1 hour ago, rick celik said:

You know what would be really really strange, to see this:

Patch notes:

- various cloud types added 

- night environment overhauled

- fixed missing landing gear on AI models 

- improved dangerous weather simulation 

And here I was hoping that’s what the surprise was. Seems like our simulator is just a advertising bill board. 

My daughter loves Stranger Things so maybe she’ll start to appreciate Dad’s weird hobby! That would be a surprise for me…

At least we now know the release date for SU4: next Tuesday, 12/9.

Best case, like the Maverick add-on for 2020, this might also include some functionality enhancements that can improve other aspects of the sim (e.g. more advanced mission triggers that can be leveraged in career mode missions). Worst case it's a shallow and not very interesting marketing promo that might get some people interested in MSFS. No harm in either case IMHO. 

2 hours ago, BrammyH said:

"People loved the Dune splash screens. Here is the 2024 version"

unless they change the opening video, it will probably just be a square on the main menu. 2024 doesn't have loading screens in the same way 2020 does.

 

At least we're apparently getting a Bell 205 out of it.

Edited December 4, 2025Dec 4 by Tuskin38

If this like other similar previous "non core sim" content is being developed by a 3rd party dev and not involving the core Asobo team, which very likely is the case, then I'm not going to get all worked up 🤷‍♂️

And if it expands the reach and interest towards MSFS and ultimately its bottom line, then hey why not. If this also brings free extra aircraft like a heli, then hey why not again.
 

I get that some of the "hardcore" users here are sad that this stuff has priority but....  the sim needs to grow and attract more users.

Eventually, as users become more advanced, they may find themselves so immersed that they NEED to purchase a Black Square, A2A, Fenix or PMDG addon 

🙂

And it sounds like Taog has made a Huey for this release... so that's cool!

Edited December 4, 2025Dec 4 by ryanbatc

yeah one user on the discord said Taog is mentioned on the MSFS partners page now, and they think that Huey is their's.

Not sure what partners page they mean.

Edited December 4, 2025Dec 4 by Tuskin38

4 minutes ago, Tuskin38 said:

Not sure what partners page they mean.

Is it the splash page on loading? Can’t check at moment. Maybe for SU4 beta?

I guess it could be Miviz or BlackBirdSims too...

3 minutes ago, ryanbatc said:

I guess it could be Miviz or BlackBirdSims too...

Taog confirmed on discord it is his.

  

6 minutes ago, scotchegg said:

Is it the splash page on loading? Can’t check at moment. Maybe for SU4 beta?

Yeah that one. Once I land in Kyiv I'll restart the sim and see.

Edited December 4, 2025Dec 4 by Tuskin38

22 minutes ago, Tuskin38 said:

unless they change the opening video, it will probably just be a square on the main menu. 2024 doesn't have loading screens in the same way 2020 does.

 

I was just having a go at how some on this forum kept loosing their minds over the Dune screens.

15 minutes ago, ryanbatc said:

And it sounds like Taog has made a Huey for this release... so that's cool!

Taog already HAS a Huey out though, right?   Is this the same one?   Or another version, or a lite version or something like that?  

1 minute ago, Mace said:

Taog already HAS a Huey out though, right?   Is this the same one?   Or another version, or a lite version or something like that?  

in 2020 yes, but not 2024.

1 hour ago, scotchegg said:

My daughter loves Stranger Things so maybe she’ll start to appreciate Dad’s weird hobby! That would be a surprise for me…

 

21 minutes ago, ryanbatc said:

I get that some of the "hardcore" users here are sad that this stuff has priority but....  the sim needs to grow and attract more users.

Eventually, as users become more advanced, they may find themselves so immersed that they NEED to purchase a Black Square, A2A, Fenix or PMDG addon

Hey folks,

We know when we make a franchise tie-in product such as this that it isn't necessarily going to appeal to all core simmers (although even if you're not a Stranger Things fan, there may be something in this DLC pack that excites you -- stay tuned for more information 👀). Please take a look at the comments from @scotchegg and @ryanbatc above before you dismiss efforts like this as unnecessary for a flight simulator. Growing the number of flight sim players by attracting new people to MSFS and converting non-simmers into simmers is absolutely vital for the long-term growth and sustainment of the hobby we all love. Here's a post I wrote on the official forums earlier today in response to someone over there who posted negative feedback regarding the Stranger Things x MSFS 2024 crossover reveal announcement:

Quote

If you’re not interested in the upcoming Stranger Things surprise, you don’t have to download it. Not everything we choose to add to Microsoft Flight Simulator is going to appeal equally to everyone. The goal of collaborations like this (and previously Top Gun, Halo, and Dune) is to excite new players who were otherwise uninterested in MSFS to give it a try because they’re fans of those franchises.

Some of the new players who only decided to try MSFS because of the upcoming Stranger Things tie-in will discover that they really enjoy MSFS and will become long-time simmers. This, in turn, grows our hobby, increases the number of simmers, and creates a bigger market for third-party add-on developers and hardware peripheral makers to build exciting new products for the entire flight sim community.

Hopefully you can take a step back, look at the big picture, and have the wisdom to realize that growing the flight sim hobby benefits everyone, including those people who – like you – aren’t personally interested in collaborations with Stranger Things, Top Gun, Halo, or Dune.

Thanks,
MSFS Team

Kind regards,

SeedyL, MSFS Community Manager

I care not for Stranger Things but if it brings in new toys to play with then I may take a look, it's obvious these deals are made to further push the product forward which is what is needed plus of course, plus the income generated may well help with future development of the core product, that can only be a good thing.

What I'd like to see more of though is an emphasis on the "Digital Twin" in the future, away from the Aviation aspect something like 'Pirates Of The Caribbean' whereby we get ships and improved water physics. Maybe something akin to 'Mad Max' where we get vehicles with improved ground physics for example etc etc the examples are endless. I dream of the day I can load MSFS20XX jump in a racing car at a track made my a reputable Sim Racing Dev and drive a truck through Europe delivering Octopi in Euro Truck Sim MSFS, all the while able to fly a plane.

Jorg keeps pushing his vision of the DT, it maybe time soon to actually start looking beyond stuff that flies from an official standpoint instead of relying on the community modders, which I know goes against the grain here at AVSim(!), just a thought.