Microsoft Flight Beta Signup Now Available (for Jan. 2012)

[Tineras]

FYI:

http://www.microsoft.com/games/flight/#news-beta_program_accepting_applications

"December 1, 2011 - Beta Program Now Accepting Applications

As promised in our November update, we have big news for all of our Flight fans: the Microsoft Flight launch sequence has begun!

We’re thrilled to announce that the Microsoft Flight Beta is scheduled to kick-off in January 2012 and we are now accepting applications to participate in the beta program – to apply click here. Note that any beta applications sent via e-mail to msflight@microsoft.com will not be considered for inclusion in the beta program.

We will be sorting through your applications over the coming month and will get back to qualifying participants with additional details throughout our beta phases in January. As we taxi for takeoff, we will continue to provide intriguing updates about the future of Microsoft Flight so please keep checking in on our website or on our Facebook Fan Page.

Fasten your seat belts, return your tray tables to their upright and locked positions, and get ready for Microsoft Flight to takeoff!

The Microsoft Flight Team"

[BHawthorne]

Considering the survey they give on the application process what criteria are they using to sort through the applications on who qualifies for the beta? They asked no real relevant information.

[BlueCanary]

Wow! Those graphics are incredible! I hope FighterOps ends up being in that ball park (if not better). :bigeyes:

[BHawthorne]

Keep in mind X-Plane 10 is also shipping as of Dec 1. There are also marked improvements in the graphics for it. The demo is available right now for download.

[Deckerd]

Keep in mind X-Plane 10 is also shipping as of Dec 1. There are also marked improvements in the graphics for it. The demo is available right now for download.

I think the problem with X-Plane 10 at the moment is the new way they create scenery. The idea is that you have a huge grassball globe as a basis. Realistic road maps define where houses etc. should be. The good news is that you don't have those strange effects that buildings find themselves ending up on the middle of satellite imaged streets. If you pull the slider all the way to the left you will have a 19th century world. If you max it out the whole scenery will make sense and will be breathtaking. Now my rig is quite fast (4GHz oc intel 920, 6GB corsair 2Ghz, Sli 2x GTX 280, SSD drive) but the performance is pretty poor at decent settings. So if you want to have contemporary cities you need a hell of a machine... And MFSX will be better in terms of eye candy on current hardware

[BHawthorne]

I think the problem with X-Plane 10 at the moment is the new way they create scenery. The idea is that you have a huge grassball globe as a basis. Realistic road maps define where houses etc. should be. The good news is that you don't have those strange effects that buildings find themselves ending up on the middle of satellite imaged streets. If you pull the slider all the way to the left you will have a 19th century world. If you max it out the whole scenery will make sense and will be breathtaking. Now my rig is quite fast (4GHz oc intel 920, 6GB corsair 2Ghz, Sli 2x GTX 280, SSD drive) but the performance is pretty poor at decent settings. So if you want to have contemporary cities you need a hell of a machine... And MFSX will be better in terms of eye candy on current hardware

Actually, we have no idea how performance will be on Flight. That is a big assumption right now. I do think that Flight will be the one with the more graphic detail out of the two. Problem is that nooone knows how long the beta will persist and how serious of a platform it'll be yet. Only the beta will enlighten us on those things.

[BHawthorne]

MS Flight is released Feb 29, 2012. Here is the press release. I think this is going to be a train wreck for sim enthusiasts. At least P3D exists. :wink2:

http://www.microsoft.com/games/flight/#news-flight_launch