Classic British Flight Sim

Bugger, now what am l going to do with all this British stuff in build and planned, hmmph.

Back to the issue at hand, British stuff never did sell well, l never worked it out to be honest, its not all CBFS fault, l mean not every British sale was made to a member here, a large proportion was but not all, its odd but it just never sold, few even broke even.

l'm not talking about recent stuff either, l'm talking right back to CFS2 when stuff was considered good, it just never sold, Phil and I used to joke about other stuff substituting the British brigade and thats basically what it did, the bit extra you got from US stuff countered the often losses on the British stuff.

That means the British stuff was more a labour of love and not the core commercial side of the equation, that kind of makes it double sad to see that arm of the works close down, but economics are economics and critism is critism, it is a sad loss but as so few are actually buying it sadly only affects a hard core of supporters.

There is other stuff around, there always will be.

l'd also hesitate to suggest other cut backs too, l'm not in the loop much any more but it wouldnt suprise me if Alphasim went pure FSx, they do ( whether you agree or not ) hold the majority hand for suppliers of military addons, the last set of cut backs were the forum closures and trimming of that work load, times are changing and l can easily forsee FSx only and virtually no forums, as well as the closure of non productive model lines, British aircraft being the first, WW1 aircraft have already been cut from the catalogue a short while ago.

No flames please, just a personal and innocent perspective.

Best

Michael

Tony,

Your better off airing that at Alphasim, not many Alphasim modellers come here any more, they might take an odd browse but generally they dont go to other forums any more.

Best

Michael

Techy111 wrote:To any Alphasim modellers reading these posts.....? Why oh why can you not use some of these people who frequent these forums as your Beta testers? Without sounding a tad harsh....Are you afraid of such good constructive criticism that the people here give to people? I have been here such a short time and have recieved such outstanding advice and guidance......not sounding harsh again....that seeing posts like this confuses me.....I am one of many people who would spend good money that i earned buying products from Alphasim if only the beta testing was done to a high quality...?

I see many people on this website alone who offer so much quality (free at that) that it really does bemuse me as to why this talent is not utilised....????

Shut me up by all means but i will re-register at Alphasim as many times as it takes for "those folks" to listen to my posts....... :o

Begrudgingly yours....

Tony

Posting now fella....

"edit" Now posted at Alphasim....!

Tony

:think: :think:

I don't know why this particular thread has turned into an open season for having a go at Alphasim as for 'those that have bought' the Scimitar.. it's not as bad as is being made out. OK.. it's not right.. YET and many would say it should be. I tend to fall somewhere between the two. It seems the norm now to 'let one go' then sit back and wait for the 'bug reports' which, for any business hoping to increase their credibility/sales base, isn't the right way to go about it. I don't know what financial pressures Phil and the team (the restricted team) are under but it's been good enough to see him emigrate to NZ and a-n-other to follow so I guess all is not lost.

We are not talking about models with the complexity of the CaptSim 707/727/C130 here.. were talking about military aircraft with 'basic' 2D/3D systems (modelled) which are now going for about £20 a shot. Should a few folk complain that an electrical system or switch on a CS707/727/C130 doesn't work 'exactly' as it should (and I've seen this on the CS forums).. well.. there are things that FS can replicate well and some things that FS can't so is botched.. made to look like it's working by the gauge programmers. This, for the most part, is accepted by the majority of the FS world who appreciate the complexity of real-world aircraft. There will always be the 'rivet counters' and nothing will stop these.. sad but true.

If you buy a CS product, or a Dreamfleet product, or an Aeroworx product, or a Carenado product.. the list is reasonably extensive, you know that you're going to get something of a particular standard. Great shaped/modelled aircraft.. photoreal panels.. great textures and sounds.. something that looks worth the money you've just shelved out. Beta testing of these models is obviously extensive though this is no guarantee that what you buy is going to be A1. It does mean that you won't get misaligned flaps or fuel systems that don't work or nose gear that is faulty or elevators that are wrong or textures that have a mysterious grey line down them or.. well, I'm losing the will to type any more much as you're all losing the will to read it. You expect, in a model you've paid for, something above and beyond what can be found elsewhere. That is really the bottom line. It should look right and it should work. For anyone to suggest that CBFS has caused Alphasim to wrap their combined hands in with UK aircraft because of adverse critisizm is complete bo11ocks and immature. It has been well documented that UK based models are usually 'non-profitable' for them due to the size of the market and that their biggest buyers are in the US hence, the plethora of American models.

There are various things to consider with any such project. Don't add things that shouldn't be there unless to do so would make the model unflyable, make it to the highest standard and get it tested on as diverse a collection of systems as possible. If all these are done and you're happy.. then let it go. Happy probably isn't the right word because I know our modellers are NEVER happy That said, up to this point.. you've never had to part with cash ;-) An acceptible, consistent standard with the odd balls up will see a thumbs up from most folk. While it is not possible to make everyone happy.. by keeping those two points as a benchmark, it should be easy to avoid such hostility. Take McDonalds as an example. Nothing ever looks like it does on the pictures, the quality is mediocre and you generally end up with the guts ache but you know this before you walk into one of their 'restaurants'

Now.. where was I

ATB

DaveB :tab:

Good post Dave....I really mean that....

I was just getting a little "miffed" i think is the right word to use? The talent i see here day in and day out who give their time , energy and expertise for nothing more than the sheer enjoyment of sharing what they do with like minded people.....I think you know what i mean.? I love this hobby and i love (hmmmm :kissu: ) the people who share it with me , but to see things pushed out for profit on a hurried basis is a bit beguiling to you folk....Who spend countless hours tapping away at your PC's til your eyes are all squinty to produce something you are proud of....!!!! All i was saying is , do Alphasim , or any other payware company for that matter , take the time and pride that a freeware publisher takes?

Are they under so much pressure to release as quick as possible?

I am sure they know who are good modellers and artisits who frequent the FS9/FSX scene are ? Why not utilise them....Surely its not about money all the time is it?

Tony

Tks Tony!

I think it's to do with a percieved 'comfort zone' to be honest. Our chaps here don't rate money high on the list of priorities but none here rely on what is produced as their single source of income (more fools them I say!). If information is sought, we go and get it but for us, this is a hobby. Outside pressures DO come into play as simmers become more descerning and with each new release, expectations are higher (for our developers here.. not particularly for Alphasim) but it's true to say the more you give.. the more the public want.

My personal maxim is that if my name is connected with any project.. then it must conform to a certain standard and I know this is true of the guys here. We have the advantage of being a 'constant'. Rick knows that if a paint is wrong.. Garry will find it. If another part is of dubious quality, then X will find it. If something else is not quite right, then a-n-other will find it. We cover our own backs pretty well I think and our combined efforts are usually reflected in the end product. I've never been happy with any of the panels I've done.. Rick is never happy with the release model and neither are DG, DM or DP. Fraser probably has reservations about his panels too but in the end.. how long's a piece of string

We are never complacent ;-)

ATB

DaveB :tab:

Just a footnote here.....My post over at Alphasim has been "locked" I wrote nothing malicious in that post....Are they always like that over there?

Tony

Worse on occassion mate. I've seen folk flamed for asking an innocent question.. not particularly by Phil or Dan but by one of the ALPHASIM_XXXX names. One of the mods there reckoned (without knowing me) that he was probably old enough to be my dad (which I thought was humerous as my dad is 80 in two weeks time and won't go near a computer let alone be a moderator on a forum) but the exchange ended in good spirit. I don't advertise where I'm from but the important folk know who I am despite my few posts

ATB

DaveB :tab:

Techy111 wrote:Just a footnote here.....My post over at Alphasim has been "locked" I wrote nothing malicious in that post....Are they always like that over there?

Tony

I agree with you 100% here.
You wrote nothing malicious yet the reaction to you by the moderator was 100% hostile!