Microsoft Flight Simulator X (FSX) is a flight simulation video game released in 2006. It was created by Aces Game Studio and published by Microsoft Game Studios for Windows computers. FSX follows Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight and is the tenth version in the Microsoft Flight Simulator series, which began in 1982. The game uses an improved graphics engine that supports DirectX 10 features on Windows Vista. Microsoft called it the most important technological advancement in the series at the time. FSX was the first version in the series to be released on DVD.
In December 2012, six years after its release, the multiplayer matchmaking system for FSX on the GameSpy network was shut down. On July 8, 2014, Dovetail Games, the company that makes Train Simulator, signed an agreement with Microsoft to continue developing FSX and creating new content. On December 18, 2014, a version of FSX called FSX: Steam Edition was released through Steam, a digital platform. This version supports Windows 8.1 and later operating systems and includes updated multiplayer features through Steam.
FSX is the final version of Microsoft Flight Simulator that works with Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 8.1.
Overview
Flight Simulator X is the tenth version of a well-known series of flight simulation games. It was officially released in the United States on October 17, 2006. Microsoft's website states that the standard edition includes features such as navaids, GPS, and airways. It also includes 18 planes, 28 detailed cities, and over 24,000 airports. The deluxe version includes 24 aircraft and 38 cities. Players can operate a variety of aircraft, from small gliders and experimental planes to large jumbo jets. The game includes a realistic air traffic control system and weather that changes based on real-world conditions. The geography matches the regions where players are flying. Jetways and ground equipment are also included in the game.
Flight Simulator X was introduced at the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) as part of Microsoft's showcase for Windows Vista. It is now compatible with Windows 7, as well as Windows 8 or Windows 10 through Steam. Microsoft shared screenshots and a list of frequently asked questions in a press release on Microsoft Flight Simulator Insider and other flight simulator communities. The game also includes mission-based gameplay with specific aircraft and an improved rendering engine that allows for more detailed visuals. After the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in May 2006, Microsoft released new screenshots, videos, and an official trailer. The game's graphics have significantly improved since its release.
On January 22, 2009, reports indicated that Microsoft's job cuts were significantly impacting the development team for Flight Simulator X. Microsoft confirmed that the Flight Simulator team would be laid off but stated they remained committed to the franchise and planned future releases. On August 17, 2010, Microsoft announced Microsoft Flight, a new simulation game with an improved graphics engine and enhanced features. The game was released in April 2012. In August 2012, Microsoft canceled further development of Microsoft Flight.
Features
Flight Simulator X was released in two versions: Standard and Deluxe. The Deluxe Edition includes extra features compared to the Standard Edition. These features include software tools on the disc, three airplanes with the Garmin G1000 Flightdeck, and the ability for the player to act as Air Traffic Control (ATC) for other online users using a radar screen.
The Deluxe Edition includes airplanes that can be flown by the player, such as the Grumman G-21A Goose, Maule Orion M-7-260-C Super Rocket, and versions of the Beechcraft Baron 58, Cessna C172SP Skyhawk, and Mooney M-20-M Bravo equipped with the Garmin G1000 Flightdeck.
The Acceleration pack added more airplanes, including the Agusta Westland AW101, Boeing F/A-18 Hornet, and a racing version of the P-51D Mustang.
Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Gold Edition includes both the Deluxe Edition and the Acceleration expansion pack in one package. If the Acceleration pack is not used, the user must install service packs 1 and 2 separately.
New features in Flight Simulator X include:
– Better graphics
– Airports with moving jetways and improved ground services
– The ability for players to act as Air Traffic Control
– Support for DirectX 10 (in preview mode)
– A special tool called SimConnect API that allows access to simulator functions and variables
– Advanced animations, such as wing movement
The base scenery is created automatically using data from Navteq, which provides information about terrain and road networks. Airport and weather data are provided by Jeppesen, helping the simulation create realistic airport layouts and weather conditions. Major landmarks, such as Stonehenge, Victoria Falls, and Charles Lindbergh’s grave, are enhanced with custom models and realistic aerial images. Some animations, like fireworks, appear only on specific dates or times.
The addition of "Missions" introduces task-based goals, encouraging players to fly worldwide instead of only from their home airport. While similar features existed in earlier versions, the new system includes more complex scenarios and events, increasing user interaction. Players can earn achievements through the "Rewards" system by completing missions and reaching milestones during "Free Flight" mode. Some missions offer multiple or hidden rewards based on actions taken during the mission.
The Learning Center, carried over from FS2004, helps users learn about Flight Simulator X features. Flying lessons are included, improved from previous versions, and taught by real-life pilot Rod Machado. After completing lessons, users can take a checkride to earn simulated pilot ratings, such as Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot, or Airline Transport Pilot.
Artificial intelligence (AI) aircraft are non-playable planes used mainly for scenery and atmosphere. They sometimes play a role in missions. Three planes—the McDonnell Douglas MD-83, Piper Cherokee, and de Havilland Dash 8—are included only as AI aircraft. In addition to planes, basic road vehicles and ships are also present in the simulation.
Patches and expansions
Microsoft released the first service pack (SP1) for Flight Simulator X on May 15, 2007, to solve these problems:
- Issues with activating and installing the software
- Improvements to performance, such as using multiple computer parts to make textures and scenery faster on computers with more than one processor core
- Problems with third-party add-ons
- Issues with the content in the game
Microsoft released another service pack for Flight Simulator X around the same time as its expansion pack. This update was mainly for users of Windows Vista who had graphics cards compatible with DirectX 10. This version used DirectX 10’s better shader model and more pixel pipelines to improve performance on Vista, making it closer to the performance of Flight Simulator X on Windows XP. It also allowed users without the expansion pack to join multiplayer games with users who had the expansion pack, and it supported multi-core processors. FSX-SP2 also fixed more bugs from the original version of Flight Simulator X. SP1 is not compatible with SP2 or the Acceleration expansion pack in multiplayer games. Users with SP1 cannot join sessions with users who have SP2 or Acceleration in multiplayer. To install SP2, SP1 must already be installed, which requires running FSX SP1 at least once to update the computer’s settings before SP2 can be properly installed.
Microsoft released an expansion pack for Flight Simulator X, called Flight Simulator X: Acceleration, on October 23, 2007, in North America.
There are two ways to check the version of a Flight Simulator X installation. Inside the program, while flying, the Help menu has an "About" option that shows the product version code. This code can also be found by locating the file fsx.exe and clicking on its properties, then selecting the "Details" tab.
The product version numbers mean the following:
- 10.0.60905 Base FSX (Deluxe or Standard Edition)
- 10.0.61355 Service Pack 1
- 10.0.61472 Service Pack 2
- 10.0.61637 Acceleration Expansion Pack (includes SP2)
A preview of the DirectX 10 rendering engine was included in later versions of FSX. This update improved the appearance of the simulator, especially in scenery. Water and terrain looked more vivid with accurate reflections and lighting. Users could switch back to DirectX 9 easily by using a toggle in the settings menu.
Music
The music played in the main menu of Flight Simulator X was created, arranged, and made by a musician from Seattle named Stan LePard. The default music track, called "Pilot for Hire" or "FSX01" in the game, became popular among users. This track is also included in Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) as a menu music choice named "Legacy."
Re-releases and sequels
In late 2007, Aces Games Studio announced that companies could purchase licenses to use the Microsoft Enterprise Simulation Platform (ESP), the technology behind Microsoft Flight Simulator X. After Aces Game Studio closed in January 2009, Lockheed Martin, an American aerospace company, reached an agreement with Microsoft in late 2009 to buy the intellectual property of the Microsoft ESP, including the source code for Flight Simulator X Service Pack 2. Lockheed Martin created a new product called Prepar3D, a simulation tool designed for students, military personnel, and commercial operators. They hired members of the original Aces Game Studio team to continue developing Prepar3D.
The first version of Prepar3D was released in November 2010. As of April 2024, the most recent version is Prepar3D v6.1. This simulator includes improvements over Flight Simulator X, such as updated scenery, vehicles, weather, and engine updates. It also supports DirectX 12 and 64-bit architecture.
Some add-ons created for Flight Simulator X work with earlier versions of Prepar3D, but due to major changes in its code, others may not function properly.
On December 18, 2014, Dovetail Games released Flight Simulator X on Steam, called Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition. It includes content from the original FSX: Gold Edition, such as the Deluxe Edition, the Acceleration expansion pack, and both service packs. The Steam Edition also improved multiplayer features by using Steam instead of the old GameSpy system, increased stability on Windows 7 and 8, and included performance updates from recompiling with Visual Studio 2013.
Dovetail Games collaborated with third-party developers to offer add-ons for Flight Simulator X on Steam. As of June 2021, 272 add-ons were available on the Steam DLC store from companies like Aerosoft, Carenado, and Virtavia. Most add-ons from the original Flight Simulator X versions are compatible with the Steam Edition.
In May 2017, Dovetail Games announced Flight Sim World, based on Flight Simulator X, and released it later that month. However, on April 23, 2018, Dovetail announced that development and sales of Flight Sim World would end by May 15, 2018.
In February 2012, Microsoft launched a new flight simulator called Microsoft Flight, developed by The Coalition (Microsoft Game Studios Vancouver). This game was not part of the Flight Simulator series but aimed to attract new users. It did not support add-ons from Flight Simulator X, such as aircraft, objects, or scenery.
On July 26, 2012, Microsoft stopped further development of Microsoft Flight.
At the 2019 E3 conference, Microsoft announced a return to the Flight Simulator series with a new version titled Microsoft Flight Simulator. They launched a website and shared a teaser video on their Xbox YouTube channel. The game was released on August 18, 2020, for Windows 10.
Reception
By late 2008, Microsoft Flight Simulator X had sold 1 million copies in the United States alone. The game received mostly good reviews. On Metacritic, it has a score of 80 out of 100 based on 28 critics, which means "generally favorable reviews." On GameRankings, it has an 80% score based on 28 reviews.
IGN gave the game a 7.0 out of 10. They pointed out problems with how smoothly the game runs and noted that the pictures were not much better than the previous version, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight.
GameSpot gave the game an 8.4 out of 10. They praised the game’s detailed design, realistic features, better pictures, and easy-to-complete missions. However, they also mentioned that many computers had trouble running the game smoothly in 2006.
In August 2016, Microsoft Flight Simulator X was ranked 23rd on Time’s list of "The 50 Best Video Games of All Time."
The editors of PC Gamer US awarded Flight Simulator X the 2006 "Best Simulation Game" prize.
The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences gave Microsoft Flight Simulator X the "Simulation Game of the Year" award at the 10th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards.