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==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 | 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." 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.<ref>{{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/}}</ref>
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