https://fselite.net/content/pmdgs-737-livery-packs-released-on-marketplace

Having received nearly $140 on the -700 and -800 from some people, PMDG are now expecting Xbox (and some PC) users to pay nearly $20 on livery packs.
While some will defend this practice as smart monetising of their endeavours, I consider PMDG to be following in a similar path to Captain Sim.

Want a livery pack that covers one particular continent? Nope.
Want a livery pack that contains all the cargo operators or all the BBJ operators? Nope.
Want a KLM, GOL or United livery on your -800? Nope.
Want to have -700 and -800 liveries based on your favourite airline in one pack? Nope.

Maybe I'm wrong and I'm unfairly responding to this new course of action.
However, my initial feel on this is that I expect much better from one of the leading developers in our hobby.
 

Edited July 21, 20232 yr by F737MAX
typos

Maybe I’m wrong but my understanding is that in the market place there is an absolute minimum price that must be charged and I was sure I read that this was the price PMDG were going to use. 

When they said because of the way the Marketplace work they can't offer it for free. I find that a bit odd. Maybe if they do have to put a price on the liveries for Xbox users they could credit 4.99 back to them somehow maybe ask them to create an account on PMDG website where they can spend it if they wish....

1 minute ago, scotgr said:

Maybe I’m wrong but my understanding is that in the market place there is an absolute minimum price that must be charged and I was sure I read that this was the price PMDG were going to use. 

My response would be why aren't all the liveries delivered in just one pack?
 

That’s a very valid point. I just thought there would have been one. 

There are also airports on the Marketplace for 6 or 7 dollars, so I am not sure that minimum price is that high. Maybe the cost of the aircraft on the Marketplace should be reduced by the value of the liveries.

4 minutes ago, F737MAX said:

My response would be why aren't all the liveries delivered in just one pack?

There was a lengthy post on their forums about this. Packaging everything as one exceeded the flile size limits for Marketplace files. I don't think the marketplace was designed for these sorts of things at all.

20 minutes ago, BrammyH said:

There was a lengthy post on their forums about this. Packaging everything as one exceeded the flile size limits for Marketplace files. I don't think the marketplace was designed for these sorts of things at all.

Another genuine point, World Updates are between 2.5 - 20.5 GB in size (available through the Marketplace).
There are also third-party developer scenery products, such as Island Creations' El Hierro and La Gomera islands that total 7.55 GB and 9.19 GB respectively and Redwing's EHAM 1935 scenery at 4.29 GB available to buy on Marketplace.

I have 14 liveries installed for my PMDG 737, which take up a total of 2.99 GB uncompressed disk space.

I'm struggling to see the 'technical limitations' rationale for 4 different packs.
 

Edited July 21, 20232 yr by F737MAX

That is why I like to buy from the developer and avoid the marketplace. 

14 minutes ago, F737MAX said:

Another genuine point, World Updates are between 2.5 - 20.5 GB in size (available through the Marketplace).
There are also third-party developer scenery products, such as Island Creations' El Hierro and La Gomera islands that total 7.55 GB and 9.19 GB respectively and Redwing's EHAM 1935 scenery at 4.29 GB available to buy on Marketplace.

I have 14 liveries installed for my PMDG 737, which take up a total of 2.99 GB uncompressed disk space.

I'm struggling to see the 'technical limitations' rationale for 4 different packs.

I work in IS project management, and boy howdy have I gotten burned a lot with "really, THAT'S a limitation of the system?"

I just don't feel PMDG is being decietful in their explanations.

 

Too bad the livery packages aren't grouped by country. If you want to fly only in the US you would have to by several packages just to get Delta, United, American, Southwest and Alaska.

1 hour ago, Bobsk8 said:

That is why I like to buy from the developer and avoid the marketplace. 

It's great you have this option Bob, but Xbox players don't.

Also why is this pack even costing money? There's free content on the marketplace.

There also doesn't seem to be a file limitation on the marketplace, ESSB from Orbx is nearly 12GB. MS Reps have said there isn't a file limitation within reason (sub 20GB)

2 minutes ago, Lucky38i said:

It's great you have this option Bob, but Xbox players don't.

Also why is this pack even costing money? There's free content on the marketplace.

There also doesn't seem to be a file limitation on the marketplace, ESSB from Orbx is nearly 12GB. MS Reps have said there isn't a file limitation within reason (sub 20GB)

The market place lets developers run updates. Why can't PMDG just update the 737, with the included files for the liveries, all in one shot?

1 hour ago, F737MAX said:

While some will defend this practice as smart monetising of their endeavours, I consider PMDG to be following in a similar path to Captain Sim.

 

It is an unfortunate and painful reality, it's getting there. Years ago, someone had an idea of charging extra for liveries and RSR rejected it because he wanted to keep the customer "happy". Currently, there are numerous painters who offer high-quality liveries for free as a hobby that brings great joy to the community. However, PMDG, with its current focus on profit-making, undermines its original principles and statements.

Just now, Bobsk8 said:

The market place lets developers run updates. Why can't PMDG just update the 737, with the included files for the liveries, all in one shot?

An even better question. Why are liveries seperate.