Pilots, it's hard to believe it's already been a year since we first released our TFDi Design MD-11 into your virtual skies! We've been so grateful for your passion and feedback, and we're thrilled to share some exciting news about the future of this iconic aircraft.
We've been hard at work on significant improvements, and we're excited to confirm the following:
Free Art Update
We're posted several times on our Discord about a major art update. We're incredibly happy to announce that this will be completely free of charge for all existing owners in FS20! This update focuses on an exterior overhaul with meticulous refinement of the model and updated textures, ensuring the MD-11 truly shines in MSFS. We expect the art update to be available within the next 60 days. Make sure to join our Discord for any sneak peeks and previews!
FS24 Upgrades
We're working to take full advantage of the new texture streaming format for enhanced visuals and implementing a cabin Level of Detail (LOD) system to minimize performance impact while still delivering incredible detail. Thanks to these advancements, you can look forward to even greater immersion in the cabin, with features like moving overhead bins and moving window blinds coming to life!
To bring these features and dedicated FS24 support to the MD-11, we have made the decision that there will be an upgrade cost of $5 for existing owners when FS24 support drops. We will also be increasing the base price of the aircraft by $5 to $74.99 at that time. Collector's Edition will automatically receive this update for free. This adjustment reflects the significant development work and new functionalities being introduced to ensure the MD-11 continues to be a leading simulation.
Prepar3D (P3D) Development Update
We want to inform our P3D users that development and dedicated support for the MD-11 on the Prepar3D platform will be ending once major, critical items are fixed. We will announce the specifics of these final fixes in due course.
This decision comes after observing a significant trend: since the release of Microsoft Flight Simulator in 2020, we've seen a 50% or greater drop in P3D usership year over year. This has led to an increasing effort for very marginal gains on a platform that is used by a decreasing number of our customers. By focusing our resources, we can ensure the highest quality and most advanced features for the MD-11 on current and future platforms.
While P3D will receive the Extended Simulation Package, offering features like operational failures and limited circuit breaker functionality, please note that it will not be receiving the major art update that MSFS users will benefit from. Additionally, the Pratt & Whitney (PW) engine variant will not be coming to the P3D version. Though this may be disappointing to some, we encourage P3D license holders to take advantage of the single-purchase license and try the MD-11 in FS20 at no additional cost.
Thank you for being part of the TFDi Design community. We are incredibly excited about the future of the MD-11 and can't wait for you to experience these updates!
