Per an announcement on their forum.  I guess they are going to offer an updated version of the MD-8X.  I can't find anything that verifies if it is for both FS20 & 24 or just 24.

As a customer, I really like this product.  It's a fun airplane.  I bought a sound set to go with it so the changes are going to have to be pretty significant for me to upgrade - the load manager is a little old school though.  I'm also worried about repaints.  There are lots on Flightsim.to, I have a feeling there will be far, far less for this new version.  

Edited December 17, 2025Dec 17 by Dreamflight767

Yes, check Youtube, one of the streamers did something on this. There is a major update coming out.

Be sure to check their official page: https://www.flythemaddog.com/site/

Fly the Maddog 20th Anniversary is scheduled to release on Dec 20th, 12:00 CET

Any discussion anywhere as to whether existing Maddog owners will get a discount?

3 minutes ago, lehbird said:

Any discussion anywhere as to whether existing Maddog owners will get a discount?

iirc, there is going to be an expansion package to current owners, so most likely it will not be the same price as the full plane. I would assume that they are including the expansion package with the base for those who buy the full version of the plane (full price) when it is put back on sale.

 

Some images of the new load manager and the post from Stefano

Quote

Just some other info: this is a preview the new "Fly the Maddog Manager", which replaces the old "Load Manager". The options that are no longer present have been identified as obsolete or have been moved to the aircraft options within the EFB.
As you can see, we have implemented a direct section for downloading liveries directly from our servers, making management easier.

The options that are no longer present have been identified as obsolete

 

Do we know what specifically is gone now?

29 minutes ago, micstatic said:

The options that are no longer present have been identified as obsolete

 

Do we know what specifically is gone now?

Quickly glancing I can see the load manager is gone, as well as airframe specific settings.

Maddog's strategy is the same as A2A's: if you want the new product, you can pay for an upgrade; if you don't, the old product still receives support and is upgraded to the 2024 version. This approach is clearly better than companies that force players to spend money to upgrade—those that say, "No one's forcing you to buy it, but if you don't pay ,you won't get the 2024 version compatibility.“

Will the upgrade cost less than  few cups of coffee? lol

Personnaly, the maddog is my worst add-on purchase ever. 

I bought it during black friday 2024 because there was a sale and sales are rare for this product. But till now, I never made a single flight. Not because the product is bad or draw no interrest to me but just because I never found the time to learn how to fly it. I'm lazy and each time I want to fly, I turn to the A320, 737 or 777 because I know how to fly them.

I surely try to take some time to learn the aircraft. And yes I know my purcahse decisions in this hobby are not often wise.

 

1 hour ago, sdirand said:

Will the upgrade cost less than  few cups of coffee? lol

Personnaly, the maddog is my worst add-on purchase ever. 

I bought it during black friday 2024 because there was a sale and sales are rare for this product. But till now, I never made a single flight. Not because the product is bad or draw no interrest to me but just because I never found the time to learn how to fly it. I'm lazy and each time I want to fly, I turn to the A320, 737 or 777 because I know how to fly them.

I surely try to take some time to learn the aircraft. And yes I know my purcahse decisions in this hobby are not often wise.

 

You really should give it a go, it’s very characteristic and not like the usual Boeing or airbus. Simple things like doing a takeoff procedure correctly without an engine flameout is quite satisfying 

If anybody needs initial or perhaps a recurrent brush up, I found this to be helpful...

https://chucksguides.com/aircraft/p3d/leonardo-md-82/

4 hours ago, sdirand said:

Will the upgrade cost less than  few cups of coffee? lol

Personnaly, the maddog is my worst add-on purchase ever. 

I bought it during black friday 2024 because there was a sale and sales are rare for this product. But till now, I never made a single flight. Not because the product is bad or draw no interrest to me but just because I never found the time to learn how to fly it. I'm lazy and each time I want to fly, I turn to the A320, 737 or 777 because I know how to fly them.

I surely try to take some time to learn the aircraft. And yes I know my purcahse decisions in this hobby are not often wise.

 

It's definitely worth the time. It's the best you can get simulation-wise (airliners) in all flight simulation IMO. Sounds and visuals were a weak point, though, but I hope this is finally being fixed with that new version.
As for similarity - it's like a 737 NG but with a couple more things that are not automatic. It does take time to learn nonetheless of course, but it's not an ancient airliner. It's still got a modern FMS, flex temperature, CPDLC etc.

Hopefully this one will work in VR....

4 hours ago, Fiorentoni said:

It's definitely worth the time. It's the best you can get simulation-wise (airliners) in all flight simulation IMO. Sounds and visuals were a weak point, though, but I hope this is finally being fixed with that new version.
As for similarity - it's like a 737 NG but with a couple more things that are not automatic. It does take time to learn nonetheless of course, but it's not an ancient airliner. It's still got a modern FMS, flex temperature, CPDLC etc.

agreed, very rewarding to fly this bird as long as the sim doesnt give any hiccups.