WNwatcher From United States of America, joined Mar 2010, 272 posts, RR: 0 Posted (2 years 9 months 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 5501 times:
Today, Microsoft announced the development of a new simulator, Microsoft Flight. It is apparently based on their twenty year knowledge of flightsim.
The link: http://www.microsoft.com/games/flight/
THEBATMAN From United States of America, joined Aug 2007, 829 posts, RR: 10 Reply 1, posted (2 years 9 months 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 5490 times:
That link sent me to to a short video clip...I was able to dig this up as well:
Microsoft announces ‘Age of Empires Online’ and the return of MS Flight Simulator with ‘Microsoft Flight’
Microsoft Heralds a New Age of Gaming With “Age of Empires Online”
New franchise instalment joins exciting PC line-up of LIVE-enabled titles from Microsoft Game Studios.
COLOGNE, Germany — August 17, 2009 — On the eve of Gamescom 2010, the world’s largest consumer-oriented games showcase, Microsoft Corp. unveiled the newest addition to the famed “Age of Empires” franchise, “Age of Empires Online.” Microsoft also announced the development of “Microsoft Flight,” a new entry inspired by the best-selling “Microsoft Flight Simulator” franchise. Published by Microsoft Game Studios, these new titles, along with the previously announced “Fable III,” fully integrate the free* Games for Windows – LIVE online service to deliver compelling socially connected gameplay experiences.
“Today, we’re bringing powerful, inventive gaming experiences to the Windows-based PC,” said Phil Spencer, corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios. “Over the years, our PC heritage captured the hearts and minds of millions of players. Reinventing these iconic franchises with social, shared experiences at their core marks the beginning of our return to PC gaming in bold new ways.”
“Age of Empires” for a New Era
With more than 20 million copies sold worldwide, the “Age of Empires” series redefined real-time strategy games for Windows-based PC players. Now, the timeless franchise once again invites players to experience its rich storyline in new ways. “Age of Empires Online” will invite players to create a living, growing online world, shared with friends and friendly rivals around the globe. Begin the journey with your own Greek civilisation, and watch as it progresses from a village to an empire. Embark on quests along the way, alone or with friends, and immerse yourself in epic tales, quirky characters, adventure, history and strategy. Together with the Games for Windows – LIVE service, “Age of Empires Online” delivers a rich, social experience that lets you play however you want — anywhere, anytime.
Marrying fresh features with iconic gameplay, “Age of Empires Online” offers something for long-time fans, newcomers and everyone in between. “Age of Empires Online” will feature:
A persistent online capitol city that lives and grows even when you’re offline
Cooperative multiplayer quests, trading and a level-based system that lets you progress at your own pace
Fun, approachable style and storylines
Free-to-play experiences via Games for Windows – LIVE
Introducing “Microsoft Flight”
Twenty-eight years after the debut of “Microsoft Flight Simulator 1.0,” Microsoft Game Studios also announced the internal development of “Microsoft Flight,” a new Windows exclusive. “Microsoft Flight” will bring a new perspective to the long-standing genre, welcoming everyone, including long-time fans, to experience the magic of flight. A teaser of the future of Flight on the Windows-based PC is available at http://www.microsoft.com/games/flight.
Discover Adventure With “Fable” on the PC
“Fable III” for Windows lets you once again join the action, drama and adventure while you rule Albion as the next king or queen in an ever-evolving world of rebellion and revolution. Discover new quests and unlock new regions as you make choices and sacrifices to test your morality and potentially affect your entire kingdom. The choice is yours: reunite the impoverished people of your kingdom as their monarch, or bring Albion to the brink of collapse.
Powered by Games for Windows – LIVE
All three titles are designed with Games for Windows – LIVE at the core, delivering a seamless online gaming experience from start to finish. Log in with a single identity to earn Achievements and up your Gamerscore across Games for Windows – LIVE and Xbox LIVE. See your friends online, send and receive voice messages, text messages and game invites, and enjoy cross-platform communication. You even receive automatic game updates and the ability to extend the experience with Game Add-ons only found on the Games for Windows – LIVE Marketplace.
Additional information, screenshots and trailers for “Age of Empires Online,” “Microsoft Flight,” and “Fable III” are available at the Microsoft Gamescom press site at http://xbox.com/en-GB/press.
Pilots without aircraft mechanics are just pedestrians with sunglasses and a leather jacket.
WNwatcher From United States of America, joined Mar 2010, 272 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (2 years 9 months 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 5487 times:
Yeah, its still in development. I predict late late late 2011 at the earliest, Spring or early Summer 2012 for most likely release. After all, alot of other game developers will be saturating the market for the next year with new Ip's and lest we forget Blizzard, who is releasing Cataclysm soon as well as announcing their new Ip at Blizzcon this year.
Fly2HMO From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 3, posted (2 years 9 months 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 5486 times:
20 years since fs 1.0? Heck it's been almost 30 years.
And considering the aces team is long gone, who knows who got a hold of the franchise. I fear its going to be more of a game than a sim and barely little more than a slightly improved version of FSX.
I doubt it will look like that, however, if the sim engine is based on Direct X 11 it will be pretty damn close.
Quoting WNwatcher (Reply 2): I predict late late late 2011 at the earliest, Spring or early Summer 2012 for most likely release.
That would be a terrible time to release it. That's about when the next big hardware transition will happen. By then the core i7s will be old news. FSX was introduced on the brink of new technologies and they failed to integrate them. I hope that doesn't happen again.
WNwatcher From United States of America, joined Mar 2010, 272 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (2 years 9 months 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 5477 times:
Quoting Fly2HMO (Reply 3): That would be a terrible time to release it. That's about when the next big hardware transition will happen. By then the core i7s will be old news. FSX was introduced on the brink of new technologies and they failed to integrate them. I hope that doesn't happen again.
True didn't even think about that. Looking at it from a marketing perspective. What times do you predict?
My guess is as good as yours. But I'm hoping they don't rush it and do it for late 2012. I rather wait than have them make another disaster like FSX was, and they better not make us wait for a game but rather a proper sim, or at the very least offer two versions, one for the average Joe, and the other for hardcore simmers, and have the difference between the two be more than just having a few more planes.
WNwatcher From United States of America, joined Mar 2010, 272 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (2 years 9 months 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 5447 times:
Quoting Fly2HMO (Reply 5): My guess is as good as yours. But I'm hoping they don't rush it and do it for late 2012. I rather wait than have them make another disaster like FSX was, and they better not make us wait for a game but rather a proper sim, or at the very least offer two versions, one for the average Joe, and the other for hardcore simmers, and have the difference between the two be more than just having a few more planes.
If we do get a hardcore sim, maybe we can get an improved ATC. Maybe one with actual accents instead of Americans when you're in say, England or other parts of europe?
United_fan From United States of America, joined Nov 2000, 7156 posts, RR: 8 Reply 10, posted (2 years 9 months 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 5323 times:
Quoting WNwatcher (Reply 6): If we do get a hardcore sim, maybe we can get an improved ATC. Maybe one with actual accents instead of Americans when you're in say, England or other parts of europe?
I would be happy with ATC that handles planes more realistically. One they get that down pat,they can move onto accents.
'Empathy was yesterday...Today, you're wasting my Mother-F'ing time' - Heat.
Fly2HMO From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 11, posted (2 years 9 months 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 5296 times:
Quoting United_fan (Reply 10): One they get that down pat,they can move onto accents.
Wishful thinking. It's hard enough that they have to do localized versions of the simulator (in Italian, Spanish, French, Polish,German) Making the thousands of files in each and every different needed variation is just not worth the effort.
The only slightly better alternative would be to use computer generated regional voices like those used in text-to-speech engines. So you would have several different voices for the same commands throughout the sim. However, many of those voices still sound extremely robotic, and not to mention use up many valuable CPU clocks.
einsteinboricua From Puerto Rico, joined Apr 2010, 2042 posts, RR: 6 Reply 12, posted (2 years 9 months 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 5295 times:
I'll wait before I buy it. I have had FSX since it first came out and haven't been able to use it as I would have liked. And if there are barely any add-ons for FSX, imagine how deserted this version will be. Though, if the video shows the true graphics of the game, then it's something worth looking to purchase in the future.
Definitely FS9 was the best one that came out.
"You haven't seen a tree until you've seen its shadow from the sky."
Airport From United States of America, joined Aug 2009, 1393 posts, RR: 9 Reply 13, posted (2 years 9 months 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 5275 times:
I guess I'm one of the few that loves FSX way more than FS9.
At least, if nothing else it depends on what you use it for. With FSX, I can build fictional airports, cities, and create new fictional airlines with schedules I created with astonishing ease. I couldn't even hope to do the same for free with FS9, and it just looks way better. I don't see why people hate FSX so much, ESPECIALLY when you have something like REX installed.
Then again, I do admit it really does take a super-computer to run!
phatfarmlines From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 1322 posts, RR: 1 Reply 14, posted (2 years 9 months 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 5262 times:
Quoting Danny (Reply 7): Most likely an arcade game than serious sim.
Quoting flymia (Reply 8): Thats what I am thinking too. But its wait and see I guess.
Quoting racko (Reply 9): That's what I think, otherwise they wouldn't drop such a legendary name as Flight Simulator.
Maybe they dropped it for marketing purposes? This version will most likely have the theme of the lady depicted in the advertisement of developing her aviation career, much like FSX having the missions, & FS2004 having the history of flight.
Fly2HMO From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 15, posted (2 years 9 months 5 days ago) and read 5235 times:
Quoting Airport (Reply 13): I don't see why people hate FSX so much
Because the sim and graphics engine is horrid and extremely buggy. I have a computer that's a complete monster in terms of hardware and runs games infinitely more complex than FSX without breaking a sweat, yet FSX runs pretty crappy (probably great in many peoples eyes, but 20FPS just doesn't cut it anymore when you get used to running everything at 60fps)
besides, I have FS9 tweaked so much that it looks just as good and in some cases better than FSX. AND I manage to get 60FPS even in the most dense airports and with 5gbs worth of AI traffic set on 100% density
Quoting Airport (Reply 13): ESPECIALLY when you have something like REX installed.
the only somewhat good thing about it are the textures. otherwise the weather engine blows.
Airport From United States of America, joined Aug 2009, 1393 posts, RR: 9 Reply 16, posted (2 years 9 months 5 days ago) and read 5223 times:
Quoting Fly2HMO (Reply 15): Because the sim and graphics engine is horrid and extremely buggy. I have a computer that's a complete monster in terms of hardware and runs games infinitely more complex than FSX without breaking a sweat, yet FSX runs pretty crappy (probably great in many peoples eyes, but 20FPS just doesn't cut it anymore when you get used to running everything at 60fps)
Huh... strange, I don't know what to tell ya.
I'm getting about an average of 90 fps on maxed out settings with REX and many other addons installed. Though I always set the target FPS to about 24 fps, the frame rate of films for a more cinematic feel (highly recommend trying it).
I just love the incredible ease of manipulating the world in FSX, it always seemed like such an exhaustive and expensive chore on FS9.
the only somewhat good thing about it are the textures. otherwise the weather engine blows.
I just think the worst problem of Flight Simulator is the lack of truly 3D clouds. I hate the paper-y feeling the clouds have, it totally kills the realism.
EA CO AS From United States of America, joined Nov 2001, 12556 posts, RR: 64 Reply 17, posted (2 years 9 months 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 5196 times:
Quoting Airport (Reply 16): Quoting Fly2HMO (Reply 15):
Because the sim and graphics engine is horrid and extremely buggy. I have a computer that's a complete monster in terms of hardware and runs games infinitely more complex than FSX without breaking a sweat, yet FSX runs pretty crappy (probably great in many peoples eyes, but 20FPS just doesn't cut it anymore when you get used to running everything at 60fps)
Huh... strange, I don't know what to tell ya.
I'm getting about an average of 90 fps on maxed out settings with REX and many other addons installed.
You must have an i7 OC'd to at least 4.0ghz plus some massive cooling and super-fast RAM, then.
Otherwise I'm calling shenanigans.
"In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem - government IS the problem." - Ronald Reagan
flymia From United States of America, joined Jun 2001, 6282 posts, RR: 6 Reply 18, posted (2 years 9 months 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 5172 times:
Quoting Airport (Reply 13): I guess I'm one of the few that loves FSX way more than FS9.
Overall I think FS9 is a better sim. But after getting a new computer I have not touched FS9 much. FSX works great with me I get around 70-90 FPS at normal default airports with around 30-50 at larger ones, add on ones with a lot of AI. I would have stuck with FS9 however commercial add ons are starting to work just with FSX like the new PMDG NGX. If it was not for that I think I would have stuck with FS9 but the planes seem to be better in FSX and so are the graphics. Now if I could just get my AI to work the way I wanted and FSPASSENGER X to work with UT2.
If you have the computer FSX is a better IMO as long as you do not have too many payware items for FS9.
If this new sim is like the previous versions FSX, FS9 and not just a game I wonder how add ons will work. Hopefully FSX add ons will be able to work in it. However with the way technology changes these days I dont think I will get a new PC for years and by the time this sim comes out my i7-930 will be old and slow.
"It was just four of us on the flight deck, trying to do our job" (Captain Al Haynes)
Fly2HMO From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 19, posted (2 years 9 months 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 5151 times:
Quoting Airport (Reply 16): Huh... strange, I don't know what to tell ya.
From what I've researched the culprit seems to be my graphics cards. I have dual Sapphire ATI 4870s 1gb (FS9 only uses one anyways, but I still manage 200FPS unlimited) However I have read about TONS of complaints with those cards and FSX. for whatever odd reason they just dont mix well. Interestingly a card with the same config from a different manufacturer dont seem to have the problem. Interestingly, when I run FSX in DX10 preview mode it runs decently, but has tons of glitches. In DX9 mode it runs very very slow and looks like crap.
I've heard of the new HD58xx series cards running FSX with excellent results.
Quoting Airport (Reply 16):
I'm getting about an average of 90 fps on maxed out settings with REX and many other addons installed.
Hory shet! Post your specs, I'm intrigued cuz I doubt your computer is much different than mine. I get the feeling you got Nvidias, or the newer ATI cards.
My specs:
Core i7 920 OCed @ 3.67Ghz
6Gb RAM
2xSapphire ATI 4870s 1gb DDR5
1.3TB HDDs in Raid 0
I'm dying to get a pair of ATI 5870s, too bad I'm broke.
Quoting flymia (Reply 18): However with the way technology changes these days I dont think I will get a new PC for years and by the time this sim comes out my i7-930 will be old and slow.
At least for us i7 users there's plenty of life still left for our CPUs (in computer time-frames that is) CPU makers are no longer shooting for faster clock speeds (as the manufacturing limit for clock speed has been reached, for now at least) so they're squeezing as much cores as they can into a single chip. Which is a good thing because, say, with the new six core i7, you don't have to trash your current i7 motherboard, any socket 1366 mothervoard can handle it, and if it doesn't all you need is a BIOS flash. Rumor has it it will be the same for the eight (!) core CPUs due in the near future.
babybus From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2003, 3512 posts, RR: 6 Reply 20, posted (2 years 9 months 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 4824 times:
Quoting einsteinboricua (Reply 12): I'll wait before I buy it. I have had FSX since it first came out and haven't been able to use it as I would have liked.
Me too. FSX was one of the wrost buys I've ever made. I went back to FS9. I won't buy any future new version until I've seen it up and running on someone else's computer first.
Quoting Fly2HMO (Reply 15): I don't see why people hate FSX so much
The liveries look cheap and nasty. The Airbus A320 is programmed to crash or at least look like a loose cannon. FSX also ran very slowly on my brand new, top of the range, computer.
and with that..cabin crew, seats for landing please.
WNwatcher From United States of America, joined Mar 2010, 272 posts, RR: 0 Reply 21, posted (2 years 9 months 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 4786 times:
Quoting babybus (Reply 20): The Airbus A320 is programmed to crash or at least look like a loose cannon. FSX also ran very slowly on my brand new, top of the range, computer.
Try shutting off the flight control computers, handles alot better after that.
einsteinboricua From Puerto Rico, joined Apr 2010, 2042 posts, RR: 6 Reply 22, posted (2 years 9 months 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 4634 times:
Quoting babybus (Reply 20): Quoting einsteinboricua (Reply 12):
I'll wait before I buy it. I have had FSX since it first came out and haven't been able to use it as I would have liked.
Me too. FSX was one of the wrost buys I've ever made. I went back to FS9. I won't buy any future new version until I've seen it up and running on someone else's computer first.
I shuld have mentioned that I installed it on my laptop. While it ran FS9 without any problems, FSX was a different story. And this new one...well...let me start using FSX first. Just last night I installed it on my new desktop computer, put settings up high and didn't face any trouble whatsoever. Finally....
"You haven't seen a tree until you've seen its shadow from the sky."
USAir330 From United States of America, joined Mar 2002, 787 posts, RR: 1 Reply 23, posted (2 years 8 months 4 weeks 22 hours ago) and read 4373 times:
Seems like it might be time to transition for me... Kept using FS9 and have FSX sitting on the shelf with 95,98,2000 and 2002 .....Also I had so many add-ons for FS9 that it would seem pointless to start over again but now is the time if the sim looks like that.
I am worried about this new release, more game than simulation I believe
25 flymia: Even though I use FSX now, I do think FS9 is a better sim. I plan on keeping the computer I have now for a while at least 5 years. So I do not think
26 cpd: The problem with fs9 is that the world is flat. No polar flying. This is where fsx is better. It has a round world.
27 Burkhard: Not really. It is one file only, which is different for each version anyways. What it means is investment into more speakers and audio studio time. I
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.....Also I had so many add-ons for FS9 that it would seem pointless to start over again but now is the time if the sim looks like that.
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