Since I successfully reinstalled the new Flight Simulator (MSFS) two weeks ago, many of my unpleasant impressions about it stated in Post 611 were overturned.
I am not saying that the new MSFS has replaced P3D to be my flightsimming platform. But I have to admit that the more I fly with it, and the more I like it; especially for “sight-seeing” purposes only.
Followings are my subjective ratings on some of the key features I give to MSFS based on the requirements of my cockpit, compared to P3D and X-Plane.
I am expecting the scores to change soon as there are quite some products have been released or being developed for it.
Head-on impacts are seen on P3D. And it should be tougher when more and more features and accessories (as well as tips and tricks from users) currently available to P3D are getting compatible with MSFS directly or indirectly.
Xbox Game Pass charges $10 per month and it can be cancelled at any time. It’s really no harm to have a feel where the future flight simulation might go.
FS Times 
Tom
Good break out, I do enjoy your thoughts on the sim. A couple of my own if I may. Full disclosure I still have not even tried MSFS2020 and here are my thoughts on why.
1. I have way to much invested in P3D. It’s very difficult to toss away roughly, 500 to 750 dollars in add one plus the 200 in initial investment in P3d. I am sure my numbers are low. I would think most serious P3d user have similar investments. Some way more.
2. I mean no offense to anyone with this, but from what I have read and seen MSFS still seems to be a game. MS did not develop a flight training aid as LM did. The purest in me likes the fact that P3D is not marketed as a game.
3. It’s still way to new. Maybe in a year or two I will look at it when the add ons have been developed. And MS has released a few service packs. Also, time will tell what MS does with it. Will MS continue to develop and improve it or are they done with it? Time will tell.
I am wondering what your thoughts are on these points, and what are your thoughts on the future of P3D. I mean is it dead, will LM be releasing their version of the same graphics engine?
Please keep up the good reporting.
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Hi Tom,
1.
I am like you invested a lot in P3D, probably more than 5K over the years, especially in scenery addons. No doubt it’s a big loss since those investments won’t convert into MSFS. However, MSFS does come with much nicer sceneries all over the world by default, meaning that I might not have to invest onto many addons again unless they are necessary and I value them a lot.
Also, from what’s been seen so far, MSFS isn’t that vastly different from FSX/P3D. FSX/P3D codes can still be run under MFSF via various methods. And some sophisticated users are giving tips on converting FSX/P3D aircraft into MSFS format, too. Perhaps there are ways to convert addon sceneries to MSFS soon. Many of our P3D investments might be “rescued”. Who knows?
2.
Let’s put in this way, FSX, P3D, X-Plane, MSFS are all games in nature. What makes the difference is their capabilities in serious flight trainings. It’s no doubt that there’s still a big gap in front of MSFS before it can catch up with P3D or X-Plane in this area. But I think MSFS isn’t too far behind. Just like P3D, it took many years to iron its product before it reaches what it is now.
Yes, you could say that MSFS is more like a game than a flight training tool at the moment. But on the other hand, I would call P3D too serious and not very much user friendly and fun to play with. Even though LM never positions P3D as a game, many people still think it is.
So, even MSFS seems more like a game these days, this could also means that as the user base grows, many requests are more likely to be materialized faster.
3.
True. Although I subjectively hope that MSFS would bridge the training parts as time goes by, it may turn out onto the other extreme in the end if the bigger share of users request for more game features instead. Who knows?
4.
Will MSFS be one day the terminator that ends P3D? Probably not, at least not in the foreseeable future I believe, since average users are not LM’s major concern. Also, flight schools with certified equipment might not support MSFS or need a long time to support MSFS.
It should be somewhat like the FSX situation versus P3D — there are still many people running FSX as long as they see fit due to various reasons.
5.
Regarding X-Plane, it should be suffering from the current MSFS rush as well. But I think it will continue to be one of the main streams in flight simulation as it technically goes a different path.
6.
Lastly, no matter what, I think MSFS is a good thing giving pressures onto P3D. Hoping that the P3D team now realizes what to do next to maintain its role as a key player among the competitions in the next few years or so.
Tom
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Good points as always Sir. I think time will tell.
Cheers
Tom
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Yes, time will tell.
Tom
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