Reading the latest article on my blog doesn’t really tell first time readers what is it I’m doing. That’s why this post will be permanently linked from the main page of my blog and updated as frequently as possible.
Here we go!
What is the Flight Simulator Project?
It is a project I’m developing as a hobby. I go from feature to feature and try to build a fun simulator by approaching all the aspects of this type of game.
It features aircraft dynamics, weather, winds, time of day, visual effects, several aircrafts, replays, DEM data import …
Are you working with Microsoft Flight Simulator team ?
I wish ...
Is your project Flight Simulator 2006 or Flight Simulator X?
Nope ...
How much time did you spend on the game?
I started in May 2004 and developed it in my spare time ever since.
Where can I download it?
On my website here
What is the development language?
The FSP is developed mainly in C#. Some parts of the game are developed in Managed C++ (fmod and ODE wrappers)
What Graphics API are you using?
I’m using Managed DirectX 1.1. I never moved to XNA and i'm not planning to to so. Next API update will be for DX10.
How do you simulate the airplane physics?
Plane physics are simulated using a physics library called ODE. For more information about this library and how I implemented aircraft physics, check out this post.
Isn’t Managed DirectX slow compared to regular unmanaged DirectX?
If you’re talking about execution speed: perhaps, but not that noticeable.
If you’re talking about development time: hell no!
Are you a team?
Nope, just me for both code and graph.
Are you planning to go commercial?
Perhaps one day.
How can I help?
Contact me at flightsimulatorproject at gmail.com
Can I create add-ons for your game? (Airplanes, sceneries)
Sure. If you have a GMax aircraft model that you would like to see in FSP, contact me and we will work something out.
Can I dump all the other simulators and use yours exclusively?
That would be stupid, the FSP is far from being as complete as any other sims available today on the market.
How can I uninstall your simulator?
Duh... Just remove the directory from your computer.
How old are you?
I was born on March 24 1981. You do the math :)
Are you a real world pilot, Does it help you in the development?
Yes I am. I fly Piper Warriors, Archers, DR400, Cessna 152, and lately tailwheel aircrafts like the Citabria 7ECA.
Flying for real does help in the development of the game.
What kind of 3D Model formats do you support?
Collada files
What's your education?
I have a masters degree in computer engineering from a french school called Epitech.
Where do you live?
In Santa Clara, California
Can I make add-ons to your game?
Sure! FSP Supports aircraft add ons and scenery. The specs are not out. Email me if you have cool aircrafts you would like to see in FSP.
Also, FSP now supports Google Earth KMZ files. So you can drop any kmz file and see it where it should be in FSP!
Flight Simulator Project, that name is.... yeah...
Yes, I'm looking for a new name... any ideas?