Astralis Studios NZNV Invercargill

[toprob]

I thought I saw a post here about this, but now I'm not so sure. I did know it had been released recently, although I did assume it was freeware, and headed to Flightsim.to. They do have it, but payware at just under NZ$20. I bought it from the Marketplace, using my crypto simverse coins:)

I had seen some comments about the lack of terminal interiors, but this isn't an issue for me. I quite like being able to see into terminals from the tarmac (as you would in real life) but I don't think this should mean that we get intricately modelled interiors, which I might visit exactly once. However I do think that one or two of the hangars should be open, which adds to the experience. Nothing is open here, like a permanent Sunday.

This is a tidy little airport, and the only issue I had was caused by MSFS 2024 -- I was warned to hold short for a Cirrus on the runway, which was actually me encroaching a bit. Luckily this was sorted nice and quick. The tarmac markings are strangely modelled, snapping into focus after a while in one piece, and there are two very different yellows which I'm pretty sure isn't realistic.

This is the sort of release I'd like to see a lot more of, however this has all the hallmarks of freeware -- almost no custom models apart from the buildings, so you wouldn't know you were in NZ looking around the tarmac. They do say PBR textures, but these don't seem to differ from the old specular textures -- plenty of shiny bits, but no metal and no normal textures. As I collect free simverse coins though, it practically costs me nothing so the price isn't a consideration. If I was paying real money, though, I'd expect to pay NZ$9.99. With the dearth of MSFS 2024 NZ releases, I can only compare this to KiwiFlightSim's Hokitika (not available from the Marketplace), which is a real quality release for a couple of dollars cheaper.

I hadn't heard of Astralis Studios, so I checked out their other releases in the Marketplace. One US airport, a US airfield, a Canadian airport and NZNV. All get ok reviews. I read a post from Darwin, the Astralis developer, saying he's just starting out in scenery, and he is keen to improve. I don't know if we'll see another NZ release from him, as I don't know where he is based. As I said, it's great to see local releases for MSFS (this is compatible with both) and there are plenty of airports here to look forward to. I didn't want to be too harsh here, and overall I think it's a worthy addition. The only reason why I come across a bit grumpy is that I never came close to getting access to the Marketplace in the three years I tried, and now that I'm retired it seems to be a lot easier:)

[Charl]

Well you know what to do, don't you??

I agree with your take, it would've made a great bit of freeware to introduce the author.

[toprob]

Ah, ok, I knew I'd seen a post here, but searching for 'Invercargill' gave nothing.

I just remembered that to search NZFF, I need to use a normal search engine and include 'site:nzff.org' rather than the search box here.

[Charl]

So I idly tried that, generally better than inside forum boards, true.
I found an emfrat post from 2017.
How quickly we are spoiled! Compare with my MSFS 20 aerials from the crosslink above.
And glad to say the ramp markings caused qualified comment back then, too.

[mavman]

I get that the quality may not be up there with more established developers however I'm grateful that another NZ scenery has been released. As a console user, (who isn't able to access freeware sceneries at present and to be honest, seems unlikely this will ever be a reality!), I don't mind paying the $12 or so this cost from the marketplace. I'd also be more than happy paying for KiwiFlightSim's products, however it seems Marketplace access is still a barrier for some. @toprob - is it worth trying for Marketplace access again for yours? I'd still love an NZTI scenery!

NZNV has one of the most confusing tarmacs of any Airport anywhere in NZ, with so many markings and lead in lines etc....but fairly realistic as far as this scenery goes

[deeknow]

I found an emfrat post from 2017.
How quickly we are spoiled! Compare with my MSFS 20 aerials from the crosslink above.

I'll "see" your 2017 emfrat post and "raise" you a 2009 video of a landing at NZNV in glorious 240p resolution
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQrNjYKFgWQ

[Charl]

Comment: is this some game or proper flight sim
the plane really sounds like the ATR too and looks just like Invercargill

Dino ye have a memory like an ELEPHANT!

[deeknow]

Dino ye have a memory like an ELEPHANT!

Hah .. yeah .. to be fair the commenter was probably trolling, even in those days

[Charl]

You are saying that is NOT a faithful recreation of Invercargill??
There are some who might disagree

So here's a little quiz question: you marvelled at the ramp markings above, so where's this then?

[Naki]

Brisbane? I looks like the corner of the building, in your pic., I was waiting for my ride a few months ago...