Pretty much everyone was already expecting X-Plane 11 to be announced by Austin Meyer at FlightSimShow, but very few -- if any -- had an idea of how advanced the new version was.
The new version is scheduled to be released in November (this year, yes) and, as a completely new version, you shall be required to purchase the upgrade.
Update 1: the release date is not known yet but you can already pre-order it here for US$59.99. Here's the official features list as well:
- A completely redesigned, intuitive user interface that makes setting up and editing your flight a breeze.
- Consistently usable 3-D cockpits and stunningly high-resolution exterior models for all included aircraft.
- A new effects engine for lighting, sounds, and explosions.
- Realistic avionics: all planes are IFR-ready right out of the gate.
- Busy, “living” airports with pushback tugs and roaming fuel trucks, able to service both your aircraft and the simulator’s AI planes.
- New buildings & roads to better simulate European cities
- …and more!
Update 2: it seems one of the concerns of current X-Plane has been addressed. X-Plane 11 will be compatible with X-Plane 10 addons:
"Add-ons designed for X-Plane 10 will work with X-Plane 11. Add-ons designed for X-Plane 9, though, may need some updating for compatibility."
Update 3: we managed to get more info:
- Multi-monitor support
- New flight model
- Pressurization system modeling
- Hydraulic system modeling
- Stalling under ice
- New flight planning
- New autogen system with 3rd-party support
- Dynamic airports
- Push-back and service trucks that automatically service AI aircraft
- Updated World Editor
- New lighting and fog (as seen on the video above)
- New particle system
- Weapons systems has been overhauled
