Returning

[captainherc]

Hi everyone.
I joined here waaay back about 2008 I think. I started with FS9 then moved onto FSX. I had plenty of addons and played a lot online . I have since lost my CPL due health and am now hoping to return to FS.
I still have all the CDs and files I have purchased over the years. My problem is now after installation of the game again I cannot remember how to add the extras.
Also I have noticed the new version of FS is out. Is it only for X Box or can it run on PC. I am happy to still use a well improved FSX if runs and looks OK.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Cheers.

[cowpatz]

Welcome back Captainherc. Very sorry to learn of the loss of your CPL. That must have been gutting.
Yes times have changed. The sim platform you decide on will largely depend on what style of flying you enjoy ie. GA low and slow or tubeliners.
FS9 and FSX are pretty much dead in the water. There is still a lot of stuff around for both of those platforms but no new development.
X plane has great physics and is probably the best for helicopters. Then there is AS2 (Aerofly) which is great but has limited map areas, DCS (Digital combat Simulator) which has great physics, aircraft fidelity etc but has limited maps and is military based. Then of course some are better than others when it comes to VR.
Lockheed Martin's Prepar3D (P3D) is very popular and at the moment is the go to sim of choice for airliners. Unfortunately the third party development for this platform is rapidly drying up in favour of MSFS. P3D also needs a well spec'd PC to make the most of it. Think of it as 64 bit FSX on steroids.
The new kid on the block is MSFS and it is very popular. It can run on a PC or Xbox. The problem with the latter is finding (and buying) new controllers if you decide to go the Xbox route. To make the most of it you will need a reasonable PC set up and a good internet connection. It uses streaming scenery and Photogammetry. The scenery can be cached, so you that you don't have a continuous data stream, but the initial download will be large, as are the updates. However the scenery is stunning. Good for low and slow but the airliner side of things is still catching up. It's not a fully mature sim yet as the SDK is still in development. It can be purchased from the store or on Steam. Add on installation is apparently a breeze as it all goes into a community folder.

I would suggest going onto AVSIM.com forums, fselite.net and other sim websites and read through the various comments to get a feel for which platform might take you fancy.

As simmers we now well and truly spoilt for choice.

[captainherc]

Thanks for the reply.
I will be getting MSFS as my system can handle it.
I usually fly IFR with either GA aircraft or Tubeliners. So for me the defailt terrain is suitable. I just like to upspec the airports I like to visit and the areas around them.
As this sim is just over a year old getting in now will be great as it will only get better as it ages.

[FlyingKiwi]

FS2020 has some definite frustrations but overall if your system can run it I'd say definitely go for it. It can be frustrating at times and it does still have some unresolved problems that have been around since launch, but since a couple of patches early this year that largely solved the early issues with very questionable controls/flight modelling, the level of immersion I've experienced in it is far beyond what I've had in any other sim so far, and Asobo still seem very committed to continuing to support and improve it far into the future, which is very encouraging. Admittedly, I will also quantify that statement by saying I only fly GA and mostly VFR, I understand the airline/IFR environment still has bigger issues that have yet to be solved, but I'm sure they will be with time.