GotFriends Astro ONE - Released 4/20

[JohnC]

Some of the comments here are downright hilarious. A fun addon (based on a REAL WORLD AIRCRAFT) cannot magically make the sim an arcade game. Buy what you like!

This feels directed at my post. The only note I was trying to make is that we're moving out of the era of plenty, there was no prediction about what the future would/will actually be. In the FSX/Prepar3D era there was a continuous drive towards increased aircraft systems fidelity, I think in part because of the lack of graphical detail or depth of interaction with the world. FS2020 is a whole different system in its representation of the world.

In simple terms; It was statement that the glass is at 50% capacity, and the interpretation from there is up to you.

[DennyA]

Really, what we need is a clear labeling system. (I actually pitched this to the MSFS team back before release during casual conversations.)

It's absolutely fine to have fictional fun planes, or planes enhanced over the normal performance. It's fine to have planes where the systems are "lightly simulated." And it's awesome to have survey-level aircraft. As long as peoples' expectations are clearly set before they purchase (cough B.314 cough), folks should be happy to let all of these exists.

I start cold-and-dark on maybe 5% of my flights. I know some people who do it every time. I know others who start in the air. Variety is the spice of life and we don't all want the same things.

But being too demanding and focused on systems realism as a demand and a must can kill the hobby. IL-2 Sturmovik ruined combat flight sims for a decade, because Oleg and crew listened to the rivet counters that system simulation was the critical element and multiplayer was the important focus, so missions, excitement, fun, historical scenarios, and AI were all neglected. When in fact, if we'd had planes that flew realistically, but with exciting missions that felt like the missions you read about in WW2 memoirs instead of sterile encounters against brain-dead unrealistic AI, combat flight sims might have not gone from one of the most prolific genres in the 1990s to the tiny niche they are now.

TL;DR -- There are survey-level planes and there are fun planes and there are planes in-between, and that's awesome. As long as someone doesn't buy A thinking they're getting C, everyone wins.

When I flew in a real F-15, the only systems I used were the throttle and stick. Totally didn't get to start up the engines, and it did absolutely nothing to dampen the experience.

[DennyA]

JohnC, your post nailed it. I have more than a few planes in my MSFS hangar that I bought when there wasn't much out there. Now I'm skipping planes like the Maule that I'd have snatched up early on, because with the proliferation of planes I already have its niche very covered. So my money's going to innovative and different experiences like the Astro One, to cool unique niche planes like the Norseman, and to every dang warbird out there. But it's going to take something really special to get me to buy another STOL bush plane or Piper/Cessna.

[dvj]

With all of this wonderful coding and new aircraft, ASOBO still can't get us a decent flyby mode or fix that dang horizon line. Maybe, Microsoft should have hired GotFriends. -d

[Javis]

With all of this wonderful coding and new aircraft, ASOBO still can't get us a decent flyby mode

That's the agonising truth alright.

It's on the wishlist though "Can we have our Classic Fly-By views back please" Approach : Not Started. That's something, right ?

[Javis]

As for the subject at hand.... Hmmmm.... somehow some numbers and names popped up in my mind, i don't know why...Let's see... Microsoft Flight Simulator....,hmmm... the Astro One, a flying lawn mower, or.... anything from what popped up in my head :

T-33
T-2
F-86
F-89
F-100
F-101
F-102
F-105
F-106
F-4
F-5
A-1
A-2U
A-2F
A-3J
A-3D
A-4D
A-20
F2D
F3H
F4D
F4F
F7F
F8F
F8U
F11F
F2J
F3J
B-17
B-24
B-25
B-26
B-29
B-36
B-47
B-57
B-58
C-97
C-118
C-119
C-124
C-130
KC-135
P-26
P-36
P-39
P-47
P-61
P-84
P-89
Lancaster
Halifax
Blenheim
Mossy
Hurricane
A-12 Duck
A-16 Albatross
A-10 Catalina
L-049
L-749
CV-240
CV-440
CV-580
DC-4
DC-7
DC-8
DC-9
DC-10
F-27, F-50
707
727
757
767
Viscount
Electra
Comet
Caravelle

If i'm not mistaking we had just about anything from that list of venerable flying machines in FSX/P3D, FS9, FS2K2, etc and before. Can we wonder what's keeping them from the Mother of all Flightsimulators that is MSFS ? Is it the Astro One's ?... the Lake Skipper's ?.... the JW1's...? the Flying Flea's ?... i.e. the Bugs ???... Do we maybe need a fly swatter here ?

Money, money, money
It ain't funny
In our MSFS world

[Daube]

I'm surprised by some reactions here.
Some of you are implying that this addon is just arcade stuff for the XBox elementary-school kids, telling about low-level/fantasy aircraft models etc... as if it were a TieFighter very briefly visiting us before returning in another galaxy...

We can regret this addon is only "inspired" from the real aircraft instead of actually modelling the real thing, but unfortunately that real thing hasn't shown its full capabilities yet (since it's still experimental and being tested), and that shouldn't prevent the addon from having a realistic flight model...

For those who didn't know, here is how the real one performed recently:
https://youtu.be/GAVwYIvmNEM