Microsoft has confirmed that the highly-anticipated Microsoft Flight Simulator is coming to PC next month on August 18th, and is now available for pre-order and pre-install via Xbox Game Pass. Nothing has been mentioned about a release date for the console version/s at the time of writing.
The game will feature live traffic, real-time weather and animals, highly detailed aircraft including accurate cockpits and realistic instrumentation, a new day and night engine, aerodynamic modelling and much more.
It's a far sooner take off than some might have expected, given that developer Asobo Studios only recently announced a closed beta for the game. It's available in Standard, Deluxe and Premium Editions (with varying levels of aircraft and airports) from the Microsoft Store, or you can simply pre-install with Xbox Game Pass for PC (Beta) right now.
Microsoft Flight Simulator is the next generation of one of the most beloved simulation franchises. From light planes to wide-body jets, fly highly detailed and stunning aircraft in an incredibly realistic world. Create your flight plan and fly anywhere on the planet. Enjoy flying day or night and face realistic, challenging weather conditions.
Will you be taking off with Microsoft Flight Simulator in August? Let us know in the comments.
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Comments 18
So console version is coming later just like Gears Tactics? Hopefully a release date for the console version of both games is announced at the July 23rd event.
Though I'm not really interested in aviation at all, think we may check this one out. My kids could probably learn a lot from it!
@redd214 If I manage to take off without crashing, I'll consider it a success.
@FraserG haha I'll probably be in the same boat. Will give me a chance to dust off the flight stick I got with Ace Combat 7!
@Grumblevolcano It’s important to note that some airports and I think planes like Heathrow are locked behind higher tier versions of the game too.
I imagine this would be a swine to play on an Xbox controller...four buttons? If it's anything like the version I played (decades ago) it'll need a keyboard. Still might have a play though cos it looks SO good.
Fresno to Bhutan, people! 👏
@AJDarkstar
Xbox is, essentially, an ecosystem now with console & PC. Microsoft just wants you to play their games. They don’t care what device it is on.
@AJDarkstar Not really. Phil Spencer has literally said "Xbox is no longer just our console hardware". This is Xbox according to the head of Xbox and the changes he has made.
@AJDarkstar You'll see us covering PC games when they're relevant to the Xbox brand.
Flight Sim is published by Xbox Game Studios and also coming to Xbox Game Pass, so that's why we're reporting on it here.
Hope that clears up any confusion!
@AJDarkstar I play Microsoft developed games on PC and on Xbox Live, earning Xbox achievements. Don't need discs. It's all Xbox now.
@AJDarkstar And this time they're doing it correctly. I look forward to continuing to play Microsoft's multiplatform games on PC day and date going forward. It's you that hangs onto "what Xbox is" while everyone else moves on with what it has actually become.
Loved the past FS games on PC many years ago and now this is my most anticipated game, just really want a release date for the console version.
@AJDarkstar
That also gets me with MS - “we don’t believe in generations, but here’s our next-gen Xbox”. Their message is deeply confused.
What's confusing (and ill conceived) is how you took a quote from Ryan, spun it, and then attributed it to Xbox in order to rescue yourself from further embarrassment. Everybody on this Xbox-centric site understands why news about this Xbox first-party title is being covered. Everybody, but you.
@gingataisen If you have some form of intellectual grasp over marketing narratives you would know that both creating a next-gen experience while respecting the choice of last gen console owners for a year is a pro consumer move as opposed to forcing 100m+ owners of ps4 to upgrade as soon as possible in order to only play Spiderman DLC which runs on a last gen engine and uses same assets as the original title that should have been a free upgrade anyway. Hypo crites like yourself and @AJDarkstar are the reason why companies can get away with these malpractices. Even 500m$ game Halo Infinite is natively built for Xbox Series X with next gen slipspace engine built ground up (read blog) and later scaled down in last gen consoles. This is called pro-consumerism. Xbox Series X owners will receive the next gen experience with Halo Infinite from Day 1 and titles like The Medium which is a Series X exclusive will utilise the extra performance bandwidth provided by Series X and high end PCs with DirectStorage API.
@Z3u5000
You are very, very confused, friend. Gather your thoughts, and then let's give it another go.
@AJDarkstar
And now you're bringing the NSA into this. Look, if you don't like Xbox, that's fine, but if you're going to attempt engaging people in discourse, try being truthful and please, stay on topic.
@AJDarkstar
You strike me as the kind of person who can't stay on topic. Also, "you're" is the correct spelling in that instance.
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