PMDG have shared an update on the 15th of February regarding MSFS 2024, Ops Center 3, the 747-100 and more. They have been hard at work with beta testing, development and other updates. The post also leaves us with some cockpit previews of the 747-100.
PMDG Operations Center 3.0
Along with the 200ER, they have now put the Operations Center 3.0 into testing. The project has been quietly ongoing in the background over the past year. It will be the successor to the Operations Center 2.0 which has been in use for over 7 years now. OC3 (Operations Center 3) includes a fresh, modern interface.
OC3 gives you the ability to manage all your product installations from within the application, manage updates, rollbacks, and multiple channels for distribution such as stable, experimental and beta builds. It will handle the activation and authorisation of licensed products and allow them to diagnose problems you may encounter.
Eventually, the rollout of OC3 will remove all the need for installers with some of their product lines. This removes some choke points which often get stressed during major product releases. Operations Center 3 will roll out soon and will operate alongside current methods. This is until they are comfortable moving over products without any disruptions.
PMDG 777-200ER in Testing
The 777-200ER has now gone into beta testing. This includes all three core engine variants for the -200ER. You will have a choice between the GE, RR, and PW engine types. These will come with the correct performance, indication, and sound. It has been no small task to properly bring a new engine model into the simulator.
Alongside the 200ER, a multitude of options unique to the 200ER are also included in the update. There is no current timeline for the end of beta testing. However, PMDG feels they will have a better idea of the state of the 200ER in the next 7-10 days. The 200ER will release initially in MSFS 2020 with a release in 2024 further down the line.
777 & MSFS 2024: The Current State of Play
During the past few weeks, PMDG have been working with the 777 in MSFS 2024. They have been using the 2024 SDK to build the 77W, 777F and the 200ER inside MSFS 2024. So far they have had a high degree of success with this. Some issues have arisen which have left the developers not quite comfortable with all the platform-side issues.
Currently, PMDG describes their confidence in MSFS 2024 as strong and growing. However, they are still waiting for SU1 and any last minute changes which may break their products. An estimated release date for their products continue to be held for this reason. They are building all their products with the 2024 SDK so that it natively works with the new simulator.
DC-6 & MSFS 2024: The Current State of Play
Over the past weeks, PMDG have been working with the DC-6 in MSFS 2024. The DC-6 was supposed to be an easy conversion, but it is proving to be much harder than expected. While the core functions of the aircraft work, there are numerous issues with laggy animations or not working. They are still working to find a fix for this issue.
The problem has been reported to Asobo in the developer community forums. However, it does not appear the issue has been seen by Asobo. With no other developers reporting the issue, the team are investigating internally in hopes of finding a fix. PMDG can not currently give and estimated release date for the DC-6.
737 & MSFS 2024: The Current State of Play
The developers are not yet evaluating the 737NG in 2024. They are currently using the 777 as a learning tool so they can go back to the 737NG. Once PMDG can start pushing the 777s into MSFS 2024, they will direct attention back to the 737. The 737s in MSFS 2024 will be getting a host of new features. There is no timeline on these updates until the 777s are out.
MSFS Upgrades and Releases
PMDG have been intentionally quiet on this topic, as they do not have confidence yet on the topic of distribution and pricing. They do not want to set our expectations and have to change them. The developers can not confirm having upgrade prices for 2020 to 2024 yet. However, they are trying to go in the other direction and have no upgrade charges.
PMDG 747-100 and 747-100
Work on the 747 fleet has been accelerating, and images for the -400 will come later. The -100 is much further in development than the -400 at this moment. PMDG are planning to give us glimpses into the progression of development soon. Most of the work over the past few weeks have been on the 747-100. The -400 is still progressing, but is behind the -100.
Detailing of flight deck panels is beginning to move rapidly. Back lighting and the process of using photo realistic detailing is in process. In the two images below, you can see all the labelling, backlit details and texturing. However, the texturing is still basic at this stage. Small pieces of panelling are begging to get increased detail as this grows throughout the whole flight deck.
One note PMDG have said regarding the images, is that the cockpit “surround” have not been textured yet. They have a base texture colour to give them some colour, but for the most part, what you are seeing is a low resolution texture. This will remain in place until the 3D geometry is completed. Coding on the panel is also progressing.
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