I’m sure everyone remembers when Microsoft photoshopped a screenshot of FSX to make us think DirectX 10 was a revolution. I mentioned this in my previous post and I’ve been thinking about it on a larger scale. Because the truth is that Microsoft wasn’t the only one to do that and some companies still use photoshopped images or videos to create hype about their products.

Which brings me to the shower thoughts of the day…  What is up with all this “promotional fakeness”?

I really don’t get it. What’s the point of modifying an actual in-game (or in-sim , if you prefer) image or video to make it look better than what it is? People will buy that product and then they will be disappointed. Or angry. Is it worth it for a company to acquire custumers with “visual lies”? Yes, they will buy your product today. But what about tomorrow? Will they buy it again after a previous disappointment? Isn’t it better to stay honest and keep your customers in the long run?

But let’s be less generic. Let’s talk about something that is not as old as Microsoft’s “miracle” image. Something recent… like DCS A-10. I wish I did not have to talk about Eagle Dynamics all the time. In fact, I am happy this company is still actively developing new simulators and, don’t get me wrong, I have respect for their hard work. But they are making some marketing choices that I really don’t understand. And this blog is called Cleared-To-Engage so I just can’t ignore these things.

They commissioned to Glowing Amraam (a so called external “partner”, basically a fan that produces movies for them) the creation of  Project 10, a promo teaser for DCS A-10C. Nothing wrong with that if it wasn’t for the fact that he adds post effects (blur, contrast, color, sun, lens flare, etc) to the original in-game footage. I can’t understand why people would enjoy watching a promo that doesn’t show the actual game but a “prettier” modified and edited version of it.

Maybe it’s just me but I don’t think there is need for this kind of manufactured hype. Better to keep it untouched and real. That way nobody will be disappointed. Or tricked…

There is a class of ideas that derive from flashes of inspiration while taking a shower. Cleared-To-Engage, starting from today, will have a new category of random posts called “Shower Thoughts of the Day”. These are very short semi-serious considerations that I make while taking the shower! Isn’t shower the best place to get thinking done?

So some days ago I saw this image from Farnborough Airshow and today in the shower I asked myself…

…how in hell is he going to close that canopy and wear that helmet at the same time??? My sense of geometry tells me these two shapes are incompatible!