Today Microsoft and third-party developers had news to share about Microsoft Flight Simulator and its add-ons.
First of all, Sim Update 9 has been officially released. It requires it’s usual preliminary download on the Windows Store or Steam weighing about 500 MB, and then a further download after the simulator is launched weighing 4.72 GB.
This update mostly focused on fixing issues related to crashes, weather, navigation, and much more, but it also introduces significant changes to the F/A-18.
You can find the full update notes here.
On top of that, we get the release of the Gee Bee Model Z Super Sportster and the Model R-2 Super Sportster for $14.99 on the official marketplace.
We also get a development update from PMDG, with CEO Robert Randazzo providing more information on the upcoming Boeing 737-700, which remains highly anticipated. No release date or pricing have been announced yet, but we also get a new and charming image from Steve Dra.
Our primary focus at this juncture is split pretty evenly into two key areas:
- Tidying up sounds around the airplane, with specific focus on trimwheel and engine/apu start-and-stop sounds.
- Continued analysis of a particularly troublesome failure mode during landing.
We have pushed multiple builds to our testing team over the past day and we are working with further builds internally to continue iterative testing on this landing issue. I anticipate we will have a clearer picture of whether we are moving in the right direction with a fix for this item when we push our next build to the beta and technical teams on Wednesday. We *do* feel that we have a good idea what causes it, but I am going to refrain from discussing what we think or what the fix might be because the details aren’t absolutely certain. As such there is still some risk for being wrong, and I’d prefer to know for certain we are correct before declaring victory.
A number of folks have been following along as a few streamers with whom we have relationships have experienced the issue. Please understand that they have been very useful to us in data collection but we have not shared with them what we think causes the issue for the same reasons as stated in the paragraph above. I recognize that there has been some conjecture as to the cause- but again I think it is responsible to verify we have a solution before saying “we think this is it.”
In other areas of the airplane, continued cleanup is taking place smoothing out small items that our beta and tech team report. Additionally we are working on graphic updates and documentation and various other details to bring the airplane closer to release readiness.
We recognize that many of you are incredibly excited for this release. Please know that we are as well, and we will have it in your hands the moment we feel it is ready and can provide you with great enjoyment. That day is not far off- and once we set the release date we will tell you.