X-Plane 9 only $39.00US for limited time!

Since MS is closing the doors (and probably selling) to the Flight Simulator series, and most likely selling it to someone else, X-Plane 9 is being offered "cheap" for only $39.00 for all you flight sim aficionado's out there for a limited time.

http://www.x-plane.com/order.html

Enjoy!

EDIT: Get it from Best Buy - Only $29.99 now.

 

6 DVD's??? holy crap.... I just bought IL-2 and was taking a look at Flight Simulator X... but what's this X-Plane all about? And what was the original price?

 

there is xplane, which is the only serious competitor to flight simulator. its a VERY cool simulator.

there is also flightgear, an opensource flightsim, which is probably what leaftye was hinting at.

but there is no comparison between flightgear and xplane9. x-plane 9 is a full fledged flight simulator.

 

lol, reading the description of it.. I would say that is a big prevention of piracy, loading the game up with 70 freaking gigs! That's truly a monster of a game.

 

It's 79gb of scenery data. I had to kick ubuntu out to make room for it... But I wish it actually came with a manual of some sort or at least a key card. Figuring out the controls was kinda hard.

 

so exactly what is this "about"?!

 

It's a civilian flight sim, there is no story. Just jump in a plane and fly around.

 

It's also detailed enough to fill up TB sized HDDs as mentioned earlier. It's probably only for advanced players and hardcore fans though since it's learning curve is very steep.

 

79gb is quite a lot. i once played flight simulator and the only thing i managed to do was to switch in the engine. i didn't know how to fly it. eventually i uninstalled it.

 

Will consider Thanks .

 

Heh, that's half my notebook's HDD!

Talk about a serious simulator.

 

Well you don't have to install all the scenery, but yeah it still takes up a good chunk of hdd space.

It is more for hardcore simmers, there's also an FAA certified version too so you know it is accurate for flight model, instrument, and scenery.

But if you have managed Flight Simulator you can manage this. It also has a plane builder so you can design your own planes and test them out. I believe it even has a moon and mars landscape with different gravities for the fun of it.

 

Not the moon just Mars. If you want to fly to the moon get Orbiter, the free, incredibly hard to get into, space simulator.

 

Just to let you all know, I was at 2 of my local BestBuys and saw this game for sale regular price of $29.99 !!! I hope this helps someone. God Bless

 

Thanks! Wondering if this is the same as the one at the website?

 

lol i would ask this question but people wouldnt take it lightly haha


So can you "land" this plane anywhere you want?

 

The X-Plane website said that the one they have shipping has installations for Windows/Mac/Linux, and not all other places have that. Other than that.... I dunno

 

Great, I emailed X-plane asking the difference between Best Buy and off the website he said:

So they won't even refund the difference or return the product.

 

Why would they price match? The only places that would ever do that are ones that guarantee that they will...

 

Do you ask Steam to price match with best buy or gamestop? The sim is already discounted I don't see what would compel them to further reduce the price. If you want free, there is always Flightgear.

 

Looks like the BestBuy product only includes the Windows version, whereas if you buy it from the X-Plane website, you get Windows, Mac and Linux versions all included. You're also guaranteed to get the lastest version as well (e.g. 9.2 vs. 9.0).

 

The version you buy at Best Buy is the same essentially, but won't be up to date. All you have to do is download the newest version, have the DVD in the drive, and you're good to go though.

You can also download the latest version anytime and try it out. It runs fully functional for 5-10min (can't remember which), and then the controls stop working. But, it's the full game minus the extra scenary, so might as well try it out!

As for the game itself, it's pretty good, and many people love it, but I just can't get into it. I much prefer FSX, both in flight models, control feel, graphics, etc. I know FSX uses tables to determine the flight model as opposed the X-plane's dynamic model based on shapes and airflow, but it just never feels quite right, at least to me. I think the biggest problem is that the default planes are ok, but by no means great, and much less detailed or polished as the default Flight Sim planes (FS9 or X), and to get the really good ones that probably do feel a bit better are $20 or more extra each.

Regardless though, I do love the sim community, and it's totally worth checking out! It really is a nice product.

 

I should have included the below quote in my first post:

"X-Plane 9 (temporarily $39.00 to let in all the new MS users)

This is X-Plane 9.00 on DVD for Mac, Windows, AND Linux platforms! This version runs on all 3 platforms and ships with SIX dual-layer DVD's! (To hold all the scenery from -70 to 74 degrees latitude!)

As well, this purchase includes free net updates through the entire X-Plane 9.xx run!

(NOTE: Some stores carry X-Plane, but they do NOT have the Mac, Windows, and Linux versions all on the same DVD, and they may be selling only an older version as well. If you want the Mac, Windows, and Linux version all on your DVD, latest version, then you should only buy here, from www.X-Plane.com. This is the only place where you can get X-Plane directly from it's creators, with the most complete installer and latest version of the sim)."

 

It's called customer support... ever heard of it?

 

I'd call it unreasonable expectations. If they can get a price matched, great. Otherwise, if one likes the price better elsewhere, they should buy it there with no hard feelings.

 

The whole point is they won't take it as a RETURN! I just ordered it, it was processed and not shipped yet, but they won't cancel it. They won't return it.

That's my point.

Also, this is an individual developer that can do what they want with the price. Not like a large store chain that has to adhere to rules that the cashier or even supervisor can't override.

It's like if I personally developed a game and just sold it to you for $40, then I turn around and sell it to the guy right next to you for $30 after you just paid me, I could be a complete jerk and say sorry. Or I could make good and refund you $10. Maybe I'm just naive and think people actually have a conscience. I expected more from an independent developer.

 

Well, that would be reason enough to be upset, I suppose, but I don't see anything in their response that states that your order hasn't been shipped, or that it is otherwise in a state where it could be canceled. Did they actually say you couldn't return the unopened product for a refund?

The same principles apply. They determine what price they need to charge the customer, based on various factors. You were asking them to adjust that for you. Some may, others won't. It's business. You're making it personal.

Your analogy is inaccurate. They are selling it to all web customers at the same price. It's Best Buy that is selling it cheaper to *their* customers. Now, if you'd like to buy tens of thousands of copies, I'm willing to wager that the folks at X-Plane would be happy to cut you a similar deal.

Seriously though, we're talking about $10 here. Is it really worth getting so worked up over?

 

Actually I think it's called customer service

I agree with basically everything Rich.Carpenter said. Best Buy selling it at their store for cheaper is not the same as you selling it to a guy right next to you for cheaper.

And feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, because some stores don't need a reason for you to return a product, especially if it's unopened, but if they do ask for a reason and aren't obligation to give you a refund, if you give them the reason that "you found it for cheaper", they may not give you that refund....

 

didnt like it though

 

You're right, send me $10 via PayPal right now. Thanks!

 

Again, your analogies need work.

 

Maybe they do, but it's only $10. I'm waiting....

 

I give up. You win. I was out of line to question your ire. An additional $10 for additional features, including the most current version, Windows, Mac and Linux installations, and in light of the significant amount that has already been discounted from the normal price is very significant after all. I don't know where my head was at. Also, I concede that the producer of a given product should only have one price for that product, regardless of purchase quantity, feature set or distribution channel and any associated costs therein, and that there should be no exceptions to this rule. I simply *must* remember this concept the next time I go to buy a car. Thanks. You probably just saved me thousands of bucks.

Lastly, you got me. Their giving you a $10 refund on a purchase you previously approved at a higher price, and for which you are to receive flight simulator software, is *exactly* the same thing as my just grabbing a ten-dollar bill out of my wallet and giving it to you for no apparent reason. The check is in the mail - no, make that cash. When you're right, you're right. Oh, and I'll be happy to split the savings I enjoy on that new car purchase, after I bludgeon them about the head and shoulders with this big ol' logic bat with which you've equipped me.

I bow to the impregnability of your position on these issues.

 

You still get updates with the boxed version, just don't get Mac and Linux, but who cares?

You are the one that said "It's just $10" now you're the one reneging.

Ok, this thread is going nowhere, mods, please close, thanks.

 

LOL, I think it went somewhere.... and it was fun to watch.

 

LOL. I admit I was getting a little childish.

 

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. If everyone would just see things my way, the world would be a much better place....for me, anyway....and that's really all that's important, right?

 

Lisa, my wife, is that you dear?

(I found that Thinkpad T500 in your sig for $10 cheaper BTW)

 

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

 

hahaha, I do enjoy this forum more than most. At least after a heated debate we can all still be friends.

(Unless we're talking about Apple computers.....)



htwingnut, you seem to know a lot about flight sims, do you know a lot about joysticks for PC's?? I could probably start a thread, but figured I ask you anyways.

 

I know enough, what is it you need to know?

 

Had any experience with the MS Precision Pro? Or the MS Sidewinder joystick? I'm in the market for a cheaper joystick for flight sims and looking for a decent one. I just bought IL-2 Sturmovik, but it's not very fun with keyboard.

 

I had a Precision Pro, and it worked just fine for MSFS.

 

MS made some GREAT gaming peripherals years back, but stopped for some reason. Probably because they never broke. I own an original Sidewinder Precision Pro with a gameport to USB adapter that's how old it is, and still works great. I bought a Precision 2 when I found out they were stopping making them and own a Force Feedback Pro and Force Feedback 2 stick, and also two force feedback wheels. All of them have had dozens if not hundreds of hours logged on them over the last 10-12 years (wow, it's been that long?) and still going strong.

If you can get a force feedback one, it is perfect for IL-2. Best implementation of force feedback I've ever felt, especially for those softfield takeoffs and landings. Although the Precision sticks (non force feedback) have a longer life, fewer moving parts to fail I guess. Either way, yes by all means IL-2 flies very well with the MS Sidewinder.

Of course "sims" like IL-2 fly best with a full HOTAS (hands on throttle and stick: separate stick, throttle, rudder) setup. In that case, the Saitek X52 is a great cheap option, except it has a twist stick so no rudder, but separate throttle. If you're going higher tech, then get CH Products gear. I have their stick, throttle, rudder, and are high quality. It'll set you back $300 or so, but I've had my gear for probably about six or seven years now with hundreds of hours between Falcon 4 (Allied Force), Enemy Engaged Comanche Hokum and IL-2.

Now you're making me want to fire up IL-2 now. Thanks.

 

Haha, that game seems to have quite an addictive nature to it.

I've looked into a lot of the HOTAS setups, but I'm probably not buying in the States, I'm in Mexico actually, and the only HOTAS setup I can find is an X45 for $1,100 pesos, which to me is basically like $110 dollars.... not a deal. Even the Saitek Cyborg Evo will run me $50 on sale shipped. So I was looking at the used Microsoft joysticks, I actually have a bid on a Precision Pro 1, I'm not going higher than $35 though shipped, and nobody has bid past me yet at $11 + $12 shipping. So we'll see.

I was asking though about the MS Sidewinder, because apparently it was a more economical Precision Pro, just had less buttons and no 8-way switch on it, which I assumed I would be okay with, I could easily use my left hand to use the keyboard, at least I assumed. That one would only only around $25.

I do have a friend on a forum that can sell me a FFB2 which is apparently one of THE best MS joysticks, but even after he gives me a good deal and it's in good condition, it'll still be around $80 shipped to me. I wasn't planning on spending that much, but we'll see, maybe next month....

Sorry for the long-winded post and general off-topicness of it all

 

For $30 I don't think you can beat the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro (well, maybe you can, I haven't tried 'em all ). I have one now, and it works pretty well. Plenty of buttons and the stick action feels about right.

 

Heh, I've heard to stay away from Logitech joysticks....

That one looks better than the one I can get locally, the Attack 3, which is like $30. not a good deal.

 

I attended a LAN party a few years back and forgot to bring along my Precision Pro, so I zipped up the street to Wal-Mart and picked up the Logitech to get me by. Shortly thereafter, my son cabbaged on to the Precision Pro, and I've been using the Logitech since.

I don't know that I would buy any of their more expensive sticks, but this one has worked well for me.

 

Which sims do you play Rich?

 

When I bought it, I was primarily just playing the Battlefield series - not a sim at all, really, but since then, I have gotten into MS Flight Simulator 2004. I actually used it to help learn my way around the cockpit and the basic concepts of aviation to assist me with real world flying lessons. The lessons proved a bit more costly than I was willing to continue with, but I'd still like to get into flying to and from virtual airports with real air traffic controllers on the VATSIM network. If I got back into it, I'd probably pick up a CH Flight Yoke controller or the Saitek Pro Flight Yoke and Quadrant set.

I tried the X-Plane demo at one point, but wasn't ready to invest the time it was going to take to get up to speed with it. I liked it, but it's got a crazy learning curve.

I enjoyed Falcon 4.0 a long time ago, and have Lock On Gold sitting on the shelf at the moment. I played it briefly when I got it a year or two ago, but ended up wiping my PC shortly thereafter to reinstall everything and just haven't gotten back to it. So many games, so little time.