Author Topic: Microsoft Flight Sim 2020 to be released Aug 18  (Read 4540 times)

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Offline Ed.KloonkTopic starter

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Microsoft Flight Sim 2020 to be released Aug 18
« on: July 14, 2020, 07:25:28 am »
Looks awesome.

Flight sims have come along way since the subLOGIC one on the C64, that's fer sure.

Release date: 18/8/2020
Prices:
Standard: $59.99
Deluxe: $89.99
Premium deluxe: $119.99


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Offline SilverSolder

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Re: Microsoft Flight Sim 2020 to be released Aug 18
« Reply #1 on: July 14, 2020, 12:53:48 pm »

So, is that the "real" Microsoft flight simulator?  -  I used to enjoy playing with the older versions and never understood why they dropped it...
 

Online SiliconWizard

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Re: Microsoft Flight Sim 2020 to be released Aug 18
« Reply #2 on: July 14, 2020, 04:26:02 pm »

So, is that the "real" Microsoft flight simulator?  -  I used to enjoy playing with the older versions and never understood why they dropped it...

Yes it is.
I still have FS X, which was the latest version. Already pretty good, still works fine. Back when it was first released, people were not able to use it to its full potential though, as it was very GPU and CPU intensive compared to the kind of computers we had back then. A few years later, it became great to use (to me it started to be great to use with a Core i7 and a decent Nvidia GPU.)

They decided to stop FS a few years back, and sold software licenses to Lockheed, which released Prepar3D: https://www.prepar3d.com/
it was more or less an evolution of FS X. Still exists and maintained, but more aimed at pro users (and education), as the licenses state.

Meanwhile, MS released MS Flight, a game that was definitely just a game and nothing close to FS. It was probably using some components from FS though. Why they decided to drop FS, I don't know. It was probably not profitable anymore.

Why they decided to start again, I don't know either for sure. But FS 2020 definitely looks like what FS X should have become, so that's pretty cool.

Note: this video is a lot of talk and very little screenshots/actual videos from the software. If you want to take a good look at FS2020 (beta versions), you'll find a handful of them on Youtube. Looks fantastic for the most part.

« Last Edit: July 14, 2020, 04:28:01 pm by SiliconWizard »
 
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Offline themadhippy

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Re: Microsoft Flight Sim 2020 to be released Aug 18
« Reply #3 on: July 14, 2020, 04:33:00 pm »
Theres a much cheaper alternative https://www.flightgear.org/
 
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Offline Domagoj T

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Re: Microsoft Flight Sim 2020 to be released Aug 18
« Reply #4 on: July 14, 2020, 07:11:47 pm »
Looks nice, but I have to say that the list of available planes and airports is rather sparse.
That's what DLCs are for, I suppose. $10 for a new plane and $15 for an airport? Remains to be seen, but preliminary evaluation:  :--
 

Offline Ed.KloonkTopic starter

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Re: Microsoft Flight Sim 2020 to be released Aug 18
« Reply #5 on: July 14, 2020, 09:52:21 pm »
Theres a much cheaper alternative https://www.flightgear.org/

It's the only alternative for me. 
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Offline SilverSolder

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Re: Microsoft Flight Sim 2020 to be released Aug 18
« Reply #6 on: July 14, 2020, 11:12:32 pm »
Theres a much cheaper alternative https://www.flightgear.org/

It's the only alternative for me.

I might splurge on this one.  I haven't bought a "game" application in 10 years or more, LOL!
 

Offline Ed.KloonkTopic starter

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Re: Microsoft Flight Sim 2020 to be released Aug 18
« Reply #7 on: July 15, 2020, 01:45:15 am »
Theres a much cheaper alternative https://www.flightgear.org/

It's the only alternative for me.

I might splurge on this one.  I haven't bought a "game" application in 10 years or more, LOL!

The software area on the shelves above me: FSim 2004, FSim 2000, Doom2

That's it.
 :)

edit: one of those three ^ isn't like the other two.
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Offline SilverSolder

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Re: Microsoft Flight Sim 2020 to be released Aug 18
« Reply #8 on: July 15, 2020, 02:01:56 am »
Theres a much cheaper alternative https://www.flightgear.org/

It's the only alternative for me.

I might splurge on this one.  I haven't bought a "game" application in 10 years or more, LOL!

The software area on the shelves above me: FSim 2004, FSim 2000, Doom2

That's it.
 :)

edit: one of those three ^ isn't like the other two.

I recall getting in trouble with my wife, for having a 5 year old child sitting on my lap helping to play Doom (he manned the gun, I steered the avatar)!  :D

I tried to call it "educational", but she wasn't buying it.
 
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Online SiliconWizard

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Re: Microsoft Flight Sim 2020 to be released Aug 18
« Reply #9 on: July 16, 2020, 02:16:01 pm »
Theres a much cheaper alternative https://www.flightgear.org/

As nice as flightgear is, and obviously it's much cheaper as it's open source, you can't compare it to FS IMHO, and especially FS 2020, which is miles ahead in terms of graphics and realism.
For those who didn't know flightgear yet, sure, give it a shot. But if you have used FS before, you'll see what I mean.

Actually, I think FS has been one of the best software products MS has ever produced.

A closer alternative is X-Plane IMO.
 

Offline NivagSwerdna

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Re: Microsoft Flight Sim 2020 to be released Aug 18
« Reply #10 on: July 16, 2020, 02:25:23 pm »
I'm looking forward to this... haven't used a Flight Sim for quite a while.

In the meantime... checkout...  https://www.youtube.com/user/NTMApilot
 

Offline Cyberdragon

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Re: Microsoft Flight Sim 2020 to be released Aug 18
« Reply #11 on: July 16, 2020, 05:44:25 pm »
FSX is still around, though it's still active servers seems to be an absolute shitshow (basically GTA with planes). Don't expect realism, just a bunch of noobs or pros that faf around anyway.

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Offline SilverSolder

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Re: Microsoft Flight Sim 2020 to be released Aug 18
« Reply #12 on: July 16, 2020, 05:49:21 pm »
[...]
Actually, I think FS has been one of the best software products MS has ever produced.
[...]

Agree...   One of the reasons they are getting back into it is probably to get "brownie points" for having at least one product that is indisputably awesome!  :D

Microsoft hardware is often rather good and durable as well, e.g. web cams, mice, etc.
 

Offline rrinker

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Re: Microsoft Flight Sim 2020 to be released Aug 18
« Reply #13 on: July 16, 2020, 08:35:05 pm »
 Neat thing about MS FS - a number of years ago, there was a farm down the hill from where I lived that the people had a light plane (only ever caught quick glances once in a while - A Cessna 152 I think). They had a grass field alongside the barn they stored the plane in. There is/was some sort of FAA rule int he US that if the field could support landings, it had to be listed on charts - my best friend has a pilot's license and explained it all to me once. And whatever version of Flight Simulator I was playing at the time - had this property in it! I could take off from the local commercial airport, and fly to effectively my neighbor's place. That always impressed me - not only were all the big cities and known landmarks in the game, but even these little private fields were included as well. That's pretty comprehensive.
 
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Offline chickenHeadKnob

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Re: Microsoft Flight Sim 2020 to be released Aug 18
« Reply #14 on: July 17, 2020, 01:38:45 am »

Agree...   One of the reasons they are getting back into it is probably to get "brownie points" for having at least one product that is indisputably awesome!  :D

Microsoft hardware is often rather good and durable as well, e.g. web cams, mice, etc.

This is the only piece of mickey softwarez I would consider buying. One thing bothers me, I see this as a  further move to their software as a subscription model. Nothing Microsoft does is fully benign in intent.
 

Offline SilverSolder

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Re: Microsoft Flight Sim 2020 to be released Aug 18
« Reply #15 on: July 17, 2020, 02:26:01 am »

It's not subscription software...   is it???
 

Offline chickenHeadKnob

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Re: Microsoft Flight Sim 2020 to be released Aug 18
« Reply #16 on: July 17, 2020, 12:44:59 pm »

It's not subscription software...   is it???
The data base of geography is on their servers. You need a net connection as far as I know. I think you can download a region and run local for now. Once you are addicted then I bet they will enrol users into a subscription. Just like any drug pusher the first hit is free. It has been a stated goal of Microsoft to go to subscription model for all products for a long time now. like 2 decades in the making.
 
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Offline Ed.KloonkTopic starter

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Re: Microsoft Flight Sim 2020 to be released Aug 18
« Reply #17 on: July 19, 2020, 03:33:10 am »
Of course, you could just get this..

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Offline VK3DRB

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Re: Microsoft Flight Sim 2020 to be released Aug 18
« Reply #18 on: July 19, 2020, 01:31:57 pm »
Looks pretty good. As for the MS flight simulator if they had a mode where you can crash planes with a load of people on board and you could view the aftermath with dead bodies etc, that would sell very well (like Grand Theft Auto). Not saying it is wholesome, but it would sell well.

I toured the air traffic control simulator room in Toulouse because my son-in-law worked there. About 130 extreme performance graphics PC's running in parallel and a 360 degree view of being in the air traffic control room of any airport. The detail was so good, you could see the fuselage rivets on aeroplanes. Awesome. That facility attracts students from all over the world. It is so big, they have a bowling alley, a supermarket and restaurants on campus.
 

Online SiliconWizard

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Re: Microsoft Flight Sim 2020 to be released Aug 18
« Reply #19 on: July 19, 2020, 03:50:53 pm »

It's not subscription software...   is it???

It doesn't look like it, and the pricing for the different versions is still similar to what it was with FS X. It's probably not going to require any subscription to use it as it is sold. BUT if they add any extra service or content later on, then we don't know, but it's likely not to be free. Whether it will be subscription-based or just add-ons you must buy, I don't know.
 

Online SiliconWizard

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Re: Microsoft Flight Sim 2020 to be released Aug 18
« Reply #20 on: July 19, 2020, 03:59:13 pm »
Looks pretty good. As for the MS flight simulator if they had a mode where you can crash planes with a load of people on board and you could view the aftermath with dead bodies etc, that would sell very well (like Grand Theft Auto). Not saying it is wholesome, but it would sell well.

Sorry, but I think that would be pretty twisted, especially as it is sold as a "simulator", not merely as a "game" with planes. I'm sure the general opinion would find this unacceptable, and it would be likely to be banned in a number of countries anyway (including the US), as it could be seen as a tool for training terrorists or something. Are you sure you thought that through?
 
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Offline SilverSolder

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Re: Microsoft Flight Sim 2020 to be released Aug 18
« Reply #21 on: July 20, 2020, 02:28:00 am »
Looks pretty good. As for the MS flight simulator if they had a mode where you can crash planes with a load of people on board and you could view the aftermath with dead bodies etc, that would sell very well (like Grand Theft Auto). Not saying it is wholesome, but it would sell well.

Why not include a "Mile High Club" sequence in the simulator, that would probably increase sales even more!

Quote
I toured the air traffic control simulator room in Toulouse because my son-in-law worked there. About 130 extreme performance graphics PC's running in parallel and a 360 degree view of being in the air traffic control room of any airport. The detail was so good, you could see the fuselage rivets on aeroplanes. Awesome. That facility attracts students from all over the world. It is so big, they have a bowling alley, a supermarket and restaurants on campus.

It is really difficult to qualify to work as an ATC.  They test you pretty hard...
 

Offline VK3DRB

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Re: Microsoft Flight Sim 2020 to be released Aug 18
« Reply #22 on: July 21, 2020, 11:25:40 am »
Looks pretty good. As for the MS flight simulator if they had a mode where you can crash planes with a load of people on board and you could view the aftermath with dead bodies etc, that would sell very well (like Grand Theft Auto). Not saying it is wholesome, but it would sell well.

Sorry, but I think that would be pretty twisted, especially as it is sold as a "simulator", not merely as a "game" with planes. I'm sure the general opinion would find this unacceptable, and it would be likely to be banned in a number of countries anyway (including the US), as it could be seen as a tool for training terrorists or something. Are you sure you thought that through?

Ever seen Grand Theft Auto? GTA is popular in Australia - people download it and you cannot stop them. But we don't see terrorists addicted to GTA mowing pedestrians down in Australia. The Saudi Arabian terrorists used real flight lessons, books and their religious stupidity to commit their atrocities on September 11, 2001. I personally don't like violent games, find them boring and rather repulsive and to be fair many deserved to be banned. If MS provided realistic plane crash scenes, they would sell more; thus making Microsoft's shareholders more money. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_banned_video_games.

I have used earlier MS Flight Simulators (I bought one once) and I found it to be boring. But a friend said this one could be a game changer - if you have a powerful GPU.
 

Offline Ed.KloonkTopic starter

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Re: Microsoft Flight Sim 2020 to be released Aug 18
« Reply #23 on: July 21, 2020, 11:42:51 am »
Looks pretty good. As for the MS flight simulator if they had a mode where you can crash planes with a load of people on board and you could view the aftermath with dead bodies etc, that would sell very well (like Grand Theft Auto). Not saying it is wholesome, but it would sell well.

Sorry, but I think that would be pretty twisted, especially as it is sold as a "simulator", not merely as a "game" with planes. I'm sure the general opinion would find this unacceptable, and it would be likely to be banned in a number of countries anyway (including the US), as it could be seen as a tool for training terrorists or something. Are you sure you thought that through?

Ever seen Grand Theft Auto? GTA is popular in Australia - people download it and you cannot stop them. But we don't see terrorists addicted to GTA mowing pedestrians down in Australia. The Saudi Arabian terrorists used real flight lessons, books and their religious stupidity to commit their atrocities on September 11, 2001. I personally don't like violent games, find them boring and rather repulsive and to be fair many deserved to be banned. If MS provided realistic plane crash scenes, they would sell more; thus making Microsoft's shareholders more money. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_banned_video_games.

I have used earlier MS Flight Simulators (I bought one once) and I found it to be boring. But a friend said this one could be a game changer - if you have a powerful GPU.

I can tell you that, sim choice aside, if you populate it with nice, well-chosen human interface hardware, the flying experience can be profound. And time. What you put in is what you get back. Just like flight school. And it's easy for me to say cos I get to devote a fortnight every half decade to a orgasmic flight sim experience. And such, I consider myself an expert.

[yikes]
 ;)
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Online SiliconWizard

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Re: Microsoft Flight Sim 2020 to be released Aug 18
« Reply #24 on: July 21, 2020, 02:43:27 pm »
Not to add to the IMO thread derailing, but again GTA is a *game*, not a simulator. Besides, a game flagged with offensive/violent content IIRC, which excludes a range of users. And violence is an integral part of the gameplay.

A *simulator* is another thing entirely. "Simulating" human death is again pretty twisted IMO. If you can't see the difference with a "game", that's your problem. GTA is definitely NOT a simulator. There is nothing really accurate in it relative to how things are represented. A completely different goal. Whereas in games like GTA, violence is part of what can make you progress in the game (but is not meant to be accurately depicted either - it's not the point IMO), in a general purpose flight simulator, it would be totally gratuitous.

Beyond a questionable goal, contrary to what you seem to say, and as I mentioned, FS is marketed as a SIMULATOR, not as a plain game. They wouldn't sell more of it adding human death - people interested in flight sim are usually not interested in that, except probably if they are a bit twisted, which I like to think would be a small minority.

AFAIR, MS never even added material damage simulation after a crash - you can crash a plane, but won't really see how it ends up. Given how old FS is now, I'm pretty sure this has always been a deliberate choice.
 
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