The upset customers have

David Gerard — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 22:58:38 -0500

The upset customers have much to learn.

So many people refuse to believe there's anything wrong with proprietary software until the day they get their noses rubbed personally in why Richard M. Stallman was right ...

Future of Microsoft's ESP platform uncertain

Sindya Bhanoo — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:37:02 -0500

Users of Microsoft's 3D simulation platform have been rocked by news that the company has laid off off or reassigned most of the of the platform's developers. However, Microsoft is refusing to comment on the future of the software.

The announcement that Microsoft's flight simulator studio, called ACES, is suffering from major layoffs has left Microsoft ESP developers in a lurch. ESP, which is part of ACES, is Microsoft's platform to build in-house simulation tools for businesses.

"As a commercial developer who is currently working on two major ESP projects I can't begin to express the concern I have hearing this news. I look forward to hearing from Microsoft as to the future plans for ESP," Christian Menge wrote on a Microsoft Developer Network forum thread.

The news of the layoffs also casts doubt on the next version of the software. In December, the Industry Standard reported on the high expectations for Microsoft ESP's second version, which was to be released in a few years.

"Having seen a glimpse of what was to come in ESPv2 at the developer conference, I'm gutted that this is probably no longer going to see the light of day. It looks like there were a lot of people working really hard to build a revolutionary product. It must be totally crushing for them to see all that work go to waste," a user named Simon853 wrote on the MSDN thread.

A developer from the ESP team indicated on the forum that ESP Version 2.0 will indeed be terminated.

"I'm one of those 6 who are left to shut things down (not the job I would want, but better than no job at all I suppose," Tim Gregson, a Microsoft ESP developer, wrote. "As soon as we have any information we can make public, I'll make sure at least pointers to the info gets posted here."

The company itself would not comment on the status of ESP.

“Microsoft is currently exploring options for the future of ESP and will announce details at the appropriate time,” Sarah Tatone, a Microsoft spokesperson told The Industry Standard.

Microsoft has been facing its share of financial trouble in the economic downturn. The company earlier announced plans to layoff about 5,000 employees. VentureBeat reports that about 30% of the company's game developers may have been laid off in the first round of cuts this quarter.

"Revenues in our industry, and in our company, will be affected by the economic conditions," Steve Ballmer, the company's CEO, said in an interview with Reuters TV.

The Industry Standard - Future of Microsoft's ESP platform uncertain - Comments

The upset customers have

Future of Microsoft's ESP platform uncertain