FSBreak - The Flight Simulator Podcast

Hosted by Eric McClintock, Jordan G, #38; Adam J. Listen Here: Subscribe to automatically get the latest podcast: iTunes, Zune, RSS XML, E-Mail, All Other. Support Flightsim This petition is to serve as an open letter of support for both the ACES studio members and the Microsoft Flight Simulator franchise as a whole. Over its 25+ year history the franchise has built an unmatched fan-base stretching across generations. With the closure of the ACES studio, we, the loyal supporters of the franchise are concerned with the continuity and quality of the brand. Though the franchise remains the property of Microsoft Corporation, the real value remains in the dedication and creativity of the ACES studio members that have now been lost. Check it out and sign the petition at SupportFlightSim.com. [Link] End of an Era, Part III New blog post from Phil Taylor where he wraps up the various press coverage Microsoft has gotten. Is the FS Franchise dead? Here is some information from Phil: Two groups being formed, Group one involves using using character animation, that was supposed to be in Train Sim 2, in a social networking environment lead by Microsoft Research. Group two is the most interesting, it will be centered around a flying game - NOT FS11 - But still a flying game. Group two has 30 employees, and plan to take on 15 more over the next year. The job postings last week which mentioned a "flight orientated game" were for the second group. Also remember that some employees from the ACES studios were asked to find another position in the company, presumably to 'group two'. So what does this mean? Phil speculates: This is a serious change in direction for the hobby, but the jury is out in terms of the exact details until Microsoft Game Studios releases more information. Phil mentions the possibility of a pay to play type system, similar to other games like world of warcraft, where you pay a monthly fee in order to play the game. He also has said that it could be a possibility that it might not feature the entire world, and not as a deep simulation experience. Question? If this were to happen, what would happen? Would you pay to play a FS? Online Surveys#160;#38;#160;Market Research Tell us what you think! Use the form on our contact page, email feedback@fsbreak.net, or call 513-201-5426 Phil ends the speculation by saying that it is clear Microsoft has SOMETHING in the works, but we will just have to wait and see. Until then FSX is a great platform to build on. View the full article here. [Link] New Film from JaggyRoad Films Imagine you are watching an amateur edited video with a bit of music in the background to spice things up a bit. Nothing crazy, just a relaxing but fun experience you might find at a friend's TV on a late night while tipping back a few beers. Video: Watch this video and JaggyRoad's other videos here. [Link] GoFlight Integrated Communications Console Features a Full-size COMM and NAV stack Includes a prewired USB hub, just plug it in and use the configuration software. Will run you about $900. View more about the console here. [Link] Picture of Jordan's friend's setup: [nggallery id=2] Share your home cockpit! Use the form on our contact page, email feedback@fsbreak.net and include an attachment or a link to your home cockpit! Quick Links Sandspit "X" Airport This is one of the most popular and yet often forgotten airports in North America. From the very detailed and unique terminal building to animated "birds in flight" and Orca whales "splashing about" just off the coastline, we have done our best to capture the area's overall peaceful and serene feel. Both FS2004 and FSX versions included. Price: $15.00 USD. More info at this article. [Link] Sky Diver 2009 A skydive 'simulator' for both FS2004 and FSX. Features 5 different types of animation. Also features a watch with Altimeter and different canopy colors.

Hosted by Eric McClintock, Mark, and Cam. Listen Here: Subscribe to automatically get the latest podcast: iTunes, Zune, RSS XML, E-Mail, All Other. X-Plane 9.30 Beta-2 for PC/Mac New engine model to handle the proper air density at critical altitudes. Auto-throttle PRESERVES the differences between various throttles in multi-engine airplanes. Example: If you MANUALLY drag the throttles in a multi-engine plane to somewhat different settings, such as, for example, 10% more throttle on engine #1, and then engage the auto-throttle, engine #1 will continues to run at 10% higher throttle than the others. Rudder-pedal joystick-button/key-commands are back. New option in Plane-Maker: Auto-slats below a certain SPEED. Many other features, for more information and to download see X-Plane's website. [Link] The reduced price of $39.99 for X-Plane has also been extended due to the recent news from Microsoft. A summary of new features can also be found at this website. [Link] X-Plane Extreme for iPhone/iPod Touch X-Plane Extreme Edition has been released for the iPhone and iPod touch. This features a full simulation platform on your portable device, you can adjust your throttle, flaps, speed brake, etc. You also have the option to pick between 6 different regions, each with around 4 airports per region. You can also adjust the weather, time of day, and many other features. On the iTunes music store, Austin Meyer mentions that there may be a free update to allow for multiplayer flight. Included Aircraft: F-22 Raptor B-1 Lancer B-2 Spirit SR-71 Blackbird Price: $9.99 iTunes Store Link. [Link] What's next for Microsoft's Flight Sim partners? The register interviewed Scott Phillips of Just Flight [Link], and Steve Halpern of Flight One Software [Link]. Both third party company's agree that for the time being, FSX is enough to develop for in the short term. However, Halpern calls for Microsoft to announce any news about the series final future in the coming months, so his company can make long term decisions.[POLL HERE] Online Surveys#160;#38;#160;Market Research The article goes on to mention other simulators such as X-Plane [Link], and the open source FlightGear [Link]. To read the entire article from The Register, visit the page. [Link] [caption id="attachment_216" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="FlightGear - The Open Source FS"][/caption] New Microsoft Job postings New job posting from Microsoft [Link] : Join the team responsible for building the most fun and rewarding flying experiences available on Games for Windows Live. Microsoft Game Studios is looking for a veteran Lead Program Manager/Producer to help lead the development of a new broad-attraction flight-oriented game on the PC. And another [Link] : Join the team responsible for building the most fun and rewarding flying experiences available on Games for Windows Live. Does working on a small, innovative team that delivers the most immersive flight experiences available today on the PC intrigue you? Our technology makes available entire continents - potentially the entire planet - for a detailed and dynamic 3D experience. We are looking for a Project Art Lead who can define, refine, and extend the visual elements while balancing the need for fun and approachability for a broad set of users. Read the article from SimFlight here. [Link] Last Week's Poll: Do you think we will see MSFS11 released as a game on the xBox 360? The results were more than 5 to 1 NO: Manhattan X for FSX Released Covers the entire Manhattan Island (East Side, West Side, Uptown and Downtown) plus Ellis Island, Governors Island, Roosevelt Island, Statue Island. Four heliports. Very high density scenery with hundreds of detailed buildings. Full FSX features using bump maps, advanced shading and reflections. Scheduled ship traffic (Staten Island Ferries). Many special effects included (like sounds,

Hosted by Eric McClintock, Cam, and Adam. Listen Here: Subscribe to automatically get the latest podcast: iTunes, Zune, RSS XML, E-Mail, All Other. R.I.P. Paulo Emanuele... End of an Era - Part II From Phil Taylor's Blog: "Aces did not get shuttered because FSX sold poorly. To the contrary, FSX sold decently, as this post recounted. And this post places its sales as north of 1 million units. Aces had "internal issues" at the wrong time. They got caught in a game of musical chairs without a chair." What do I mean by that? They had issues in trying to develop 3 releases simultaneously ( TS2, ESP2, FS11 ) with current resources and had a schedule change as a result. For the Flight franchise, P-12C ( Paul Lange, lead designer for FS 11 ) replied on this thread that the team asked if they could buy the IP and spin out, and was refused. On a forum post, P-12C says "the answer was that MS believes in the IP and would not be willing to sell it.". For the Train Sim franchise, Stone Lance ( Steve Heister, Core graphics programmer ) confirms TS2 is gone. ESP is similarly gone. Read the entire post. [Link] Carenado's C172N Skyhawk II for FS2004 Released Interactive vir...

Hosted by Eric McClintock, Co-Hosted by Cam [Forum Profile]. Listen Here: Subscribe to automatically get the latest podcast: iTunes, RSS XML, E-Mail, All Other. Microsoft Closes ACES Studios As a part of Microsoft's 5,000 person layoff, they have announced that in their first round of 1,400 job cuts that ACES, the studio that develops the "Microsoft Flight Simulator" series, is deemed no longer necessary and would be shut down. Reports from various sources say that some employees were given 24 hour notice, and others were given 60 days to find another job in the company. Microsoft will leave only 6 employees at ACES, which is presumed to archive code, and serve out existing contracts.