Microsoft FSX or XPlane... That is the question

[Rick Stratman]

It will be interesting if the licenses will change for Prepared3D v2.0 as I just checked the licensing and seems Lockheed is still very much not wanting their simulator just used for "Personal Consumer Entertainment".

I know the main goal for PE is directed towards RW pilots for ATC practice, but like me self being a simulation enthusiast and looking for expansion of the ATC interaction I don't see being in any of the "proper" category for the $199 license (Training, Instruction, Learning, Simulation).

Which would exclude the use or development of add ons such a FSEconomy or other add ons that links to virtual airlines you see on VATSIM. These types of adds for simulation enthusiast the purpose of flying.

I expect the next couple of years will be interesting in the area of fly simulation.

[twharrell]

Well, you can read their EULA, and take it word for word, or you can look at LM's actions and read their forums and realize there is something between those lines of the EULA. A number of flight sim developers have been very open about the fact that LM approached them and encouraged them to make addons compatible with P3D. You can also read their forums and see that nearly every user has purchased P3D for entertainment. In fact how many commercial developers use online forums for support, anyway? Couple that with fact that thousands of simmers, including myself, have legally purchased the Academic License, which is only $50 USD. And, by the way, purchasing said license, is as easy as purchasing a membership here at PE. Just read the language of what 'Academic' means. I's clear as mud, and for good reason. Look, LM knows very well that the best group of people to continuously test P3D are simmers. Most of us have done this since the days of SubLogic. P3D exists because of the flight sim community. Not to mention many of the beta testers for v2.0 are flight sim developers and hard core simmers. So, you can hire a group of attorneys, like PMDG, and treat the EULA like a lawsuit waiting to happen, or you can just look at the writing on the wall (i.e. the actions of Lockheed-Martin) and the fact that the thousands of people who purchased the Academic License are very much enthusiastically welcomed on their forums and not in jail. I, obviously, fall in the latter group and have yet to be arrested, contacted by a lawyer, or had my Academic License revoked.

Another thing, the line between entertainment and commercial use was blurred long before Lockheed-Martin entered the picture. FSX was used by RedBird before they began using P3D. Remember, you could legally log hours on RedBird simulators when they were using FSX. X-Plane has been in commercial use as well. And, let's not forget all these fully modelled Boeing airliners and Bombardier turboprops hitting the market lately. You don't think there is liability in some nut case being able to learn a T7's systems? It doesn't matter if those systems are learned on P3D or FSX, I guarantee that discussion was had in the development talks. The line between entertainment and commercial is a fantasy. Does not exist any more.

Sorry to be so long-winded. It surely is a debate that has been raging for a long time.

P3D is awesome. Along with X-plane, it is the future of simming, both entertainment and commercial.

Todd

[Rick Stratman]

Thanks for the response, as from what I can see from the new version of P3D, it sounds like its going to give X-Plane a run for its money.

I probably would make the switch to x-plane other than I have a few $$$$ in ORBX and other add ons, which i hope either small $$$ to upgrade to P3D or no cost

Anyhow i agree licenses are always a grey area, as one that works in computer industry licenses is something to get mgt going all the time.

[twharrell]

All Orbx products will be compatible with P3Dv3, as will most other addons. The only thing you will need to do is download new installers for v2.0.

Todd