Behemoth developer PMDG has previewed the 737 NG3 for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. Posted on their forum by CEO Robert S. Randazzo, the images come after months of anticipation from the community, and the promise that the aircraft would be discounted for select NGXu buyers. 

PMDG also promised that they would develop all of their “core product lines” for the new flight simulator. With that in mind, they decided to develop the 737 NG3 first for FS2020. The developer says this choice came from their “historic line of 737NG simulation technology”, putting emphasis on the aircraft being not merely a port, but rather a complete rebuild. 

As with the NGXu for Prepar3D, PMDG promises that the NG3 will be a large leap forward in terms of the technology used. This will be apparent especially in the cockpit of the NG3, where the polygons and textures are significantly larger at no toll to the user. Randazzo also says a brand new flight model, and sounds will be implemented in the aircraft, as well as new features. A key point brought up was that “the core of your airplane, the simulation will remain pure PMDG, with all of the features, failure modes, complexity and simulation value that you have come to expect from our products."

As for the rollout of the NG3, Randazzo says that beta testing is looking to be in Q4 of 2020, with a release hopefully around Q1 2021, although this is all subject to change. 

The original post on PMDG’s forum can be found here.