Hello everyone! Here on the eve of the 9.5S release I want to follow up and answer some additional questions. I'll try to summarize and address the main ones I've seen raised.
What is new in 9.5S?
This is primarily a content release that will transition users to Steam.
New models:
- Blade 330 S
- E-flite DRACO 2.0m (6S)
- E-flite F-14 Tomcat Twin 40mm EDF
- E-flite F-14 Tomcat Twin 40mm EDF (without gear)
- E-flite T-28 Trojan 1.1m (3S)
- E-flite T-28 Trojan 1.1m (4S)
- E-flite Turbo Timber Evolution 1.5m (4S)
- E-flite Turbo Timber Evolution 1.5m (4S with slats)
- E-flite Turbo Timber Evolution 1.5m Float Plane (4S)
- E-flite Turbo Timber Evolution 1.5m Float Plane (4S with slats)
New airport:
Note that the F-14 is a brand new model with fully functional variable-sweep wings that you can fly in 9.5S months before the model hits store shelves!
What is Steam? Are there any monthly charges?
Steam is a digital software distribution system. They cater largely to the gaming market, but also sell simulation titles and other software tools. It requires a free account to use, and a credit card if you want to make any purchases directly from them. You can also purchase Steam keys in other places (such as for RealFlight 9.5S in your favorite hobby shop!) which you can then redeem on Steam.
The Steam client replaces the RealFlight Launcher.
For more info, I suggest you visit their site here:
https://store.steampowered.com/
And their "about" page is a good place to learn more:
https://store.steampowered.com/about/
How does the key exchange program work?
Starting tomorrow, December 8, you can visit
https://keyexchange.realflight.com/ to exchange your RealFlight 9 serial number for a RealFlight 9.5S Steam key. You then redeem that key through Steam and download RF9.5S. From then on, RealFlight 9.5S will appear in your Steam library, available for download anywhere.
What happens to my serial number after the exchange?
The exchange is a one-time, one-direction operation. As the name implies, it is an actual exchange; afterward, your old RealFlight serial number will no longer work, and you will not need it for anything. You will run your Steam version of RealFlight instead.
How long do I have to exchange my serial number?
This is not a guarantee, but my current understanding is that the key exchange website will remain live and functional until at least the end of 2022.
Will 9.5S require a separate installation?
If you already have the Steam version of RealFlight 9.5, then 9.5S simply updates your existing installation. If you are making the switch to Steam, yes, 9.5S will be an all-new installation.
Can/Should I uninstall my DVD/Tower Digital version?
Technically it will continue to work on the computer where it is already installed, but there is no reason to keep it around. You might as well uninstall it and free up the space. It's best to do that before installing and running 9.5S.
Will I lose my custom content and settings after exchanging my key?
Not if you do it right. When you uninstall your current installation, be sure to
NOT check the option to remove custom content. You want that to stay in place! You may also want to manually back up your RealFlight.ini file in <Documents>\RealFlight 9 and restore it after uninstallation is complete in order to retain your settings.
What will happen to the swap pages?
The completion of the RealFlight acquisition by Horizon Hobby is an ongoing process. It is going very well! Even so, we expect it to take a number of months before all aspects are finally settled. The ability to import/export custom content is a core RealFlight feature, and the swap pages are an incredibly important element supporting that feature. Nobody wants to see them go away. For now they'll continue to work as part of the Knife Edge Software forums, but we expect to re-home them one way or another.
Does RF9.5S support the Steam Workshop?
No. But moving the entire userbase to Steam opens up the possibility of using more of the feature set Steam offers to applications. We're intrigued by the potential here.
What will happen to the activation and registration servers for old versions of RealFlight?
They will continue to operate for the foreseeable future. Just because this and future versions of RealFlight go through Steam doesn't mean we want to break previous versions that people are still using.
Does 9.5S have any effect on AMD graphics card support?
No. RealFlight 9.5S uses DirectX 9. AMD has broken support for DirectX 9 in their recent drivers for at least some of their graphics cards, and fixing it does not seem to be a priority for them. There are no quick workarounds available on our end at this time.
Do Expansion Packs/Mega Packs work with 9.5S?
Yes.