FS2006

[EHM-0744 Alex]

MS is accustomed to releasing an FS every 2 years, so FS2006 should be next, and considering how MS does things it should be out this August. I have searched the web and I have not found a single thing even alluding to a release date or any new special features. I dont quite remember how far back FS2004 was announced, so I might be early. Anyways just post anything new, pictures, whatever you come across.

Cheers,

Alex

[EHM-1539 Pierre]

For now you are right, there are no leaks about it. I tried to find info yesterday and ended up reading 2 years old stuff about MS palladium. Waste of time
I don't think they will communicate about it before they have advanced beta version screens and material to show (even PMDG communicates more ^^)

[EHM-0962 Zhen Yi]

I've been searching for the past few months and have not turned up anything yet

[EHM-1001 Robert]

I am sure if a game is planned to release, it will be presented/announced at least at E3, or any other big American game shows/fairs. So what about there, men ?

[EHM-1539 Pierre]

E3 2005 Started today. No news yet. Wait and see ?

[EHM-1365 Benjamin]

Hi,

Well apparently it was said a while ago that the new version will be announced at IFC Blackpool this year. I will be there - so with any luck that will be the first anouncment :8

[EHM-1539 Pierre]

Thanks for the tip
50 days left... Argh.
(MS booked 6 stands, at the IFC, hmmm...)

[EHM-0001 Gergely]

Hi,

a friend of a friend works at Microsoft in Redmond. He says that a new FS can be expected only after the release of Windows Longhorn (about mid-2006).

Gergely

[EHM-1539 Pierre]

Hmm... Argh.
Let's hope. Anyway, I think they'll show something about the next FS in the IFC, even if the final is out only in 2006.

[EHM-0962 Zhen Yi]

But why after Longhorn? so that it's adapted to the new OS?

[EHM-1199 Philip]

Longhorn is goin' to be the next gen chips so we'll move to the full 64bit MS and consequently see a fresh turn of performance if you upgrade hardware and OS simultaneously. That makes perfect sense and will give us all a reason to buy new PC as well as new MSFS.

[EHM-1539 Pierre]

Personally, I think FS2k6 will work on 32 bits systems, but that's just a personal "intuition"
wait and see...

[Anonymous]

Mid-2006!!! Thats like... 1 year ahead!!:o:o:o I hope it comes out this summer.:s

[EHM-1539 Pierre]

"Almost from the horses mouths, we met with those that know in LA at E3 and it is now clear that Microsoft plan the next release of their de-facto Flight Simulator during the summer of 2006. So no panic please, a new version is not about to launch which gives all Flight Sim fans plenty of time to enjoy the latest incarnation (FS2004) before the new version ships. Fear not, we will keep you all informed as to the developments of the new version, as and when Microsoft actually make their intentions clear."
(news from fustflight.com)

Gergely was right
At least there is no doubt the PMDG 747 will be for 2004 :8

[EHM-1617 Iain]

I hate it when a new version comes out and u have to start again with addons. I hope they don't completely change the code, so that some may still work.

[EHM-0744 Alex]

I think of it as a relief when a new one comes out, right now my FS is so full of Addons placed all over the place, some pop up error messages every one in a while, getting a new FS means a clean start. If MS makes the new FS only compatible with their new OS only, that would be a pretty cruel move, especially as not only FS will suffer this change, all MS games and programs would be made exclusive.

But oh well, I'll buy it anyways, add some more $$$ to Mr. Gates.

Enjoy FS2004 while it lasts!

Alex;)

[EHM-1703 Philip]

Well, I just got my new PC with an Intel 840 processor..... Now just need Microsoft to hurry up and finish Vista. (Longhorn as it was previously known) I must admit that I am not used to MS doing so much Beta testing as they have done with Vista. Maybe we, the paying public, are no longer the guinea pigs for them???

I must say, the addons for FS2004 have been great, I just hope MS incorporate some of the great features like Passengers and Traffic in to the final version of FS2006 as I really can't afford to keep updating 3rd party programs and scenery every two years or so! I also hope FS2006 will take advantage of Dual Core processors!

Cheers,
Phil

[EHM-0654 Murray]

One of the rumours I heard a long while ago is that MS has bought the rights to the current Active Sky engine for FS2006.

[EHM-1358 Tim]

Originally posted by Murray Crane
One of the rumours I heard a long while ago is that MS has bought the rights to the current Active Sky engine for FS2006.

Wouldn't that be like Microsoft taking over Norton?

[EHM-1539 Pierre]

... and all other things MS took over

[EHM-0654 Murray]

Hehehe...

Having just had a look at the AS website to get my information right (since I knew a new version was due), it's the V4 ActiveSky engine thath MS have appropriated and the AS team have already released V5 (featuring Active Environment's Full Clouds/Environment graphics upgrade (designed exclusively for ASV by Chris Willis), Intelligent Cloud Selection, Vertical Air Simulation, Offline Sequential Playback, Wx Configurator Interface, and much more!) I've paid me £15 and I've got the upgrade D/Ling now. Those of you with meaty GFX cards that don't know Chris Willis' work up to now (FS Sky World), visit http://www.hifisim.com/activesky5.htm and get that credit card ready...

Me, I'll be sticking with FS2004 and ASv5 for a while to come yet (I doubt Project Magenta will be all that quick leaping to FS2006...)

[EHM-0654 Murray]

Originally posted by Tim
Wouldn't that be like Microsoft taking over Norton?

No Tim, more like MS buying the rights to use Backup Exec in Windows 2000 (hang on... they did that already...!)

Sometimes, and this is the one thing I agree with MS on, if someone has written something better than MS's drones, MS will buy the rights to use a bit of software in one of their products...

Did it with the defragger in WinXP/2003 as well...