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 Microsoft Windows. FSX follows Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight and is the tenth version in the Microsoft Flight Simulator series, which first began in 1982. The game uses improved graphics technology and includes features from DirectX 10, which was available on Windows Vista. Microsoft called FSX the most important technological advancement in the series at the time. It was also the first version in the series to be released on a DVD.
In December 2012, more than six years after its release, the multiplayer matchmaking system for FSX on the GameSpy network was stopped. On July 8, 2014, Dovetail Games, the company that makes Train Simulator, announced it had 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 updated version supports Windows 8.1 and later operating systems and includes multiplayer features hosted 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 in a well-known series of flight simulation games. It was officially released in the United States on October 17, 2006. According to Microsoft's website, the standard edition includes navigation tools, GPS, and airways. It also includes 18 planes, 28 detailed cities, and over 24,000 airports. The deluxe version includes 24 planes and 38 cities. Players can operate a variety of aircraft, from small gliders and experimental planes to large jumbo jets. The game includes an air traffic control system and weather conditions that match real-world environments. The geography in the game matches the regions where players are flying. Jetways and ground equipment are also part of the game.
Flight Simulator X was first shown at the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) as a demonstration for Microsoft Windows Vista. It is now compatible with Windows 7, and with Windows 8 or Windows 10 through Steam. Microsoft shared screenshots and a list of frequently asked questions through its website and flight simulator communities. The game also included mission-based gameplay with specific aircraft and an improved rendering engine that added more detail. After the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in May 2006, Microsoft released new screenshots, videos, and an official trailer. The game's graphics improved significantly.
On January 22, 2009, reports stated that Microsoft's job cuts were affecting the development team for Flight Simulator X, with concerns that the entire team might be laid off. Microsoft later confirmed it remained committed to the Flight Simulator series and planned future releases, though no specific details were shared at that time. On August 17, 2010, Microsoft announced a new simulation game called Microsoft Flight, which included better graphics and more advanced 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 editions: Standard and Deluxe. The Deluxe Edition includes more features than the Standard Edition, such as a special tool kit on the disc, three planes with a special cockpit called the Garmin G1000 Flightdeck, and the ability for players to control air traffic for others online using a radar screen.
The Deluxe Edition includes planes that players can fly, 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 the Mooney M-20-M Bravo, all equipped with the Garmin G1000 Flightdeck.
The Acceleration pack added more planes, 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 combines the Deluxe Edition and the Acceleration expansion pack into one box. However, if the Acceleration pack is not installed, which includes updates called service packs 1 and 2, these updates must be installed 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 controllers
– Support for DirectX 10 (available in preview)
– A special tool called SimConnect API that lets users access parts of the simulator similar to FSUIPC
– More detailed animations, like wings bending
The base scenery is automatically created using data from Navteq, while airport and weather data come from Jeppesen. This gives the simulation information to copy the real world with accurate airport designs, land shapes, and road maps. Major airports and landmarks, such as Stonehenge, Victoria Falls, and Charles Lindbergh’s grave, are improved with custom models and realistic pictures. Some animations, like fireworks, only appear on certain dates or times.
The inclusion of "Missions" adds new goals for players to fly worldwide, rather than just from their home field. Although similar ideas existed in earlier versions, the new version has more complex situations that let players interact more. Pilots can earn rewards by completing missions and reaching goals in the "Free Flight" mode. Some missions have several hidden rewards based on actions during the mission.
The Learning Center from FS2004 is included in FSX, introducing users to the features of FSX. Flying lessons are included and improved from earlier versions, taught by real pilot Rod Machado. Players can take a test at the end of the lessons, and completing these tests gives users simulated pilot licenses, such as Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot, or Airline Transport Pilot.
Artificial intelligence (AI) aircraft are planes that cannot be flown by players, used mainly for scenery and atmosphere. Three planes—the McDonnell Douglas MD-83, the Piper Cherokee, and the de Havilland Dash 8—are only AI planes in the simulation. In addition to planes, more basic cars and ships are included.
Patches and expansions
Microsoft released the first service pack (SP1) for Flight Simulator X on May 15, 2007, to fix the following problems:
- Issues with activating and installing the program
- Improvements in how the program runs, such as using multiple computer parts at once to make texture synthesis and autogen work better on computers with multiple processing parts
- Problems with third-party add-ons
- Issues with content in the program
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 adapters 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 players without the expansion pack to join multiplayer games with users who had the expansion pack. It supported multi-core processors and fixed more bugs from the original release of Flight Simulator X. SP1 is not compatible with SP2 or the Acceleration expansion pack in multiplayer mode. Players with SP1 cannot join sessions with players who have SP2 or Acceleration in multiplayer. To install SP2, SP1 must already be installed, including at least one run of FSX SP1, which updates the computer’s registry before SP2 can be properly installed.
Microsoft released an expansion pack for Flight Simulator X, titled Flight Simulator X: Acceleration, on October 23, 2007, in North America.
There are two ways to check the version of a specific FSX installation. While playing the program, the Help menu includes an "About" option that shows the product version code. This code can also be found by opening the file fsx.exe and clicking the "Details" tab in the properties window.
The product version numbers translate as follows:
- 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 available in later versions of FSX. This update improved the simulator’s visuals, especially in scenery. Water and terrain looked more realistic, with accurate reflections and lighting. Users could switch back to DirectX 9 by using a toggle in the settings menu.
Music
The music played in the main menu of Flight Simulator X was created, arranged, and produced by Stan LePard, a musician from Seattle. The default audio track, called "Pilot for Hire" or "FSX01" in the game, became a popular and nostalgic choice for users. This track is included in Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) as a menu music option titled "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 engine used in Microsoft Flight Simulator X, to create products. After Aces Games Studio closed in January 2009, Lockheed Martin, an American aerospace company, announced in late 2009 that it had made an agreement with Microsoft to buy the intellectual property for the Microsoft ESP, including the source code from Flight Simulator X Service Pack 2. Lockheed Martin stated that the new product, called Prepar3D, would be a simulation tool for students, military, and commercial operators to use as an open-world simulator. Lockheed Martin hired members of the original Aces Games Studio team to continue developing the product.
The first version of Prepar3D was released in November 2010. As of April 2024, the latest version is Prepar3D v6.1. The simulator includes improvements over Flight Simulator X, such as updated scenery, vehicles, and weather, as well as engine updates and changes, including support for DirectX 12 and a 64-bit architecture.
Some add-ons created for Flight Simulator X may work with earlier versions of Prepar3D, but due to major changes in its code, they might not function as intended.
On December 18, 2014, Dovetail Games re-released Microsoft Flight Simulator X on Steam, titled 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 official Service Packs. The Steam Edition also includes updated multiplayer features using Steam instead of the old GameSpy system, improved stability on Windows 7 and 8, and performance improvements, including a recompile using Visual Studio 2013.
Dovetail Games also worked with third-party developers to distribute add-ons on Steam as Downloadable Content. As of June 2021, 272 add-ons from developers like Aerosoft, Carenado, and Virtavia were available on the Steam DLC store. Most add-ons created for the original versions of Flight Simulator X are compatible with FSX: Steam Edition.
In May 2017, Dovetail Games announced Flight Sim World, a game based on Flight Simulator X, which was released later that month. However, in April 2018, Dovetail announced the end of development and sales for Flight Sim World, effective May 15, 2018.
In February 2012, Microsoft released a new flight simulator called Microsoft Flight, developed by The Coalition (Microsoft Game Studios Vancouver). This game was not part of the Microsoft Flight Simulator series and was intended to replace it, targeting new users. It did not support add-ons from Flight Simulator X, such as aircraft, objects, or scenery.
On July 26, 2012, Microsoft canceled further development of Microsoft Flight.
On June 9, 2019, Microsoft announced during its E3 conference that it would return the Flight Simulator series with an updated version titled Microsoft Flight Simulator. The same day, Microsoft launched a new website and shared a teaser video on its 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. The game received mostly positive reviews. On Metacritic, it has a score of 80 out of 100, based on 28 critic reviews, 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, pointing out problems with how smoothly the game runs and the lack of better graphics compared to its earlier version, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight.
GameSpot gave the game an 8.4 out of 10, praising its detailed design, realistic features, improved graphics, and easy-to-understand missions. However, the review also noted 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 named Flight Simulator X the "Best Simulation Game" in 2006.
The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences honored Microsoft Flight Simulator X with the "Simulation Game of the Year" award at the 10th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards.