View source for Microsoft Flight Simulator

{{short description|Series of flight simulator software}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{about|the flight simulation series as a whole|the first game in the series|Microsoft Flight Simulator (1982 video game)|the 2020 release|Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020 video game)|other uses|Flight simulator (disambiguation)}}
{{distinguish|Microsoft Flight}}
<!-- See talk page; merely referencing all other uses is not enough, as readers may not be aware that "MS Flight" is a different product -->
{{Infobox video game series
| title                  = Microsoft Flight Simulator
| image                  = Microsoft_Flight_Simulator_logo_(2020).png
| caption                = Logo introduced at [[E3 2019]] for<br /> ''[[Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020 video game)|Microsoft Flight Simulator]]'' (2020)
| genre                  = [[Flight simulation video game|Flight simulation]]
| developer              = [[Sublogic (company)|Sublogic]]<br />[[Bruce Artwick Organization]]<br />[[Aces Game Studio]]<br />[[Dovetail Games]]<br />[[Asobo Studio]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.asobostudio.com/news/microsoft-flight-simulator |title=Microsoft Flight Simulator &#124; Asobo Studio |access-date=October 1, 2019 |archive-date=September 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930121126/https://www.asobostudio.com/news/microsoft-flight-simulator |url-status=live }}</ref>
| publisher              = [[Microsoft]]<br />[[Xbox Game Studios]]<br />Dovetail Games
| creator                = [[Bruce Artwick]]
| platforms              = [[MS-DOS]], [[Classic Mac OS]], [[PC-98]], [[PlayStation 5]], [[Windows]], [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]], [[Xbox Cloud Gaming]] 
| first release version  = ''[[Microsoft Flight Simulator (1982 video game)|Microsoft Flight Simulator]]''
| first release date     = {{Start date and age|1982|11}}
| latest release version = ''[[Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024]]''
| latest release date    = {{Start date and age|2024|11|19}}
}}

'''''Microsoft Flight Simulator''''' is a series of [[flight simulation video game]]s for [[MS-DOS]], [[Classic Mac OS]], and [[Microsoft Windows]] [[operating system]]s. It was an early product in the [[Microsoft]] application portfolio and differed significantly from [[List of Microsoft software|Microsoft's other software]], which was largely business-oriented. ''Microsoft Flight Simulator'' is Microsoft's longest-running software product line, predating Windows by three years,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Microsoft Flight Simulator 40th Anniversary Edition Announced |url=https://www.simulatorhardware.com/news/microsoft-flight-simulator-40th-anniversary-edition-announced/ |access-date=August 17, 2022 |website=Simulator Hardware |date=June 13, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> and is one of the longest-running video game series of all time.<ref name=playful1>{{cite news| last = Stokker| first = Serban| title = Flight Simulator X Lands On Gold| publisher = Playfuls.com| date = September 18, 2006| url = https://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=21981| access-date = February 15, 2009| archive-date = October 12, 2010| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101012023120/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=21981| url-status = dead}}</ref><ref name=msnews5>{{cite magazine| last = Lai| first = Eric| title = Flight Simulator will Soar Despite Microsoft Layoffs| quote = "Bill Gates licensed Flight Simulator from its original developer, subLogic"| magazine = [[PC World (magazine)|PCWorld]]| date = January 25, 2009| url = http://www.pcworld.com/article/158274/flight_simulator_will_soar_despite_microsoft_layoffs.html| access-date = February 15, 2009| archive-date = February 2, 2009| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090202215404/http://www.pcworld.com/article/158274/flight_simulator_will_soar_despite_microsoft_layoffs.html| url-status = live}}</ref>

[[Bruce Artwick]] began the development of ''Flight Simulator'' in 1977. His company, [[Sublogic (company)|Sublogic]], initially distributed it for various personal computers.<ref name=msnews5/> In 1981, Artwick was approached by Microsoft's Alan M. Boyd who was interested in creating a "definitive game" that would graphically demonstrate the difference between older 8-bit computers, such as the Apple II, and the new 16-bit computers, such as the IBM PC, still in development. In 1982, Artwick's company licensed a version of ''Flight Simulator'' for the [[IBM Personal Computer|IBM PC]] to Microsoft, which marketed it as ''[[Microsoft Flight Simulator (1982 video game)|Microsoft Flight Simulator]]''.

In 2009, Microsoft [[#Closure of the Aces Game Studio|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|Flight Simulator X]]'' to [[Steam (service)|Steam]] and publish ''Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition''.

Microsoft announced a new installment at E3 in 2019, simply titled ''[[Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020 video game)|Microsoft Flight Simulator]]'', to be released initially on PC and ported over to the [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series]] 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.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Warren|first=Tom|date=July 13, 2020|title=Microsoft Flight Simulator will launch on August 18th on PC|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/13/21322499/microsoft-flight-simulator-pc-launch-august-18th-pricing|access-date=July 14, 2020|website=Theverge.com|language=en}}</ref> The company announced three different versions of the title – standard, deluxe, and premium deluxe, each providing an incremental set of gameplay features, including airports, and airplanes to choose from.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Lardinois |first=Frederic |date=July 13, 2020 |title=Microsoft's Flight Simulator 2020 will launch on August 18 |url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/07/13/microsofts-flight-simulator-2020-will-launch-on-august-18/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714043619/https://techcrunch.com/2020/07/13/microsofts-flight-simulator-2020-will-launch-on-august-18/ |archive-date=July 14, 2020 |access-date=July 14, 2020 |website=techcrunch.com |language=en-US}}</ref> The Xbox edition was released on July 27, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Anastasio |first=Cecilia |date=June 9, 2019 |title=New Microsoft Flight Simulator Looks Uncannily Like Real Life |url=https://kotaku.com/new-microsoft-flight-simulator-looks-uncannily-like-rea-1835359010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609210318/https://kotaku.com/new-microsoft-flight-simulator-looks-uncannily-like-rea-1835359010 |archive-date=June 9, 2019 |access-date=June 9, 2019 |website=[[Kotaku]]}}</ref>

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

==History==
{{main|History of Microsoft Flight Simulator}}
{{Timeline of release years
| title = 
| subtitle = ''Microsoft'' omitted from the titles
| 1982 = ''[[Microsoft Flight Simulator (1982 video game)|Flight Simulator]]''
| 1984 = ''[[Microsoft Flight Simulator 2.0|Flight Simulator 2.0]]''
| 1986 = ''[[Microsoft Flight Simulator (1986 video game)|Flight Simulator]]'' (for Macintosh)
| 1988 = ''[[Microsoft Flight Simulator 3.0|Flight Simulator 3.0]]''
| 1989 = ''[[Microsoft Flight Simulator 4.0|Flight Simulator 4.0]]''
| 1993 = ''[[Microsoft Flight Simulator 5.0|Flight Simulator 5.0]]''
| 1995 = ''[[Microsoft Flight Simulator 5.0|Flight Simulator 5.1]]''
| 1996 = ''[[Microsoft Flight Simulator for Windows 95|Flight Simulator for Windows 95]]''
| 1997 = ''[[Microsoft Flight Simulator 98|Flight Simulator 98]]''
| 1999 = ''[[Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000|Flight Simulator 2000]]''
| 2001 = ''[[Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002|Flight Simulator 2002]]''
| 2003 = ''[[Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight|Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight]]''
| 2006 = ''[[Microsoft Flight Simulator X|Flight Simulator X]]''
<!-- 2012 Microsoft Flight is a separate product, please do not include it in the timeline -->
| 2014 = ''[[Microsoft Flight Simulator X#Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition|Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition]]''
| 2020 = ''[[Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020 video game)|Flight Simulator]]''
| 2024= ''[[Microsoft 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 [[Intel 8080|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 Personal Computer|IBM PC]] version with [[Color Graphics Adapter|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.<ref name="runway-usa">{{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}}</ref>

Sublogic continued to develop for other platforms and ported ''[[Flight Simulator II (Sublogic)|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 Ltd.|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 [[kiosk software|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.

===''Microsoft Flight Simulator X''===
{{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.

===Closure of the Aces Game Studio===
{{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.<ref name=msnews1>{{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}}</ref><ref name=msnews2>{{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}}</ref> Microsoft confirmed the closure of the [[Aces Game Studio]] on January 26, 2009, in a post on the official FSInsider Web site.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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 ''[[Microsoft Flight Simulator X|FSX]]'', but due to management problems and delays in project delivery, combined with increased demand for staff.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name=msnews4>{{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}}</ref>

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<ref name="CGF-Press-Release">[http://www.cascadegamefoundry.com/press-releases/] {{dead link|date=December 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> for the development of simulation games.<ref name="Ref_One">{{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}}</ref><ref name="Ref_Two">{{cite web|url=http://www.cascadegamefoundry.com/press_release/ |title=Press Release &#124; 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 }}</ref>

===Third-party developer agreements===
====Lockheed Martin ''Prepar3D''====
{{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,<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.prepar3d.com/product-overview/ |title=Prepar3D Product Overview |website=Prepar3d.com|access-date=November 18, 2019}}</ref> Version 1.1 was released in April 2011, with a retail license cost of US$499.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prepar3d.com/ |title=Prepar3D website |website=Prepar3d.com |access-date=June 10, 2019}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.inibuilds.com/|title=iniBuilds|website=Inibuilds.com|access-date=July 1, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scandinavianmountains.com.se/|title=Scandi Mountains - Flight Sim|website=Scandinavianmountains.com.se|access-date=July 1, 2022}}</ref>

====Dovetail Games and ''Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition''====
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 (service)|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]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fsxinsider.com/faqs/ |title=FSX Insider FAQs |website=Fsxinsider.com |date=December 18, 2014 |access-date=December 18, 2014}}</ref> improved stability on [[Windows 7]] and [[Windows 8|8]], and features minor performance tweaks including a complete recompile using [[Microsoft Visual Studio#Visual Studio 2013|VS2013]].<ref name="steamcommunity.com">{{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}}</ref>

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<ref>{{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}}</ref> from over 35 developers available on the Steam store including Aerosoft, Captain Sim, Orbx Simulation Systems, Real Environment Xtreme (REX), Carenado, Virtavia, and others.

=====''Flight Sim World''=====
In May 2017, Dovetail Games announced ''Flight Sim World'', based on the codebase of ''Flight Simulator X'', and released later that month.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===''Microsoft Flight''===
{{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 (company)|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''.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===''Microsoft Flight Simulator'' (2020)===
{{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 (2020 video game)|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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]]}}</ref>

The game is Microsoft's first simulator since ''Microsoft Flight'' in 2012.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> ''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'' ===
{{Main|Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024}}

On June 11, 2023, during the Xbox Games Showcase Microsoft revealed a trailer for ''Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024'',<ref>{{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}}</ref> which was captioned "the next generation of the legendary franchise." It was released in November 2024.

==Add-ons, customization, and community involvement==
{{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.

===Aircraft===
[[File:AFA Beech in Flight Simulator.jpg|thumb|A [[PMDG]] [[Beechcraft 1900|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.

====AI traffic====
A growing add-on category for the series is AI ([[artificial intelligence (video games)|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===
[[File:FS2004-lakes.jpg|thumb|''FS2004'' in the UK [[Lake District]] 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.

===Flight networks===
Virtual flight networks such as [[International Virtual Aviation Organisation|IVAO]], [[Virtual Air Traffic Simulation Network|VATSIM]], and Pilot Edge as well as Virtual Skies, and Mindstar Aviation's AirspaceVR<ref>{{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]]}}</ref> 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 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<ref>{{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 }}</ref> and 3D.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

===Availability===
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 airline (hobby)|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==
''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 [[killer app|sell its share of IBM PCs]], and will certainly sell some [[Color Graphics Adapter|color/graphics adapters]]".<ref name="fastie198301">{{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 }}</ref> ''[[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".<ref name="malloy198312">{{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}}</ref> 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".<ref name="miastkowski198403">{{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}}</ref>

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 plate]]s to land at and navigate airports ''Flight Simulator''{{'}}s manual did not document.<ref name="aarons19841002">{{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]]}}</ref> ''[[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".<ref name="florance198412">{{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}}</ref> ''Flight Simulator 2.0'' was reviewed in 1989 in ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #142 by Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk Lesser in "The Role of Computers" column. The reviewers gave the game 5 out of 5 stars.<ref name="Dragon142">{{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}}</ref>

''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' stated in 1994 that ''Flight Simulator 5'' "is closer to simulating real flight than ever before".<ref name="trimble199401">{{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}}</ref>

''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.<ref>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</ref>

==Awards==
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.<ref>{{cite book |chapter=Computer Games: Best-Selling Flight Simulator |title=[[Guinness World Records|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}}</ref>

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.<ref name="Matt Sheil">{{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}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Airfight]]
* [[FlightGear]]
* [[Flightsim.com|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)]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [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}}

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