Godzone - depicting New Zealand in Flight Simulation
"-Where?"
"That's what we call New Zealand sometimes...
"Not in a religious nutter way, we're just smug, 'cause we're the best."
'Drew', Shortland Street.
Godzone has been producing New Zealand scenery for simmers since the days of FS2002. By 'Godzone' I really mean me, Robin Corn, although sometimes I do collaborate with other local developers.
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Real New Zealand features
Multi installers
Base Scenery Compatibility
Default scenery;
Vector Land Class
FTX NZ
Low-flying detail
About this site:
Mainly, though, it is the new Godzone Store, where you can see details and purchase 'Real New Zealand' and 'Godzone' scenery. Currently there are just a few 'Real New Zealand' products, but hopefully I can release new scenery as it is completed.
FSX/Prepar3d price reductions
I have stated before that the release of MSFS really spelt the demise of FSX and Prepar3d as a viable third party development platform. This doesn’t mean that I won’t release any future updates of the existing scenery projects, or any new projects, but the main focus will be on…
Cut-price FSX-only version of Real NZ NZCH now available
For those who are happy to stick with FSX or FSX Steam Edition, there is now a FSX-only version for only NZ$11.50, saving you $18.50. Note that there is no upgrade path from this product! If you expect that you may upgrade to Prepar3d in the future, then you should…
Real NZ NZCH now has Prepar3d v5 installer
The full Real NZ NZCH and standalone version for Prepar3d has now been updated to install to Prepar3d version 5. Note that there are no other changes to the scenery. Real NZ NZCH now works with FSX, FSX Steam Edition, Prepar3d v3, v4 and v5. The Prepared version has both…
FSX and FSXse version of NZCH now available.
This has been a long time coming, but better late than never! The price of Real NZ NZCH has been reduced to NZ$30 in fairness to those who have had to wait. Note that there is a single ‘product’ for Real NZ NZCH, which includes separate versions for Prepar3d and…
Interesting times
Well, there’s plenty going on in the flightsim scene at the moment, with recent updates to our favourite simulators, and the announcement that Microsoft Flight Simulator will release 18th August. I’m also aware that I’m still finding it difficult to keep up with the changes, with ongoing personal issues to…
What about Prepar3d v5?
I’m getting plenty of queries, so I’ll outline the plans I have for Prepar3d v5 compatibility with the existing Real New Zealand scenery products, and any future products. By ‘existing’, I mean the three sceneries currently in the Godzone Store. I plan to update the Real NZ installers shortly, but…
2020 musings…
I haven’t mentioned the upcoming Microsoft Flight Simulator here at Godzone, as it is really too early to make any judgements, and pending a lot more details of the development tools, it is also far too early to make any decisions regarding whether or not existing scenery can be updated,…
Real NZ NZCH Prepar3d update
I’ve aways had the odd query asking if there’s a way to turn off the large areas of photoscenery which normally surround my airport. Although this is possible to do, the airports are normally not designed to display this way, so while it might work, I don’t make any real…
Orbx Central ‘migration’ breaks compatibility with Real NZ
Just a heads-up that for the moment ‘migrating’ Orbx NZSI scenery to the new system effectively breaks compatibility with Real NZ scenery such as Dunedin, Nelson and NZCH. I will release a tool to fix this after migration, but in the meantime, if you update to Orbx Central from FTX…
Prepar3d v4.5 issues
This fix is for those who installed Real NZ NZCH, which updated the Vector Landclass libraries, and inadvertently disabled other autogen library objects. This is aimed at those with Prepar3d v4.4 and v4.5 only, and should address the issue of missing autogen library objects such as those supplied by Orbx…
A quick video airside at NZCH
Someone did point out that my ‘landing’ video, at the aeroclub, didn’t show much of the actual airport — this is more to do with my flying skills, or rather lack of…. So here’s a quick run along airside at NZCH, from the point of view of a daredevil jumping…
NZCH Aeroclub landing video
When I release a scenery, there’s the obligatory landing video — I don’t think I’ve actually flown in the sim for a couple of years, so don’t watch the flying, just the scenery! This is Prepar3d v4.5. I do like to keep my eye-candy high, and for this video I…
The multi-sim project: more info
This post is designed to clarify one particular aspect of the multi-sim development, which began with the Kickstarter campaign. One person was surprised when I explained how you will eventually purchase the multisim scenery projects, and I am not entirely sure that I made this clear in the Kickstarter campaign.…
Real NZ NZCH support is available on NZFF
There were a few issues with the initial release of NZCH, so you really should take a look at the Godzone support forum at NZFF.org. You will need to be logged in to post, but anyone can browse the forum. Visit the Real NZ/Godzone support forum.
Video of NZCH dual gate 30 in action
This give an idea of how I operate the dual gate using GSX. This is how it works for me, so it should be a starting point for operating the airbridge. (Note that I try and refer to this as an airbridge, as is the local custom, but you'd probably know it as a jetway.)
It is tricky to make out my selections here, so here's a quick outline:
Rather than selecting 'request deboarding' first, which only uses one airbridge in my case, I choose 'operate jetways' first, and dock each in turn. The front one to door 1, of course, and aft further back.
Then once docking is finished, I can 'request deboarding' as normal, and let it do it's thing.
Real NZ NZCH Christchurch manual available!
In my haste to re-upload the installer after having to fix a minor add-on.xml file issue, I forgot to include the manual! I seem to remember doing that once before… You can download the manual from the product page, or by clicking here. Note that the third, and hopefully last…
Christchurch – NZCH status
I first started working on NZCH in 2009. I took this header photo back then, when the airport was going through a major development, which meant that the old tower, with its distinctive clock, was being demolished. For me, seeing this clock meant that I’d arrived at the airport. Just…
Real NZ Dunedin price drop
I normally keep an eye on Orbx sales, and try to match them for my FTX-compatible scenery. However they seem to be having a run of sales lately, so I’ve decided to permanently reduce the price of Dunedin to match Nelson. This way I don’t get dizzy from watching Orbx…
Godzone Virtual Flight and the EU General Data Protection Regulation
Now there’s a mouthful. You may notice some changes to the site, to make the site compliant with this regulation. This is mainly outlined in the new Privacy Policy, which you can access from any page beyond the home page — see the bottom right menu. You can also access…
Where can you buy Godzone/Real NZ scenery?
There are three online stores which stock my scenery, including my own: Godzone Virtual Flight Store Simmarket PC Aviator Australia. Which store you use is your choice, you may find it more convenient to purchase from Simmarket if you are in Europe, or Australians may prefer their ‘local’ store. Simmarket…
Real NZ and FTX NZ
This is still the most common question regarding my ‘Real New Zealand’ and Godzone scenery — how does it work with Orbx/FTX NZ? As FTX NZ is a popular choice for local simmers, I aim for 100% compatibility for all current and upcoming ‘Real New Zealand’ releases. This currently includes…
Aerofly FS2 ‘cultivation’ video
Here’s another look at Aerofly FS2, note that this does not represent any actual work-in-progress, it is just an experiment. IPACS have said that cultivation is in the early stages of development, and will get some significant work done on it, but in the meantime it does give a glimpse…
Aerofly FS2 cultivation
In Aerofly FS2, ‘cultivation’ can be thought of as similar to autogen in FSX/P3D. I have mentioned before — in glowing terms — the autogen development tool Scenproc, by Arno at FSDeveloper.com. Using Scenproc, it is possible to import GIS data files, such as those supplied by LINZ, and convert…
Prepar3d v4 installers now available for Real NZ Dunedin & Nelson
Update: As the new installer had issues with the uninstaller, I’ve now uploaded a working version — for Dunedin, 1.11 replaces yesterday’s 1.10, and for Nelson, 1.41 replaces 1.40. If you downloaded and/or installed 1.10 or 1.40 for Prepar3d v4, please redownload and run the new installer over the top…
Catching my breath
Just a quick look at what’s happening in the local sim scene, during a very hectic time. The biggest news is that the Godzone Kickstarter fundraising project has reached the ‘activation’ target, which means that the multi-sim project will go ahead. You can still make a pledge until the 20th…
The Kickstarter fundraising campaign: 4 days in
Here we are into day 4, and half way towards the minimum goal — so, in real terms, a quarter of the way there:) The graph on the Kickstarter dashboard does show that the current rate of pledges will bring us to the target, but not much further — so…
The Kickstarter fundraising campaign: Day 1
We’re 22 hours into this now, it’s alive, and doing well. The interest has been heartwarming, and I’m a lot more confident than I was yesterday. I’ve been very pleased with the help I’ve had to promote this, some nice coverage which I wasn’t expecting. The feedback I’m getting can…
Godzone and Kickstarter fundraising
Shortly, I will begin a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to continue development, including evaluating and producing scenery for some of the new simulators which have enlivened the flightsim community recently. Many of you will know that there’s been a real change in the flightsim market over the last 5…
The promised Real NZ Dunedin Winter patch
This very small patch fixes the broken Seasons.bgl file which messed up the appearance of the coastal water in winter. Everyone who owns Real NZ Dunedin, except those who bought it from my store since 1st May 2017, should run the patch before winter sets in! It also removes the…
Development diary: comparing X-plane and Prepar3d
One of the non-technical factors which will determine whether there’s ever a ‘Real New Zealand’ scenery for X-plane is simply whether or not X-plane can represent the ‘real’ New Zealand. Since I’ve only been using X-plane for a few days, I am a real beginner regarding what X-plane can actually…
Development diary: some X-plane tests
I have planned to look at all the ‘new’ simulators, with a view to creating some New Zealand scenery, starting with converting existing Real New Zealand and Godzone scenery. However this could take a while to figure out, and I’m not sure yet what I’m likely to end up releasing.…
So, what’s Godzone’s plans for the new sims?
There are two parts to this, first, what I’ll be supporting in the future, but initially what existing stuff will be converted. I’ve always stated that I’ll support the ‘current’ choice of simulator, aimed mainly at New Zealanders. In the past, this has been easier, as we’ve had only one…
Alps/Southern Lakes update preview
Right now, the flightsim world is poised for some long-awaited steps forward in the available simulators. At the end of this week, Flight Simulator World (FSW) will be available in ‘early access’, and there are some rumours that the next Prepar3d may be imminent. We’ve recently seen the updated X-plane…
NZDN landing video
Ok, it took a while but I don't think that Dunedin is getting a summer this year, just a whole bunch of wet, cross-windy days...
How does Real NZ Dunedin work with FTX NZSI?
EDIT: This post is rather ‘dry’, I may have been feeling a bit overwhelmed by the world news this week, and on rereading it this morning I think that my mood might have affected the presentation… As a cheerier counterpoint, Mallard over the FTX forum has posted some screenshots of…
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May comes with a lot of reasons to celebrate, so here’s the May Half-off sale, with 50% off all products excluding the budget FSX version of NZCH. Sale runs till the end of the month. The Half Off sale is also active on Simmarket, although not for the whole month…
The future of Godzone...
Currently, I am working on step 1 of the multi-platform project, funded in part via Kickstarter. The first release will be Real NZ Christchurch, and the success of this will determine the future of multi-sim support.