Developer Imaginesim has opened up with some new details regarding their upcoming free update for their scenery product KATL Atlanta on Prepar3D V4. As mentioned, this will be a free update to the current 2016 version and the team wanted to let the community know what the limits of the free update will be. They also wanted to let the community know that they are working on a new version in anticipation of Microsoft’s new Flight Simulator, MSFS 2020.
First, the free update for the 2019 KATL Atlanta from Imaginesim. The new update will include the terminal repaints, new taxi-line alternations, new animations as well as PBR textures and inclusion of new buildings such as the delta flight museum and the Porsche Experience Center. Various other changes will be made also, as well as a complete SDK recompile for the best possible performance within Prepar3D. However, as this is a free update, the team were upfront in saying that more technical things such as UltraHD 4096 textures and complete rebuilds of terminal buildings won’t fit in the time frame or budget that Imaginesim have for this update. This also includes sloped runways or terrain undulations.
What is interesting is that Imagesim has confirmed that they are going to build a brand new version of KATL, which will exceed the standard they set with Singapore (WSSS). In particular, they said that this has “[…] already begun in anticipation of Microsoft FS2020.” This is the first time we’ve heard of a scenery developer confirm work for the upcoming flight simulator. In addition, they said that some of the improvements will be to include extremely fine mesh terrain data and will incorporate many of these features into an X-Plane 11 version. A new version for Prepar3D is also being considered if “technically viable.”
The free update for KATL Atlanta on Prepar3D V4 will be soon in full testing mode, with a release shortly after.
We’ll continue to monitor the situation and provide an update if we hear more.
