Microsoft Flight Simulator will game an in-game mod marketplace. With massive promises for an expansive world, pilots are looking to get more out of it.
With Microsoft Flight Simulator on its way, would-be players would want a ton of things. Some would want things beyond the vanilla game, even if it has every airport in the world. The gaps that Microsoft leaves will get its fill from the modders.
MS Flight Sim will carry mods to fill the gaps
The MS Flight Sim likely will have almost everything under the sun. The game promises to have every airport in the world, from major to minor ones. It will even have small landing strips a ton of planes to control.
Even then, Microsoft can’t cover everything. For starters, not every airport will be as detailed as players want them to be. Some favorite airports or even airplanes of other players will not have the level of detail players want.
Modders can come to the rescue and fill the gaps to make the game more to players’ flavor. For starters, simulations expert Orbx is looking to develop add-ons for the sim. Orbx is famous for its simulation realism, providing mods even for MS Flight Sim X.
Third-party studios and indie modders can sell their mods through the marketplace. Asobo revealed in a dev update that their “Marketplace Partner Program” will handle the sale.
Asobo will use Marketplace Partner Program for mods
The Microsoft Flight Simulator Marketplace Partner Program is the first for the game. Asobo notes that this “enables approved partners to sell their content directly to simmers.” Unlike free mods like the Nexus, pilots can expect a modicum of quality to the content.
“The 3rd party creator community has been incredibly vibrant, delighting simmers with their creativity for many years,” says Asobo in their update. “We recognize that creations by 3rd parties are a vital ingredient to broaden and deepen the Flight Simulation experience so we are excited to announce our Marketplace Partner Program which enables approved partners to sell content within our built-in Marketplace.”
Modders who want to sell their wares would need to be a registered partner. Registration is free, with an approval process as a way of screening potential partners.
The marketplace will look at how the modders’ wares perform. It will also track their revenue from each sale, together with automatic payments. The marketplace also promises not to hinder the sale of content outside it.
Microsoft Flight Simulator will be out on August 18. The closed beta for the game will start on July 30.
Images courtesy of Microsoft/Youtube Screenshot