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In a press release we received for publication today entitled "Microsoft Flight" Takes to the Skies, Microsoft announce more details and official documentation regarding "Flight". We have published it here for your viewing pleasure.
Microsoft Studios reveals details on new PC game designed to bring flight to the masses
Today, Microsoft Studios premiered “Microsoft Flight,” a new PC game that lets players jump into the challenge, fun, and freedom of flight. “Microsoft Flight” will be available as a free download this spring, giving players the freedom to fly the skies over the beautiful Big Island of Hawaii, complete a variety of exciting missions, test their skills in flying challenges, or find hidden aerocaches on the island.
In “Microsoft Flight,” players view the world from above in a visually stunning and realistic representation of the earth, complete with region-specific weather patterns, foliage, terrain and landmarks. Players can choose to take the helm using highly rendered, accurate cockpits and authentic piloting procedures, or simply use their mouse and keyboard to control the plane in an exterior view. More experienced players can tailor the flight controls to match their skill level, making “Microsoft Flight” easy for beginners while still challenging for the most accomplished PC pilots.
“Many people dream of flying, but few have the chance to experience the fun of exploring the world from above. ‘Microsoft Flight’ provides players the opportunity to explore that curiosity and interest,” said Joshua Howard, executive producer of “Microsoft Flight.” “Aviation can be incredibly technical, but we’ve taken great care to build an experience that makes taking to the skies thrilling and accessible for everyone.”
After downloading “Microsoft Flight” for free, players can jump into hours of exciting gameplay on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Boeing Steerman.
In addition, players who sign in to their Games for Windows – LIVE account automatically receive additional free content, including the legendary Boeing Stearman plane, supplementary missions, and access to Achievements and an Online Pilot Profile. Those looking to deepen their experience can purchase and download additional content that adds new aircraft, regions and customization options. The frequently released new content for “Microsoft Flight” includes daily aerocache challenges and updates that make every flight unique and fun.
Microsoft Studios worked with the personal airplane manufacturing team at ICON Aircraft to give aviation fans the exclusive opportunity to fly the all-new ICON A5 before real-world production starts at the end of 2012. Designed by the world-class aeronautical engineers behind the Voyager spaceship, X-Prize winning SpaceShipOne, and Virgin Galatic’s SpaceShipTwo, the ICON A5 is the “jet ski for the skies,” a high-wing amphibious monoplane with a carbon fiber airframe and a comfortable, automobile-inspired cockpit with space for two. The ICON A5 will be the first aircraft available to players for free in “Microsoft Flight.”
Icon A5 aircraft taking off in Microsoft Flight.
“ICON Aircraft and ‘Microsoft Flight’ both share the goal of making the fun of flying accessible to everyone who’s ever dreamed about it. ICON does this by fusing world-class product design with the very best engineering, and Microsoft by combining the excitement of a great gaming experience with the authenticity of a top notch flight simulator,” said ICON Aircraft CEO Kirk Hawkins.
Today the team behind “Microsoft Flight” released an exclusive video that features all-new footage of “Microsoft Flight.” To view it, visit: http://www.microsoft.com/games/flight/. Additionally, the launch sequence has begun! Be among the first to try “Microsoft Flight” by signing up for the closed beta at: https://connect.microsoft.com/site1134/InvitationUse.aspx?ProgramID=6087&InvitationID=FLY-BRQX-BXTB. The voyage continues at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas from January 10 – 13. Those that attend will have the chance to play “Microsoft Flight” before it releases this spring at the Microsoft booth, located in the Central Hall.
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7 comments... read them below or add one
Yep, just as I said in my blog. Free and set in Hawaii.
Can't wait! I used to fly the Lincoln and Canberra with 617 Squadron at RAF Binbrook in the fifties. Did my national Service in the Royal Artillery in 1948/50. A glutton for punishment!
Ken
Not very impressed feel that it is more of a money spinner. I had 2002 2004 and now FSX of them all I thought 2004 was more user friendly. Scenery is what most people would like to see improved and more Aircraft like the Steerman and WWII aircraft like the B25.I can understand that once a Disc is purchase it is not a money spinner but gives a lot of people Old and New much pleasure. Best of Luck but I think you will not impress regular FSim users
Subject: The sun sets on Microsoft
I'm disgusted with Microsoft for their abandonment of the continuance of MS FS business. I deem the most important morale of business is the customer's satisfaction. MS looks to wish to get a new customer discontinuing the loyalty to the old friend. If MS wishes to create a new product(Microsoft Flight), they should carry on the MS FS along side the new product. They should be remind that their payroll have been paid by old friends, not by potential future customer.
If MS believe this is the way of MS or American business, there would be no future in their business.
Goodbye Microsoft!
Best Regards, Hiro Okuda, Old friend since MS FS ver.2.0
You are so correct Mr. Hiro Okuda, Microsoft seems to be wandering away from a good product and the loyal user base again with its flight simulation software. The MS developing and marketing dept. should look at building on the FSX platform and retain an already hard to attain new customer base.
With all the hype about XPlane 10 and all the hype about Flight, FSX with it's many great addons is still the best we've got going. The scenery in XPlane is the pretty much the same where ever you fly. Even the cities look the same, so far from what I've seen. I live in New Mexico and took a flight in XPlane from the local airport and there were lakes where there should have been desert and the city looked like one big housing development. Now flight looks like a game I've already got on my Wii. And if you haven't heard, MS is basically pushing out the developers like PMDG, Aerosoft etc. with it's licensing requirements. So there probably wont be much other than what MS gives us.
I have not flown since FS9 (FSX was too much for my system to handle, besides I had everything in FS9 backdated to the 50s, 60s and 70s-where I liked it). Sounds to me that Flight is just a 'game' now, not a true flight simulator...where you have to buy to get more content, or win contests and 'games' to open more content. It is a sad excuse, in my opinion, and targeted toward those who like to play console games, and not targeted toward the faithful simmers who made it all possible for MS in the first place. true flight simming ended with FS9...and sadly does not seem to be coming back.