The End Of Flight Simulator?

[Andy Hatcher]

I just read some very disturbing news on a couple of the usual FS sites. Check this out. We may need to start looking for an alternate to FS, such as X-Plane. Maybe the Fly! series has a chance to reinvent themselves. Disappointing...

[Andy Hatcher]

Just as a follow-up, I downloaded and flew the X-Plane 9 demo this past weekend and was highly impressed. I ordered a copy of it yesterday, supposed to be here tomorrow, so maybe this weekend, I can give a more in-depth review. At first glance, it appears promising. From what I can gather from the website (www.x-plane.com), there are already tools available to transfer aircraft and scenery from MSFS to X-Plane. If that's the case, and v9 proves to be all it's made out to be, I may be one that makes the switch. I'll post more as things progress.

[cire01]

  The doomsayers have been saying that the "End is Neigh" for FS since the first eddition. I doubt that that Microsoft would cut out one of its largest moneymakers next to their windows linup.
  And since Vista is more than likely costing 'ol Billy Gates money, it makes sence for him to keep the few things that are making the company $$.

  Train simulator isn't all that grand, so I wouldn't be too suprised if it's axed. Microsoft has too much money invested in the FS department and it'd be monumentally stupid for them to send it to the wolves.

  That's my opinion. If they so indeed axe FS, then I suppose the boys at Microsoft are dumber than I thought.

(E)

[Andy Hatcher]

This is true, and I've read a report from one of the former employees that FS is on hold, not eliminated completely. I take that to mean that, while FSXI may be in the works, we may not see it until other higher priority projects (Windows 7) are completed. In the meantime, I've dabbled with X-Plane on numerous occasions, but was blown away by the v9 demo. That should be coming in today, so I'll know soon enough just how good it is.