I was (unexpectedly) introduced into Xbox for my Flight Simulation needs, when my teen, without my knowledge, installed the MSFS2020 for my benefit alone (not his) via his (already existing) Game Pass subscription. So, that's how my love affair with both MSFS and Xbox had started. Then, afterwards, I purchased MSFS2020 outright. In MSFS2020, I'd got hold of the PMDG 737 NG as soon as it was made available on Xbox, and I'd posted here about it with the Title "Cannot believe I'm flying the PMDG 737 in Xbox"....🙂...Then later, when MSFS2024 was released, I also purchased MSFS2024 outright...just the day after that (tumultuous and chaotic) first day of introduction...while all this time remaining loyal to the (plug & play) Xbox that is perfectly suited for my lifestyle...🙂...  

When PMDG brought its 737 series onto the Xbox platform. I simply didn't think that is/was feasible...a complex (PMDG grade) airliner flyable in the (kids') Xbox platform...??? The reason for my doubts was that I was quite used to seeing (but never participating myself in) all kinds of "video" games being played on the Xbox in my home (while refusing to admit that MSFS is also a "video" game...🙂...) BTW, that's just my opinion, so, do not take to the heart...🙂...Anyway, it did not work when I tried to defend MSFS as such with my teen. I was met with the simple but irrefutable rebuttal, "You're NOT a Pilot. So, you're just playing a Video Game pretending to be a Pilot..."...🙂...Oh well...You and I know in our hearts that MSFS is more than just a Video game...🙂... 

In MSFS2024, I've been meaning to get the PMDG 777 since a long while (with my mind particularly set on the Freighter version), and then here comes iniBuilds with their A350-900/-1000 for Xbox, to which temptation, I immediately succumbed. However, on the heel of the iniBuilds A350, also arrived the PMDG 777/F variants in Xbox. While enviously eyeing the 777 in the Marketplace, I got busy enjoying the A350 (see my previous posts). 

Then, this week, I heard the news about 28% off PMDG Products, first time here in this AVSIM Forum... (PMDG was founded in 1997, so it's their 28th Birthday). We all know that PMDG rarely offer discounts, so this was exciting and quite unprecedented bit of good news. How can yours truly, the consummate aviation enthusiast, and past (frequent and RW) traveler of 777s, be left out of this opportunity...? So, I rushed to the Marketplace with high hopes, but alas, I found the prices of the PMDG products unchanged. I instantly queried my on-line (AI) friend with the simple question, "Is the PMDG 28% sale available in the Marketplace?" Without blinking (or even thinking...though I think AI does not have a brain to think...🙂...), it blurted out, "It is PMDG's 28th birthday and they are celebrating with a sale, offering 28% off all their products. This sale runs from August 7th to August 10th, 2025. However, this discount is only available on the PMDG website (pmdg.com). The 28% discount is not available in the Microsoft Flight Simulator Marketplace."

My hopes were dashed...🙂...and I felt intense disappointment. Consoling myself, I stepped outdoors, took my mind off with a couple of rounds of (spiteful...🙂...) lawn-mowing in the yard, that was long overdue. Then I came back indoors, poured myself a glass of "Zero-Alcohol" Merlot (my first time ever, and it tasted like kids' Grape Juice...🙂...); logged into the Marketplace, and purchased the 777F at the regular price. Surely, I was not to be denied of flying the 777 today...sale or no sale...🙂...

So, here we go, as I fly this 777F on a short trip between San Francisco and Los Angeles. I lift off Runway 10L/KSFO and land on (ILS) Runway 7L/KLAX. I was extremely impressed by this a/c SIM! What a flawless and fluid performance by this 777F simulation in my (modest) Xbox platform...! Truly, my hats off to PMDG, for catering to the calling of the Xbox kids...🙂...Mind you, this is a complex (RW) airliner rendered here with authentic (and top-of-the-line) fidelity. In fact, I invite you to go through the extensive list of (simulated) features of the 777F on the "Full Description" page of the a/c on the PMDG website. I feel humbled that I did not even get anywhere close to barely scratching the surface of this wonderful simulation today. It's not that this 777 is simulated for Xbox, but done so, with such incredible fluidity and seamless performance...!

I've performed this flight under LNAV/VNAV guidance, testing a [Dir-To] descent from (cruise) altitude FL290 down to the Waypoint/Fix (IF) FEKIL of KLAX ILS Runway 7L, with an altitude constraint of 2,600 ft (value prescribed by the RW chart and auto-set by the FMS). The descent initiated at T/D as expected and the (BOD) altitude constraint was also precisely met. The ILS Freq was auto-tuned too. So, no complaints at all from this virtual aviator. Moreover, there were no stutters, no CTDs, no flickering screens, no anomalous behavior when I paused and restarted the flight, at will, to snap pictures internally and externally...! Frankly, this (complex) 777F felt (docile) like flying the mundane (stock) B777 of the FS9 days...! Simply unbelievable...especially in Xbox...!

Today, in my 777F cargo hold, I transport "YORKSHIRE TEA", and more significantly a silver "Aston Martin DB5" (see image below), which is the legendary British grand tourer, renowned for its design, performance, and iconic status as James Bond's car in the James Bond films (Note that the License Plate (BMT 216A) matches the one driven by the (mythical) British Secret Service Agent, and one of my favorite action heroes...🙂...)...

This B777F is equipped with GE90 series powerplants (see close-ups) each capable of producing (massive) 115,000 pounds of thrust...5 times that of a CFM56 engine of the B737. After the 747-8F, the 777F (based on the 777-200LR) is one of the most popular widebody freighters today, and a leading choice by the (major) global cargo airlines, with e.g., FedEx and UPS operating 58 and 59 units respectively. It was great fun flying this PMDG (heavy) marvel today, that felt quite unlike the (smaller) PMDG 737 I'm (already) used to in the MSFS. And I'm looking forward to much more fun with it still... 

Meanwhile, my beloved A350, for a short period, sits "un-streamed" in my MSFS2024 Library.

Thanks for viewing...!

Edited August 8, 2025Aug 8 by P_7878

Fine shots, it's great that the PMDG 777 has finally made it to the Xbox now..

Have fun, good things come for those who can wait !!

cheers 😉

Edited August 8, 2025Aug 8 by pmplayer

Now, dumb question, I know, as I have no idea how things work on a console in this regard: How's the controls? Is it only an XBOX controller or do you have mouse/keyboard and/or joystick available? 🙂

Dillon:

Thank you, and glad you liked the 777F here...🙂...

 

5 hours ago, pmplayer said:

Fine shots, it's great that the PMDG 777 has finally made it to the Xbox now..

Have fun, good things come for those who can wait !!

cheers 😉

Appreciated the note, pmplayer...!

Yes, with the A350 and B777 already on our hands, all I/we now need is a good 747 and we will be set...for long-haul aviation...in MSFS/Xbox...🙂...

 

5 hours ago, anden145 said:

Now, dumb question, I know, as I have no idea how things work on a console in this regard: How's the controls? Is it only an XBOX controller or do you have mouse/keyboard and/or joystick available? 🙂

Hi Anders:

Thanks for chiming in with your inquiry...there is no dumb question in Xbox ...🙂...

I think one can use pretty much all the same Flight Controllers (or/and the Keyboard) also for Xbox simulation (except maybe the Saitek ones). One just uses the ports on the Xbox console rather than the PC. I use the Xbox Controller primarily for image captures and zooming/panning views (very convenient, literally everything at one's fingertips), but don't tell that to our modern-day young Xbox aviators and warriors...🙂...who would like to fly airliners with the Xbox Controller...) ...

I find MSFS easy to use, along with the Xbox Controller, plus an external Flight controller, such as Thrustmaster (of course, a mouse/keyboard is also very helpful). In the MSFS/Xbox Control interface, one can define configurations for each of the above 3 controller types.

I still have my 10-15 years old Saitek X.52 (from the FSX days...🙂...) that is connected to a PC, on which Xbox/MSFS can also be played (MSFS being a "Play Anywhere" title). However, for now, I prefer to stay on the Xbox and a 4K TV (easier on my eyes...🙂...) ...

Though one does not have to configure much on Xbox (which I consider a blessing...🙂...after being on the PC for decades), it has, of course, got its own limitations, being a closed system...with no access to freeware and flexibility for individualized configurations. For me, for now, it's just fine, but may not be so for others...

Cheers...!

Nice set of photos! Congratulations on yet another long haul impulse buy!  🙂  I'm sure you'll enjoy this one as well...time permitting!  🙂 

4 hours ago, rmeier said:

Nice set of photos! Congratulations on yet another long haul impulse buy!  🙂  I'm sure you'll enjoy this one as well...time permitting!  🙂 

Thanks, rmeier. 

Yes, it was an impulse buy...🙂..., but at least it was a more conscious decision since I was not under the influence of any genuine wine...🙂...

Agree, time is the essence for most of us in the hobby, one of the reasons we cannot do justice to all the a/c we acquire...not that it has ever stopped me from amassing a/c since day one in this hobby...🙂... 

Cheers...! 

Even tho it was a full price purchase, the 77F is still a heckuva deal compared to all the other High Fidelity airliners available, so "you done good", anyways! 🙂

The sale price caught me, too. And I, too, found the 77F matched my interests most closely. It's a lovely addon of a lovely aircraft, and just different enough from my usual airliner 737 that it's engaging in it's own right.

Congrats, thanks for sharing, and enjoy!

1 hour ago, UrgentSiesta said:

Even tho it was a full price purchase, the 77F is still a heckuva deal compared to all the other High Fidelity airliners available, so "you done good", anyways! 🙂

The sale price caught me, too. And I, too, found the 77F matched my interests most closely. It's a lovely addon of a lovely aircraft, and just different enough from my usual airliner 737 that it's engaging in it's own right.

Congrats, thanks for sharing, and enjoy!

Appreciated the comments and absolutely the right thinking...🙂...as far as I'm concerned...

Maybe, I over-dramatized the currently ongoing SALE aspects a bit too much...🙂...Like they say, if you love something, set it free, or just buy it...🙂...I was actually caught up with the (just) previously purchased A350, and my mind was pre-occupied with it...

The 777F's fluid performance on the Xbox/MSFS2024 surprised me (so, I'm not sure why the 737NG is still not officially approved for MSFS2024; I think it's a matter of priority rather than any technical hurdles...we'll see...)

Yes, I'll surely enjoy this one (in Xbox...🙂...) for a long time...thanks again.