Whilst marvelling at some of the recent FS Videos I have downloaded, I came across one video VOZ1.2 showcasing scenery from 'Vista Australis' which looked very impressive. The website link was at the end of the vid so I went for a quick shuftie and was amazed that it was freeware with an enhanced 'PRO' payware version planned end 2007. I'd not come across or heard of it before and am currently busy downloading.
http://www.vistaoz.org The video I mentioned is on the mainpage 'Watch the amazing trailer in HD !! Thanks to our friend Arkitekt !'VOZ History
The Vista Australis (VOZ) project was begun by John "koorby" Venema back in October 2005 with the first public beta 0.99 release on Xmas Eve of that year. It quickly became the most popular freeware scenery download in 2006 with over 150,000 downloads within 90 days of launch. 0.99 was a beta, and not until 1.1 was released in March was the full vision of VOZ realised, with by that time, some 40 developers and testers on the project. VOZ quickly established a reputation for quality, both in the textures, addon airports and also the user support on the forums. Our community has grown very quickly over the last twelve months and is one of the busiest and friendliest places in the FS world.
This year we approach the 300,000 download mark across all VOZ versions and see the launch of Microsoft's new simulator platform, FSX. The VOZ team remains committed to quality over rushed releases, and VOZ 1.3 will be the next installment to continue to add outstanding airports, textures and sceneries.
We also embarked on an ambitious AI project which despite some copyright hiccups in the initial release, will be relaunched in November 2006 to provide the most comprehensive AI package for Australia ever seen - once again, all freeware.
VOZ Freeware Versions
The current series of releases are as follows:
FS2004 (FS9)
VOZ 1.1 - The first full public freeware release
VOZ 1.2 - An upgrade patch to 1.1 (first time users should install both 1.1 and 1.2 in that order)
VOZ 1.21 - An upgrade patch to 1.2 (first time users should install 1.1, 1.2 and 1.21 in that oder)
VOZ 1.3 - An upgrade patch to 1.21 (install 1.1, 1.2, 1.21 then 1.3 in order)
VOZ AI PACK 1.1 - The current version of the VOZ AI
FSX
VOZ 2.0 - This is a port of VOZ 1.3 to FSX, planned to be released in the new year, definitely before end January 2007. VOZ 2.0 will remain freeware.
VOZ AI PACK 2.x (Not yet released. This is the port to FSX of the VOZ AI PACK)
The VOZ series will "split" from the 1.3 release onwards as follows:
VOZ 1.x - FS9 platform
VOZ 2.x - FSX plafform
VOZ Payware
John has also created a startup company called Orbx Simulation Systems - http://orbxsystems.com - This company will be creating a payware version of VOZ at very high resolution (less than 1m/pixel) to create an unparalleled version of Australia for the FSX platform. There may also be a 5m/pixel version ported to FS9 for those users who have not migrated to FSX yet. Orbx also produces commercial aerospace solutions for civil and defence customers.
This version of VOZ is to be called VOZ PRO, will sell for about US$50 and be released before the end of 2007. It will only include textures and won't have any scenery or airports. VOZ 2.x users will be able to still use the VOZ freeware scenery and airports and simply upgrade their FSX to use the higher resolution VOZ PRO textures.
Orbx and VOZ PRO will not be affiliated with VOZ Freeware, and each will not be a prerequisite to enjoy either the freeware or payware versions. John owns the rights to the VOZ brand name only but VOZ 1.x and 2.x will NEVER be payware and will be supported for as long as the community is behind it.
VOZ Future
The VOZ future is very bright, with no plans to stop development of either VOZ 1.x or VOZ 2.x series of addons, and a strong and healthy developer and user community behind it to guarantee that simming in Australia will be a very rich and rewarding experience for many many years to come.
Rgds
John
I suffer from paranoid amnesia. I can't remember who I don't trust.
