Microsoft Flight Simulator is a series of flight simulation video games designed for MS-DOS, Classic Mac OS, and Microsoft Windows operating systems. It was one of Microsoft’s first software products and was very different from the company’s other programs, which were mostly focused on business tasks. Microsoft Flight Simulator is the company’s longest-running software product line, coming out three years before Windows was created. It is also one of the longest-running video game series in history.

Bruce Artwick started developing Flight Simulator in 1977. His company, Sublogic, first released it for several personal computers. In 1981, Artwick met with Alan M. Boyd from Microsoft, who wanted to create a game that would show the differences between older 8-bit computers, like the Apple II, and newer 16-bit computers, such as the IBM PC. In 1982, Microsoft licensed a version of Flight Simulator for the IBM PC and released it as Microsoft Flight Simulator.

In 2009, Microsoft shut down Aces Game Studio, the team responsible for making and updating the Flight Simulator series. In 2014, Microsoft gave Dovetail Games the rights to adapt the Gold Edition of Microsoft Flight Simulator X for Steam and publish it as Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition.

Microsoft announced a new version of the game at E3 in 2019, called Microsoft Flight Simulator. It was first released for PC and later adapted for Xbox Series consoles. On July 12, 2020, Microsoft opened preorders and said the PC version would be available on August 18, 2020. The company offered three versions of the game—standard, deluxe, and premium deluxe—each with different features, such as airports and airplanes. The Xbox version was released on July 27, 2021.

The most recent version, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, was released on November 19, 2024.

History

Microsoft Flight Simulator began as a series of articles written by Bruce Artwick in 1976 about a 3D computer graphics program. After the magazine editor learned that readers wanted to buy the program, Artwick started creating it and formed a company called Sublogic Corporation in 1977. Sublogic sold flight simulators for several computer platforms, including the 8080, Altair 8800, and IMSAI 8080. In 1979, Sublogic released FS1 Flight Simulator for the Apple II. In 1980, they released a version for the TRS-80, and in 1982, they licensed an IBM PC version with CGA graphics to Microsoft. Microsoft released this version as simply Microsoft Flight Simulator on a self-booting disk. In the early days of computers that were not fully compatible with IBM PCs, Flight Simulator and Lotus 1-2-3 were used to test if new computer models worked properly.

Sublogic continued developing the software for other platforms, including porting Flight Simulator II to the Apple II in 1983, and to the Commodore 64, MSX, and Atari 8-bit computers in 1984. In 1986, the game was released for the Amiga and Atari ST. Meanwhile, Bruce Artwick left Sublogic and founded The Bruce Artwick Organization to work on later Microsoft releases, starting with Microsoft Flight Simulator 3.0 in 1988. Microsoft Flight Simulator became more advanced with version 3.1, which included 3D graphics and hardware acceleration.

Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, Microsoft Flight Simulator became a topic of public discussion because some people speculated that the hijackers might have used the software to practice flying. Investigators did not confirm this, but the association caused media attention and public concern. In response, Microsoft decided to remove visual images of the World Trade Center from the New York City environment in the game. The company said this was to respect those affected by the tragedy and avoid causing further distress. Microsoft also reviewed parts of the game that showed near-collisions with major landmarks, acknowledging that such content could now be seen as insensitive.

Retailers in the UK temporarily stopped selling copies of Microsoft Flight Simulator as a sign of respect after the attacks. Some stores removed multiple versions of the game from shelves while reviewing their policies. Microsoft emphasized that claims linking the simulator to the attacks were speculative and that the game had been sold globally for many years without issues.

This event led to discussions about the role of video games in real-world events and the responsibilities of developers. Microsoft continued improving the software, adding new aircraft types and scenery. Versions from 2000 and 2002 had "Standard" and "Professional" editions, with the latter offering more features. The 2004 release (version 9) celebrated 100 years of powered flight and had only one edition. Flight Simulator X, released in 2006, returned to "Standard" and "Deluxe" editions.

The game includes detailed representations of Earth, with over 24,000 airports and growing scenery for major landmarks and cities. Scenery details are less detailed in areas far from population centers, though add-ons from websites help improve this. Newer versions include realistic weather simulations, air traffic control functions, and aircraft models from the Douglas DC-3 to the Boeing 777. The latest versions also have "kiosk mode," allowing the game to run in public places like malls. Many upgrades and add-ons are available for free or for purchase.

Microsoft Flight Simulator X was the third most recent major release and the last developed by Aces Game Studio. It included improved graphics, compatibility with DirectX 10 and Windows Vista, and two versions on two DVDs. The "Deluxe" edition added features like the Garmin G1000 flight instrument system, more aircraft, and a Software Development Kit (SDK). A demo version of the game was also released, containing three aircraft, two airports, and two missions.

In 2009, Microsoft announced that the Aces Game Studio team had been laid off due to company-wide job cuts. The studio closed, but Microsoft stated that the Flight Simulator franchise would continue. Some former Aces employees formed a new studio, Cascade Game Foundry, in 2009. In 2007, Aces announced Microsoft ESP, a platform for companies to use Flight Simulator technology. After Aces closed, Lockheed Martin acquired the rights to ESP and later released a product called Prepar3D (P3D) based on the source code.

Lockheed Martin launched Prepar3D version 1 in 2010, with version 1.1 released in 2011. A retail license cost $499, and a developer license was available for $9.95 per month. Pricing was adjusted in 2012 with the release of version 1.3.

Add-ons, customization, and community involvement

Flight Simulator has been around for a long time and has sold many copies. Because of this, many people have created extra content, called add-ons, to improve the game. These add-ons are made by both companies and volunteers. Tools and a software development kit are available to help people create these add-ons. Some users have also learned to change the simulator in different ways through trial and error. The number of add-ons, changes, and modifications that Flight Simulator can handle depends on the user's computer hardware. The simulator itself does not limit the number of add-ons. When multiple computers are connected with several monitors and special software, Flight Simulator users can build realistic home cockpits.

Parts of Flight Simulator aircraft that can be changed include the cockpit layout, cockpit image, aircraft model, model textures, flight characteristics, scenery models, scenery layouts, and scenery textures. These changes can be made using simple programs or even a basic text editor like "Notepad." Many Flight Simulator users have used these features to connect the simulator with homemade hardware that can be as complex as real flight simulators.

Flight Simulator aircraft are made up of five parts:
1. Model: A 3D design of the aircraft's outside and inside (if applicable). This includes the main body and moving parts like landing gear.
2. Textures: Picture files that cover the model. These can be changed to create any color or design.
3. Sounds: Audio files that make the aircraft sound realistic.
4. Panel: A representation of the cockpit, including images of the dashboard, instruments, and sounds.
5. FDE (Flight Dynamics Engine): Files that define how the aircraft flies. This includes an air-file (a *.air file) with many flight settings and an aircraft.cfg file with simpler settings.

Most versions of Microsoft Flight Simulator include popular real-world aircraft, such as the Mooney Bravo and Beechcraft Baron 58 (general aviation), the Airbus A321 and Boeing 737 (civil jets), the Robinson R22 (helicopter), and the Air Scheffel 738 (general aviation).

Users can download or buy additional aircraft and add-ons to use in the simulator. For example, the Beechcraft 1900D is an add-on aircraft. Users can also change the appearance of default aircraft using free repaints.

A growing type of add-on is AI traffic, which simulates other vehicles in the game. AI traffic can be crashed into, which may end a session, or interacted with via radio and air traffic control (ATC). This feature works with both default and third-party traffic. Microsoft introduced AI traffic in MSFS 2002, and third-party developers have since added more detailed traffic models.

Scenery add-ons often replace or improve existing airports with more accurate details or add realistic ground scenery for specific regions. These can include updated runways, detailed airport structures, or large-scale landscapes using satellite images and 3D models.

Virtual flight networks like IVAO, VATSIM, and Pilot Edge use special add-ons to connect players in multiplayer mode, allowing communication with other pilots and controllers. These networks help improve realism in the game.

Some tools, like FSUIPC, help fix simulator issues or improve compatibility with other add-ons. Other add-ons provide navigation tools, realistic instrument panels, passenger simulations, and camera views.

Some software works with specific hardware, such as game controllers or motion sensors.

FSDeveloper.com is a website that hosts a forum for sharing knowledge about creating add-ons and tools.

Excel Unusual offers two versions of flight simulators built using only VBA and cell formulas, in both 2D and 3D.

Many websites provide free and paid add-ons, such as real airline planes, airport vehicles, buildings, textures, and city files. The internet has helped create a large community of Flight Simulator users who share ideas, play online, and join virtual airlines. It has also made it easier to buy and download paid add-ons.

Reception

Flight Simulator has been recognized for its realism. In January 1983, PC Magazine described Flight Simulator as "extraordinarily realistic" and called it a "classic program, unique in the market." The magazine praised its graphics and detailed scenery and noted, "I think it's going to sell its share of IBM PCs, and will certainly sell some color/graphics adapters." In December 1983, BYTE magazine wrote that the program "does an incredible job of making you think you're actually flying a small plane." While the magazine mentioned that the program could not use an RGB monitor or a joystick, it concluded, "for $49.95 you can't have everything." A pilot wrote in March 1984 that the simulated Cessna 182 was "surprisingly realistic." He criticized the need to use a keyboard to fly but stated, "Microsoft Flight Simulator is a masterpiece 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."

Another pilot 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 used and that he could use real approach plates to land at and navigate airports not covered in the program's manual. 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." In 1989, Flight Simulator 2.0 was reviewed in Dragon #142 by Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk Lesser in "The Role of Computers" column. The reviewers gave the game 5 out of 5 stars.

In 1994, Computer Gaming World stated that Flight Simulator 5 "is closer to simulating real flight than ever before." In 2006, Microsoft Flight Simulator X was reviewed by GameSpot. The reviewer gave the game an 8.4 out of 10 and noted that it was realistic enough to be used for real-life flight training.

Awards

By June 1999, the series had sold 21 million copies worldwide. Because of this, it received a Guinness World Record for being the best-selling flight simulation game series.

The Microsoft Flight Simulator series has been very successful. Because of this success, Guinness World Records gave the series seven 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." This cockpit was built by Australian truck company owner Matthew Sheil and cost about $200,000 to create.