18 minutes ago, JonathanC said:

On PC, not on Xbox.

Completely agree, but the post I quoted referred to the manager which presumably only applies to the PC. I also agree that it can't be that big a deal....

53 minutes ago, DD_Arthur said:

This is about Xbox liveries.
Of course,  if you visit the PMDG forum you will find a perfectly reasonable explanation from Robert explaining what is going on and what they are doing

Are you fine with PMDG bringing microtransactions to their supposedly premium product offer?

Or is it acceptable because it only really affects Xbox users? And, well, they're used to it and because you're on PC, it's a case of 'I'm alright, Jack'.

5 minutes ago, F737MAX said:

Are you fine with PMDG bringing microtransactions to their supposedly premium product offer?

Or is it acceptable because it only really affects Xbox users? And, well, they're used to it and because you're on PC, it's a case of 'I'm alright, Jack'.

If we are going off what PMDG are saying officially - They wanted them to be free but weren't able to make them free due to some sort of marketplace limitation. Ideally it needs to be brought up with MS/Asobo directly to see why PMDG are unable to put it onto MP for free. 

And to see if they have any plans on allowing stuff like this to be free on the marketplace itself. There is only maybe 2 or 3 items that aren't Microsoft or Asobo that are free on the marketplace. But who knows how or why that was able to be done but not the 737 liveries. 

 

Quote

PMDG 737 and DC-6 Liveries:
We continue to push more packages of liveries for the DC-6/737 product lines through the marketplace intake process. I have read some folks who are upset that we have the audacity to charge $0.50/livery in packages of 10. This was not our choice. It is the only way to get the liveries fully available to MSFS Xbox users- and we don't have any way to make liveries available to Xbox users except to move them through the existing channel of Marketplace. For those simming on PC, liveries remain free to you via the PMDG Operations Center.

PMDG have made a strong commitment to support the Xbox community and welcome them to the PMDG family. While we continue to look for even more cost effective ways to provide access to liveries- we will work with Microsoft and the distribution mechanism to get the best value we can for that part of our customer family.

Latest from: https://forum.pmdg.com/forum/main-forum/general-discussion-news-and-announcements/258467-24jul23-pmdg-for-msfs-items-pending-this-week-and-a-few-notes#post258520

Edited July 24, 20232 yr by Zangoose

54 minutes ago, JonathanC said:

On PC, not on Xbox. They aren’t charging PC users, thankfully. From what I’ve read , they would “like” to give Xbox users the liveries for free, but cannot because of marketplace limitations.

23 minutes ago, Zangoose said:

If we are going off what PMDG are saying officially - They wanted them to be free but weren't able to make them free due to some sort of marketplace limitation.

  Let's say that's correct.
I've just seen 4Simmers offering on MSFS Marketplace a 90-livery pack at 7.62 GB in size, available on Xbox (as well as PC). So, size isn't an issue for splitting into 4 packs.
Also, BravoAirspace is offering liveries by region on both the ATR 42 and ATR 72 in one pack. So, different models of the same airliner doesn't appear to be a restriction either.

 

However, is LatinVFR offering a separate livery package on Xbox console for their A320 family aircraft?
On MSFS Marketplace, their A319ceo comes in 5 different versions (CFM, IAE, Sharklet x2 and ACJ), is 12.69 GB in size, and offers 54 liveries.
Their A321neo comes in 4 different versions (LEAP, PW, LR Leap and LR PW), is 12.47 GB in size, and offers 47 liveries.

With the above in mind, I'm finding PMDG's reasoning difficult to accept.

All that research and typing for… all about nothing.

Never understood the grievance against this dev, and it’s the usual suspects here on avsim. 

 

If you don't want to pay for it ... Don't buy it. Its their business. There are businesses that i don't buy from because the service or quality does not sell the product to me or the value case is not there. For me .. one comment with my explanation and that's it.. I'm not going to  have a long moan or start the crusades about it .. they made their decision .. I made mine. 

people do what they want obviously as they are free to do  but this thread seems like some people like to scream at the sky in the middle of nowhere. 

 

Edited July 24, 20232 yr by Maxis

2 hours ago, F737MAX said:

With the above in mind, I'm finding PMDG's reasoning difficult to accept.

I agree that there are some question marks and further explanation from MS could help. But I'm finding it equally difficult to accept they're straight up lying. They've been pretty vocal and clear that the pricing is due to marketplace limitations and they're obviously posting this publicly. So if they were lying to "trick" people into buying stuff that could otherwise be free I think MS wouldn't really like that. Keep in mind PMDG are working with Asobo and have to submit packages to MS as well for review before they are published on the marketplace. Given that MS/Asobo have once weighed in already to correct something PMDG said, I'm sure they would chime in on this as well if PMDG were selling lies about how the marketplace works to "trick" people.

MS definitely know about this pricing scheme (and likely about PMDG's explanation) from reviewing the packages. Being exposed of lying about this would certainly not be beneficial to PMDG and their business, so why take that risk for some extra bucks from liveries that are free on PC otherwise? Doesn't make sense.

But I also agree that this is much ado about nothing.

Maybe I'm being slow here, but I don't understand the whole not-possible-to-add-products-to-marketplace-for-free?!
Aren't there free sceneries and/or aircraft on Marketplace? The FBW is there (but that maybe an exception). I also have the Aerosoft Paderborn scenery (which as I recall was free?).

1 minute ago, anden145 said:

Maybe I'm being slow here, but I don't understand the whole not-possible-to-add-products-to-marketplace-for-free?!
Aren't there free sceneries and/or aircraft on Marketplace? The FBW is there (but that maybe an exception). I also have the Aerosoft Paderborn scenery (which as I recall was free?).

FBW isn't on the marketplace - But there is a small handful of free items that aren't Asobo / Microsoft directly. Not sure how they managed to get marked as free though.

It may need to be asked in a Q&A with Microsoft/Asobo. 

Edited July 24, 20232 yr by Zangoose

7 minutes ago, anden145 said:

Maybe I'm being slow here, but I don't understand the whole not-possible-to-add-products-to-marketplace-for-free?!
Aren't there free sceneries and/or aircraft on Marketplace? The FBW is there (but that maybe an exception). I also have the Aerosoft Paderborn scenery (which as I recall was free?).

The FBW was free in the MSFS marketplace when it was there. Having said that, FBW is not registered as a for-profit company like PMDG is. Also, FBW was only available for the PC marketplace, if my memory is correct (the XBox MSFS marketplace did not exist when FBW pulled their A320 from the marketplace), while PMDG is releasing the liveries for the XBox MSFS marketplace.

I wonder if the legalities of the MSFS marketplace is forcing PMDG to charge a minimum fee for the liveries. I would like to know what is the difference between FBW and PMDG in the MSFS marketplace, such that PMDG is forced to charge a fee, while FBW could release their A320 for free. There is probably some legal reason behind this.

Edited July 24, 20232 yr by abrams_tank

2 minutes ago, abrams_tank said:

The FBW was free in the MSFS marketplace when it was there. Having said that, FBW is not registered as a for-profit company like PMDG is. Also, FBW was only available for the PC marketplace, if my memory is correct (the XBox MSFS marketplace did not exist when FBW pulled their A320 from the marketplace), while PMDG is releasing the liveries for the XBox MSFS marketplace.

I wonder if the legalities of the MSFS marketplace is forcing PMDG to charge a minimum fee for the liveries. I would like to know what is the difference between FBW and PMDG in the MSFS marketplace, such that PMDG is forced to charge a fee, while FBW could release their A320 for free. There is probably some legal reason behind this.

Interesting. Thanks! 
I just had a look on the Marketplace, and there's some free stuff. Most of it, is Microsoft/Asobo, but there's other stuff as well... But I get the point. 

Perhaps converting the liveries to be compatible with xbox takes time?  Heck, I know doing one PC livery can take quite a few hours.  Should we expect this kinda stuff for free?

6 hours ago, Maxis said:

 this thread seems like some people like to scream at the sky in the middle of nowhere.

Maxis, you have 1400+ posts here. Don't act like it's your first visit 😉

On 7/21/2023 at 8:54 AM, 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?

Yeah. With you there. Seems more like an Asobo/Marketplace issue. Not PMDG.

A very valid point.

They left a bad taste in my mouth when they released the -700 first.  Then again when the -900 was being sold for $50, I did not buy it.  

If Microsoft can offer the Pelican for free or any other multitude of addons for free... then this just a straight up lie.

Where is the EFB PMDG?  You have had an awful lot of time to work on it.  I gave you 140 dollars, you promised me an EFB, and haven't delivered for 2 years.

I do not trust PMDG anymore.