FSX SP2 and the expansion pack details....

[TSR2]

To be fair to Phil, he always seems to be on the level, certainly he doesn't always toe the party line.

[Sl4yer]

Indeed he doesn't. Some of his comments (such as using Livesearch instead of Google - must be M$ policy!) make me chuckle. I get the idea he must have felt like a condemned man making his blog post. It shows the way things work though - they were contracted to deliver two service packs, which they have done, NOT to deliver features.

I had no intention of going to DX10 for another couple of years anyhow, and I've got even less now, so I'm not too bothered. If the new terrain fixes improve things on my steam driven system, I'll be very happy.

James

[Rick Piper]

Hi Guys

To be honest braking the backward compatability would be a good thing as XtoMdl is hard enough without then having to Makemdl too.

one comlicated model is enough for me rather than 2 every time.

I can only see FS9 as a stopgap for those with slower systems.

Fsx post SP1 is better than FS9 in my view (i know you don't agree Tony ).

I don't use FS9 at all anymore (still installed but not flown).

shodows in the Virtual Cockpit is something i dream of as it makes 3d gauges look even better.

Regards
Rick

[basys]

Hi Folks

What exactly does the 'Acceleration' bit mean
as nothing in that blurb mentions anything about physically 'accelerating' the sim :think:

Dave -
Whilst Acceleration is the product name,
and AFAIK refers to the go-faster aircraft aspect,
the SP2 components have certainly accelerated performance on my lowly machine
over that which I'd had previously in SP1.



A particular improvement of note is the photoscenery performance,
which now has minimal blurries, (@ >1000 kts),
and if they do occur,
the tiles catch up very quickly, (i.e. they no longer stall).

Once both providers repair their incorrect mesh implementations
you should see a further performance improvement beyond that of SP2.

.. and it sucks!

Nah....
this one definitely blows. CHEERS



The racing events, either against AI or MP competitors, are superb.

The carrier ops, landing on a moving vessel, are a real challenge.

The chopper slingload ops are an absolute :@



Whilst each of those as implemented in the Acceleration pack are excellent in themselves,
it's their ability to be applied both in missions & the sandbox, that really extend the sim.



As for FS11

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

It's early days yet,
but there are tools under development
which should upgrade a model's source code
to FSX SDK compliance.



EDIT -
SP2 will also be available as a free download, or from coverdisks, (just as SP1 was).



HTH
ATB
Paul

[DaveB]

the SP2 components have certainly accelerated performance on my lowly machine
over that which I'd had previously in SP1.

THAT is the reply I was hoping for Paul though why it should be included (perhaps.. only included) in a payware addon is a little annoying.

Racing event's.. either in MP or with AI have no relevance to flightsim for me and probably few outside the US.. the same applies to doing missions in a helo to pickup and drop cargo. Landing on a moving platform does have some interest value but that is about it. It sounds very much like FSX has almost become ShipSimulator2008 with aeroplanes and giraffes

I sincerely hope that M$ release SP2 as a free update (note update NOT upgrade) as the original product was found (is) wanting as for me and many others, the asking price (however cheap) is too much if all you want is for the original to run better.

ATB

DaveB :tab:

[Techy111]

I have read that the SP2 patch WILL be freeware but will not be released at the same time as Acceleration but around early to late december..... :o

P Taylors Blog http://blogs.msdn.com/ptaylor/archive/2 ... d-sp2.aspx

Tony

[DaveB]

I'm in no hurry ;-) Tks Techy

ATB

DaveB :tab:

[basys]

Hi Folks

Apologies,
I'd mean't to include this previously -

SP2 will also be available as a free download, or from coverdisks, (just as SP1 was).

Racing event's.. either in MP or with AI have no relevance to flightsim for me

I had also thought that too,
however my opinon is definitely revised.

There are 3 high-detail European Red Bull events, (inc photoscenery),
each of which have training, intermediate, advanced, & expert courses.
plus two open flight XC courses,
one other which I won't mention,
as well as the expected Reno events.

All in all 30 racing events.
And that's before anyone produces 3rd party addons.



There's no requirement for chopper slingload ops to be mission based,
you can also have them in the sandbox, (aka Freeflight).



SP2 will also automatically install SP1 if you hadn't done so already.



HTH
ATB
Paul

[Sl4yer]

I have read that the SP2 patch WILL be freeware but will not be released at the same time as Acceleration but around early to late december..... :o

Yes, misplaced priorities surely, and something which will lead to many obtaining Acceleration by non-paying means.

If I was in charge of ACES, I'd want to make it work properly first, and THEN sell the add-ons to show people how wonderful it is!

James

[DaveB]

Tks for that Paul ;-)

I've not tried ANY of the missions in FSX as I'm really not interested.. I'm not a flightsim mission sort of chap. I've not even flown (or looked at) all of the default aircraft (the Extra included) so you can probably tell my overall current level of enthusiasm for FSX. I can see where the racing module will appeal to some and will probably earn M$ a few more customers but it's just not for me. Suppose I'd better go out and buy a Mesh computer and become a Tony Madge clone!

EDIT.. I'd tend to agree with that last statement James ;-)
ATB

DaveB :tab: