If you are unfamiliar with the ‘Got Friends’ development group, they are made up of four talented developers who work together to bring immersive aircraft to the world of Microsoft Flight Simulator. Those developers consist of Got Gravel, Jonx, Two Seventy Inc, and Mykrode. In the latest development update from the team, we now know what some of the future plans are from the team and how progress is being made on specific aircraft.
Firstly, the team wanted to give special thanks to the community. Their support has enabled the team to continue producing aircraft for the simulator, as well as remastering and refining creations that they have already made. The first result of that was the Discus-2b that was released on New Year’s Day. Since then, over 18,000 downloads have happened. With the team motivated by this support, Got Friends decided to remaster Mykrode’s Fokker DR.1 and the MXA Amphibious aircraft. Both aircraft are now in their “definitive state.“
Xbox Releases
Whilst the Got Friends team are keen to continue working on freeware projects, there is also scope for them to create payware products. This will ensure that all of their aircraft will be updated following sim updates, whilst also keeping the team supported.
Got Friends will also start bringing their offering to the Xbox audience, starting with the Gee Bee R3 Special. Following that, their remasters and other aircraft will be coming to Xbox. These have been developed with Xbox users in mind and developed from the ground up.
EA-7 Edgley Optica Remaster
The next aircraft to get remastered by Got Friends is the EA-7 Edgley Optica. The Edgley Optica is a completely remastered product that has seen the team spend months carefully crafting. This new payware aircraft will replace the existing freeware model by Jonx, but for the first week of sale, the community can pick it up for 50% off the $20 USD price.
In order to justify the move from freeware to payware, the team spoke about the number of features now available in this remastered aircraft. The EA-7 Edgley Optica includes a 9-pack flight instrument set (versus the 6-pack from before), along with new modern systems and a full autopilot system. In addition, they have included the Garmin 430/330 navigation, along with a swappable GTN750 with WTT support.
“We took a modern approach at redesigning this aircraft from the ground-up. We kept everything that made the original aircraft great and added modern systems that guaranteed the best possible flying experience, one that John Edgley originally envisioned.”
Finally, Got Friends said that the flight model has been redefined, a new 4K texture pallet is included and a new optimised 3D model is included. For those looking to land in the snow, you can use the Winter Ski Kit. You can see this new aircraft in the previews and trailer above.
The Got Friends EA-7 Edgley Optica will be released very soon on FlightSim.to and then through the in-sim Marketplace for both PC and Xbox not long afterwards. The aircraft will cost $20.00, but for the first week, expect to find it on sale for just $10.00.
