Developers Roundtable: The Future of Simulations – Part 3 Page 4

Back To Page 3

 

SimHQ: Games like Microsoft’s flight simulator have benefited from the add-on market. In fact, most of the cost shelled out concerning MSFS goes to add on scenery, aircraft and airports. Modularity has created a huge market for their title. Using MSFS as an example do you see any viability in a “modular” type of sim where customers purchase a base sim and then purchase subsequent high-quality add-ons (theaters / planes)?

Steve (Battlefront): Yes, very much so. In fact, this is pretty much the same direction we are going in for the last 2 years of behind the scenes development of the successor to Combat Mission.

Rick (XSI): The modular approach is a very accommodating tool, and it is a very good example of why successful companies such as MSFS are tremendously successful. They have built an organization that allows for the integration of prosperous third party developers. With the huge costs of developing simulations from scratch, the modular add-ons definitely cater to a development team’s substantial growth, as well as allowing the entrepreneur and consumer the ability to prosper and expand as well.

Julian (XSI): Absolutely, with the high start up costs of building a simulator, add-on modules give the development team a chance to recoup some of those costs, while it gives to the consumer a simulator that continues to grow with their hardware and expand.

David (Matrix Games): This goes way back to one of the first questions. A simple way to create a cost-efficient game is to sell a low price single plane simulation and then create add-ons for low prices. I believe this is the future for companies currently caught between small budget and large budget publishing.

Nils (eSim Games): I don’t see it as long as retail sales dominate the distribution channels of computer games. With pure download distribution, that may change. It also is a question of multiplayer compatibility — I’d hate to have a simulation where I couldn’t play against other customers of the same title simply because they bought an add-on that I didn’t.


We want your Feedback! Please let us know what you thought of this article here.

Coming tomorrow in Part 4 of Developer’s Roundtable:
“Consoles, Controllers and Other Hardware Impact on Simulations”


 


Aircraft Tire 968RB Valve Stem Removal Tool Fits For Standard Size Valve Stems picture

Aircraft Tire 968RB Valve Stem Removal Tool Fits For Standard Size Valve Stems

$31.99



Rutan Voyager Teledyne Continental Airplane Chrome Valve Cover

Rutan Voyager Teledyne Continental Airplane Chrome Valve Cover "VERY RARE"

$499.95



2H3-19, Alt: 492 240	Airborne Vacuum Regulator Valve picture

2H3-19, Alt: 492 240 Airborne Vacuum Regulator Valve

$100.00



Pneumatic Brake Valve P/N 893927 picture

Pneumatic Brake Valve P/N 893927

$125.00



Safe-Cor 968RB Valve Stem Removal Tool picture

Safe-Cor 968RB Valve Stem Removal Tool

$25.20



1 EA NOS ROCKWELL HALF QUICK DISCONNECT COUPLING T-37 AIRCRAFT P/N: 1309AS12A picture

1 EA NOS ROCKWELL HALF QUICK DISCONNECT COUPLING T-37 AIRCRAFT P/N: 1309AS12A

$12.00



Van's Aircraft Hardware Bag 451 Tank Drain Valve & Drain Flange NEW picture

Van's Aircraft Hardware Bag 451 Tank Drain Valve & Drain Flange NEW

$38.00



1 EA WIGGINS HALF QUICK DISCONNECT COUPLING P/N: JP200C75T16 NEW SURPLUS picture

1 EA WIGGINS HALF QUICK DISCONNECT COUPLING P/N: JP200C75T16 NEW SURPLUS

$18.00



4538 Priority Valve Relief Learjet As Removed picture

4538 Priority Valve Relief Learjet As Removed

$399.00



ITT Aerospace Main Fuel Valve picture

ITT Aerospace Main Fuel Valve

$150.00



Powered by WordPress. Designed by WooThemes