Congratulations to our seven qualified finalists, and good luck to all in the Grand Finals on March 22!

 

COMMUNITY FLY-IN

Sláinte! It’s said that everybody’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, so this Friday we’ll be celebrating with a flight over the Emerald Isle co-hosted by our favorite Irish flight sim streamer, twotonemurphy! Murph has created a beautiful flight plan for us along Ireland’s west coast, starting at Sligo and ending at Galway with a few touch & go landings en route. Murph also suggested that it would be great to experience this flight plan via helicopter, so for those rotary-wing enthusiasts among us, this is a perfect opportunity to showcase your skills in the Bell 407 or Guimbal Cabri G2!

Event details are available here. All are welcome to participate!

COMMUNITY VIDEO

We always love seeing “sim vs. reality” videos, and YouTuber mattias de smet recently published a great one. In this video, mattias shows an Airbus A320 during its approach and landing at Athens, Greece in Microsoft Flight Simulator and the real world from a left-side passenger’s perspective. Check it out!

 

SCREENSHOT CHALLENGE

You can submit your screenshot via Twitter with #MSFSchallenge or the Weekly Forum Post! This week’s screenshot challenge: City Skylines

This past week’s Screenshot Challenge was “Aquatic Aircraft“

Screenshot by HeKa48 (Forum)

Screenshot by HolmesCZ6127 (Forum)

Screenshot by Johnny_aircargo (Twitter)

Screenshot by mattgt933 (Forum)

Screenshot by MihamaBlend (Twitter)

Screenshot by mk89ns (Forum)

Screenshot by Parorng (Forum)

Screenshot by Stanty16 (Forum)

Screenshot by ukaka5656 (Twitter)

Screenshot by YusufWardana (Forum)

 

---

NEXT DEVELOPMENT BLOG UPDATE – March 23rd, 2023

Sincerely,

Microsoft Flight Simulator Team

Edited March 17, 2023 by David Mills

[Romeo_Tango 143]

Thanks for posting

[David Mills 4,774]

I don't care much for the title of Asobo's new section: Marketplace Backlog. "Backlog" has a negative feeling about it -- like you have a "backlog" of boring paperwork to suffer through, or you have a backlog of dirty laundry to wash.

Here are some better, more positive titles for that new section:

• Marketplace Pipeline
• Marketplace Coming Attractions
• Marketplace Preview
• Marketplace Futures
• Marketplace On-Deck
• Marketplace Horizons

Any one of these would be far better than "Marketplace Backlog." Take and use one of these more-positive titles, Asobo. I don't want to read every week about your "backlog."

[DAD 2,662]

1 hour ago, David Mills said:

Marketplace Pipeline

I agree pipeline sounds more positive. Anyway big pipeline indeed. With the new update policy at least the updates will hopefully come faster though not bring such a big relief compared to what’s in the new release section. But everything helps I guess

[Dominique_K 10,152]

1 hour ago, David Mills said:

don't care much for the title of Asobo's new section

what is it : 🐈 ? It is a cat 😺.

[Matt Webb 171]

Well, it's a pretty good update if the only negative talk is about the word "backlog".   😀

Edited March 17, 2023 by Matt Webb

[Johnny Wyatt 152]

5 hours ago, David Mills said:

I don't care much for the title of Asobo's new section: Marketplace Backlog. "Backlog" has a negative feeling about it -- like you have a "backlog" of boring paperwork to suffer through, or you have a backlog of dirty laundry to wash.

Here are some better, more positive titles for that new section:

• Marketplace Pipeline
• Marketplace Coming Attractions
• Marketplace Preview
• Marketplace Futures
• Marketplace On-Deck
• Marketplace Horizons

Any one of these would be far better than "Marketplace Backlog." Take and use one of these more-positive titles, Asobo. I don't want to read every week about your "backlog."

 

🙄 There's nothing positive about the Marketplace Backlog and it's very much why they titled it that way. The community has been complaining for a while about the bottleneck of add-ons in the Marketplace, there's no reason to spin it as a positive like you're pretending to do. Yes it has a negative feeling about it, which is the point. Any of your "ideas" would be far worse than Backlog.

[bobcat999 8,511]

1 hour ago, Matt Webb said:

Well, it's a pretty good update if the only negative talk is about the word "backlog".   😀

Well...  I am not too pleased about the phrase "Lifetime Wishlist" either.  It doesn't tie-in with my plan to have a holiday in Bora-Bora in 2025 for example!  

But yes, a steady update.  Just waiting for the full SU12 release with hopefully a quick bug fix beforehand (water exclusion not working properly is one).

Edited March 17, 2023 by bobcat999

[pmb 5,138]

As far as I understand, MS will implement a new marketplace QC system where the duty is on the submitter instead of MS. This will hopefully speed up new/updated entries, so they can show the "backlog" to reduce over time and report this as a succes, which it certainly would be.

Kind regards, Michael

Edited March 17, 2023 by pmb

[G550flyer 1,051]

In agile "software" development, "backlog" is not a negative. It's actually a repository for work to be done. Not the same sense as "back order", but a container of work to be scheduled. In a sense, work along with requirements come into the business through the main backlog. From there, main backlog items are assigned to development teams' team backlogs where they are groomed, refined, specified and broken into features and stories. From there, they are planned into the program increment schedule and assigned to sprints to be worked within the PI. As each sprint ends, items are delivered. 

So backlog, from a software development stance, is just two steps in the development process. Nothing negative, just the first two places that work is funneled through. So, think of it that way if the word "backlog" bothers you🤣.

[David Mills 4,774]

6 hours ago, Matt Webb said:

Well, it's a pretty good update if the only negative talk is about the word "backlog".   😀

I totally agree. I hope I didn't come across as petty when suggesting a potential name-change. I was actually quite thrilled by the Development Update. Like @Matt Webb said, it's a pretty good update if the only negative talk is about word selection.  

[109Sqn 1,595]

Community Fly-in link leads to last week's (CERN) flight. 

 

Correct link: Community Fly-in Ireland

[Matt Webb 171]

1 hour ago, David Mills said:

I totally agree. I hope I didn't come across as petty when suggesting a potential name-change. I was actually quite thrilled by the Development Update. Like @Matt Webb said, it's a pretty good update if the only negative talk is about word selection.  

Not at all.  I was a probably bit harsh using the word "negative". 

[David Mills 4,774]

27 minutes ago, 109Sqn said:

Community Fly-in link leads to last week's (CERN) flight. 

 

Correct link: Community Fly-in Ireland

I wondered about that.

[MarcG 3,035]

If they fail to fix the new to SU12 Beta Regression VR toolbar bug before public release I'm going to go apoplectic, the utter fiasco with SU7 toolbar issues in VR should've been a massive kick up the backside and yet ...here we are, another potentially crippling toolbar issue reported immediately and the response thus far is;

This item has been reproduced and turned into an official bug report internally. This topic is now updated with the #bug-logged tag. From here, Asobo prioritizes the bug, works on a fix, and slates it for a future update.

...the final sentence concerns me greatly...it needs to be fixed now, not in X months time...

 

https://forums.flightsimulator.com/t/3rd-party-application-toolbars-scaling-broken/

Edited March 19, 2023 by MarcG