I'm VERY disappointed to see todays update.  I understand they have corporate contracts.  But they are showcasing P3D updates which hardly anybody even uses anymore.  Such a cool plane.  I always was optimistic the plane would be back, but after todays announcement it's pretty clear that it's 50/50 AT BEST.  Hopefully now somebody else steps in.  

6 minutes ago, Lucky38i said:

What gave you the idea they had “no idea” though? They need a modeller, they still have a functional plane with which they can test in the sim. It’s pretty fair to assume they just need a modeller to bring the aircraft’s modelling to a more modern spec, which is quite time consuming.

Look how many other planes have been modelled and brought to 2020/24...  I've officially given up on them.  Which pains me to say.  

I don’t understand how the modelling can be the time consuming part holding it back.  No offence to any one involved in making aircraft (I have zero talent in those areas) but isn’t 3D modelling the easier part to get done or at least to find a talented 3D modeller to do under contract? 3D modelling isn’t flight simulator specific as opposed to all of the systems simulations, flight modelling etc which sounds like is working in FS20?

I hope they light a fire under this it all seems like a casual and slow approach and the issue is that no one else is likely to touch a Q400 as long as Majestic is slowly working away at it.

The Q400 has always been a niche market.  Flight sim is a niche market.  So it's a niche of a niche.  More and more airlines are retiring the Q400's.  While I may love it and be willing to fly it indefinitely, many are not willing to fly retro flights.  

15 minutes ago, regis9 said:

but isn’t 3D modelling the easier part to get done or at least to find a talented 3D modeller to do under contract?

Not really..? It’s a common misconception, but 3D modelling can be as complex or simple as you want. You can spend months on what you and I figure is relatively simple, then there’s LODs which is another bag of worms.

 

26 minutes ago, micstatic said:

Look how many other planes have been modelled and brought to 2020/24...  I've officially given up on them.  Which pains me to say.  

If they really can’t find a modeller it really does suck. I wonder if they could just bring the aircraft as is but at a reduced price and not repeat the practices of leonardo.

27 minutes ago, micstatic said:

The Q400 has always been a niche market.  Flight sim is a niche market.  So it's a niche of a niche.  More and more airlines are retiring the Q400's.  While I may love it and be willing to fly it indefinitely, many are not willing to fly retro flights.  

True although I’m probably biased living in Canada where the Q400 is in heavy use by the three big Regionals plus others with no sign of going anywhere.

Just Flight had a Facebook post a week or so ago asking for input on future projects and there were quite a few responses for the Q400 or Dash 8’s generally.  Given they have no issues developing excellent retro aircraft I dare dream about a JustFlight Q400 someday…

Edited February 20, 20251 yr by regis9

I would love a just flight q400

51 minutes ago, Lucky38i said:

3D modelling can be as complex or simple as you want

Totally agree!

I've messed around enough in Blender disassembling models for repainting.

I do not want to disparage Majestic at all...they had a fantastic, thoroughly enjoyable aircraft! I can understand the need for improved modeling though. Door jam details, cargo bays, interiors, etc have all improved dramatically in MSFS 2020. Cockpit textures alone require extensive modeling.

That doesn't include the required icing effects and subsequent improved visuals in MSFS of icing effects as well.

I really do hope Majestic are able to come through with some additional talent for their team.

The Majestic Q400 would be a day one buy for me!

Sorry, didn't mean to say 3D modelling is easy or simple on it's own , just that it's more a broadly available than people who know how to program high fidelity systems etc for a flight simulator aircraft.  Hopefully Majestic can partner with the people who have that skill set.

I'll put it this way, look at how many nicely modelled, but very systems light aircraft there are available versus the opposite.

Looks like its still going to be a long time before it comes to MSFS. Thats sad. Was really hoping we would have it by now. 

I still have P3D installed on my system, just for the Q400 and the Concorde. Although I rarely ever fly it, as I find it hard to go back to P3D.  Guess I will be keeping it around a bit longer. 

Edited February 21, 20251 yr by rickjake

4 hours ago, psolk said:

Yeah, that was another one that took so long to develop they missed 2020 altogether 😂  It does look pretty good though but to be fair, CaptainSim always looked good LOL Ironically, I used their 757 more than I would like to admit despite it's flaws.  It looked and sounded great for the time. 

 

Yeah, I was also one of the suckers of Captain Sim 757. It took off and flew like a rocket. PSS also had a somewhat average 757 and If I remember correctly Just flight had a 757. Haaaaaa the good ole days.

Glad to see my comment over at Majestic precipitated a response, which contains some good and bad info.

Ok a perfect aircraft in MSFS might need some work, but I don't care, a working Dash8 Q400 is sorely needed.  Sell it to us as is, if there are no critical showstopper bugs.  Then sell me an upgrade for the modelling/texture improvements. 

I want this almost enough to pay a bl00dy subsc... <Rest of word not allowed 🤣>

 

EDIT*****

Dimitri Samborski is Majestic's 3D modeller.  Clearly he is unavailable for one reason or another. Up to at least 2015 he apparently lived in Paris, where he had a consultancy business. Maybe business stuff has taken over his focus, or maybe somehow he's got caught up in the UKR conflict, maybe even sanctions related if any of his Russian contacts/partners/clients were connected in any way into the Russian state?

Point is, there could be any number of complex reasons why he isn't available to Majestic.  The feeling I got is that they stalled for time a year or so ago.  Balance of probability, he became unable to model for Majestic, but they believed that this would be temporary and recoverable.  It now seems like it's become more serious than that, possible permanent, if they are looking to replace him.

Whether the reason behind the need to replace him is business, personal, or political, it's a shame for us and I hope he's actually OK....

Edited February 21, 20251 yr by kevinfirth

8 hours ago, Lucky38i said:

Not really..? It’s a common misconception, but 3D modelling can be as complex or simple as you want. You can spend months on what you and I figure is relatively simple, then there’s LODs which is another bag of worms.

 

If they really can’t find a modeller it really does suck. I wonder if they could just bring the aircraft as is but at a reduced price and not repeat the practices of leonardo.

Hi, is it easier to find a decent 3D modeler for an MSFS project, over finding a decent programmer who has knowledge about aviation and developing planes for MSFS? 

 

Edited February 21, 20251 yr by abrams_tank

MSFS 2020 was first announced at E3 of June 2019 I believe, so it does seem to me that Majestic have no real commitment to the conversion of the Q400 to MSFS despite their statement. I agree that finding a capable 3D modeler should not be a difficult task, so assume there are other reasons that are more financially based.

What a shame.

 

Wrap it up folks I seriously doubt this Q400 by Majestic will ever release for MSFS. Too much on their plate right now. Its time for another developer to step in. It will certainly not be Majestic level of simulation but it will give the users something to work with.

Edited February 21, 20251 yr by JBDB-MD80