FlyAway is hosting the new Dovetail Games flight sim vid

[Roger]

I believe their full, 64bit flight simulator, to be released at the end of the year will be massive (in terms of our niche market). No more ooms for the systems heavy tube-liner drivers, loads of new lighting effects... I just hope someone will find the key to port-over our FsX favourites.

 

[RobM]

I don't think Flyaway is hosting per se, I think they are just offering steam keys.

The actual steam sale site is at:

http://store.steampowered.com/app/441920

For my Canadian dollar steam account, the price is $16.99 Canadian, which isn't that much, and there are a number of interesting points mentioned. Only 64 bit versions of operating systems are supported, there is a free flight option to allow you to fly anywhere in the world, and the storage space required is 40 GB's.

But there's only two planes provided, a Super Cub and a Cherokee (I wonder who's did the 64 bit models?).

What makes this more interesting is the announcement from John Venema at Orbx a month ago:

http://www.orbxsystems.com/forum/topic/112396-dovetail-games-continues-orbx-partnership/

..about Orbx's on-going partnership with DTG. I particularly found his comment interesting that, "we're confident that our terrain will look absolutely stunning in their enhanced 3D engine and provide a level of immersion unlike anything experienced before."

This Orbx announcement was under a banner of their FTXGlobal. So I wonder if that's why the 40 GB size. I also wonder if it will include 64 bit compatible Orbx Vector as well, and if a better quality higher resolution world wide terrain mesh than that in default FSX will be used.

If so, it would be interesting to see what 64 bit FTXGlobal world looks like. Too bad there aren't more , or perhaps more interesting, planes provide though.

Mind you, I'm so far down the FSX hole now in terms of add ons, I don;t think I could afford to buy everything new again at this late date.

Thanks - Rob

PS: did those links work? I'm so computer challenged at times.

 

[manfredc3]

From reading the reactions posted below the video, it appears that the "Flight School" sim is a closed product. Not open to any aircraft or scenery addons beyond what it is packaged with. Strictly made to entice new pilots to take up Flight Simming and learn the basics of flight. Due out this month. The actual Flight Sim product will be out later this year, is expected to be 64 bit, which also means that few FSX/P3D products, if any will make the leap to the new sim.

I read the same thing, also in the PCpilot article.

For me the interesting part will be how this "Flight School" looks and performs, as it will be an indication for the later this year to be released full flight simulator.

Oh, and for those wondering; I am not being negative, as a new Flight simulator is good for our hobby, and will hopefully draw new members to the community.

 

[hairyspin]

...I just hope someone will find the key to port-over our FsX favourites.

...because the DTG guy has already said they won't be compatible with the new sim as they are.

 

[Hanimichal]

 

[heywooood]

For this limited title 'Flight School' being a closed sim is ok..
To me, the interesting thing is how does it look?
How does it perform on my current PC?
What's new and different compared to FSX?
Those are the things I'm interested in.
If DTG wants their new big flight sim to sell, then this Flight School item will need to
perform and showcase these advancememts (hopefully) in a big way.
I expect it to do just that

 

[Daube]

Yes I guess you're right. It makes sense to use Flight School to check the behavior of that 64 bits game engine. I have to admit I'm pretty curious about it too...
Perhaps if some Steam sales bring the price further down, I might give it a try, I don't know...

 

[n4gix]

But there's only two planes provided, a Super Cub and a Cherokee (I wonder who's did the 64 bit models?).

There is a third plane that will be provided at release to those who've pre-purchased, and 60 days later to those who waited: The lovely DA-42 diesel twin turbo... This aircraft will be used for the Multi-Engine portion of the training syllabus.

BTW, there's no such thing as a 64-bit model.

The main reason why I've already bought this is to dissect the file and folder structure. I don't believe for a moment that it will be impossible to introduce new models, but this will be the only way for me to know for sure one way or another!

 

[xpelekis]

What I understand from watching the video is that Flying School sim
is basically an FSX Missions Training pack that user will be able to fly in an
improved graphics - performance engine compared to what FSX provides.
Even the price is similar to a payware FSX Missions pack.

Saying this, doesn't mean that I underestimate the product. On the contrary.
If I can get a fun & challenging FSX missions pack to fly in a more immersive environment
than FSX's, why not ?...

My only problem is that my system is 32bit and I have "heavily invested" in FSX, as someone
commented. Also being an FSX Mission builder myself, able to create such content
in FSX/P3D, I doubt that I'll upgrade my system just for the graphics of flight school.

But the Flight Sim may worth it... Remains to be seen.

 

[heywooood]

There is a third plane that will be provided at release to those who've pre-purchased, and 60 days later to those who waited: The lovely DA-42 diesel twin turbo... This aircraft will be used for the Multi-Engine portion of the training syllabus.

BTW, there's no such thing as a 64-bit model.

The main reason why I've already bought this is to dissect the file and folder structure. I don't believe for a moment that it will be impossible to introduce new models, but this will be the only way for me to know for sure one way or another!

The file and folder structure! Good Point - thank your Mr.Leaming. Another great reason to be intrigued by this news

 

[heywooood]

What I understand from watching the video is that Flying School sim
is basically an FSX Missions Training pack that user will be able to fly in an
improved graphics - performance engine compared to what FSX provides.
Even the price is similar to a payware FSX Missions pack.

Saying this, doesn't mean that I underestimate the product. On the contrary.
If I can get a fun & challenging FSX missions pack to fly in a more immersive environment
than FSX's, why not ?...

My only problem is that my system is 32bit and I have "heavily invested" in FSX, as someone
commented. Also being an FSX Mission builder myself, able to create such content
in FSX/P3D, I doubt that I'll upgrade my system just for the graphics of flight school.

But the Flight Sim may worth it... Remains to be seen.

Of course the money spent on FSX to date by most users causes consternation whenever a new flight sim is offered in the same genre..FSX being the only civilian flight sim I have ever owned makes me biased in that way too.
I have never delved into XPlane for that very reason. I started with FSX, made major investments in software addons for FSX none of which are cross compatible with XPlane and so I have basically ignored that other civilian flight sim entirely.
This new DTG game is only based on what they bought from Microsoft and that does not mean it will be cross compatible. It would be SMART from a marketing standpoint if it WAS...but I don't think it will be.
If I want to fly a Beech V35 in the DTG sim it makes sense that DTG would want me to buy one from DTG or a licensed 3rd party who pays DTG a percentage. (and not just roll my FSX one over for free)
While having that option (FSX compatibility) would encourage me to buy DTG Flight Sim - it would not generate important additional revenue for DTG which is their business model if you look at the train simulator they market.
This Flight Training Sim however will allow me to have both my FSX experience AND access to their product for a low cost to me. Once I have that access I can decide where my future investments will go.
I think this is one reason why I am hoping DTG have knocked it over the fence if not out of the yard with this new offering. I may even pre-order it because - lets face it - they HAVE to know how critical it is for them to have
something impressive. Look at this audience after all.

 

[heywooood]

https://m.facebook.com/dtgflightschool/

in game remders

 

[griphos]

Looks like FSX with Orbx Global (and some bad ENB settings).

 

[StormILM]

I believe their full, 64bit flight simulator, to be released at the end of the year will be massive (in terms of our niche market). No more ooms for the systems heavy tube-liner drivers, loads of new lighting effects... I just hope someone will find the key to port-over our FsX favourites.

During the question & answers session DTG held last month, they clarified the full sim will be based on FSX but 64bit and that they were working on ground and sky textures as well as weather that would be more or less in the aftermarket class of things. I did se the first in-game video of Flight School and the stock terrain looked very much like some of the Orbx worldwide mesh, buildings, textures. The sky textures looked great as well but some may not like it as much as the more common aftermarket stuff. The water as well as shadowing looked an awful lot like P3D to me. I suppose some of the technologies for both sims are being shared or are at the very least in the same ballpark parameter wise. What I did hear regarding port-overs is that they were working closely with 3rd party developers to help pave a path to getting their products into the new full sim. The way they put it was that they are aiming for the least painful path on doing this which I take as meaning the intent is to upgrade only the needed parts (the dll gauges, etc) as opposed to the products needing to be completely rebuilt. DTG said they are going to clarify this more as the sim becomes ready for release by years end. I'm pretty sure I'm going to migrate as much of my high end stuff as I can and what I figure won't be able to be migrated, I will keep FSX on a separate drive to continue using some freeware and payware which won't likely see upgrades into the new sim. That's more or less how I did when I transitioned from FS9 to FSX back in 07.

 

[hairyspin]

What must be frustrating for the developers is the number of people who latch on to the least detail or screenshot as being exactly how the finished product will look and work. The full simulator is half a year away at least and what they're showing cannot be finished yet. Rather like the new house buyer squabbling over the curtain poles and light switches when the drywalling is still to be set up, we're insisting this or that must be just so and how can anyone think the fog layers should look like that???

If the simulator was finished right now, DTG would be getting it on the market, not sitting on their hands until Christmas. Lord grant me patience and gimme it right now...

 

[griphos]

The in game renders above are of Flight School, which will be released in a couple of weeks or sooner.

 

[heywooood]

I already bought it - $15 is not a huge price to pay for a title that offers free flight and the entire planet for a flyable map.
Set for release at the end of this month.

 

[davido53]

64 bit might make it worthwhile...while FSX:SE runs pretty smoothly, 64 bit might be even better, in which case I can see most people moving to this platform, especially with 3rd party software becoming available and the 32 bit stuff fading into the sunset