Here is the official communique :
January 4th, 2012 – Microsoft Flight Takes to the Skies
Today, Microsoft Studios premiered Microsoft Flight, a 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.”
Start Exploring For Free
After downloading Microsoft Flight for free, players can jump into hours of exciting gameplay on the Big Island of Hawaii.
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.
Be the First to Fly the Definitive Light Sport Aircraft ICON A5
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 ../...
6 comments:
Its a huge disappointment. Hawaii only, no third party addons. No backward compatibility & it barely looks better than FSX.
Shame on Microsoft.
Why would anyone support this venture? They dissolved Aces to bring you...what, exactly? Not interested--it's a simplistic game and not a simulation.
It looks as though the future is, for the time being, with X-plane.
It is a shame what S. Balmer and MS did to the legendary Flightsimulator franchise. They sold the code and the original concept was dumped liked a toilet paper. Now we have to look at screenshots and videos of a "ridiculos kiddies console like game". But the community needs a solid new plarform. Therefore I hope that the vast majority of hardcore simmers switches to XPlane that offers a free SDK and no ridiculous embedded marketplace that bans third party addon development.
Might work out good if there was a Windows Phone 7 version. Oh wait, its the FSX engine which is too bloated & no one bought a windows phone. Poor Microsoft.
Seriously, this is AWFUL. Microsoft wasted our time.
I just installed FLIGHT as it was released last night to beta testers.
I've flown it now for about 4 hours.
At first you are forced to complete 2 missions in the ICON A5. These are very short ,very simple. Not very impressive.
After completing these mission, the option to do Free Flights finally appears. You can choose starting locations, very basic weather & time options. Locations are limited to Hawaii. However, its only ONE island in Hawaii, you have to buy the remaining Hawaiian islands.
Overall, its extremely dumbed down. It plays better on a Xbox360 controller than my 1000bux controls.
Visuals are slightly better than FSX, not much to write home about. The autogen shadowing is nice.
But, many features from FSX are missing.
Theres NO AI traffic, No Jets, No Helicopters, No road traffic, No water reflections. No backwards compatibility & worst of all, No Addons from quality guys like Orbx PMDG.
Its a Ipad game at best. I'm very disappointed. After 4 hours, I'm bored of it.
Well someone just blew their NDA...
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