No more Flight Sim!!??

Simtech

Avsim have reported that Microsoft have closed Aces Studio, the gaming division that produces Flight Simulator. :eek:

Overheal

Gizmodo has confirmed it - the Microsoft Flight Simulator series has been axed. 25 years gone to pot.

Hopefully they will release the sourcecode.

Simtech

There is a huge community out there. It's time EVERYONE registered their disapproval with Microsoft. The worst thing people can do is quietly bemoan this. The internet is a wonderful thing, it gives power to the people over the corporation. I for one will be boycotting Microsoft products from now on and I intend to let them know it!!

mayordenis

I don't understand, without microsoft "Microsoft Flight Sim" would never exist now that the economy is gone to **** you're boycotting them over this.
Go boycott some other software company who've not given you many many games that you've loved (assuming you love the flight sim games) and demand that someone else does something.
Maybe Appreciate what the company gave you - they haven't taken away your old games they're just not making anymore.

samhail

ouch hmmm.

Simtech

It's really not that hard to grasp. Try to keep up. There is a huge flight sim community out there. If that so called "community" does not register it's disgust with Microsoft then it dies. Rather than quietly thanking the ACES team and forgetting their efforts, the community should get behind them and show their support. It's not like large corporations have never backtracked on a decision in the face of public anger.:mad:

spatchco

MICROSOFT FLIGHT SIMULATOR ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK?
With the announcement of 1400 layoffs, Microsoft seems to be closing its game studios, and the future of Microsoft Flight Simulator appears at best uncertain, according to two publications devoted to computer gaming, Gamasutra and Venture Beat. Gamasutra, which spoke with developments sources, printed that "multiple reports" indicate that "the entire Flight Simulator team has been axed." However, Microsoft's official offering on the subject is the statement that "all we're announcing at this time is what we are committed to flying games." According to Microsoft, Flight Simulator X, the game's most recent incarnation, "is the culmination of nearly 25 years" of the franchise, and "the most significant addition to date." The question for many is how committed the company might be to its flight games line if they do in fact lay off the teams that develop the games. While other flight simulator programs exist, Microsoft's Flight Simulator programs have been in circulation since the early 1980s and have developed a very large and dedicated fan base, as well as a loyal following of pilots who sometimes use the program to help them stay sharp. Many future pilots, too, have shot complex ILS approaches on their home computers before ever joining the ranks of airborne pilots. And, if the game's maker does close the storefront for Flight Simulator, there may be many entrepreneurial computer programmers waiting in the wings who may soon see new opportunities.

humanji

Simtech wrote: »

It's really not that hard to grasp. Try to keep up. There is a huge flight sim community out there. If that so called "community" does not register it's disgust with Microsoft then it dies. Rather than quietly thanking the ACES team and forgetting their efforts, the community should get behind them and show their support. It's not like large corporations have never backtracked on a decision in the face of public anger.:mad:

As pointed out in the post below yours 1400 people have lost their jobs at Microsoft. If you really want them to keep making Flight Simulator then getting all the FS fans to boycott Microsoft will cause them to lose more money, more jobs will be lost and there will be no hope of there ever being another FS made.

If, on the other hand, you buy more and more MS products, they'll have more money, won't have to let any more people go and be able to afford to pump money and manpower into a new FS product.

In normal times a boycott can work wonders. In a recession, a fully realised boycott can destroy companies and that would get you no where.

pclancy

I think it will be back when Microsoft and the world at large recovers from this recession. Its one of their oldest products that even predates Windows and has made them a fortune, the inhouse development may have ceased but they'll keep the brand alive i'm sure and perhaps get some external company to release a new licenced version.

At least it gives us a few years to actually be able to buy the hardware needed to run FSX properly

pclancy

FS insider release:

http://www.fsinsider.com/news/Pages/AMessageFromAces.aspx

About the Aces Team
1/26/2009



By now, many of you have heard that Microsoft has closed Aces Studio, the publisher of Microsoft Flight Simulator. This was not a reflection of the quality of the products Aces has developed, the sales performance of the games, or the quality of the team at Aces. This difficult decision was made to align Microsoft’s resources with our strategic priorities. Microsoft Flight Simulator X will remain available at retail stores and web retailers, the Flight Sim community will continue to learn from and encourage one another, and we remain committed to the Flight Simulator franchise for the long term.

Microsoft Game Studios is investing significant resources in many exciting and new areas of gaming and entertainment, including Windows games. We believe these future investments will push innovation, community, and collaboration to unprecedented levels and will provide more synergy with our ongoing investments in Games for Windows - LIVE as well as other Windows entertainment technologies. We have nothing specific to announce at this time, but stay tuned for more information.

We are humbled and proud of the passion and support that the Flight Simulator franchise has developed over its more than twenty-five year history. This includes you, the large community of flight simmers, as well as the vibrant third-party ecosystem that has developed around the game. We will continue to produce, sell, and support the latest version of Flight Simulator as we plan for future versions of the franchise. Thank you for your understanding of our decision and for your continued support!