multiplayer impossible due to <insert obscene name>

I like Flightsim X. Even though I can produce a long list of major and minor bugs and performance tuning seems to become my sole purpose in life.

I love the online option where people can actually do the ATC stuff instead ofjust pressing 1, 2, etc. The difference in experience level between players (especially the lack of experience) can be a bit annoying but I can live with that.

What I can't live with is the fact that this seems to be the first MultiPlayer game on the internet ever. I mean did nobody at MicroSoft think about the possibility of someone making it his goal to ruin the experience for everyone?

I'm not talking about the kids driving around the airport in a 747, standing in the middle of the runway ignoring ATC, or the stunt planes flying like madman while others are trying to do a serious landing.

I'm talking about the ones that found out that you can use the option like "add to friends list" and "open private chat" which pressed repeatedly make it impossible to play the game, talk to other players or even exit flightsim (except for using the task manager to kill the fsx.exe process).

You can try and add them to your ban list. It makes no difference and even if it does they change gamespy id's more often then a 419'er changes email addy's.

Anyone got a solution for this? (Other than running a server with a password)

www.vatsim.net

I did consider vatsim, but it seems to me they are not targetting the casual pilot that just wants a 10 minute flight around the airport or to practise touch and go's while doing ATC.

I am sure you can do that, I fly on IVAO myself and have started off at an uncontrolled airport doing practise circuits for a while to get used to UNICOM broadcasting etc.etc.

If you want to fly in controlled airspace you do need to prepare yourself a little better, brush up on proper communication and having airport diagrams, SID/STAR and approach charts are almost a must if you want to do things right, but you do feel good when you get to the point you feel you master the basics. And really, give it time and you will get the hang of it.

Blindolaf's explicit opinions about MP flight were actually a great factor in my descision to start flying online (guess a "thank you" is in order, Blindolaf , and I am really getting a kick out of it I must say; I can only recommend it!