Is the ORBX Australia 4 City Pack worth it over the default MS/Asobo Australia with the Australia WU.
I’m still in MSFS 2020, but one key piece is even if it is worth it in MSFS 2020, does ORBX provide access to MSFS 2024 if purchased in MSFS 2020? Is it worth it in MSFS 2024?
I have all four (bought individually before they offered it as a single package). Whether or not it’s worth it is subjective: some will be happy with default photogrammetry, while others will prefer custom-modelled buildings, bridges, towers, antennae, etc. It depends mainly on how low you want to fly, (i.e. how close you want to get) and whether you want realistic night-lighting. There’s no doubt Orbx’s modelling is far superior to Asobo’s photogrammetry; but for simmers who only wish to catch a brief or distant glimpse of a city while flying an airliner into YMML or YSSY, the default PG might do the job. YSSY, YBBN and YPAD are unusually close to their respective city centres, so Orbx’s package might be more beneficial than it otherwise might be. Personally, I love seeing Sydney or Brisbane beautifully and realistically lit at night. Also bear in mind that Orbx’s pack uses PBR textures, while photogrammetry structures cannot reflect or absorb any light.
Perhaps the best way to put it is like this: If you were to grab your stunt plane and use Sydney’s downtown as a slalom run, you’d without doubt notice a big difference between the default photogrammetry and Orbx’s custom-modelling. If you’re less adventurous (or less reckless?) and just want a city to look at from a few thousand feet, you’re only going to notice any significant difference after dark, or around sunrise/sunset when reflections are more striking.
Either way, you’ll notice SOME difference. How much difference depends on how and when you choose to fly.
They are definately worth it in 2020.
I have them all, and when 2020 shipped there was no harbour bridge in the Sim.
They are not compatible with 2024 yet, and I’m unsure if you need them, because 2024 already has all the landmarks that vanilla 2020 didn’t have
I’m definately keen to see these upgrades to 2024 to identify any significant improvements, but I’m not too keen to pay overs for it anymore simply because vanilla 2024 is already up to standard. The Orbx add ons would have to be very very good and well optimised for airliners, because the default Sim does have LOD issues with the heavier planes
Wondering what makes you think they are not yet compatible with 2024? They are listed in Orbx’s forum thread, and are working fine for me (I don’t have Brisbane though and probably won’t get it because I believe there would be clashes with ini’s YBBN):
Ahh, I’ve been looking at the wrong place, the marketplace does not have those 2024 items
