Misplaced Pages

#885114

58-603: Microsoft Flight Simulator X ( FSX ) is a 2006 flight simulation video game originally developed by Aces Game Studio and published by Microsoft Game Studios for Microsoft Windows . It is the sequel to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 and the tenth installment of the Microsoft Flight Simulator series, which was first released in 1982. It is built on an upgraded graphics rendering engine, showcasing DirectX 10 features in Windows Vista and

116-419: A full flight deck crew. As space is a natural extension of airspace , space flight simulators may be treated as an extension of flight simulators' genre. There is a considerable interdependence between those two kinds of simulators, as some flight simulators feature spacecraft as an extension and some space flight simulators may feature realistic atmospheric flight simulation engines. For instance, in 2013

174-468: A gaming showcase for Microsoft Windows Vista and is now also compatible with Windows 7 , and with Windows 8 or Windows 10 via Steam. Microsoft released screenshots as well as a list of frequently asked questions as a press release on Microsoft Flight Simulator Insider, and numerous flight simulator communities. This also included mission-based gameplay with mission specific aircraft as well as an upgraded rendering engine capable of increased detail. Following

232-463: A hobbyist space flight simulator project was realized under usage of Pioneer simulation software. Flight simulator software is largely on PC, however mobile flight simulators are also increasingly popular, with Infinite Flight , X-Plane Mobile competing with the PC simulators. Some PC flight simulators can use mobile devices or additional PCs as additional interfaces for display and control, including

290-579: A licensing agreement with Microsoft to continue development on FSX and the production of new content. On December 18, 2014, the FSX: Steam Edition version of the simulator was made available through digital distribution via Steam . The updated release of FSX includes support for Windows 8.1 and later, along with updated hosting of FSX multiplayer features through Steam. It is the last version of Microsoft Flight Simulator to support Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 8.1. Flight Simulator X marks

348-646: A low barrier of entry. This allows any member, regardless of skill, the ability to fly without worrying if something goes wrong. The provided airspace on both networks covers the entire globe, VATSIM is generally regarded to have better coverage of North America, Europe, and Australia, while at IVAO pilots and controllers generally fly and control in Africa and South America, in addition to Europe. Both networks receive 600 to 900 ATC and pilot connections daily. Much rarer but still notable are flight simulators available for various game consoles . Successful examples of these are

406-480: A modern airliners such as a Boeing or Airbus. These panels will either fit into a real cockpit section, which some large scale home simulators are built into, or will be mounted in a home constructed cockpit frame, normally made from wood. With most modern airliners now using Glass Cockpit type displays it is relatively simple to replicate the displays in software, outputting them via multi head graphics cards or networked PCs to cheaply available LCD monitors mounted behind

464-478: A new facet to the simulation, adding task-oriented goals and encouraging users to fly worldwide, rather than just from their home field. Although a similar concept was available in previous versions, the new implementation of multipath & event-oriented situations substantially extends the potential for user interaction. Pilots have the ability earn achievements through the "Rewards" functionality, for completing missions and reaching specific accomplishments throughout

522-421: A night view. Upon its debut, the game was cloned by three arcade manufacturers. Sega's last EM flight simulator was Heli-Shooter (1977), which combines the use of a CPU processor with electro-mechanical components, screen projection and audio tape deck. The gameplay involves the player piloting a helicopter using a throttle joystick (to accelerate and decelerate) and pedals (to maneuver left and right) across

580-470: A pilot unconscious or rip their aircraft apart, but games do not always implement these concerns. In the early 2000s, even home entertainment flight simulators had become so realistic that after the events of September 11, 2001 , some journalists and experts speculated that the hijackers might have gained enough knowledge to steer a passenger airliner from packages such as Microsoft Flight Simulator . Microsoft , while rebutting such criticisms, delayed

638-629: A radar screen. The Deluxe Edition added pilotable – Grumman G-21A Goose , Maule Orion M-7-260-C Super Rocket , and G1000 furnished versions of the Beechcraft Baron 58 , Cessna C172SP Skyhawk , and the Mooney M-20-M Bravo . The Acceleration pack added further aircraft – Agusta Westland AW101 , Boeing F/A-18 Hornet , and a racing version of the P-51D Mustang . Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Gold Edition combines

SECTION 10

#1732797958886

696-459: A real component from a scrapyard and convert it for PC input. Interface hardware for these home-made controls is directly available from commercial suppliers, or can be obtained by dismantling cheap joysticks or similar components and rewiring them. Some home builds will even incorporate motion platforms, although unlike commercial simulators these are normally more limited in motion, and often rely on electrical motors as opposed to hydraulics. Beyond

754-505: A realistic three-dimensional landscape and shooting at military targets across the landscape. Combat flight simulator video games began appearing in arcades from the late 1970s. In 1975, Taito released a simulator video game in arcades , Interceptor , which was a crude arcade first-person combat flight simulator that involved using an eight-way joystick to aim with a crosshair and shoot at enemy aircraft that move in formations of two and scale in size depending on their distance to

812-458: A separate FAA type certificate as brand-new "McKinnon" airplanes. The first was the McKinnon model G-21C which involved replacing the original R-985 radial engines with four Lycoming GSO-480-B2D6 piston engines . It was approved under TC 4A24 on November 7, 1958, and two examples were converted in 1958–1959. In November 2007, Antilles Seaplanes of Gibsonville, North Carolina , announced it

870-455: A simulation generally add to the simulation's realism and often grant a significantly expanded playing experience, with new situations and content. In some cases, a simulation is taken much further in regards to its features than was envisioned or intended by its original developers. Falcon 4.0 is an example of such modification; "modders" have created whole new warzones, along with the ability to fly hundreds of different aircraft, as opposed to

928-409: A small glider or a light experimental aircraft to jumbo jets. The game features an immersive air traffic control system and dynamic real-world condition weather. The geography matches the part of the world that the player is flying in. Jetways and ground equipment are also included in the game. Flight Simulator X was officially unveiled at the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) as

986-586: A transport or luxury airliner role. Having an amphibious configuration also allowed the G-21 to go just about anywhere, and plans were made to market it as an amphibian airliner. A number of modifications were made for the Goose, but the most numerous are those by McKinnon Enterprises of Sandy, Oregon, which holds 21 supplemental type certificates (STCs) for modifying G-21-series aircraft and which also manufactured four different conversions that were recertified under

1044-474: A wide array of suppliers growing up to satisfy the demand. Hardware is available from a variety of commercial sources ranging from yokes, throttles and pedals, through to radios, lights and complete instruments. This home use hardware is rarely certified for flight training, so the hours spent practicing in the simpit will not count towards a pilot's hours. However it is widely utilized as an unofficial training aid, allowing realistic procedures practice, as well as

1102-553: Is a common hobby among simulator pilots. Simpits range in complexity from a single computer, with some effort to create a permanent area for simulation, through to complete cockpit reconstruction projects utilizing multiple systems. The growth in home cockpit complexity and realism has been further fueled by the opening up of the simulation software packages with published SDKs (Software Development Kits) now common. The push for higher realism in desktop simulation, often fueled by real pilots looking to practice cheaply at home, has led to

1160-666: Is an amphibious flying boat designed by Grumman to serve as an eight-seat "commuter" aircraft for businessmen in the Long Island area. The Goose was Grumman's first monoplane to fly, its first twin-engined aircraft, and its first aircraft to enter commercial airline service. During World War II , the Goose became an effective transport for the US military (including the United States Coast Guard ), as well as serving with many other air forces. During hostilities,

1218-519: Is currently unknown. Envisioned as corporate or private flying yachts for Manhattan millionaires, initial production models normally carried two to three passengers and had a bar and small toilet installed. In addition to being marketed to small air carriers, the G-21 was also promoted as a military transport. In 1938, the U.S. Army Air Corps purchased the type as the OA-9 (later, in the war years, examples impressed from civilian ownership were designated

SECTION 20

#1732797958886

1276-600: The Pilotwings series by Nintendo and the Ace Combat series by Namco . While generally not as complex as PC based simulators, console flight simulators can still be enjoyable to play, though their 'simulation' status is disputed by many in the flight simulation community. In 2020, Microsoft released Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 to Xbox consoles, increasing the presence of flight simulators on console devices. Often referred to as Simpits, home cockpit building

1334-570: The Flight Simulator series with an updated release, simply titled 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. It was released on August 18, 2020, for Windows 10 . In the United States alone, Microsoft Flight Simulator X had sold 1 million copies by late 2008. The game received generally favorable reviews. On Metacritic ,

1392-794: The OA-13A ). The most numerous of the military versions were the United States Navy variants, designated the JRF . The amphibious aircraft was also adopted by the Coast Guard and, during World War II, served with the Royal Canadian Air Force in the transport, reconnaissance, rescue, and training roles. The G-21 was used for air-sea rescue duties by the Fleet Air Arm , who assigned the name Goose. A single aircraft

1450-562: The R360 games. Arcade flight simulator games began adopting 3D polygon graphics in the late 1980s, with titles such as Taito's Top Landing (1988). Taito's Midnight Landing (1987) and Top Landing did not have air combat, but instead simulated a commercial airliner, while utilizing motion simulator cockpit cabinets. Arcade flight combat simulators later began adopting 3D polygons with Taito's Air Inferno (1990) and Steel Talons (1991) by Atari Games . Flight simulators were among

1508-644: The de Havilland Dash 8 ) are present in the simulation as AI aircraft only. In addition to aircraft, more basic road vehicle and shipping is present. Microsoft released the first service pack (SP1) for Flight Simulator X on May 15, 2007, to address: Microsoft released another service pack for Flight Simulator X about the same time as its expansion pack. The update is primarily for Vista users that had DirectX 10 compatible graphics adapters. This version takes advantage of DX10's improved shader model and more pixel pipelines and increased performance for Vista , approaching overall FSX performance on XP . It also adds

1566-407: The "Free Flight" mode. Some missions have multiple and hidden rewards, receipt being dependent on actions during the mission. The Learning Center has been carried over from FS2004 , which introduces the user to the various features of FSX . Flying lessons are included (and improved from previous versions), voiced over by real-life pilot and instructor Rod Machado . The user can fly a checkride at

1624-882: The Deluxe Edition and the Acceleration expansion pack into one. New features included in Flight Simulator X include: Base scenery is automatically generated using data provided from Navteq while airport and real-world weather data were provided by Jeppesen. This provides the simulation with information to create a facsimile of the real world with accurate airport layouts, terrain information, and road networks. Major airports and landmarks, such as Stonehenge , Victoria Falls and Charles Lindbergh 's grave are further improved through custom object modelling and photorealistic aerial imagery. Some animations such as fireworks are time triggered, that is, they only appear on certain dates or times. The inclusion of "Missions" adds

1682-476: The DirectX 10 rendering engine was available with later versions of FSX. This update brought improvements to the look and feel of the simulator, most notably in the scenery aspect. Water and terrain in particular, became much more vibrant, with accurate reflections and lighting. Users could easily switch back to DirectX 9 via a toggle in the settings menu. The soundtrack used in the main menu for Flight Simulator X

1740-542: The Electronic Entertainment Expo ( E3 ) in May 2006, Microsoft published new screenshots, videos and an official trailer. The graphical quality of the simulator has greatly increased. On January 22, 2009, it was reported that development team behind the product was being heavily affected by Microsoft's ongoing job cuts, with indications that the entire Flight Simulator team would be laid off. The news

1798-496: The Goose took on an increasing number of combat and training roles. In 1936, a group of wealthy residents of Long Island, including E. Roland Harriman , approached Grumman and commissioned an aircraft that they could use to fly to New York City. In response, the Grumman Model G-21 was designed as a light amphibious transport. Grumman produced a high-wing monoplane of almost all-metal construction—the trailing half of

Microsoft Flight Simulator X - Misplaced Pages Continue

1856-499: The Steam DLC store from a variety of third-party developers including Aerosoft, Carenado, and Virtavia. Additionally, most add-ons developed for the original releases of FSX are compatible with FSX: Steam Edition. In May 2017, Dovetail Games announced Flight Sim World , based on Flight Simulator X , and released later that month. Only a year later, on April 23, 2018, Dovetail announced end of development of Flight Sim World and

1914-614: The Year " at the 10th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards . Amateur flight simulation Prior to the rise of video games , Sega produced Jet Rocket (1970), a first-person arcade combat flight simulator electro-mechanical game (EM game) featuring cockpit controls that could move the player aircraft around a landscape displayed on a screen and shoot missiles onto targets that explode when hit. The game displayed three-dimensional terrain with buildings, produced using special belt technology along with fluorescent paint to simulate

1972-476: The aircraft simply halts in midair, while other games force the player to turn around. However, many games solve this boundary problem by wrapping the game world as a sphere. Although these games strive for a great deal of realism, they often simplify or abstract certain elements to reach a wider audience. Many modern fighter aircraft have hundreds of controls, and flight simulator games usually simplify these controls drastically. Further, certain maneuvers can knock

2030-781: The capability for players who do not have the expansion pack to participate in multiplayer activities with users of the expansion pack, along with support for multi-core processors. FSX -SP2 also fixes some more bugs over the original release of Flight Simulator X . SP1 is not compatible with SP2 or Acceleration in Multiplayer. Players with SP1 cannot enter a session with players who have SP2 or Acceleration in Multiplayer. In order to install SP2, SP1 must be installed already. Microsoft released an expansion pack for Flight Simulator X , titled Flight Simulator X: Acceleration , on October 23, 2007, in North America. A preview of

2088-476: The code-base of Flight Simulator X Service Pack 2. Lockheed Martin announced that the new product based upon the ESP source code would be called Prepar3D , a simulation tool intended for students, military and commercial operators to use primarily as an open world simulator. Lockheed Martin hired members of the original Aces Game Studio team to continue further development of the product. The first release of Prepar3D

2146-732: The end of sales effective May 15, 2018. In February 2012, Microsoft released a new flight simulator titled Microsoft Flight . Developed by 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 simulation. It does not allow the use of existing Flight Simulator X add-ons (including aircraft, objects, and scenery). On July 26, 2012, Microsoft cancelled further development of Flight . On June 9, 2019, as part of their E3 conference announcements Microsoft revealed that they would be bringing back

2204-559: The end of the learning process. Completion of these various check rides certify the user with simulated pilot ratings (e.g. Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot, Airline Transport Pilot, etc.). Artificial intelligence (AI) aircraft are non-playable aircraft built primarily for scenery and ambience. They sometimes also play a key role in missions. Three aircraft (the McDonnell Douglas MD-83 , the Piper Cherokee , and

2262-527: The engine which Microsoft Flight Simulator X is based on, to companies who would like to use the technology to create products. Following the closure of Aces Game Studio in January 2009, American Aerospace company 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, with

2320-415: The first types of programs to be developed for early personal computers and began adopting 3D polygon graphics in the early 1990s, with titles such as Stunt Island (1992), Star Wars: X-Wing (1993), and Strike Commander (1993). The game world in flight simulators is often based on the real world. However, they are often confined to one part of the game world by invisible boundaries. In some games,

2378-486: The game holds 80/100 based on 28 critics, thus indicating "generally favorable reviews". On GameRankings , it holds 80%, based on 28 reviews. IGN gave Microsoft Flight Simulator X a 7.0/10, criticizing its framerate and lack of graphical improvement over its predecessor Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight . GameSpot gave the game an 8.4/10, praising the game's attention to detail, realism, graphical improvements, and approachable missions. However,

Microsoft Flight Simulator X - Misplaced Pages Continue

2436-551: The hardware of home cockpits, most flight simulator software can simulate modern aircraft systems to a very high standard in addition to the basic flight dynamics, providing accurate recreations of, among others, the FMC (Flight Management Computer), autopilot and engine management systems. With additional hardware and add-in software this may be extended further, for example into a fully functional overhead panel requiring real-world check lists to be followed for engine start-up and flight with

2494-539: The main wing and all of the flight control surfaces except for the flaps were fabric-covered. It was powered by two 450 horsepower (340 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior nine-cylinder, air-cooled, radial engines mounted on the leading edges of the wings. The deep fuselage served also as a hull and was equipped with hand-cranked retractable landing gear. First flight of the prototype took place on May 29, 1937. The fuselage also proved versatile, as it provided generous interior space that allowed fitting for either

2552-483: The opportunity to complete visual or IMC approaches prior to a real world flight. This can help make a pilot's real-world flight time safer and more productive. Professional opinion is divided about how effective this home simulation can be against real world flight, and this has been a subject of debate in popular flying magazines such as 'Pilot' through 2007. For those wishing more than a desktop simulator, replica panels are commercially available mimicking those found in

2610-664: The original release of FSX: Gold Edition. This includes FSX: Deluxe Edition, the Acceleration expansion pack and both official Service Packs. The Steam Edition also includes an overhaul of the multiplayer functionality to use Steam rather than the then-defunct GameSpy , improved stability on Windows 7 and 8 , and minor performance tweaks including a complete recompile using Visual Studio 2013 . Additionally, Dovetail Games worked with various addon developers and publishers to distribute their content on Steam as Downloadable Content. As of June 2021, there are 272 add-ons available on

2668-399: The panel. To the casual observer it can be hard to tell a homebuilt static simulator and a commercial one apart. Where commercial panels or controls do not exist, simulator builders will often create their own out of wood or similar easily worked materials. Another common route for sourcing the specific hardware needed in a simulator, and one used by the commercial sector as well, is to obtain

2726-498: The player. In the late 1980s, it became a trend for arcade flight combat simulators to use hydraulic motion simulator arcade cabinets . The trend was sparked by Sega 's "taikan" games, with "taikan" meaning "body sensation" in Japanese. Yu Suzuki 's team at Sega (later known as Sega AM2 ) developed hydraulic motion simulator cockpit cabinets for flight combat games such as Space Harrier (1985), After Burner (1987) and

2784-775: The release of the 2002 version of its hallmark simulator to remove the World Trade Center from its New York City scenery and even supplied a patch to delete the towers retroactively from earlier versions of the sim. The advent of flight simulators as home video game entertainment has prompted many users to become "airplane designers" for these systems. As such, they may create both military or commercial airline airplanes, and they may even use names of real life airlines, as long as they do not make profits out of their designs. Many other home flight simulator users create fictional airlines, or virtual versions of real-world airlines, so called virtual airlines . These modifications to

2842-419: The review also pointed out framerate issues on most computers back in 2006. In August 2016, Microsoft Flight Simulator X placed 23rd on Time ' s The 50 Best Video Games of All Time list. The editors of PC Gamer US presented Flight Simulator X with their 2006 "Best Simulation Game" award. The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences awarded Microsoft Flight Simulator X with " Simulation Game of

2900-458: The single original flyable airframe. One way that users of flight simulation software engage is through the internet. Virtual pilots and virtual air traffic controllers take part in an online flying experience which attempts to simulate real-world aviation to a high degree. There are four networks where this sort of play is possible, the most popular ones being VATSIM and IVAO . The virtual airspace provided by both organizations provides users

2958-417: The tenth version of the popular line of flight simulators. It was officially released to the US market on October 17, 2006. According to Microsoft's Web site for the game, a standard edition features everything from navaids to GPS and airways . It also includes 18 planes, 28 detailed cities, and over 24,000 airports with a deluxe version featuring 24 aircraft, and 38 cities. The player can fly anything from

SECTION 50

#1732797958886

3016-401: The touch interfaces on smartphones . Existing mapping applications can be set to interface with PC flight simulators like X-Plane or FlightGear to create a moving map. FlightGear can recreate map interfaces, instrument panels or control interfaces on any mobile device that supports a browser or through a dedicated mobile application. Grumman G-21A Goose The Grumman G-21 Goose

3074-470: Was composed, orchestrated and produced by the Seattle-based musician Stan LePard. The default audio track, named "Pilot for Hire" or "FSX01" in the game gained nostalgic prominence with users, and is featured in Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) as a menu music option titled "Legacy". In late 2007, Aces Games Studio announced the release of licenses to use Microsoft Enterprise Simulation Platform,

3132-409: Was later confirmed by Microsoft officials stating they were committed to the Flight Simulator franchise, with expectations to continue product releases in the series, but had nothing specific to announce at that time. On August 17, 2010, Microsoft announced Microsoft Flight , a new simulation game that boasted a further-improved graphics engine and enhanced simulation features. In April 2012, Flight

3190-573: Was marketed by Microsoft as the most important technological milestone in the series at the time. FSX is the first version in the series to be released on DVD media. In December 2012, over six years after its release, the FSX multiplayer matchmaking system over the GameSpy network was discontinued. On July 8, 2014, Dovetail Games , the developer of Train Simulator , announced that it had signed

3248-719: Was released in November 2010. As of April 2024, the latest version of Prepar3D is Prepar3D v6.1 . The simulator offers a number of advantages over Flight Simulator X, including updated scenery, vehicles and weather, as well as engine updates and rewrites including the transition to DirectX 12 and 64 bit architecture . While some add-ons developed for FSX are compatible with earlier versions of Prepar3D, due to significant changes in its codebase, may no longer work as intended. On December 18, 2014, Dovetail Games re-released Flight Simulator X on Steam , titled Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition . It includes content provided with

3306-596: Was released. In August 2012, further development of Flight was cancelled by Microsoft. Flight Simulator X was released in two editions: Standard and Deluxe. Compared to the Standard Edition, the Deluxe Edition incorporates additional features, including an on-disc software development kit (SDK), three airplanes with the Garmin G1000 Flightdeck, and the ability for the player to act as Air traffic control (ATC) for other online users with

3364-702: Was restarting production of the turbine-powered McKinnon G-21G Turbo Goose variant, now identified as the Antilles G-21G Super Goose. Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34 turboprops flat-rated to 680 shp (510 kW) would have replaced the original PT6A-27 engines, and the airframe systems and especially the avionics (aviation electronics – i.e. radios and navigation systems) would have been updated with state-of-the-art "glass panel" instrumentation and cockpit displays. However, as of 2009, Antilles Seaplanes' manufacturing center has been foreclosed and sold at auction. The fate of new Goose production

#885114