FSX SP2 and the expansion pack details....

[TSR2]

Interesting point in Phil's post (although not mentioned specifically) is that it refers to DX 10 not 10.1 and there testing has been done on the 8800GTX... Bonus!

[ChrisHunt]

Acceleration has working carrier(s) - proper cats and traps allegedly! The EH101 and F18 look good as well. Really waiting to see what impact it has on photo scenery (Gen-X) to see if there are any significant improvements in that area. I'm not entirely hopeful as Phil Taylor appeared to squash the notion that flying in Tokyo will not load UK photo scenery, however flying in NZ is fixed and will not load UK photo scenery.

I will get Acceleration as it's released close to my bday (as if I needed an excuse) so will post test results here when I've played for a bit. I've also been promised a PC upgrade as well - crickey, strike while the irons hot that's what I say

Regards,
Chris

[DanKH]

What is also mentioned here and there, is the fact that Microsoft may have reach the point of really breaking backwards compatibility in order to take advantage of the new technology, and not "wasting" precious developing hours on securing compatibility. Not good news for Developers for FS9 and back, but sure good news for the community in general, and if the broken compatibility also ensures richer and better way developing tools for the community I think they are on the right track.

[TSR2]

What is also mentioned here and there, is the fact that Microsoft may have reach the point of really breaking backwards compatibility in order to take advantage of the new technology, and not "wasting" precious developing hours on securing compatibility. Not good news for Developers for FS9 and back, but sure good news for the community in general, and if the broken compatibility also ensures richer and better way developing tools for the community I think they are on the right track.

Indeed Dan... looks like xtomdl is the only way going forward. Its a challange to all developers big and small, but should hopefully produce some fantastic new models. Coolio

[Trev Clark]

but should hopefully produce some fantastic new models.

But I fear they will all cost a lot and all be modern airliners, Ben

[DanKH]

I doubt it....

we already have Jens who has made genuine classic aircraft, all free for the takers.

There is even "flying kites" out there from the very beginning of aviation history....

Agreed that a vast amount of aircraft will be modern style, but that is no way different than it is today.

No need to be pessimistic already ;-)

[TSR2]

I think a large part of the problem is the developer tools... (as I've mentioned before.)

GMAX is dead (i.e. the free version) and although I have it working on Vista, I doubt very much it will work on "the next one" and 3DSMax costs a fortune.

FSDS is good, but if your a MAX developer it would be a nightmare to go to.

What we need is a comunity developed developer tool thats free and will take over from GMAX. (in the long run anyway) or for Autodesk to produce a £40 - £50 version of max for this sort of market.

I'd have to say Trev that the number of Classic Jets of any description which have been made for FSX since its release seems few and far between, they all seem to be pistons or props.

[DanKH]

GMAX is dead (i.e. the free version)

How dead is dead? I've just downloaded a free version gmax12 from discreet ...

[TSR2]

Gmax was descreets free product. You'll notice it hasn't been updated in about 3 years. When Autodesk bought MAX, the allowed GMAX to continue for free on the caveate that all developement was halted as it was now the intelectual property of Autodesk. There have been no updates to GMAX since the Autodesk takeover.

[Sl4yer]

Given what some payware developers charge if the Merlin, Hornet and Mustang are as detailed as the default FSX aircraft then it's worth it for the three aircraft alone, I've no doubt I'll pick it up when it's released just to see if the SP2 fixes make it playable to be honest.

If they're as detailed as the A321 with it's moving throttles, I might give it a miss!

No, seriously, I'll probably get it at some point. Especially if the patch is going to be several months behind. I can understand the anger of some though - the DX10 'upgrade' is now a 'preview'! It's been on the box since release: "Works great on Windows XP, works even better on the upcoming Windows Vista". I bet a lot of people upgraded to DX10 cards and Vista waiting for this, and they'll feel a little short-changed now. And Phil Taylor knows it.

James