microsoft
Microsoft Flight Simulator
Microsoft Flight Simulator logo (2020)

Logo introduced for Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) at E3 2019
Developer(s) Sublogic
Publisher(s) Microsoft
Xbox Game Studios
Release date(s) 1982
Platform(s) MS-DOS
Microsoft Windows
Xbox Series X and S
Genre(s) Flight simulator
Credits • Gallery • Cheats & Hints • Videos

Microsoft Flight Simulator is a series of flight simulation video games for MS-DOS, Classic Mac OS, and Windows operating systems. It was an early product in the Microsoft application portfolio and differed significantly from their other software, which was largely business-oriented. It is Microsoft's longest-running software product line, predating Windows by three years, and is one of the longest-running video game series of all time.

Bruce Artwick began development of Flight Simulator in 1977. His company, Sublogic, initially distributed it for various personal computers. In 1982, after being approached by Microsoft's Alan M Boyd a year prior, who was interested in creating a "definitive game" that would graphically demonstrate the difference between older 8-bit computers (i.e., Apple II) and the new 16-bit computers that were still in development (i.e., the IBM PC), Artwick's company licensed a version of Flight Simulator for the IBM PC to Microsoft, which marketed it as Microsoft Flight Simulator 1.00.

In 2009, Microsoft closed down Aces Game Studio, which was the department responsible for creating and maintaining the Flight Simulator series. In 2014, Dovetail Games were granted the rights by Microsoft to port the Gold Edition of Microsoft's Microsoft Flight Simulator X to Steam and publish Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition.

Microsoft announced a new installment at E3 2019, simply titled Microsoft Flight Simulator, to be released initially for PC and ported over to the Xbox Series X and Series S consoles at a later date. On July 12, 2020, Microsoft opened up preorders and announced that Microsoft Flight Simulator for PC would be available on August 18, 2020. The company announced three different versions of the title: standard, deluxe, and premium deluxe, each providing an incremental set of gameplay features as well as airports and airplanes to choose from. The Xbox edition was released on July 27, 2021.

The latest entry, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, was released on November 19, 2024.

History

Main article: History of Microsoft Flight Simulator

Microsoft Flight Simulator began life as a set of articles on computer graphics written by Bruce Artwick in 1976 about a 3D computer graphics program. When the magazine editor said that subscribers wanted to buy the program, Bruce Artwick incorporated a company called subLOGIC Corporation in 1977 and began selling flight simulators for 8080 computers such as the Altair 8800 and IMSAI 8080. In 1979 subLOGIC released FS1 Flight Simulator for the Apple II. In 1980 subLOGIC released a version for the Tandy TRS-80, and in 1982 they licensed an IBM PC version with CGA graphics to Microsoft, which was released as Microsoft Flight Simulator 1.00. subLOGIC continued to develop the product for other platforms, and their improved Flight Simulator II was ported to Apple II in 1983, to the Commodore 64, MSX and Atari 800 in 1984, and to the Commodore Amiga and Atari ST in 1986. Meanwhile, Bruce Artwick left subLOGIC to found Bruce Artwick Organisation to work on subsequent Microsoft releases, beginning with Microsoft Flight Simulator 3.0 in 1988. Microsoft Flight Simulator reached commercial maturity with version 3.1, and then went on to encompass the use of 3D graphics and graphic hardware acceleration to become a state-of-the-art product.

Microsoft has consistently produced newer versions of the simulation, adding features such as new aircraft types and augmented scenery. The Professional Edition released with the 2000 and 2002 versions, which included more aircraft, tools and more extensive scenery than the regular version, was a format abandoned for the 2004 (version 9) release, which returned to the single edition format and marked one hundred years of powered flight, and with Flight Simulator X, has returned to dual editions with "Standard Edition" and "Deluxe Edition".

The most recent versions of this simulation, MS Flight Simulator 2004 and the newly released MS Flight Simulator X, cater to pilots, would-be pilots and people who once dreamed of being pilots alike. Less a game than an immersive virtual environment, it can often be frustrating, complex and difficult due to its realism, but it can be rewarding for the skilled flightsimmer at the same time. The flying area encompasses the whole world, to varying levels of detail, including over 20,000 airports. Individually-detailed scenery can be found representing major landmarks and an ever-growing number of towns and cities. Landscape details are often patchy away from population centres and particularly outside the USA, although a variety of websites offer scenery add-ons (both free and commercial) to remedy this.

The two latest versions incorporate a sophisticated weather simulation, with the ability to download real-world weather data, a varied air traffic environment including interactive Air Traffic Control (although the MSFS series was not the first to do so), player-flyable aircraft from the historical Douglas DC-3 to the Boeing 777 and a large number of resources including interactive lessons and challenges, and aircraft checklists. It is the wide availability of upgrades and add-ons, both free and commercial, which give the simulation its flexibility and scope.

Version history

Microsoft_Flight_Simulator_Game_of_the_Year_Edition_-_Available_Now

Microsoft Flight Simulator Game of the Year Edition - Available Now

Flight Simulator X

Flight Simulator X, also known as FSX, is the third most recent major release of Microsoft Flight Simulator, and the last one developed by Aces Game Studio before its closure. It includes a graphics engine upgrade and compatibility with DirectX 10 and Windows Vista technologies.

It was released on October 17, 2006, in North America. There are two versions of the game, both on two DVDs. The "Deluxe" edition contains the new Garmin G1000 integrated flight instrument system in three cockpits, additional aircraft, and missions; Tower Control capability in multiplayer mode; higher detail scenery for cities and airports; and a Software Development Kit (SDK) for development. The main improvements are graphical.

Microsoft also released a Flight Simulator X demo, which contains three aircraft, two airports, and two missions. It is compatible with Windows XP SP2 and Windows Vista.

Closure of the Aces Game Studio

On January 22, 2009, it was reported that the development team was heavily affected by Microsoft's program of job cuts, with indications that the entire Flight Simulator team had been laid off. Microsoft confirmed the closure of Aces Game Studio on January 26, 2009, in a post on the official FSIndier website stating, "This difficult decision was made to align Microsoft's resources with our strategic priorities. Microsoft Flight Simulator X will remain available at retail stores and Web retailers, the Flight Sim community will continue to learn from and encourage one another, and we remain committed to the Flight Simulator franchise for the long term."

According to former Aces employee Phil Taylor, the shutdown was not due to the sales performance of FSX, but due to management problems and delays in project delivery, combined with increased demand for staff. Speculation in the mainstream and gaming media was that future versions could be released as an Internet-based version or on Microsoft's Xbox platform.

Microsoft Flight

Main article: Microsoft Flight
Not a part of the Microsoft Flight Simulator series.

Microsoft released a new flight simulator titled Microsoft Flight in February 2012. Developed by The Coalition (as Microsoft Game Studios Vancouver), it was not part of the Microsoft Flight Simulator series, but instead was designed to replace it and aimed at drawing new users into flight gaming. While claiming to be simpler to use for inexperienced users, it is incompatible with Flight Simulator and does not allow the use of existing Flight Simulator add-ons (including aircraft, objects, and photographic scenery).

The game was "pay to play", as only the single island of Hawai'i and one aircraft was available without buying downloadable content. On July 26, 2012, Microsoft cancelled further development of FLight.

Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020)

One June 9, 2019, as part of their E3 conference announcements, Microsoft revealed that they would be bringing back the Flight Simulator series with an updated release, simply titled "Microsoft Flight Simulator". On the same day, Microsoft launched a new website for the title and posted a teaser video on their Xbox YouTube channel. The new version features tight integration of ground satellite data and Microsoft's own Azure AI into the simulator's engine to generate near-photorealistic graphics. Asobo Studio is the lead developer.

The game is Microsoft's first simulator since Microsoft Flight in 2012. In addition to the PC release, it was also released for the Xbox Series X and Series S, making it the first entry in the series to be released for a gaming console. The Windows version of the simulator was released on August 18, 2020. Microsoft Flight Simulator launched for Xbox Series X and Series S on July 27, 2021 and can be played on the Xbox One with Cloud Gaming from Xbox Game Pass.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

Microsoft_Flight_Simulator_-_Xbox_Series_X-S_Gameplay_Trailer_-_Xbox_&_Bethesda_Games_Showcase_2021

Microsoft Flight Simulator - Xbox Series X-S Gameplay Trailer - Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase 2021

On June 11, 2023, during the Xbox Games Showcase, Microsoft revealed a trailer for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024,[1] which was captioned "the next generation of the legendary franchise". This update will bring performance improvements, graphics improvements, and more planes. It was released in November 2024.

Add-ons, customization, and community involvement

The long history and consistent sales of Flight Simulator have encouraged a very large body of add-on packages to be developed as both commercial and volunteer ventures. A formal software development kit and other tools for the simulator exist to further facilitate third-party efforts, and some third parties have also learned to "tweak" the simulator in various ways by trial and error. As for the number of add-ons, tweaks, and modifications Flight Simulator can accommodate solely depends on the user's hardware setup. The number is not limited by the simulator, and when multiple computers are linked together with multiple monitors and third-party software and controls, Flight Simulator enthusiasts can build their own realistic home cockpits.

Aircraft

Individual attributes of Flight Simulator aircraft that can be customized include: cockpit layout, cockpit image, aircraft model, aircraft model textures, aircraft flight characteristics, scenery models, scenery layouts, and scenery textures, often with simple-to-use programs, or only a text editor such as 'Notepad'. Dedicated 'flight simmers have taken advantage of Flight Simulator's vast add-on capabilities, having successfully linked Flight Simulator to homebuilt hardware, some of which approach the complexity of commercial full-motion flight simulators.

The simulator's aircraft comprises five parts:

Most versions of Microsoft Flight Simulator include some of the world's most popular aircraft from different categories, such as the Mooney Bravo and Beechcraft Baron 58, which fall into the general aviation category; the Airbus A321 and Boeing 737, which fall into the civil jets category; the Robinson R22, which falls into the helicopter category; the Air Scheffel 738, which falls into the general aviation category again; and many other planes commonly used around the world.

Not being limited to using the default aircraft, add-on planes can be downloaded from many sources for free or purchased, which can then be installed into Microsoft Flight Simulator. The Beechcraft 1900D, pictured above, is an add-on aircraft. Similarly, add-on repaints can be added to default aircraft; these repaints are usually downloaded for free.

AI traffic

A growing add-on category for the series is AI (artificial intelligence) traffic. AI traffic is the simulation of other vehicles in the FS landscape. This traffic plays an important role in the simulator, as it is possible to crash into traffic (this can be disabled), thus ending the player's session, and to interact with the traffic via the radio and ATC. This feature is active even with third-party traffic. Microsoft introduced AI traffic in MSFS 2002 with several airliners and private aircraft. This has since been supplemented with many files created by third-party developers. Typically, third-party aircraft models have multiple levels of detail, which allow the AI traffic to be better on frame rates, while still being detailed during close looks. There are several prominent freeware developers. Some third-party AI traffic can also be configured for "real-time" departures.

Scenery

Scenery add-ons usually involve replacements for existing airports, with enhanced and more accurate detail, or large expanses of highly detailed ground scenery for specific regions of the world. Some types of scenery add-ons replace or add structures to the simulator. Both freeware and payware scenery add-ons are very widely available. Airport enhancements, for example, range from simple add-ons that update runways or taxiways to very elaborate packages that reproduce every lamp, pavement marking, and structure at an airport with near-total accuracy, including animated effects such as baggage cars or marshalling agents. Wide-area scenery enhancements may use detailed satellite photos and 3-D structures to closely reproduce real-world regions, particularly those including large cities, landmarks, or spectacular natural wonders.

Flight networks

Virtual flight networks such as IVAO, VATSIM, and Pilot Edge, as well as Virtual Skies, and Mindstar Aviation's AirspaceVR, use special, small add-on modules for Flight Simulator to enable connection to their proprietary networks in multiplayer mode, and to allow for voice and text communication with other virtual pilots and controllers over the network. These networks allow players to enjoy and enhance realism in their game. These networks are for ATC (air traffic control).

Miscellaneous

Some utilities, such as FSUIPC, merely provide useful tweaks for the simulator to overcome design limitations or bugs, or to allow more extensive interfacing with other third-party add-ons. Sometimes, certain add-ons require other utility add-ons to work correctly with the simulator.

Other add-ons provide navigation tools, simulation of passengers, and cameras that can view aircraft or scenery from any angle, more realistic instrument panels and gauges, and so on.

Some software add-ons provide operability with specific hardware, such as game controllers and optical motion sensors.

FSDeveloper.com is one website that hosts a forum-style knowledge base aimed at the development of add-on items, tools, and software.

Excel Unusual hosts two versions of flight simulator downloads and tutorials, built from scratch with only VBA and cell formulas, in both 2D and 3D.

Availability

Several websites are dedicated to providing users with add-on files (such as airplanes from actual airlines, airport utility cars, actual buildings located in specific cities, textures, and city files). The wide availability over the internet of freeware add-on files for the simulation package has encouraged the development of a large and diverse virtual community, linked up by design group and enthusiast message boards, online multiplayer flying, and 'virtual airlines'. The internet has also facilitated the distribution of 'payware' add-ons for the simulator, with the option of downloading the files, which reduces distribution costs.

Reception

[icon] This section requires expansion.

Awards

By June 1999, the series had sold 21 million units worldwide, for which it was awarded the Guinness World Record for best-selling flight simulator series.

The success of the Microsoft Flight Simulator series has led to Guinness World Records awarding the series seven world records in the Guinness World Records: Gamer's Edition 2008. These records include "Longest Running Flight Sim Series", "Most Successful Flight Simulator Series", and "Most Expensive Home Flight Simulator Cockpit", which was built by Australian trucking tycoon Matthew Sheil and cost around $200,000 to build.

References

  1. ↑ Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 - Announce Trailer - 4K on YouTube, June 11, 2023.

External links