Prepar3D v4 incoming?

[pfabian]

I've noticed some Flightsim news page (I didn't know of before, so no idea about their reliability) posting an aarticle noting that v4 is in betatesting and incoming soon.

Included was a screenshot from Aerosoft staffer (so they say), which included an icon for P3D 4.

Does anyone have some more official information?

Do we know yet what to expect regarding backwards compatibility, architecture, etc?

 

[=rk=]

I don't know why you wouldn't go here first:

Hi hyrons,
Thank you for your interest. We are unable to comment on development plans and future versions.

Regards and best wishes,
Adam
Prepar3D® Engineering Project Manager
by Adam Breed » Tue Jan 10, 2017 9:00 pm

Based on that, the " source" would be violating his nondisclosure clause, which goes without saying, had to be signed. Why would someone risk their reputation as a beta tester with LM? Certainly not Mathjis Kok, as this guy seems to imply:

https://www.flightsimnexus.com/news...ible-release-friday-aerosoft-show-p3d-v4-icon

I see no "P3D" icon. What is that, King of Queens he is watching?

Perhaps the only other story offers a little insight.

"Apologies to anyone who felt as though this was clickbait. I assure you, I did research before presenting this information to the community."

Sure, research as to what would most likely instigate a click frenzy. Both sites share equal or more space for advertisements than they offer for content, it is probably fake news.

 

[pfabian]

I don't know why you wouldn't go here first:

Hi hyrons,
Thank you for your interest. We are unable to comment on development plans and future versions.

Regards and best wishes,
Adam
Prepar3D® Engineering Project Manager

http://www.prepar3d.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=123228

Among other things, because of this:

by Adam Breed » Tue Jan 10, 2017 9:00 pm

Based on that, the " source" would be violating his nondisclosure clause, which goes without saying, had to be signed. Why would someone risk their reputation as a beta tester with LM? Certainly not Mathjis Kok, as this guy seems to imply:

Fair enough, although someone here could be able to send me to some place where I can verify something independently.
Or they could be able to divulge some parts.

https://www.flightsimnexus.com/news...ible-release-friday-aerosoft-show-p3d-v4-icon

I see no "P3D" icon. What is that, King of Queens he is watching?

Perhaps the only other story offers a little insight.

Top right corner, black icon.

"Apologies to anyone who felt as though this was clickbait. I assure you, I did research before presenting this information to the community."

Sure, research as to what would most likely instigate a click frenzy. Both sites share equal or more space for advertisements than they offer for content, it is probably fake news.

The update wasn't in place as of my post... I'll read it, however, so thanks for bringing it to my attention.

 

[Skinner_11]

Whatever... I mean they'll probably overcome the OOMs by making it 64 bit, BUT! It's still the same base (ESP), with the same limitations. Performance won't be much better. Why bother, when X-Plane 11 and Aerofly has a lot more potential?

 

[hairyspin]

Wow. There's a new black icon on some picture. Gosh. Must be real. Wonder if it uses DirectX 13? Would one of the testers invoke the Wrath of Khan by telling me (PM if you're worried) how customisable the shut-down and crash recovery dialog is?

I won't tell a soul...

 

[pfabian]

@Skinner_11 The thing I'm worried about is - is it the same base? Especially scenery wise, we've been said BGL format is not suited for the transformation.
And all modules will probably need to be recompiled, which is a worry.

As to why bother...; weeelll.... customer base might ask a similar question.

@hairyspin That's what I'm trying to find out.

 

[=rk=]

customer base might ask a similar question.

By "customer," you mean a flight school, or tactical training program, or tech firm, or something along those lines, yes? Because sometimes we forget that P3D is for training purposes only and since it has no entertainment value, there likely is little concern about "backwards compatibility." In fact, a strong argument could be made against it in favor of better immersive simulation/training.
Which brings us back to this:

Among other things, because of this:
by Adam Breed » Tue Jan 10, 2017 9:00 pm

Fair enough, although someone here could be able to send me to some place where I can verify something independently.
Or they could be able to divulge some parts.

No one at LM wants you to be able to verify independently. That whole line about "LM aren't great with PR" is a complete fabrication, LM doesn't want "public" relations, LM wants private relations, very private, with governmental type organizations and security firms and again, it goes without saying, that LM is very comfortable with their relationship with these entities and everybody in development has been made very aware of this status.

Top right corner, black icon.

Ok, I see that, a desktop icon, that implies the program can be run from the computer in the screen shot. Well to me, that makes no sense at all. Why would this source upload a screen shot of his desktop with a whole bunch of windows open, including some Heidi Klum sit com video and only show a P3D icon? Because if the reporter had a runnable application, he could just tease us, well you, with actual screen shots of the actual program.

 

[jtanabodee]

What is the point of commenting about future which you don't know yet?
Whatever it will be, it will be.

We are developers and we have the source files (Gmax, 3dsmax, ADE etc.) If they come up with the brand new flight simulator, they WILL provide us the SDK as well.

We just need to follow their SDK with our source files. I know that hassle has to happen but... who knows. There is no point to rush to modify our addon to fit the new one that is still as a rumor.

 

[JRobinson]

I'd be inclined to believe the beta testers recently got the OK to leak just a bit of info to kick off the v4 hype. There have been other recent "leaks" besides the P3D v4 icon, a facebook post for example from an unnamed Orbx developer who stated "it makes X-Plane 10 look like a cartoon", lol. P3D versions have traditionally released on a 2 year cycle in the past and typically in Oct/Nov so unless LM's on a mission to beat DTG outta the gate with a 64 bit sim P3D v4 statistically won't see the light of day for at least 6 months yet. If we do see it earlier and it becomes obvious they did it to beat DTG then that kinda blows the "we aren't LM's target market" philosophy right outta the water now dunnit? Frankly I've never subscribed to that nonsense anyway.

Why would this source upload a screen shot of his desktop with a whole bunch of windows open, including some Heidi Klum sit com video and only show a P3D icon?

If you follow your link and click on some stuff you'll eventually find a full sized image where you can read the post he's typing, that might put the screenshot into context a little better. (heavy on the "might") I don't know if this link will work but try it: https://static1.squarespace.com/sta...c03596e6e756b0560/1487677741386/?format=2500w

We just need to follow their SDK with our source files. I know that hassle has to happen but... who knows. There is no point to rush to modify our addon to fit the new one that is still as a rumor.

You're exactly right Tic and that's always the way I've looked at it but Orbx has already stated there will be no charge for upgrades for P3D v4 which I think is good news for scenery developers because it must mean there isn't much work involved.

 

[JB3DG]

Ok, I see that, a desktop icon, that implies the program can be run from the computer in the screen shot. Well to me, that makes no sense at all. Why would this source upload a screen shot of his desktop with a whole bunch of windows open, including some Heidi Klum sit com video and only show a P3D icon? Because if the reporter had a runnable application, he could just tease us, well you, with actual screen shots of the actual program.

This screenshot was taken by someone at Aerosoft for something related to the CRJ. It wasn't intended to show off or tease with P3D v4 and if you look at the post in the Aerosoft forums you will see this picture is replaced by one with the icon missing.

 

[=rk=]

Ok, I will accept your statements for the sake of argument, JRobinson and Naruto-kun. The presence of the icon in one image and not in another, implies there is a version of P3D that is in development. Removing the icon implies an adjustment in order to more carefully comply with the LM NDA. I don't see anything further that can be deduced from that and certainly not a release date.

unless LM's on a mission to beat DTG outta the gate with a 64 bit sim P3D v4 statistically won't see the light of day for at least 6 months yet. If we do see it earlier and it becomes obvious they did it to beat DTG then that kinda blows the "we aren't LM's target market" philosophy right outta the water now dunnit?

You guys have to understand, the contract with Microsoft was very specific. LM's market is training, ONLY. Dovetail bought the commercial entertainment rights. Be confident that LM is very well aware that if there is ever any hint of advertised, advised, or advocated entertainment value - this would include "target markets" occupied by entertainment simulators - M$ would be all over LM like alphabet soup.

 

[JB3DG]

The news site is the one jumping to conclusions.

 

[toprob]

The presence of the icon in one image and not in another, implies there is a version of P3D that is in development. Removing the icon implies an adjustment in order to more carefully comply with the LM NDA. I don't see anything further that can be deduced from that and certainly not a release date

Great post, probably the one singe sensible thing I've read on this 'news'. However I don't expect that it will make any difference to the amount of disinformation, people are just having too much fun with this...

Personally, I am 100% certain that a new sim is imminent, but not because of any of the multiple discussions on just about every sim site. Last week I made a couple of tweaks to Prepar3d, loaded in some new scenery, and though 'wow, this is it, about the best sim I've ever seen.' I couldn't imagine it getting any better without some serious changes to the sim architecture. In other words, it's finished. This has happened a couple of times before, with previous sims, in both cases immediately before the release of a new version.

Then I get to start all over again, can't wait!

 

[ozzman1997]

Wow. There's a new black icon on some picture. Gosh. Must be real. Wonder if it uses DirectX 13? Would one of the testers invoke the Wrath of Khan by telling me (PM if you're worried) how customisable the shut-down and crash recovery dialog is?

I won't tell a soul...

"Prepar3d Version 4 will include an all-new error log and crash recovery utility that is designed to keep the Windows Event Viewer from filling up with error codes. Codes can be sorted by time with millisecond intervals so that the user knows exactly what the hell happened and when."

 

[hairyspin]

"Prepar3d Version 4 will include an all-new error log and crash recovery utility that is designed to ...

But what fonts and colour options are available? Does it link directly to my FaceTwit account? It's also high time some really silly sound effects could be added to minor crashes as well as full-blown OOMs. Something like an ocean liner's siren for a missing gauge font error. Hardcore sim pilots need this NOW.

 

[NAX]

I don't know why you wouldn't go here first:
......ts than they offer for content, it is probably fake news.

or alternative news, as some would state