ANALYSIS: MICROSOFT FLIGHT Fight or Flight
FLIGHT simulators have been around since the early days of computer games, with the first one landing around 30 years ago. Technology and business models have advanced dramatically, but flying sims have always remained a more traditional part of the market. Lucrative, too: Microsoft releases new version, third-parties sell extra content, enthusiasts are happy. The PC games sell steadily at retail. Everyone wins.
But recent developments threaten this balance, due to the impending arrival of Microsoft’s microtransaction-based online title, which arrives six years after Flight Simulator X.
Microsoft Flight is the first free-to-play download release in the series
GOING CASUAL Microsoft Flight, out this spring, is not just a sequel. It’s a rebrand and a revision of how the MS Flight business model operates. The word ‘Simulator’ has been removed from the game’s title – and for good reason. It will appeal to more than just the die-hard sim fanatics. Users will be able to download it on PC for free, and pay money for additional content such as new planes, areas and options. It’s a drastic change to adopt this modern model, but one Microsoft says can appeal to new audiences. “The free-to-play businessmodel will open up the game to anyone who has always wanted to fly but were intimidated by the barrier-to- entry of flight simulation games,” MS Flight’s executive producer Joshua Howard tells MCV.
“This model allows us to release high quality new content much faster than a typical retail distribution model, and most importantly, to offer a preview of the game so that customers can decide what to purchase and when.” That’s all well and good for the flight sim community, but where does it leave third-party content firms?
STALLING AT TAKE-OFF Some expert flight game developers
28 January 27th 2012
months. We see no reason why anyone would walk away from five years of investing in Flight Simulator Xadd-ons to a new simulator.”
Mastertronic’s Andy Payne (above left) and Dermot Stapleton (above right), and Contact Sales’ Robert Stallibrass (below left) want to produce content for MS Flight, but Microsoft’s Joshua Howard (below right) says DLC will be initially built in-house
The irony, of course, is that the long-running traditional flight sim publishers are willing to embrace change and produce download-only content for MS Flight. While Microsoft is potentially hindering itself with the more old-fashioned strategy of shutting out third- parties. Although the computer giant hasn’t ruled out opening MS Flightup to third-parties at a later date, it will only release its own DLC at launch.
were the first to express their frustration over the situation. Orbx is one studio that is now embracing Prepar3d– a new game that uses the X engine. Microsoft has licensed this engine as a commercial product. “A closed environment with an in- game app store does not appeal to us since we cannot generate income from such a proprietary arrangement,” Orbx’s John Venema says. “We’re porting all our stuff to Prepar3dover the coming
Mastertronic’s Just Flight publishing label and Contact Sales’ First Class Simulations arm have released hundreds of flight sim expansions between them, but none of these will be compatible with the upcoming MS Flight. They admit the title is progressive, but also frustrating nonetheless. “We wouldn’t have a problem with making DLC for MS Flight. We think freemiumis the way the games industry is going,” says Mastertronic’s operations director Dermot Stapleton.
“But [Microsoft] would miss a trick if they limited the options for
freeware and commercial developers, as that drives the whole hobby. And beware of creating an exclusive outlet just for
downloadable add-ons. The minute you lock out boxed product, you start closing out markets like Germany, where there’s massive demand for boxed sims.” Contact Sales MD Robert
Stallibrass tells MCV he is “delighted” Microsoft is developing a new flight sim, but “disappointed” about the lack of new opportunities.
By consolidating our new content under one roof, we can simplify the process for the customer.
“ Joshua Howard, Microsoft
“It’s all very well to put everything online, but a high percentage of people still like to buy boxed games,” Stallibrass says. “Microsoft will want to control it.” Microsoft’s argument is free-to-
play streamlines the buying process. “By consolidating all our new content under one roof, we can
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For years publishers have been able to Veteran firms like Mastertronic and
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