State of Flight Sim X Plane 12 and MSFS 40th Anniversary Edition

[@danflohr9999]

X-Plane is an amzing platform. I am not a computer geek. I understand that cost/licensing issues prevent LR from achieving streaming ortho. I just think that if a 3rd party would be able to offer streaming ortho to work within x-plane... simmers will be willing to pay for it.

[@JoeNDBAVIATION]

Same. I've tried add ons in the past. One issue that was difficult was drm issues and limited downloads. Thankfully, most have moved to unlimited downloads. This became an issue when you had to uninstall the sim and reinstall. Made life a pain.

[@viarnay]

You can add ortho photo to x-plane it's easy as eating cake :- P

[@JoeNDBAVIATION]

@@viarnay it's as easy as making a cake from scratch, baking it, letting it cool, decorating it, and then eating it. Unless you buy premade and just follow the exe install.

[@stevelawson7635]

It's my goal to begin my instrument training in 2023. (Piper Warrior). I've been viewing (too) many videos on which sim and why, although my lean has been with XPlane. This was very helpful! I can't be too concerned about the scenery if i'm practicing IFR...

[@JoeNDBAVIATION]

That is the same take I have on IFR training. Find the sim that incorporates all of the training aspects your desire and emulates the aircraft/avionics best. Feel free to reach out if you have any IFR questions.

[@Radiosabines]

thank you for sharing. i'm just an old simmers, im not a pilot, i prefer the feeling of the planes. you're right Laminar have all..... right but not the scenery. here we need to use ortho4xp or Orbx products , not 100% compatible yet with XP12, that need a lot of space in our discs... but if you flight in your country or continent.. orthos make XP12 more realistic in visual

[@JoeNDBAVIATION]

Agreed! The Ortho is a worthy task but can take so much time if you make it yourself. I am hoping for easier updates/modding of the scenery.

[@JoelEverettComposer]

Subbed. Great video. Unfortunately, between my eyesight and being deaf in one ear I'll likely never be able to fly in real life so I'm really thankful for the progress sims have made over the years. I love the PMDG 737 for MSFS and I'm waiting for the Concord (Colimata) for XP12 to be released. The visuals in MSFS are amazing. Been flight simming for over 20+ years now. DCS (military air sim) is interesting as well.

[@JoeNDBAVIATION]

Thank you for subscribing! The advancement of the simulators has been great. DCS is a good time but requires some time for study. The add-ons that are coming to both MSFS and X-Plane should really up the fun and realism.

[@alanphillips4851]

Bravo on a fantastic level headed video. Agree with every sentiment. Subscribed !

[@JoeNDBAVIATION]

Thank you!

[@hakanr339b]

I just went back to X-Plane 11 for OpenGL because my 3050 laptop has 4GB Vram which can't handle X-Plane 12 Vulkan and results in my textures getting blurried for no good. I think it's better to wait until X-Plane 12 is stable. MSFS is too much connection demanding which also drives me crazy too.

[@JoeNDBAVIATION]

That's a tough one. I'm unsure how much it will improve, but historically I remember about a 20-30% fps increase by version(s) XX.3. The connectivity requirements for MSFS can be annoying. I have several simmer friends that live in areas where their internet is spotty. You can imagine their annoyance for those that chose MSFS.

[@hakanr339b]

@@JoeNDBAVIATION Absolutely, I turn off online functions and MSFS still requires a decent internet speed to take me to main menu otherwise it's a "stuck" on loading screen, since I live in a student dormitory for university, it's a big trouble unfortunately. I have bug reported more than 20 times for X-Plane 12 in 14 betas and will give it few months from now on.

[@mobiushelitime]

Great Vid!...Thank you for posting. Thumbs Up!

[@JoeNDBAVIATION]

Thank you!

[@stanvangilder9006]

This is the best comparison of XPlane and MSFS EVER! Most everyone else gets all political and digital - I LOVE this one and I HATE this one. I personally use both. I started with MSFS 40th Anniversary and XPlane 12, so I don't understand people's biases based on older versions. I SO appreciate your comments about the scenery in MSFS. I hear all the time, "MSFS has pretty graphics but Xplane is more realistic". Seems realistic graphics is part of realism... Anyway, I don't have to choose - I use both and enjoy both - each update makes both of them better. Keep it up!

[@JoeNDBAVIATION]

Thank you for the kind words! It's nice to see someone that uses both. They both have their uses and will continue to improve. Thank you again!

[@BruhBruh-mk5yg]

scenery wise according to austin himself on a recent livestream he mention that xplane will have a 3d live scenery in the future though it is unknown when it will happen

[@JoeNDBAVIATION]

It would be nice to see around X-Plane 12.3 or later. You can already tie in the scenery gateway, but it would be impressive to see a program to make it easier to incorporate Ortho.

[@BruhBruh-mk5yg]

@@JoeNDBAVIATION really hope so austin also mention the live scenery its on the top of his list so i would say it is possible that it would be release on 12.3

[@BerserkPublishing]

I really like this video. I have both products. I grew up on Microsoft Flight Sim, and worked for Microsoft's OS division in the 90s. However, I got hooked on X-Plane 11 after it released. I 100% agree about the scenery. Here's a funny fact. The free tool Ortho4XP does produce great satellite scenery for X-Plane, if you have the storage space. However, just like MSFS, you will find trees on the beach, on runways, houses on roads and runways, etc. The only company I know that produces real good scenery is ORBx, but they have moved to mostly MSFS and it seems like a lot of that is mainly airports. In X-Plane you can come closer with a combination of vOrtho and Simheaven, both of which are free. However, the vOrtho scenery is more blurry closer to the ground. I am praying Austin will wake up and focus on the scenery now that he has X-Plane 11 and 12 dialed in for flying. Microsoft sort of took the other path of handling the visuals first and then the flying. Honestly, I prefer the solid flight experience over the scenery if I have to choose. That said, Austin may have a tall mountain to climb. Microsoft was able to use its own Bing mapping system and Azure server infrastructure to handle the exabytes of scenery data. LR doesn't have that kind of resource. However, perhaps they can license, or perhaps partner with someone who will to create amazing add-ons that people are willing to purchase.

[@JoeNDBAVIATION]

I can only hope that a future offering will come. With the airport/scenery gateway things have gotten better. There was even a time where in X-Plane 10 I was building scenery, airports only, for the areas I instructed in for my students. I am close to doing that again but if I jump back down the scenery rabbit hole, it will be to better understand how to make and distribute Ortho.

[@edwardwright5464]

It be nice if X plane would put a little more aspects to there FBO functions like they do for the airline functions for us corporate pilots.

[@JoeNDBAVIATION]

There used to be FBO plugins for X-Plane. What features would you like to see added?

[@tubeslats]

Anyone here have feedback on the Flight Velocity Dual Encoder (cheaper Knobster)?

[@JoeNDBAVIATION]

Have not had a chance to try it! Looks interesting.

[@FallacyAsPraxis]

Informative video. I like that you speak clearly and consistently without shouting, fast-talking, or using 'modern speak' terms. I just subbed. Can I make a suggestion though? Put the graphics beside you instead of across your face in the videos and thumbs. I'm new to flight simming and a student pilot. I have XP 11, XP12 and MSFS2020. I haven't yet really gotten much into XP12 yet though. It can all get to the point of becoming a bit of a money pity if one gets carried away with all the possible options for 'tweaking'. To me, X-Plane is better to fly in if you're actually training to become a pilot, and MSFS is better if you're into more for the visuals or just for fun. Thanks for the great content.

[@JoeNDBAVIATION]

Thank you! I will do what you suggested. I figured people get tired of seeing me, so I thought I would slap something over my face from time to time.

[@megabitegaming9655]

I'm loving xplane 12 and installed all Ortho scenery and it smashes flightsim especially when it comes to VR

[@JoeNDBAVIATION]

I look forward to doing some vr sometime in the future. Which Ortho did you use?

[@megabitegaming9655]

@@JoeNDBAVIATION I used Ortho 4xp

[@justjoe1071]

Msfs was my first real entry into aviation and all. I really like it and I've already invested soo much into the community mods. Planes, applications and so on. I bought into x plane 12 the moment they put it out. It look much greater as far as the planes go. Textures and all. I'm sure I can put just as much time into x plane. But having to start over, buying third party planes again, as well as waiting for more career add-ons to play with; it leaves me frustrated. I want to put more hours into it but without my hangar of planes. Also VR implementation needs a bit more refinement.

[@JoeNDBAVIATION]

X-Plane usually ends up requiring patience with all the add-ons. There are so many offerings for MSFS, but there are some incredible choices for X-Plane. I also enjoy the involvement that X-Plane developers have with the community. Your investment into X-Plane will pay off, just a bit more time is required.

[@justjoe1071]

@@JoeNDBAVIATION I'll be there to see it double dip across both sims.

[@anjinsanx44]

OK to get windows11??? For xplane12 n msfs......thx

[@JoeNDBAVIATION]

Unless you are required to get windows 11, you can hold out. I have only had minor issues with Win 11.

[@maddogtungate6740]

Great Video.

[@maddogtungate6740]

The only issue with MSFS is they don't have very many full fidelity planes. Especially GA planes. Thats where Xplane wins.

[@JoeNDBAVIATION]

I wonder for how much longer? There are some good aircraft already for MSFS. I am intrigued to see Sim Skunkworks PC-12 sometime.

[@Stringbean421]

@maddog. You need to give MSFS a chance. Crikey, it's only been out for a couple of years but great payware, Hi-fidelity aircraft are coming with PMDG already here.

[@JoeNDBAVIATION]

@@Stringbean421 PMDG does bring a lot to the table. There are other studios bringing a lot to the table for MSFS as well. 2023 will probably be the year that MSFS truly closes the gap and then creates a new one with it above X-Plane.

[@tom95521]

I purchased Flight Sim World from Dovetail Games a few years ago. Dovetail development was slow (no jets) so Microsoft and Asobo decided to do their own version. Bye bye Flight Sim World. Not sure if I want better flight modeling in XP or better looking terrain/weather in MSFS.

[@JoeNDBAVIATION]

Those choices are tough, it all comes down to the end users goal(s).

[@daysofgrace2934]

XP12 should start working on a realistic force-feedback simulation engine, to bring more realistic feeling controls. They won’t be able to match Bing Maps but they can still offer compelling alternative simulation proposition. iRacing looks awful next to Forza & Gran Turismo but the realism allows you to learn something in sim then translate that with a bit work to track. That’s the beauty of iRacing. I use it to help build specific areas of my driving that I will then hone on track because track-time is expensive…

[@JoeNDBAVIATION]

Good point! These are all tools that for many of us translate into real world usefulness. Force feedback would be cool but as I gain more experience in different aircraft, I further understand the difficulty of making it work. Coding it for a Skyhawk, 757, and a 320 would require a lot of work.

[@daysofgrace2934]

@@JoeNDBAVIATION TBH that’s why i always avoided multi aircraft sims. Falcon v1, F-16 Combat Pilot, DID EF2000 is where i came from. I’m not sure how accurate/detailed the modelling can be for each aircraft in FS/X-Plane

[@harikrishnan1954]

Is there any option to use OpenStreetMaps for scenery!? Sim heaven cause fps lose as I don't have a powerful system.

[@JoeNDBAVIATION]

@@harikrishnan1954 I feel like there was at one point, but I am unsure. You could try Ortho for XP as an alternative.

[@stevejazwinski1546]

I guess you haven’t listened to it also has to say all the time. He knows that the sceneries not great because he doesn’t have the technology his goal is to make the scenery great around the airport. So as you’re shooting an approach you’re flying into an airport he’s made it so that the scenery around the airports can be picked up so you know where you are on your approach just like in real life. Go to your Microsoft flight simulator and go have some fun playing games and sightseeing most part I was like Austin said don’t say see where they’re flying they’re flying the airplane the only time they looked out the windows is veneer around the airport area. Give me x-plane. I have flown Microsoft since it came out on Commodore 64 it was a game then and still A game now

[@JoeNDBAVIATION]

I have heard Austin for many years. I don't recall flying on the C64, but remember the old IBM running flight sim. For serious simmers that are planning to be pilots, I still recommend X-Plane. MSFS has advanced to the point though that it is "enough". However, X-Plane just does certain things better. The scenery is an issue that new users should know about. You and I both have been using X-Plane long enough to know where it falls short, newcomers do not. That is what the video is meant to lay out.

[@RatedFlexxxxxx]

"I use to be a flight instructor, I still am" that doesn't sound right lol

[@JoeNDBAVIATION]

I agree. I keep my flight instructor certificate "current" but am not currently instructing for hire or at the airline.

[@larryr.6473]

Just like politics, you can't make everyone 100% happy. Hypothetically, you could combine, X-Plane, MSFS 2020, DCS, Arma 3, Squad, COD, GTA, and The Sims into one ultimate simulator and people would still complain.......that game would be 🔥🔥🔥 though!!!!

[@JoeNDBAVIATION]

That would be an amazing combo! There is a new sim coming that will utilize the "Unreal Engine 5" and could do that. Unfortunately it will most likely be for Defense utilization.

[@barmagnus]

xplane 12 is to little to late, the sim was releasd in september and alredy at sale on steam

[@JoeNDBAVIATION]

Steam has the ability to place items on sale. X-Plane will survive, they always do. They survive because their software is nearly turnkey when it comes to FAA and approval for certified Sims.

[@DrunkenGuitarGuy]

big corporation stomping out the little guy! i feel bad for them but there really is no comparison!

[@memorycl]

XP12 will never have streaming ortho from LR. Ever. There are far too many cost/licensing issues, etc. Continuing to express frustration about it does LR no favors. If you want to help, start hyping ortho4xp and 3rd party devs who sell ortho (e.g. Orbx). Otherwise, you're doing LR and its superior flight model and learning platform experience, a disservice.

[@JoeNDBAVIATION]

No intention of doing a disservice here. People that are researching a sim need to know what they are getting into. Every end user deserves to know where the main differences are between the Sims. I personally have used 3rd party orthos in the past and even attempted to make some of my own through the other processes. It would be nice to have an easier alternative to bring Ortho in. Again, I mean no disrespect to LR. I am a huge fan and have utilized their products for the past two decades. The video is meant to be a fair and open discussion.

[@byronponce9675]

MS has shown they are committed to continuously fixing and improving Flight Simulator. Laminar can't ignore the possibility MS will achieve parity in terms of flight model and learning platform. It is an engineering challenge for sure, but they really can't afford to ignore this scenery issue.

[@tubeloobs]

Ah the zealotry of X-Plane fans

[@viarnay]

You can add orthophoto whatever you want

[@JoeNDBAVIATION]

@@viarnay yes you can, it just takes time and effort.