Microsoft Flight Simulator

{{main|History of Microsoft Flight Simulator}}

{{Timeline of release years

| title =

| subtitle = Microsoft omitted from the titles

| 1982 = Flight Simulator

| 1984 = Flight Simulator 2.0

| 1986 = Flight Simulator (for Macintosh)

| 1988 = Flight Simulator 3.0

| 1989 = Flight Simulator 4.0

| 1993 = Flight Simulator 5.0

| 1995 = Flight Simulator 5.1

| 1996 = Flight Simulator for Windows 95

| 1997 = Flight Simulator 98

| 1999 = Flight Simulator 2000

| 2001 = Flight Simulator 2002

| 2003 = Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight

| 2006 = Flight Simulator X

| 2014 = Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition

| 2020 = Flight Simulator

| 2024= Flight Simulator 2024

}}

Microsoft Flight Simulator began as a set of articles written by Bruce Artwick in 1976 about a 3D computer graphics program. When the magazine editor said that subscribers wanted to buy the program, Artwick set to work to create it and incorporated a company called Sublogic Corporation in 1977. The company began selling flight simulators for several computer platforms, including the 8080, Altair 8800, and IMSAI 8080. In 1979 Sublogic released FS1 Flight Simulator for the Apple II. In 1980, Sublogic released a version for the TRS-80, and in 1982 they licensed an IBM PC version with CGA graphics to Microsoft, which was released as simply Microsoft Flight Simulator on a self-booting disk. In the early days of less-than-100% IBM PC compatible systems, Flight Simulator and Lotus 1-2-3 were used as unofficial compatibility test software for new PC clone models.{{cite book |last=Gulick |first=Charles |url=http://www.flightsimbooks.com/runwayusa/foreword.php |title=Runway U.S.A. |work=flightsimbooks.com |publisher=Microsoft Press |year=1987 |isbn=978-1-55615-002-9 |access-date=February 5, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090624210556/http://www.flightsimbooks.com/runwayusa/foreword.php |archive-date=June 24, 2009 |url-status=live}}

Sublogic continued to develop for other platforms and ported Flight Simulator II to the Apple II in 1983; Commodore 64, MSX, and Atari 8-bit computers in 1984; and Amiga and Atari ST in 1986. Meanwhile, Bruce Artwick left Sublogic and founded The Bruce Artwick Organization to continue his 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 went on to encompass the use of 3D graphics and graphic hardware acceleration.

Microsoft continued to produce newer versions of the flight simulation software, adding features, such as new aircraft types and augmented scenery. The 2000 and 2002 versions were available in "Standard" and "Professional" editions, where the latter included more aircraft, tools and scenery options. The 2004 release (version 9) marked the celebration of one hundred years of powered flight and had only one edition. Flight Simulator X, released in 2006, returned to dual versions with a "Standard" and a "Deluxe" edition.

The flying area encompasses planet Earth with varying degrees of detail and includes over 24,000 airports. There is an ever-growing list of scenery representing major landmarks and popular cities. Landscape details become sparse as gameplay moves away from population centers within the flight simulator, particularly outside the United States, although a variety of websites offer scenery add-ons to remedy this.

The three latest versions incorporate sophisticated weather simulation, along with the ability to download real-world weather data (first available with Flight Simulator 2000). Additional features in these newer versions include air traffic environments with interactive air traffic control functions, new aircraft models from the historical Douglas DC-3 to the modern Boeing 777, interactive lessons, challenges, and aircraft checklists. The two latest versions of Microsoft Flight Simulator have a "kiosk mode", which allows the application to be run in electronic kiosks located in public places like shopping malls. Microsoft Flight Simulator has a wide selection of upgrades and add-ons, both free and commercial, official and fan-made.

{{Main|Microsoft Flight Simulator X}}

Microsoft Flight Simulator X is the third most recent major release of Microsoft Flight Simulator, and the last one developed by Aces Game Studio. It includes a graphics engine upgrade and compatibility with preview DirectX 10 and Windows Vista. 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 has 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.

{{See also|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 Microsoft Flight Simulator team had been laid off.{{cite web | last = Remo| first = Chris| title = Report: Microsoft Makes Big Cuts At Flight Sim Studio| website = Gamasutra| date = January 22, 2009| url = http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=21981| archive-url = https://archive.today/20120629063411/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=21981| url-status = dead| archive-date = June 29, 2012| access-date = January 22, 2009}}{{cite news| last = Plunkett| first = Luke| title = Flight Simulator Devs Grounded By Microsoft Job Cuts| publisher = Kotaku| date = January 22, 2009| url = http://kotaku.com/5137519/flight-simulator-devs-grounded-by-microsoft-job-cuts| access-date = January 22, 2009| archive-date = January 6, 2010| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100106153854/http://kotaku.com/5137519/flight-simulator-devs-grounded-by-microsoft-job-cuts| url-status = live}} Microsoft confirmed the closure of the Aces Game Studio on January 26, 2009, in a post on the official FSInsider Web site.{{cite web| title = About the Aces Team| publisher = FS Insider| date = January 26, 2009| url = https://www.microsoft.com/Products/Games/FSInsider/news/Pages/AMessageFromAces.aspx | access-date = January 9, 2009}} 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 sales performance of FSX, but due to management problems and delays in project delivery, combined with increased demand for staff.{{cite web| last = Taylor| first = Phil| title = End of an Era Part II: Links and Speculation| publisher = Future GPU Thoughts and Musings| date = January 26, 2009| url = http://www.futuregpu.org/2009/01/end-of-era-part-ii-links-and.html| access-date = January 9, 2009| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090129174505/http://www.futuregpu.org/2009/01/end-of-era-part-ii-links-and.html| archive-date = January 29, 2009}} 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.{{cite news| last = Li| first = Eric| title = Despite laying off Flight Simulator team, Microsoft still 'committed to flying games'| publisher = Computerworld| date = January 23, 2009| url = http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9126719/Despite_laying_off_Flight_Simulator_team_Microsoft_still_committed_to_flying_games_| access-date = January 23, 2009| archive-date = August 22, 2009| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090822190429/http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9126719/Despite_laying_off_Flight_Simulator_team_Microsoft_still_committed_to_flying_games_| url-status = live}}

In October 2009, two (out of over fifty) former members of the Aces Game Studio formed a new game studio called the Cascade Game Foundry[http://www.cascadegamefoundry.com/press-releases/] {{dead link|date=December 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}} for the development of simulation games.{{cite web|url=http://www.flightsimulatornetwork.com/group/flightsimulatornews/forum/topics/breaking-news-aces-studio |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203152226/http://www.flightsimulatornetwork.com/group/flightsimulatornews/forum/topics/breaking-news-aces-studio |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 3, 2009 |title=BREAKING NEWS - ACES Studio Crew forms new company - The Flight Simulator Network |access-date=June 10, 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cascadegamefoundry.com/press_release/ |title=Press Release | Cascade Game Foundry |access-date=July 5, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708122902/http://www.cascadegamefoundry.com/press_release/ |archive-date=July 8, 2011 }}

{{anchor|Lockheed Martin Prepar3D}}

In late 2007, Aces Game Studio announced Microsoft ESP (Enterprise Simulation Platform), a development platform for companies that want to create products that use the technology in Flight Simulator. Following the closure of the Aces Game Studio in January 2009, Lockheed Martin announced in late 2009 that they had negotiated with Microsoft a licensing agreement to purchase the intellectual property (including source code) for the Microsoft ESP product. It is the commercial-use version of Flight Simulator X SP2. On May 17, 2010,{{cite web |url=http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2010/05172010Prepar3d.html |title=Lockheed Martin Announces Prepar3D |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713125615/http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2010/05172010Prepar3d.html |archive-date=July 13, 2010 }} Lockheed announced that the new product based upon the ESP source code would be called Prepar3D (P3D). Lockheed hired members of the original Aces Game Studio team to continue development of the product.

In November 2010, Lockheed Martin debuted Prepar3D version 1.{{Cite web |url=https://www.prepar3d.com/product-overview/ |title=Prepar3D Product Overview |website=Prepar3d.com|access-date=November 18, 2019}} Version 1.1 was released in April 2011, with a retail license cost of US$499.{{cite web|url=http://www.prepar3d.com/ |title=Prepar3D website |website=Prepar3d.com |access-date=June 10, 2019}} A developer license is also available for a monthly fee of US$9.95. In March 2012, along with the release of version 1.3, the pricing strategy was revised. The Professional edition is now available for US$199, with an Academic License available for US$59.95.

Often touted as 'FSX on steroids', P3D has so far had 5 versions, with the latest launched on April 14, 2020.{{Cite web |title=How to Build a Home Flight Simulator Cockpit in 2022 |url=https://www.simulatorhardware.com/flight/how-to-build-a-home-flight-simulator-cockpit/ |access-date=August 22, 2022 |website=Simulator Hardware |language=en}} Version 5 features 41 aircraft and over 23000 airports. Before that, version 2, 3 and 4 saw releases in 2013, 2015, and 2017 respectively.

Due to the changes in elevation between version 4 and version 5, many developers charged for upgrades to make their airport sceneries compatible with the new elevation.{{Cite web |title=Prepar3D v5 Scenery Compatibility Files |url=https://www.inibuilds.com/p3d-v5-scenery-compatibility-files |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512032529/https://www.inibuilds.com/p3d-v5-scenery-compatibility-files |archive-date=May 12, 2020 |access-date=July 1, 2022 |website=Inibuilds}} This elevation issue, in turn, created new developers to pop up to create "compatibility files" for older version 4 airports to work on version 5. Companies such as iniBuilds and Scandinavian Mountains lead the development of compatibility files.{{Cite web|url=https://www.inibuilds.com/|title=iniBuilds|website=Inibuilds.com|access-date=July 1, 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://scandinavianmountains.com.se/|title=Scandi Mountains - Flight Sim|website=Scandinavianmountains.com.se|access-date=July 1, 2022}}

On July 9, 2014, Dovetail Games announced that Microsoft had granted them rights to develop the next Flight Simulator in the series. Dovetail Games also announced the release of Flight Simulator X: Gold Edition on Steam for late 2014, titled Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition. It was released on December 18, 2014. It is a re-release and includes content that was provided with the original FSX: Gold Edition which includes FSX: Deluxe Edition, the Acceleration expansion pack, and both official Service Packs and repackages them in one bundle and a single installation. The Steam Edition includes "all standard Steam functionality", including an overhaul of the multiplayer support to go through Steam rather than the now-defunct GameSpy,{{cite web|url=http://www.fsxinsider.com/faqs/ |title=FSX Insider FAQs |website=Fsxinsider.com |date=December 18, 2014 |access-date=December 18, 2014}} improved stability on Windows 7 and 8, and features minor performance tweaks including a complete recompile using VS2013.{{cite web|title=Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition Change Log |url=http://steamcommunity.com/app/314160/discussions/1/626329820729615790/|website=Steamcommunity.com|author=|date=December 18, 2014}}

Additionally, Dovetail Games has worked with existing developers and publishers to distribute their content on Steam as DLC. Currently, there are over 100 add-ons for FSX: Steam Edition{{cite web|url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/389280|title=FSX: Steam Edition App page|website=Steamcommunity.com |date=April 23, 2018 |access-date=May 2, 2018}} from over 35 developers available on the Steam store including Aerosoft, Captain Sim, Orbx Simulation Systems, Real Environment Xtreme (REX), Carenado, Virtavia, and others.

In May 2017, Dovetail Games announced Flight Sim World, based on the codebase of Flight Simulator X, and released later that month.{{cite web|title=Flight Sim returns to the skies this month with new title|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/flight-sim-world/flight-sim-world-announced|website=Pcgamesn.com|date=May 3, 2017 |access-date=April 10, 2018}} Only a year later, on April 23, 2018, Dovetail announced end of development of Flight Sim World and the end of sales effective May 15, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://steamcommunity.com/games/389280/announcements/detail/3400657079148405506/ |title=Flight Sim World Closure Announcement |website=Steamcommunity.com |date=April 23, 2018 |access-date=May 2, 2018}}

{{Main|Microsoft Flight}}

{{hatnote|Not 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.{{cite web |last=Kersey |first=Ben |date=July 26, 2012 |title=Microsoft cancels Flight and Project Columbia development |url=http://www.slashgear.com/microsoft-cancels-flight-and-project-columbia-development-26240324/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808171839/https://www.slashgear.com/microsoft-cancels-flight-and-project-columbia-development-26240324/ |archive-date=August 8, 2020 |access-date=November 1, 2012 |website=Slashgear}}

{{Main|Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020 video game)}}

On 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReDDgFfWlS4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/ReDDgFfWlS4| archive-date=December 11, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Microsoft Flight Simulator - E3 2019 - Announce Trailer |date=June 9, 2019 |work=Xbox |via=YouTube |access-date=June 9, 2019}}{{cbignore}} 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.{{cite web |last=Machkovech |first=Sam |date=September 30, 2019 |title=The new MS Flight Simulator taught me how to fly an actual plane |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2019/09/the-new-ms-flight-simulator-taught-me-how-to-fly-an-actual-plane/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730071853/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2019/09/the-new-ms-flight-simulator-taught-me-how-to-fly-an-actual-plane/ |archive-date=July 30, 2020 |access-date=October 5, 2019 |work=Ars Technica}}

The game is Microsoft's first simulator since Microsoft Flight in 2012.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/e3-microsoft-flight-simulator-coming-to-pc/|title=E3: Microsoft Flight Simulator coming to PC|last=Keane|first=Sean|website=Cnet.com|language=en|access-date=June 10, 2019}} 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 Microsoft Flight Simulator series to be released for a gaming console. The Windows PC version of the simulator was released on August 18, 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/microsoft-flight-simulator|title=Microsoft Flight Simulator {{!}} Xbox & Windows 10|website=Xbox.com|language=en|access-date=June 10, 2019}} 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.

{{Main|Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024}}

On June 11, 2023, during the Xbox Games Showcase Microsoft revealed a trailer for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024,{{Citation |title=Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 - Announce Trailer - 4K | date=June 11, 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3xp-SnZDoY |access-date=June 11, 2023 |language=en}} which was captioned "the next generation of the legendary franchise." This update will bring performance improvements, graphics improvements, and more planes.{{Citation needed|reason=I'm not willing to go through the ASOBO weekly developer updates on Youtube.|date=April 2024}}

On Nov. 2024, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 introduced Joby Aviation’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.{{Cite web |title=Joby aircraft featured in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 — General Aviation News |author= |work=generalaviationnews.com |date=3 December 2024 |access-date=19 March 2025 |url= https://generalaviationnews.com/2024/12/03/joby-aircraft-featured-in-microsoft-flight-simulator-2024/}}

{{See also|Category: Microsoft Flight Simulator add-ons}}

The long history and consistent sales of Flight Simulator has 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 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.

File:AFA Beech in Flight Simulator.jpg Beech 1900D of "American Flight Airways", in AFA Express colors]]

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 approaches the complexity of commercial full-motion flight simulators.

The simulator's aircraft are made up of five parts:

• The model, which is a 3D CAD-style model of the aircraft's exterior and virtual cockpit, if applicable. Models consist of two distinct sections - the main chassis or "core", and accessories or dynamic parts, such as the landing gear or ailerons.
• The textures, bitmap images which the game layers onto the model. These can be easily edited (known as repainting), so that a model can adopt any paint scheme imaginable, real or fictional.
• The sounds, literally what the aircraft sounds like. This is determined by defining which WAV files the aircraft uses as its sound-set.
• The panel, a representation of the aircraft's cockpit. This includes one or more bitmap images of the panel, instrument gauge files, and sometimes its own sounds.
• The FDE, or Flight Dynamics Engine. This consists of the air-file (a *.air file), which contains hundreds of parameters that define the aircraft's flight characteristics, and the aircraft.cfg file, which contains more and easier-to-edit parameters.

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.

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.

File:FS2004-lakes.jpg with VFR (visual flight rules) photo scenery and terrain additional components]]

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-on 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.

Virtual flight networks such as IVAO, VATSIM, and Pilot Edge as well as Virtual Skies, and Mindstar Aviation's AirspaceVR{{Cite web |last=Deener |first=Sarah |date=4 September 2015 |title=Virtual flights, real communications |url=https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2015/april/09/mindstar |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302180155/https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2015/april/09/mindstar |archive-date=2020-03-02 |access-date=2020-03-02 |website=AOPA}} 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).

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 in order 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 host a forum style knowledge base aimed at the development of add-on items, tools, and software.

[http://www.excelunusual.com Excel Unusual] hosts two versions of flight simulator downloads and tutorials, built from scratch with only VBA and cell formulas, in both 2D{{Cite web |url=http://www.excelunusual.com/the-aeroscope-video-preview-2-and-an-improved-excel-file-4/ |title=The Aeroscope – video preview #2 and an improved Excel file (#4) – Excel Unusual |access-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-date=September 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920080510/http://www.excelunusual.com/the-aeroscope-video-preview-2-and-an-improved-excel-file-4/ |url-status=live }} and 3D.{{Cite web |url=http://www.excelunusual.com/a-3d-flight-simulator-video-preview/ |title=A 3D Flight Simulator – video preview – Excel Unusual |access-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-date=November 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127225526/http://www.excelunusual.com/a-3d-flight-simulator-video-preview/ |url-status=live }}

A number of 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.

Flight Simulator has been praised for its realism. PC Magazine in January 1983 called Flight Simulator "extraordinarily realistic ... a classic program, unique in the market". It praised the graphics and detailed scenery, and concluded "I think it's going to sell its share of IBM PCs, and will certainly sell some color/graphics adapters".{{cite news | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vy3cBZkjbZgC&pg=RA2-PA303 | title=Flight Of The 5150: The PC Takes Off | work=PC Magazine | date=January 1983 | access-date=October 21, 2013 | author=Fastie, Will | page=303 | archive-date=December 31, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231225758/http://books.google.com/books?id=vy3cBZkjbZgC&lpg=PP1&pg=RA2-PA303#v=onepage&q&f=true | url-status=live }} BYTE in December 1983 wrote that "this amazing package does an incredible job of making you think you're actually flying a small plane". While it noted the inability to use a RGB monitor or a joystick, the magazine concluded that "for $49.95 you can't have everything".{{cite news | url=https://archive.org/stream/byte-magazine-1983-12/1983_12_BYTE_08-12_Easy_Software#page/n283/mode/2up | title=Reviewer's Notebook | work=BYTE | date=December 1983 | access-date=October 20, 2013 | author=Malloy, Rich | page=282}} A pilot wrote in the magazine in March 1984 that he found the simulated Cessna 182 to be "surprisingly realistic". While criticizing the requirement of using the keyboard to fly, he concluded "Microsoft Flight Simulator is a tour de force of the programmer's art ... It can be an excellent introduction to how an aircraft actually operates for a budding or student pilot and can even help instrument pilots or those going for an instrument rating sharpen their skills".{{cite news | url=https://archive.org/stream/byte-magazine-1984-03/1984_03_BYTE_09-03_Simulation#page/n225/mode/2up | title=Microsoft Flight Simulator | work=BYTE | date=March 1984 | access-date=October 22, 2013 | author=Miastkowski, Stan | page=224}}

Another pilot similarly praised Flight Simulator 2.0 in PC Magazine that year, giving it 18 out of 18 points. He reported that its realism compared well to two $3 million hardware flight simulators he had recently flown, and that he could use real approach plates to land at and navigate airports Flight Simulator{{'}}s manual did not document.{{cite news |author=Aarons, Dick |date=October 2, 1984 |title=A Perfect Flight |page=269 |work=PC Magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d-tPdHcBE9wC&pg=PA269 |url-status=live |access-date=October 25, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101072736/http://books.google.com/books?id=d-tPdHcBE9wC&lpg=PA346&pg=PA269#v=onepage&q&f=true |archive-date=January 1, 2014 |via=Google Books}} Compute! warned "if you don't know much about flying, this program may overwhelm you. It's not a simple simulation. It's a challenging program even for experienced pilots". The magazine concluded that Flight Simulator "is interesting, challenging, graphically superb, diverse, rewarding, and just plain fun ... sheer delight".{{cite news | url=https://archive.org/stream/1984-12-compute-magazine/Compute_Issue_055_1984_Dec#page/n147/mode/2up | title=Microsoft Flight Simulator for PC & PCjr | work=Compute! | date=December 1984 | access-date=October 30, 2013 | author=Florance, David | page=142 | type=review}} Flight Simulator 2.0 was reviewed in 1989 in Dragon #142 by Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk Lesser in "The Role of Computers" column. The reviewers gave the game 5 out of 5 stars.{{cite journal|title=The Role of Computers|last1=Lesser|last2=Lesser|last3=Lesser|first1=Hartley|first2=Patricia|first3=Kirk|journal=Dragon|issue=142|date=February 1989|pages=42–51}}

Computer Gaming World stated in 1994 that Flight Simulator 5 "is closer to simulating real flight than ever before".{{Cite magazine |last=Trimble |first=Timothy L. |date=January 1994 |title=The Friendly Skies Of Flight Simulator 5 |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=114 |url-status=live |magazine=Computer Gaming World |pages=108–109 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209033110/http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=114 |archive-date=December 9, 2019 |access-date=November 8, 2017}}

Microsoft Flight Simulator X was reviewed in 2006 by GameSpot. The reviewer gave the game an 8.4 out of 10 and commented on how it was realistic enough to be used for real-life flight training.Jeff Lackey, [http://uk.gamespot.com/microsoft-flight-simulator-x/reviews/microsoft-flight-simulator-x-review-6159886/ "Microsoft Flight Simulator Review"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006110455/http://uk.gamespot.com/microsoft-flight-simulator-x/reviews/microsoft-flight-simulator-x-review-6159886/ |date=October 6, 2012 }}, GameSpot, October 21, 2012

By June 1999, the series had sold {{nowrap|21 million}} units worldwide, for which it was awarded the Guinness World Record for best-selling flight simulator series.{{cite book |chapter=Computer Games: Best-Selling Flight Simulator |title=Guinness World Records 2001 |date=2000 |publisher=Guinness |isbn=978-0-85112-102-4 |page=121 |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/guinnessworldrec00enfi/page/121}}

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.{{cite news|last=Moses|first=Asher|title=Matt's on a different plane ... and it's surreal|url=https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2009/03/13/1236447451617.html|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=May 12, 2012|date=March 12, 2009|archive-date=January 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115123051/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2009/03/13/1236447451617.html|url-status=live}}

• Airfight
• FlightGear
• FlightSim.com and Avsim.com – Flight simulator resource and review communities
• International Virtual Aviation Organisation
• Microsoft Train Simulator, Microsoft Space Simulator, and Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator
• Training simulation
• Virtual Air Traffic Simulation Network
• X-Plane (simulator)

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.flightsimulator.com/ Microsoft Flight Simulator official website]
• [https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/microsoft-flight-simulator Microsoft Flight Simulator | Xbox]

{{Microsoft Flight Simulator}}

{{Microsoft}}

{{Xbox Game Studios}}

Category:Microsoft franchises

Flight Simulator

Category:General flight simulators

Category:Video game franchises

Category:Video game franchises introduced in 1982

Category:Windows games