The state of FS 2020 now

[azflyboy]

I will likely stay with FSX Steam Edition until MSFS is finished. I'm just not that fond of paying to be a beta tester and the frustration of a broken sim after an update sounds like the sort of frustration I can do without. Just my opinion.

Microsoft/Asobo have said they're planning a 10 year lifetime for MSFS in terms of updates and such, so it'll probably never be "finished", especially since the plan is to release updates for various countries/regions as Asobo gets better satellite and mesh data over the next few years.

According to the timeline they've laid out, MSFS will basically have all the basic features FSX/P3d did by some time next year (which will see the addition of native support for functioning aircraft carriers, gliders, and helicopters), so it's possible that the sim will be largely done in terms of adding new types of aircraft by next year, but there's probably a lot of "tweaking" that'll happen after that point as well.

 

[joe bob]

Aside from Steam or MS Store, you'll also need to decide which edition to buy (Standard, Deluxe or Premium Deluxe). /QUOTE]

That was my next question, As long as it is not like FSX and FSX Gold where there were new features that other developers required in their add ons, I am not sure I would use the premium content enough to justify the additional cost. I wonder if they do add features to the program would they do so evenly across the board.

 

[azflyboy]

So far, new features haven't been confined to one version, but since the sample size is small at the moment, I wouldn't be shocked if some stuff down the road (like helicopters) ended up requiring purchase of some official DLC to work, but even then, the version of the basic sim won't matter.

 

[scotth6]

Aside from Steam or MS Store, you'll also need to decide which edition to buy (Standard, Deluxe or Premium Deluxe). /QUOTE]

That was my next question, As long as it is not like FSX and FSX Gold where there were new features that other developers required in their add ons, I am not sure I would use the premium content enough to justify the additional cost. I wonder if they do add features to the program would they do so evenly across the board.

I did get the premium deluxe version of MSFS, and I don't regret doing so, BUT, the only difference between the versions are the original extra 10 airports and 5(?) aircraft, so if you don't think you'll be using those aircraft or airports, then it's proabably not worth it. Every time there has been a World Update there are a bunch of new HD airports added, and they are added to all the versions equally. So the difference between the standard, deluxe and premium deluxe versions will remain the same as time goes on. I have already replaced two of the included HD airports with payware versions, but I also use the premium deluxe aircraft quite a bit, and I think the HD airports originally included are well done.

Just have a look of included aircraft and HD airports to decide which version to get, because those original extras remain the only difference between the versions.

 

[MZee1960]

It's not so much about protecting that folder but about preventing problems with the updates. Some things that can reside in the Community folder have caused issues and errors with past updates. Because of this, MS/Asobo recommends simply moving it out of the sim before launching the program when an update is due to download. The sim will recreate an empty folder at startup anyway.

Well explained, Tom. I was always wondering about this.

 

[Paul Anderson]

Another botch up.

Bought new computer, bought MSFS through Steam and loaded all updates. Dec. 23 bought Flyinside Bell 47G2 - can't get it off the ground. Flyinside says throttle assignment was messed up by Asobo for helicopters. They have made a workaround for Microsoft store version, but I am not willing to buy it again. Asobo is on several weeks holidays, so even when Flyinside get a workaround for Steam version, Asobo is not there to place updated version in Steam marketplace. (sigh)

 

[ak416]

The Steam version uses the same marketplace as the Microsoft Store, so while purchases don't transfer the version numbers should be the same. If an update was pushed to the in-game marketplace, it will be available for both versions of the game at the same time.

 

[Paul Anderson]

Not quite ...

The Asobo Microsoft Bell 47G2 version has an external Heli Manager which needs a product key to be able to fly. The Steam version has an internal Heli Manager brought up with a click on a toggle switch - no product key required. Microsoft is usually around to put updates in their store, Asobo is on holidays so no Steam updates.

 

[joe bob]

I ended up purchasing the sim and am generally pleased, I do have some immediate questions though.

I have selected realistic mode and have gone in and confirmed that auto mixture is not selected but my mixture/ condition levers want to stay about mid position. If I move them they return to that position.

I am having a difficult time figuring out how to navigate using the map. I see VOR stations but it does not display the numbers. The airports don't have a way to show ILS freqs
any beginner suggestions would be appreciated

 

[DennyA]

I have selected realistic mode and have gone in and confirmed that auto mixture is not selected but my mixture/ condition levers want to stay about mid position. If I move them they return to that position.

I would guess Mixture is mapped to an axis on a controller somewhere, and the sim is picking that up and resetting to that position. Go into your controller settings and you can search for "mixture" on each controller you have attached. Search and see if it's bound to something; if so, just delete any unwanted bindings.

I don't see this behavior on mine, where I have mixture mapped to one of the Verniers on my Velocity One yoke.

 

[joe bob]

Thanks Denny, that was it. It never occurred to me that the sim would automatically assign a mixture axis.