Interesting new tidbits from FSL (Flight Sim Labs)

[sdirand]

Difficult to have an opinion right now as we absolutely have no clue about what FSL is working on.

Anyway, for sure, they will have to come with something big, never seen before and something new, not already available on msfs.

If the Fenix A321 is close, then even if FSL comes with an A321NEO or A321NEOXLR, will it be enough? I mean, of course, they would find custumers but not everybody will spend again for an A321NEO or XLR if they already have a Fenix A321.

I hope they would come with an A330 or A220. That would be something different.

Another question mark is the price. I doubt they could arrive on msfs with the prices they were asking for P3D.

[Christopher Low]

Maybe they should release an A318? Nobody seems to give a word not allowed about that one.

[Tavers]

I'm sure whatever they're making over there will be top notch. Their team is super talented and their A320 series in P3D was something else feature wise. If anyone can bring some features not seen before it'll be them.

[micstatic]

I have high confidence in FSL.  For years they produced my favorite planes in p3d (Along with Majestic and Leonardo).  It was always hard to find a flaw.  Though hopefully they have upped their game in the graphics dept.  The VC and outside model were never best in class to me.  Then fenix came along.  I enjoy flying the fenix more.  So knowing fenix is doing the A319/321ceo, I'd far rather see a NEO and/or A330/340 from FSL

[Gilandred]

4 hours ago, GentleGroove said:

That said, the whole tone of the thread is a bit disconcerting. Yes, they certainly seem to be trying (in their very own way) to get closer to the customer, but the way they speak about their NDAs and their development process, one might think they are developing some revolutionary ultra secret weapon or a new miracle medicine instead of an addon for a home sim. And on top of that, they seem to view everyone as just too dumb to understand the "brilliance" of their strategy.

If we don't consider the issue of deadlines (a very delicate topic in the sim community), has open communication ever harmed a developer in any way?

To sum it up, as a prospective paying customer, the whole discourse just comes off as a bit too self-important and condescending.

The head of FSLabs used to work for PMDG.  That is your answer.

[Ray Proudfoot]

A year ago yesterday they released Concorde for P3Dv5 only. Previous plans to make it compatible with v4 were dropped. That didn’t go down well with those happy with v4.

Over the next 3 months some bugs were fixed but many remain and there has been no further updates since November. There is every indication they’re working on a version for MSFS.

Those of us who were very patient and waited several years were rewarded with a very good aircraft and a decent purchase price below that expected. What is frustrating are the bugs that remain unresolved mainly on custom-build flight plans which I use almost exclusively.

I seem to recall they cited new features preventing them from being too open about what they were. Even screenshots were rare until the days before release. I’m still unaware what those features are.

I and others do feel frustrated these bugs have not been fixed. They don’t stop you making successful flights but critical areas such as the decel point have to be calculated by an alternative method, not the one coded in flight preparation and it’s not always accurate.

And be warned you have very little control over setting up the aircraft yourself. Everything is done by checklists with your virtual crew performing their actions. Quite realistic but you do feel like an observer, not the captain.

I suspect MSFS customers will get the version with these bugs fixed. Whether you get more control to do things yourself is unknown. As to when P3Dv5 users will get the bugs fixed is anyone’s guess. I asked the question two weeks ago and didn’t receive an answer.

[sdirand]

1 hour ago, Christopher Low said:

Maybe they should release an A318? Nobody seems to give a word not allowed about that one.

Totally niche aircraft, just like the 737-600

PMDG sold many 737-600 but mainly because it was the price entry level. Someone who doesn't care to fly the exact model, bought the 736 to have a PMDG 737.

For sure, I won't buy a FSL or Fenix A318 at full price.

[ckyliu]

Not really anything interesting imo, FSL say they are "working on MFS stuff", aka "playing catchup". We know what their timelines are like and they're already committed to Concorde and probably their A320/A321 in MFS (big whoop when we've got Fenix, the product is top drawer, the developers are nice people, the price is reasonable, it doesn't contain hidden malware); FSL getting anything out beyond those two products or derivatives thereof will be many years in the future.

As for FSL being able to make Xbox sales as mentioned by others, I doubt their architecture will be compatible. And even if it is, MS may keep a company with that history away from their in-game marketplace anyway given the negative PR storm from FSL's previous shenanigans.

Edited August 16 by ckyliu

[carlanthony24]

I wouldn't be surprised if they use the drm that they had in P3D which means it can't be put on the marketplace. Asobo wouldn't keep them away even if they make it work they make a lot from developers selling on the marketplace. 

[rmeier]

56 minutes ago, ckyliu said:

And even if it is, MS may keep a company with that history away from their in-game marketplace anyway given the negative PR storm from FSL's previous shenanigans.

Considering CaptainSim is sold on the Marketplace, I would say that the bar is pretty low...

[CAP1234]

I personally think Fslabs should concentrate on either Concorde/A330 or A320/321 Neo rather then smaller airbus variants. Going after smaller airbuses will not do them any good, With now Fenix A319/A321 releasing next week (according to their latest discord update) - who would consider getting Fslabs? 

I have nothing wrong with Fslabs - in fact I still have Fslabs airbuses installed on my good old P3D and I do fly it - For MSFS however they have taken too long. Back in FSX/P3D days there was not a single complex airbus available except Aerosoft one however that was not full fidelity aircraft. As a result Fslabs dominated airbus market at that time. With MSFS it is different story - far too many competitors around for airbus (Fenix/Fly by wire/ inibuilds). 

[GCBraun]

Not only have they fallen behind schedule, but they also decline to reveal any substantial updates, citing confidentiality as if sharing such information were akin to divulging state secrets.

This scenario exemplifies how a leading player can become utterly disconnected from the market and its user base.

[mspencer]

On 8/16/2024 at 7:33 AM, carlanthony24 said:

I wouldn't be surprised if they use the drm that they had in P3D which means it can't be put on the marketplace. Asobo wouldn't keep them away even if they make it work they make a lot from developers selling on the marketplace. 

There's really no way FSL would release a product that would be fit to ship to the Marketplace, though, right? I really can't see it.

 

Regardless, doesn't matter anymore, we'll all have what looks like a definitive A319 and A321 package in less than a week's time, and priced more competitively than a single product from FSL. Economy of scale really works wonders - no doubt we'd be paying $100 for the Fenix if it were licensed for P3D due to less volume.

FSL has missed the boat. FSL is dead. Long live FSL.

Edited August 17 by mspencer

[Ricardo41]

Talk is cheap. All hat no cattle.

[bennyboy75]

Their products matured nicely in P3D and they were very innovative - flies on the windshield, GSX integration etc. I’d be interested to see what they come up with.
I must say that I can’t get too excited about Concorde. It’s been grounded now almost for as long as it was in service and it’s very niche. It would be fun to see it in the sim but it’s exactly the kind of aircraft you’d buy, fire up a couple of times and then float back to the Fenix…