iniBuilds' recent announcement that their Airbus A340 for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 will initially be available exclusively through the Marketplace has once again stirred up the community. While Microsoft's Flight Simulator Marketplace is considered a convenient and reliable platform for add-ons, the decision to offer such a large product exclusively there is viewed critically by many.
The question that keeps coming up is: Does this move promote monopolization of the market? Developers such as iniBuilds have often opted for other distribution channels in the past, but now they are focusing on a Marketplace-only strategy. Will this become the norm and limit choice and competition for users?
On the one hand, the quality and compatibility of the Marketplace is seen as an advantage, as Microsoft and Asobo are creating a centralized, controlled environment. On the other hand, many fear that an increasing number of exclusive products could severely restrict the market, leading to higher prices and limited choice in the long term.
What does the community think? Are such exclusivity measures perceived as understandable or as a problem? Is there a growing mistrust of excessive control over the add-on market?
We would like to hear your opinion!
