MSFFB2 Reborn?

[ST_Catchov]

With the apparent success of Microsoft's FS2020 I wonder if they'll at some point consider manufacturing a new FFB stick?  To enhance the FS2020 experience of course. I speak with selfish motives (I don't have FS2020) because the MSFFB2 is the best stick around for FFB enabled combat flight sims imo and I'd be devastated if my trusty old (very old) stick ever failed. They are getting harder to find these days unfortunately. 

 

I reckon M$ would make a killing if they did produce a new one.

[JG7_X-Man]

You never know! 

 

For those that don't know:

 

The current MSFFB we have uses technology developed and patented by another company.

Immersion Corporation of San Jose, California, is a developer and licensor (lawyer talk for, exclusive rights) of touch feedback technology, also known as haptic technology.

Sony and Microsoft used this tech in their joysticks (MS FFB, Pro, 1 and 2) and game controllers (DualShock controller) and Immersion subsequently sued them in 2002.

• Microsoft settled out of court, purchasing a 10% share in Immersion
• Sony fought and lost in the fall of 2006, with the jury awarding Immersion $97 million (and change) Note: this had zero impact on Sony's consolidated earnings forecast announced on January 30, 2007 

Although the patent expired about a year ago, I am not sure if MS current direction is to resume peripheral offerings with this new software venture.

 

Speaking of what Immersion has in the pipeline, this is the only thing that will make me give up my ultrawide 49" monitor and go VR for flight simming: 

 

https://patents.google.com/patent/US6424333

 

umm... maybe not as those PKs will actually hurt! 

Edited August 28, 2020 by JG7_X-Man

[DD_Arthur]

So their patent has expired? Now that’s very interesting ?.  I can’t see MS getting back into the peripherals market but I can see someone else trying to cash in on the enormous interest in MS2020. Hopefully someone willing to invest in a decent, well engineered design.?

[JG7_X-Man]

11 hours ago, DD_Arthur said:

So their patent has expired? Now that’s very interesting ?.  I can’t see MS getting back into the peripherals market but I can see someone else trying to cash in on the enormous interest in MS2020. Hopefully someone willing to invest in a decent, well engineered design.?

 

Totally agree! 

[dburne]

14 hours ago, DD_Arthur said:

So their patent has expired? Now that’s very interesting ?.  I can’t see MS getting back into the peripherals market but I can see someone else trying to cash in on the enormous interest in MS2020. Hopefully someone willing to invest in a decent, well engineered design.?

 

It would be nice if VKB or Virpil got into it, but somehow I don't see it happening.

May be just too niche for anyone to invest in it again.

[DD_Arthur]

Food for thought?

https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/microsoft-flight-simulator-expected-to-generate-dollar26b-in-pc-hardware-sales-in-3-years/#:~:text=The research firm is assuming,%242.6 billion figure%2C all told.

[LukeFF]

3 hours ago, DD_Arthur said:

Food for thought?

https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/microsoft-flight-simulator-expected-to-generate-dollar26b-in-pc-hardware-sales-in-3-years/#:~:text=The research firm is assuming,%242.6 billion figure%2C all told.

 

It's great for the flight simulation genre as a whole. Even if there are many who don't have an interest in civil flight sims, the (potentially) huge numbers of sales means everyone will benefit from more and better hardware choices.