Update & new plans

[mic_crj]

As my home airport, i'm really happy to see CYUL on the factory! My vote is all the way to Montréal. But i really hope to see the FS9 version. To much addons install to switch to FSX...

[Global Express]

[quote="george[flytampa]"]I've not fully decided FS9's fate yet. I'm already facing decisions on Montreal where FS9 is holding back the FSX version. It's becoming highly frustrating.[/quote]

George, I understand the difficult decision you're faced with. The problem with FSX for a lot of current FS9 users (me included) is the hit by AI. For some reason, FSX seems to handle dense AI traffic far worse than FS9, and performance seems to take a big hit. Back in 2008, I splashed out on a new system that could easily handle FSX, only to find that it couldn't handle everything all at once (by that I mean: Scenery, Aircraft, AI and Weather).

With regards to discontinuing FS9... This is where market share comes into play. There are many thousands of us FS9 users (me included) who dedicate hours and hours on enhancing and perfecting AI (I'm part of the UltimateGA team btw). For us, years and years have been spent developing our FlightSims, and jumping ship is a decision that would cause heart ache and many sleepless nights!

Tackling this issue aggressively like FSDT have decided to do is not the answer, and I'm sure after they see FS9 KLAX sales, questions will be asked. They seem to think that cutting out FS9 users completely will be better... well, that maybe for productivity, but it sure as hell won't be best for business.

In some heated discussions I had with Mathijs of Aerosoft, he was hinting sales percentages were roughly a 60/40 split in favour of FSX...... Well... 40%... that is a huge chunk! Especially when it's converted into revenue, cash in the bank, and food on the table.

I know for a fact that Aerosoft were hoping to completely cut out FS9... but they've had to back track on this decision. When Nice X was released... Mathijs was totally arrogant, ignorant and very rude in his replies at requests for an FS9 version. Well... what happens a year later... an FS9 version is released!

Whichever decision you make, I know it won't be taken lightly. Having recently seen Orbx's latest technology breakthroughs and their latest scenery of..... a shed?.... ... I can understand how FS9 must be holding you back creatively, but as long as we are here in numbers, I can't see how it's feasible to stop FS9 completely, when hundreds upon hundreds of FS9 copies could be sold. It's a totally understandable that FS9 versions will have to be stripped back, and won't feature any of the FSX eye candy, but as long as there is a market, there is a product.

Hope this gives you another angle on things from an FS9 perspective.

Many thanks for your time,
Alex

[wideloadwhitford]

Salt Lake won't sell very well.

Not to be offensive at all but how would you know if a product will sell, did you make a poll? I believe the everyday simmer likes to fly 1-3 hours flights at most now in today's world, summertime is over, the kids are going back to school. I am not fighting for SLC because I already see that you made your decision for YUL, and on top of that, pondering the big question of FS9 vs FSX. You cannot make your customers switch but think about how much of us FS9ers actually enjoy the time, dedication and money we've put into it.

Also, ever considered this?
http://www.deltava.org/roster.do

Thats all I have for tonight. Thanks, Ryan

[B777ER]

I've not fully decided FS9's fate yet.
I'm already facing decisions on Montreal where FS9 is holding back the FSX version. It's becoming highly frustrating.

Amen. FS9 is now over 8 years old. Let's dispense with the FS9 vs. FSX nonsense and move on. George, I say just make the command decision, stop letting FS9 hold back your development of top notch FSX scenery (much like FSDT seems to have done with KLAX...yes I know they have not made a final decision on it but the latest posts from Umberto seems to lend that the funeral music is starting). Hey, people will either switch or they won't. The time you save on doing FS9 can speed up FSX dev time by a few weeks when it comes from publishing one scenery to the next. I say just do it, announce it and be done with it.

[martin[flytampa]]

I can understand you guys not doing bump mapping and things like that in fsx since the engine and the system for that is horrible hopefully ms flight will be a bit better on that aspect of the sim it would have looked amazing if the engine was done right global lighting things like that kinda what x-plane 10 wants to do now.

We do use all fsx shader materials like specular, custom reflection maps, sometimes detail textures. Bump in FSX is mostly useful on metal containers, on concrete walls at airprots not so much.

Athens has specular mapping and a custom refmap on windows.. in case you saw the screenshot & claim that its only made of FS9 diffuse mapping with alpha & saved as DXT1. That is incorrect and a moronic thing to post.

Grenadines, LOWW, TPA2 have all shaders on windows, bump, spec & custom refmaps.

[mattybo02]

im looking forward to this one! thanks guys!

[altstiff]

I've not fully decided FS9's fate yet.
I'm already facing decisions on Montreal where FS9 is holding back the FSX version. It's becoming highly frustrating.

Surley that 737NGX is reason to dump FS9 alone??? After watching Nick's stunning video even the most stubborn FS9er must be reaching for the FSX DVD.

http://www.flyaoamedia.com/aoa/nicks-73 ... -thoughts/

Performance with complex aircraft & scenery in FSX is finally here..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_P0CSjz ... re=feedlik

I use both sims and would REALLY enjoy seeing CYUL in FS9. But you be da boss George! As much as I love the NGX you can never get the same frames with full blown AI and full blown weather at a place like KJFK with a plane like the NGX in FSX.

[Silverbird]

I can understand you guys not doing bump mapping and things like that in fsx since the engine and the system for that is horrible hopefully ms flight will be a bit better on that aspect of the sim it would have looked amazing if the engine was done right global lighting things like that kinda what x-plane 10 wants to do now.

We do use all fsx shader materials like specular, custom reflection maps, sometimes detail textures. Bump in FSX is mostly useful on metal containers, on concrete walls at airprots not so much.

Athens has specular mapping and a custom refmap on windows.. in case you saw the screenshot & claim that its only made of FS9 diffuse mapping with alpha & saved as DXT1. That is incorrect and a moronic thing to post.

Grenadines, LOWW, TPA2 have all shaders on windows, bump, spec & custom refmaps.

Hello Martin thanks for insight again I didn't mean no harm with my post as I love both you and George's 3d and texture work, I never claimed it was fs9 and saved as dxt1? yes I admit my knowledge is very limited but to be honest I'm puzzled by your post you guys are honstly one of the best in the whole fs business.

[Henrik]

Hello
I wote for Helsinki because the free addon is only available for FS9 users. The northeast Europe is in need of big airports for FSX and this is a good way for flytampa to gain market shares in europe with their splendid sceneries. I understand the canadians and the north americans who want airports in Canada though they are underrepresented in flightsim. Moreover the Helsinki airport is an important "gate" to the east, and eastern sceneries are few but highly are requested by many flightsimmers.

regards Henrik, Sweden

[martin[flytampa]]

Hello Martin thanks for insight again I didn't mean no harm with my post as I love both you and George's 3d and texture work, I never claimed it was fs9 and saved as dxt1? yes I admit my knowledge is very limited but to be honest I'm puzzled by your post you guys are honstly one of the best in the whole fs business.

Sorry, didn't mean to imply you said that. I was referring to a moronic post about spec&bump in another forum. Since you brought up the bump mapping, I assumed you had read that post.

[737ngpilot]

Hey Martin, What do you think about develpoing Toronto City Center & CYYZ ??

[duco]

Sorry, didn't mean to imply you said that. I was referring to a moronic post about spec&bump in another forum. Since you brought up the bump mapping, I assumed you had read that post.

ahh yesss, i was wondering if you guys would react to that. found it quiet gutty by the developer.....

[bburk]

Well, that's quite the interesting list. As much as I bag on CSTT, I'd love to see a CYUL you produce. I think that also makes the most sense economically with Prague also up there in terms of what I would think would be more profitable.

That said, there are plenty of other smaller fields in the U.S. that could use a FlyTampa makeover....*cough*KBUR*cough*

I would LOVE to see KBUR, a wonderful small airfield in the U.S. and home to a few great 737NG and A320 operators. It would make a great place to host the new NGX. If not now, this should definitely be considered for the future considering there is quite a bit of demand for it I've heard around various sim forums.

Someone also mentioned KSNA on here as well which I would be all for!

[Russ]

First of all I'm in the category of if FlyTampa makes it I'm buying it, and I also think Montreal will be a great addition...

I do wonder if any consideration has been given to doing one, two or even several of the smaller Greece airports sometime in the future? Something like Grenadines. Personally, I'd really enjoy doing some TP or regional jet hops in and out of LGAV. If this has been brought up and discussed previously then apologies for missing it..

Thanks for Athens...love it,
-Russ