Soulmoon
Flightsimmer
Cub fan (The plane, not the baseball team)
Posts: 30
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Post by Soulmoon on Oct 18, 2006 8:35:56 GMT -5
Boomtown did a mostly positive review of FSX (That, by the way, more or less mirrors my own views on it so far), but something struck me as I was reading it.. You may scoff at using a joypad rather than a dedicated joystick, but the ability to use the right-thumbstick to look around really does aid special awareness and I've founding my landings improved immeasurably. Uh, what? Earlier in the review this person claims to have been playing FS since FS2 on his Atari, and he's somehow never heard of a HAT SWITCH? I mean, yes, I suppose strictly speaking he has a point, it would add to spacial awareness... But every stick that costs more than 9.95 at Wallyworld (And some of those!) have had at least one Hat switch for the last decade or so. Every single review I've read so far of FSX has mentioned the X-Box 360 controller interface in some way. It doesn't make any sense to me. I've been able to (theoreticly, although god knows why I would want to) use an X-Box or X-Box 360 controller for years(Or any other gamepad, for that matter) - they are just treated as a USB joystick. Why is this such a big deal all of a sudden, and why does every review seem to go out of it's way to find something to praise about it? Is microsoft ordering the reviewers to talk about that, or something? Complete review here... pc.boomtown.net/en_uk/articles/art.view.php?id=12617 |
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Post by Admin on Oct 18, 2006 10:09:29 GMT -5
Is microsoft ordering the reviewers to talk about that, or something? That's not beyond the realm of possibility. It is my belief (and empirical evidence supports me) that the marketing gurus at Microsoft want to sell FS as an airplane game. We'll know in a couple years if FS11 is available only on the X-Box in total career mode. (Which I believe was marketing's goal for FSX) Not too many more developers need to leave the Aces team to end any connection with the flight sim past, so if you get FSX, enjoy it. |
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Post by ScruffyDuck on Oct 18, 2006 10:30:19 GMT -5
Hi Tom Do you think that the sim has now reached the point anyway where it is good enough to be sustained long term as the base and enhanced with addons? Seems to me that there is not a lot I would want to do that I can't with FS9 or FSX and with the extras and things plus the skills of the community maybe it won't matter if there isn't another version  |
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Post by Admin on Oct 18, 2006 10:43:45 GMT -5
Yes, I think so. I think so with FS9 for sure, because it is so easily modified. I actually have everything I want and need in a flightsim in my heavily modified installs of FS9. Its too soon to tell if FSX will be as flexible, but with the talented people (yourself included) who are on the case we should know within a year. I'm 64 years old and unlikely to see too many more versions of FS in any case, but I would hate to see the franchise dumbed down to X-Box.
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Post by ScruffyDuck on Oct 18, 2006 14:42:57 GMT -5
Well 64 is no age these days Tom, you are just about hitting your prime  As for FSX, as you say it is too soon to tell but it seems to have the same accessibility as FS9 - the SDK has arrived earlier (even if it is full of mistakes ;D) so maybe the curtain will get lifted sooner rather than later... |
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Post by beana51 on Oct 18, 2006 15:00:51 GMT -5
64? HA! I'going on 75,and like you, plan to see many more FSs.But I do believe that in the future, as an all inclusive "Game Player". Currently,we have X-Box,Game Cube,Play station 2,and possibly more.These are expensive,dedicated players.No keyboards,mouse or ability for the techies to improve,add,or any other real custom inputs.Except for what they offer,I believe.An arcade game,with lots of candy,and built in shoot em up situations.Count me out on those.It is surprising to me they let FSX out in this way. Progress?,evolution?,I don't know. I think we here yearn for a nostalgic simpler time,on the Sim,that was created by people who had the tools,imagination,and the vehicle to do so.Oh yes,FS9 will be with me .Fsx will also be with me.One as an almost complete world,the other as some sort of a brave new world yet to be discovered. We will wait and see,we will!! CHEERS! VIN IT AIN'T OVER TILL ITS OVER....Yogi Berra! |
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Post by dominique on Oct 18, 2006 15:52:07 GMT -5
Do you think that the sim has now reached the point anyway where it is good enough to be sustained long term as the base and enhanced with addons? A core issue ! Two areas still need some work before the sim can be sustained long term : - the ATC -the weather engine (the physics, not the visual) I suspect that only MS can do the job the way the sim is structured. |
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Post by Admin on Oct 18, 2006 16:43:07 GMT -5
A core issue ! Two areas still need some work before the sim can be sustained long term : - the ATC -the weather engine (the physics, not the visual) I suspect that only MS can do the job the way the sim is structured. I don't think really good canned ATC is possible. The only way I can see for ATC to be realistic is with live ATC in multiplayer. The new multiplayer system allows for a traffic controller with the consoles etc. I'll be happy to see a new version of FS Host because Gamespy is not an option I will choose. That was a big step down from The Zone which was already totally useless. Locking multiplayer to Gamespy and locking developers out of the multiplayer system are just two more signposts point to X-Box gaming. These things bug me because FSX looks so good. RE: The weather, certain things can't be done because they have been designed out of the sim. My expression for this sort of thing is "fixed beyond all repair." Real weather is not needed in a game. However, I expect 3rd party developers to do the best they can. |
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Post by scubakobe on Oct 18, 2006 17:14:40 GMT -5
I did notice they were using X-360 controllers during a preview video of the demo. That's obviously showing they are thinking of it as a game not a simulator, so much. I hope it doesn't become xbox independent. If it does, there are those people over at X-Plane, if still around, that don't seem to have their eyes on a game. I was thinking about buying an X-360, but I haven't, I am on the computer more. I rarely watch TV, and the last time I fired up the Original Xbox was about a year ago.  |
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Post by dominique on Oct 19, 2006 0:28:52 GMT -5
I don't think really good canned ATC is possible. The only way I can see for ATC to be realistic is with live ATC in multiplayer. . ATC and computer share a same key element : procedures.What was impossible ti imagine 20 years back is FS9/X today. Multiprocessing should open the way to a reaonnable apparance of ATC, MS willing (i am not sure indeed they do). Besides, I"ve never participated to a MP session I really liked as people mainly chat. As an AR type of guy ;D I look for imposed procedures from the outside.. I However, I expect 3rd party developers to do the best they can. air mass dynamics ? the 3rd would need access to the sim core programming. |
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Post by Admin on Oct 19, 2006 14:31:48 GMT -5
air mass dynamics ? the 3rd would need access to the sim core programming. Or the ability to bypass it completely. By the way, this program looks interesting: www.fsmeteo.com/ |
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Post by ScruffyDuck on Oct 19, 2006 15:26:01 GMT -5
I have used it in the past, but I must be a really boring person 'cos weather and ATC really don't bother me one bit ;D
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