Robert Randazzo from PMDG has taken to the forums to update the flight sim community on the current development cycle for the 777 on Prepar3D. The update covers both the upcoming 777-200 LR/F and 777-300ER product updates, along with some of the first previews for the 777-200ER Expansion Package.
He opened up the forum post by saying that throughout the holiday period, the team were hard at work on various projects, including the long-awaited 777 update for Prepar3D. Since the release of the 777, nearly 8 years ago(!), the technology stack built by PMDG has progressed significantly, which has been seen in the 747 Queen of the Skies II and also the PMDG 737 NGXu series. As such, the 777 update will bring many of these code improvements to the long-haul aircraft.
To reiterate, this is going to be a free, but extensive update, rather than a full product rebuild. This is due to the fact that PMDG needs to keep a significant amount of resources dedicated to Microsoft Flight Simulator and also upon evaluation of market conditions caused by COVID-19. He also said that a full virtual cockpit replacement for the 777 product line is in the works, but will take at least half a year to complete. The new update is “nearly finished“, and that beta testers are currently going over it to ensure it all works. Robert did emphasise that there will still be a few build cycles to go before it is released as there are a few outstanding items to complete.
Described as “one of the most asked-for expansions” for PMDG, the 777-200ER Expansion Package has moved into beta testing. To celebrate that, a few images of the aircraft in action were shown off. Included in the expansion pack upon release will be all three engine variants; Rolls Royce, General Electric and Pratt & Whitney. In addition, buying the expansion pack will also include a fully functional EFB (which will also be added to the 777-200ER/LR/F and the 777-300ER).
As for the release plans, Robert said that they are working towards a release for the end of January or, if more testing requires, during February. The current plan is to release the 777 update first and then the 777-200ER Expansion Pack, but that may change to them being released simultaneously if PMDG feels that way works better.
Stay tuned to FSElite where we’ll be sure to let you know of any release plans as soon as we learn of them. You can also read more at the PMDG forums.
