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Beyond the cockpit : a comparative analysis of community engagement and growth models in the MSFS ADDON ecosystem
Abdelhameed, Ahmed (2025) Beyond the cockpit : a comparative analysis of community engagement and growth models in the MSFS ADDON ecosystem.
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| Abstract: | This research focuses on the influence that the community has on the development and operations of flight simulator add-on developers, with a focus on financial, developmental, and reputational sustainability. Using a case study design, applying qualitative research methods such as interviews, surveys, and archival data, the research analyzes two semi-structured interviews with representatives from freeware developers FlyByWire and Horizon Simulations, along with secondary data on payware developer iniBuilds. A user survey (N=147) was also conducted to gather community perspectives on developer engagement, transparency, motivation, and support behavior. The findings reveal that freeware and payware developers adopt unique engagement strategies that are shaped by their development models. FlyByWire emphasizes transparency, open-source collaboration, and community integration, while Horizon Simulations focuses on curated communication and grassroots visibility. IniBuilds, as a commercial developer, leverages professionalism and market presence. Despite their larger user base, they face greater scrutiny regarding feedback responsiveness. Across all cases, product quality, trust, and communication were identified as key drivers of user engagement. The study also applies five theoretical frameworks including donation-based crowdfunding, social exchange theory, theory of planned behavior, community motivation models, and participatory culture to explain developer–user dynamics in the add-on space. Practical implications are provided for emerging developers, alongside suggestions for future research into monetization models, hardware ecosystems, and shifting platform strategies. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 85 business administration, organizational science |
| Programme: | International Business Administration BSc (50952) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/106736 |
| Export this item as: | BibTeX EndNote HTML Citation Reference Manager |
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