There's a slideshow of Real NZ Tauranga screenshots on my site -- click on the image above to go to Windowlight.co.nz
This upgrade offers a glimpse of where Real New Zealand scenery is heading. In the past I've worked hard to blend the airports into the surrounding scenery using a large-scale aerial photo, but this isn't going to always be possible, unless aerial images suddenly become a lot more accessible -- and cheaper! The loss of the old LINZ project is a huge setback for NZ scenery, but it is likely that this won't be missed that much once we get a better landclass release for NZ in FSX. Tim's Vector Landclass will change the way we see NZ in FSX the same way that Christian Stock's Topo scenery changed FS2004. Once we no longer have that 'desert' look to our country custom-built airports will blend a lot more naturally without the need for a photo scenery buffer.
Having said that, the Tauranga update does still include the Tauranga City photoscenery, but once we get a great landclass upgrade, it may be possible to remove this colourised photo scenery and still have the airport blend naturally. Only Tauranga is a major issue, as the aerial image began life as a black and white photo, so the colour is not real.
The real difference with the upgrade is the inclusion of a high resolution aerial image of the airport itself. This is the way Real NZ will be from now on, now that FSX can serve up really high resolution ground textures. In this case the source image was 10 centimetres per pixel, resampled to 15 centimetres. These images add to the cost of producing the airport, as there is no way to buy 'cheap' aerial images in NZ. $100 per square kilometre is the average, and this can add up for large airports.
Lately, developers like Orbx have given us airports which you can walk around, and this will also be a part of Real NZ. However performance will always over-ride this 'super-detail', and I won't sacrifice performance for super-realism. I'd rather simmers with average systems can get the full benefit of a Real NZ scenery, rather than the few who can afford a super computer.
But it is amazing how much reality can be added with a good selection of simple boxes textured with real photos of real New Zealand buildings etc. The idea is to replace as much of the unreal-looking autogen close to our airports with something a lot more realistic, without affecting performance.
Speaking of autogen, it is still the best way we have of populating our world with houses, buildings and trees, so I'm lucky to have Ian Warren on the team to create autogen which brings to life my poor colourised image.
So, how do you get the upgrade?
The current Real New Zealand Rotorua and Tauranga scenery now includes the upgrade for FSX, so if you have yet to buy this scenery, now is the time. It is still available for $33 for a download, or $43 boxed, shipped free within New Zealand.
Click here to visit the Godzone Store and view the Real New Zealand Rotorua and Tauranga scenery product page.
I've also released the Real New Zealand Tauranga for FSX upgrade as a stand-alone download, for $18. This allows new simmers who may be a bit wary of spending money on scenery addons, to try one of the best Real New Zealand airports for less than 20 bucks.
(Remember that this is New Zealand dollars, so please view the prices in your own currency if you use Euros, US$, AU$, CAN$, or the Pound -- you might be pleasantly surprised.)
Click here to visit the Godzone Store and view the Real New Zealand Tauranga FSX scenery download product page.
PS -- I will also add a Rotorua standalone download for the same price, so that those who purchase the Tauranga download don't need to buy Tauranga again to get Rotorua.
And of course the FSX Collection now includes the update.Click here to visit the Godzone Store and view the FSX Collection product page.
If you already own the full version of Real New Zealand Tauranga, (that is, not the FS2004 Collection version) then you can get the upgrade as a free download, or a replacement CD for $10.
Those who purchased a qualifying product from the new Godzone Store will have received a reactivation email from the Store, allowing them to download the upgrade. There are some things to be aware of with this -- since I am not able to add a download to an existing order without some serious software re-writing, which I don't have planned at the moment, the upgrade needs to use the same filename as the previous version, so you will need to backup the previous version if it is still in your download folder. You should also clear your browser cache, so that it doesn't think that the file already has been downloaded. Some budget ISPs may keep a cached version of the original download for some time, so if you seem to be getting the original file instead of the new version, then please let me know.
Those who purchased a qualifying scenery before the new store, or purchased the boxed version, will need to 'order' the upgrade from the Godzone Store. The download is free, so you won't need to supply any financial information, but an order is the only secure way to serve a download.
Whether you purchased a download or the boxed version, you can order either as an upgrade. However the replacement CD is just that -- a replacement CD in a jewel case, without the original DVD-style case and cover. It will, however, include the printed mini-manual.
Click here to visit the Godzone Store and view the Real New Zealand Tauranga upgrade page.
When you order this upgrade, you will need to wait for confirmation before you can download it.
All upgrade orders need to be checked that they qualify, so the download will not be activated until this is done, and since it is done manually then there may be a delay of up to 24 hours. Generally it will be quicker, but sometimes I need to sleep...
What are the qualifying products?
- Real New Zealand Rotorua & Tauranga for FS2004 and FSX, download or boxed
- The FSX Collection
- The original Real NZ Subscription
- Real New Zealand Tauranga from SimMarket
...and from any other source, provided it was a fully licensed version, and included the FSX version, or qualified for an upgrade to the FSX version.
Basically, all legal versions of Real New Zealand Tauranga, except the FS2004 Collection.
If you did source your scenery from anywhere except my site or SimMarket, then you will need to let me know where you obtained it from.
If you have any issues with the Godzone Store, or the Tauranga scenery, please get it touch with me using the Contact page on my site, or via this forum.
-Robin Corn, Godzone Virtual Flight
