Microsoft Flight
| Microsoft Flight | |
|---|---|
 Logo for Microsoft Flight as seen on the website | |
| Developer(s) | Microsoft Studios |
| Publisher(s) | Microsoft Studios |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows XP SP3 Windows Vista Windows 7 |
| Release | February 29, 2012[1] |
| Genre(s) | Simulation |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer (online) |
Microsoft Flight is the title of a flight simulation game from Microsoft Studios created as a successor to the long-running, discontinued Microsoft Flight Simulator series. The simulation game[2] is offered "free-to-play"; only charging gamers for downloading extra content, aircraft or scenery.[3] It takes an all new approach to that of the original series, instead focussing much more on the universal appeal of flight and aiming to engage a much wider audience.
Development
The simulator was officially released on February 29 2012. Previously limited details were released on Flight, but Microsoft suggested that its realism and accuracy will appeal to flying enthusiasts, while new types of gameplay will appeal to novices.[4] The new simulator is integrated with the Games for Windows – Live platform, which allows players with Live accounts to join and host multiplayer sessions using an Gamertag. The introduction of Live means that the GameSpy client will no longer be in use.[5]
It introduces a new model of DLC (Downloadable Content), integrated with the Games For Windows Marketplace. All Flight add ons can be purchased and installed in-game from a central marketplace. There is currently no public SDK (Software Development Kit) planned for Flight, with all DLC being developed by Microsoft's in-house team.
The official Flight website now features a download link for Microsoft Flight, as well as FAQs and a handbook.
On December 1, 2011 a beta application was set up on the website. An announcement was posted on the official Flight facebook page (on December 13, 2011) stating that an official Youtube channel was published containing the current Webisodes.
It was announced on January 4, 2012 that it would be free-to-play on release in Spring 2012.[6]
On February 6, 2012 it was announced that Microsoft Flight would be free to download on February 29, 2012. Also it was announced the first expansion pack would be released on the same day.
Upgrades
Flight features new aircraft, scenery and terrain, a revamped weather engine, and new gameplay elements for users of all skill levels.[5] The new weather engine renders more realistic clouds and weather effects, including fog that blends well with the surrounding terrain, which Microsoft's previous flight simulator release, (Microsoft Flight Simulator X), was not capable of. As seen in the screenshots, the most noticeable graphical improvements are the newer shader models and the use of new DirectX versions. Part of the improvement is more realistic lighting and self shadowing on aircraft, as well as the ability for terrain and scenery objects to cast shadows onto other objects and terrain. The aircraft visual models are much improved over those of the previous flight simulator releases. Flight also features a new missions system.
System requirements
Minimum:
- CPU: Dual Core 2.0 GHz
- GPU: 256 MB card capable of shader 3.0 (DX 9.0c compliant)
- HD: 10 GB Hard Drive space
- OS: WinXP SP3 or newer
- RAM: 2 GB
Recommended (high settings):
- CPU: Dual Core 3.0 GHz
- GPU: 1024 MB ATI Radeon HD 5670 or 1024 MB NVIDIA GEFORCE 9800 GT or equivalent
- HD: 30 GB Hard Drive space
- OS: Windows 7 64-bit
- RAM: 6 GB
Upgrades
The core game, which includes the Icon A5 aircraft and the Big Island of Hawaii scenery area, is free to download from the game's website. It can then be expanded with additional DLC (Downloadable Content) from the integrated Games For Windows Marketplace. Current DLC available is:
- Boeing-Stearman Model 75 for free if signed into Games for Windows – Live. [7]
- Maule M-7 for 1200 Microsoft Points[8].
- North American P-51 Mustang for 640 Microsoft Points.
- Scenery Expansion which includes the rest of the Hawaiian Islands, plus the Vans RV-6A light sport aircraft, for 1600 Microsoft Points.
References
- ^ "Microsoft Flight Cleared for a February 29th Liftoff". Dan Stapleton. February 6, 2012. Retrieved February 7, 2012.
- ^ http://www.microsoft.com/games/flight/# See FAQ
- ^ Eric Caoili (4 January 2012). "Microsoft's Flight Simulator revival operates as free-to-play". Gamasutra. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
- ^ Ina Fried (18 August 2010). "Microsoft makes a return to Flight". CNET News. Retrieved 17 October 2010.
- ^ a b "Microsoft Flight FAQ". Retrieved 13 October 2011.
- ^ "Microsoft's Flight Simulator revival operates as free-to-play". Retrieved 4 January 2012.
- ^ http://www.microsoft.com/games/flight/#press-takes_to_skies
- ^ https://microsoftflight.com/en-us/marketplace/
