Hello, I see from this weeks dev wish list posting that Freeware for marketplace is listed as STARTED
I have some questions, not sure if anyone knows the answer.
Does this include Xbox? Or just PC version of MP?
Will this be for 2020 and 2024 or just 2024?
Does this mean all the freeware from flight sim.to can now be accessible by Xbox users?
Thanks
Hello @twenty4fan9O,
Below is only what I’ve gathered from Twitch streams and interviews and is not “official”:
It would have to be formatted in a direct to community way. Lots of freeware have multiple versions tucked into additional layers of folders and documentation that need to be parsed or even renamed in some cases with full file access. They’ll have drag and drop engine or other options outside the file. It’s more rare than not you can just unzip them right into the folder. And with no dependencies, which can be nearly 10 additional libraries in some cases. Or they tinker with licenced and approved payware items.
I’d say they could do it the Got Friends way, where they bundle a bunch of fully sorted adds and sell it cheap. Although then they’re also responsible for updates… I don’t really see it happening soon unless it’s from rather established developers that are willing to do it.
Maybe something like the duckworks DC3 for $5.
Gotcha. Thanks for the info. Guess we’ll see what happens.
Sounds like freeware is a pain to use tho, at least imo, based on the rareity of a simple zip file and done.
It’s simple, you get it used to what you’re looking at and know what to dump where. Can add 20 new things in a few minutes.
I’d be interested to know where the marketplace stands in terms of culpability for freeware copyright.
It’s possible the standards they need to have to cover themselves might not be achievable, or simply too much of a grind, for a lot of freeware developers.
I seem to recall for payware you should be able to account for the origin of everything you use - textures, models.
I can’t remember where a ton of the stuff I use came from.
And then there’s logos and branding. I’ll guess a sensible payware developer alters the real stuff into something similar but not quite. I’d much rather have the real deal.
I just wonder if rather than actual software in the Market Place there will be a section of links? I cant see the Commercial sense for MS to start making available a space for freeware while they at the same time are also in the business of selling planes and software. To me this makes no commercial sense at all.