X-Plane VS MSFS

Ok, so I was looking at some YouTube videos of XPlane and I was really impressed with the rain simulation and water pooling on the runway that seemed more realistic than MSFS.  I watched a preview of XPlane 12 from 320 Sim Pilot -  Real Airbus Pilot Tries X Plane 12 .

I've decided to stay with MSFS because the use of real satellite scenery with MSFS is better than the computer-generated scenery of XPlane that has some landmarks added in, much like the old FSX simulator.  My disappointment with the various simulators is the continually changing simulators rather than improvements made to existing simulators.  For example, MSFS already being cast aside for FS2024.  Okay, I know that they say they will continue to support MSFS and that some things will port over to the new sim, but that remains to be seen.

For those of us who have done some scenery development for the old FSX, and played around with this in MSFS, it's a daunting task trying to keep up with the rapid changes each new simulator (and even updates) bring to requirements for scenery development.  I will leave that to the more experienced developers until things stabilize in simulator and update releases.

If X-Plane can switch to Satellite Scenery, then they really may be a contender in the race for the best simulator available.  After all, a bit of healthy competition will be beneficial to us end users - both in the quality of the simulators and the pricing.  We will have to wait and see who comes out on top.

Happy flying,

John 

Thanks for weighing in Smitty.  Actually, your last post on your "new computer" thread is where I noted you were opting for the XP12.  That reminded me of my recent surprise of the impressive rain simulation on the runway on an XP12 video I saw on YouTube.  I knew that 320 Sim Pilot regularly flew XPlane and so I searched his site and found that great review of the version 12 release that I posted link to in my initial post here.  According to 320 Sim Pilot, who is a real A320 pilot, X-Plane's primary emphasis was on realistic flight dynamics and not so much on scenery.  If they continue to improve both areas and find a balance - they may still become the primary simulator for flight enthusiasts.  With Microsoft trying to run XBox and PC compatible simulator, I'm concerned they'll make it more of a game than a simulator - if they hadn't learned their lesson on an earlier flight game that didn't take off.  

As for finding my house...When I finally found it, it was so badly deformed that it was hardly recognizable.  Still, if you want to fly low and slow using VFR charts, you're likely to find more landmarks that match the real world charts when flying MSFS.  If I'm not mistaken - it looked like even the windshield wipers actually removed raindrops from the windscreen on that video from 320 Sim Pilot (although it didn't remove the water streaking upward during take off).  Still, it was neat to see the raindrops clear on the sweep of the wiper.  I think it was noted also that Prepar3D is focusing primarily on simulators for real-world use.  While that sounds good too, I'm not sure that future releases will be accessible to the flight simulation hobbyist.  

Lastly, I'm glad you like the Budget Tour.  It was designed for real-world pilots looking for stops with reasonable fuel prices as posted on the various stops on the map that is illustrated.  

Happy flying,

John