I agree this is a good step forward! Games are certainly not promoted the same between 2007 and 2020 and direct communication with the community is paramount nowadays and this is an important step forward which we are certainly all agreeing to and welcoming warmly.
Please note though with FSX, Microsoft has invited nearly all the 3rd party developers in a pre-launch event which gave the occasion to not only discovering the upcoming simulator and planning ahead future developments but also to socialize and get contacts with ACE Studio developers. With FS2020 Microsoft has invited influencers and bloggers in a pre-launch event. Only a select few 3rd party developers seem to have access to Asobo developers beyond this forum (per their saying and the 3rd parties in their forums).
I’m not drawing any particular conclusion about this because these are not the same products and certainly not the same go to market strategy. They are recognizant of the community passion and involvement trying and helping them making FS2020 a very good product. Likewise, there are more than a couple few 3rd party vendors more than willing to help Asobo building a better SDK.
The only conclusion I’d be drawing is Asobo is showing a strong commitment to FS2020 and this is really sending a very positive message to the community.