Discussion: Sim Update 3 (1.14.5.0)

[CptLucky8]

@KevyKevTPA

And as I’ve pointed out, I think the mere fact that the Community folder exists on the PC version, and allows for addons that the XBox version can’t get is evidence of the fact that they are going to be two distinct versions, with the handcuffs taken off of the PC version.

But this is where I believe you’re drawing wrong conclusions: they didn’t add the community folder to the PC version, they will remove it in the Xbox version instead because there is no user accessible file system. The game logic, features, even the UI, are all the same and working the same based on the same code. There is no provision in the application right now for any specific PC only technology, not even Force Feedback which requires using an API (DirectInput) which is only available on PC and not on Xbox.

Please understand I’m not saying so lightly. I’ve been dealing with the SDK and the entrails of all simulators from FS9 to P3D5, and XP9 to XP11, with a deep understanding of how they are working, what they are coding, and how to correct the bugs and deficiencies in some of their code, in order to make our products running. Reality XP was first creating an entire new Gauge Add-on market which didn’t exist 20 years ago with the first standalone professional grade simulation of the Apollo GPS. Sam Seery, Director of Sales and Marketing was saying: “UPS Aviation Technologies is pleased to support the Reality XP product. The product’s ability to simulate the real-world workings of avionics systems is so good that we suspect many pilots who operate our equipment will acquire the Reality XP product for training purposes.”.

Building the Reality XP products reveals many challenges the SDK is not capable of resolving and they can exist only because we can augment the re-code the core simulation entrails to make them working. Building these products is revealing shortcomings in the SDK vision and capabilities no other 3rd party vendor is confronted with when building an aircraft either, although should the SDK was addressing the very specific needs of RXP products, it would benefit tremendously any other 3rd party vendor because these are orthogonal and transversal needs, many can’t see nor apprehend because they are not confronted with the necessity.

Maybe the SimConnect API will find its way in the XBox and allow remote connections from a PC app, but even if this is the case, this won’t address the narrowed vision of the SDK and the fact SimConnect is a modern and open communication system impaired by having to deal with antiquated structures and SDK concepts exposed to the 3rd party devs (it is much more powerful internally but they only provide a limited and redacted view of it).

I must say though the same RXP products are offering more functionalities and require no hack whatsoever on X-Plane, and this shows there is a fundamental flaw in the FS SDK from the get go I’ve clearly explained here:

@CptLucky8

• The FS SDK originate from the internal private headers ACE studio (and maybe even before them) developers were using for developing the stock aircraft. The only need therefore was having access to pre-digested events and variable suitable to binding with a 3D animation or a panel gauge element. The first public SDK was just the same header files “sanitized” from internal private things. The idea most likely was if this was good for us building our own aircraft, it is good for 3rd parties building theirs. And today’s is not different: if this is good for Aerosoft building the CRJ, it is good for all developers (Jorg’s comment 2 Q&As ago).

• The X-Plane SDK originate from the same need to build aircraft but it was thought first and foremost for 3rd party developers, in a way which is not shielding the developer form the internal core simulation. Over time it has grown larger and bigger with an increasing number of simvars but few more API functions because of the simple reason there is no need for more: in giving access to low level API and constructs form the get go, there is no need for XPlane devs to provide add-ons developers with new functions anytime there is a need for something new, because the low level access already in place gives you access to this directly.

Please understand I’m not saying XP11 is superior to FS2020 or P3D, I’m just saying the SDK is superior because it lets developers doing what they do best: create new stuff the simulation developers can’t envision nor provision in advance for you. And in this department, at least for gauges and systems, I’m afraid to say FS2020 is a giant step back from P3D let alone XP11.