[Fireskull]

By the way... did you notice how hard has it become to find a proper PC joystick in stores shelves?

Well, okay, Serpiko, let's squeeze that into the topic.


Yes, I have noticed that is is harder to find them on shelves. The day might come when it is rare to see flight simulation equipment on a store shelf.

With several complex flight simulations for computers on the scene and several in development, demand for the equipment - joysticks in particular - will increasee.

I feel that part of the reason for flight sim equipment decreasing on the store shelves is the increasing popularity of console games. Flight simulation users tend to be connected with the InterNet by computer but many console fans have their gaming system as the focus of attention for fun.

Is the pattern at the local store any indication of the future of flight simulations? I am convinced that interest in flight simulations will continue to grow but focused more on online purchases of sims and equipment for them. This is good for modding in a sense that overall growth continues and great for online flight sim combat because more people have computers and more are aquiring a flight sim through online with their computer around the world.

Because it does take some degree of knowledge and maturity to handle computer issues in relation to flight simulations of increasing complexity, we should see a more mature fan base on average than back in the days of many DVD sales from stores where anybody may see something they like and pick it from the shelf.

Joysticks should increase in sales but through online purchase. With it comes a more sophisticated flight sim fan and that is good for the overall quality of all general issues that are involved.

Because of these things, we should see more interest in better quality joysticks. Better sticks enable a beginning player to improve quicker in the long term ( in comparison with many poor quality off the shelf sticks ), so we should see that factor into growth in flight simulation interest, as well.



Fireskull