Is the career mode only being accessible if the product is bought via the in-game Marketplace, still a thing? Is that a contractual agreement with MS and will therefore never change?

I believe the reasoning is that MS encrypt the files in MP aircraft to stop people hacking them and giving them super powers to cheat in career mode. They’d lose that oversight allowing aircraft from other vendors into the career system.

I’ve never tried career mode yet, I should probably give it a go

 

3 hours ago, jon b said:

to stop people hacking them and giving them super powers to cheat in career mode

Kinda strange thing to do since I thought it was a single player mode and not competing against other players. I mean, if you decide to cheat then you're only cheating yourself, unless I'm mistaken and the mode has a multiplayer competition aspect.

 

 

3 hours ago, jon b said:

I’ve never tried career mode yet, I should probably give it a go

I'm in the same boat, never tried it but will be giving it a go probably sooner than later 😁

23 hours ago, hangar said:

Kinda strange thing to do since I thought it was a single player mode and not competing against other players. I mean, if you decide to cheat then you're only cheating yourself, unless I'm mistaken and the mode has a multiplayer competition aspect.

It is at the moment but we don't know what plans they have for the career mode in the future. 

On 5/7/2026 at 9:37 AM, jon b said:

I believe the reasoning is that MS encrypt the files in MP aircraft to stop people hacking them and giving them super powers to cheat in career mode. They’d lose that oversight allowing aircraft from other vendors into the career system.

I’ve never tried career mode yet, I should probably give it a go

 

There's nothing to stop Asobo creating an unranked Career mode that didn't place restrictions on settings or aircraft, but that wouldn't push MP sales.