Flight Simulation

The wait is over. The legendary Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress is now available in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, bringing one of the most iconic aircraft in aviation history to life for a new generation of virtual pilots.

Rebuilt with unparalleled attention to historical and technical accuracy, the B-17G Flying Fortress is the first release in MicroProse’s Heritage Valor Collection – a series dedicated to preserving aviation heritage through world-class simulation experiences.

B-17G Flying Fortress: The Queen Launch Trailer

A Living Legend

Every part of the aircraft has been crafted with precision – from the bomb bay and turrets to the pilot’s station, crew compartments, and tail gunner position. Authentic sounds were recorded directly from the flying B-17 “Sentimental Journey”, while experts familiar with the real aircraft helped tune its flight dynamics and systems behavior.

Optional modern avionics offer additional navigational capabilities, while period-correct instruments allow pilots to experience the plane exactly as it was flown in the 1940s.

The B-17G Flying Fortress launches today in Early Access, offering sim pilots the chance to experience and help shape the aircraft’s continued development.

At launch, players can expect:

Available now in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 through Just Flight.

A legend of the skies returns — rebuilt in stunning detail for a new generation of pilots

A symbol of history, perseverance, and bravery, the Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress was forged in the skies over Europe and is famous for returning crews home against insurmountable odds. With an accuracy and level of detail befitting her fame, MicroProse will recreate this legend in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on 9 October 2025, with an MSFS 2020 version to follow later on.

Pilots all over the globe will be able to relive the thrill of flying historic B-17Gs and other WWII warbirds in Microsoft Flight Simulator thanks to MicroProse’s new Heritage Valor Collection.

B-17 Flying Fortress: The Queen Early Access October 9 Trailer

More than just simulation is at stake here. The main goals are to keep these incredible warbirds in the air for future generations to enjoy, to pass on our love of flying to them, and to preserve our heritage.

The development journey

Months of painstaking work have gone into recreating every single feature of the B-17G, including the bomb bay, top and ball turrets, the tail gunner’s position, and every inch in between. Joining fully animated crew stations, period-correct details, and authentic sounds captured directly from the flying B-17 Sentimental Journey are optional modern avionics for those who desire more navigational capabilities, as well as period-correct details.

Professionals versed in the aircraft’s actual behavior are assisting with the tuning of flight dynamics and systems. This meticulous attention to detail, along with the meticulous visual work, guarantees that the B-17G will have a genuine feel both when flying and when exploring.

Early access approach

As soon as the B-17G is “ready to start using,” it will be available in Early Access, giving sim pilots a chance to fly while also giving important feedback for future updates. While the team works to complete the sophisticated systems and make further improvements, they are releasing the aircraft in stages so that the community can connect with it early on.

Product features

An obsession with historical accuracy, meticulous study, and top-notch craftsmanship went into creating the B-17 Flying Fortress for Microsoft Flight Simulator. To pay tribute to the legacy of this legendary plane, we recreated it in stunning detail and made it as immersive as possible.

Launch features for the aircraft include a high-fidelity flight model, interior and exterior hand-crafted 4K PBR textures, effects for engine vibration both inside and out, sounds from Sentimental Journey’s engine, cockpit sounds recorded specifically for the add-on, and animations that can be used in multiplayer modes to further immerse players.

In addition to a maintenance model, a fully functional electrical system with circuit breakers, visible wear and tear, and an in-sim clipboard for basic aircraft functions will be available to pilots.

Looking ahead

With the B-17G as its inaugural member, the Heritage Valor Collection kicks off a larger initiative to acquire historically important warbirds for the Museum of Flight Simulation (MSFS). Aircraft that pay homage to these legendary planes are already in the works, with the goal of bringing them to life for the modern generation of sim pilots.

There will be a full crew, first-pass animations, a prototype of the in-sim clipboard system, a range of authentic liveries, and all basic systems, including the initial flying model, for the B-17G when it launches in Early Access. Following that, MicroProse will adhere to a regular update cycle, delivering new content and improvements every two weeks for about eight weeks, until the final release version.

Additional liveries, a crew configuration system, a maintenance mode, optional modern avionics, a paint kit, and the MSFS 2024 walk-around system will be added to the experience in that final release. The B-17G will be one of the most satisfying aircraft experiences in Microsoft Flight Simulator, and the team plans to keep improving it beyond the final release by fixing bugs, introducing new features, and responding to user input.

Call to experience

This isn’t just an add-on for flight simulators; it’s an opportunity to experience what it was like to fly the “Flying Fortress” in the days when four Wright Cyclone engines rumbled through the air.

Get more information and view images about the B-17 Flying Fortress – The Queen for Microsoft Flight Simulator HERE. Find out more about Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on its official website.

Microsoft has announced that Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is now available in Standard, Deluxe, or Premium editions on Steam.

Posted by the Microsoft Fliight Simulator Team:

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is by far our most ambitious simulator to date, and we are incredibly excited for all of you – from our core sim fans to all gamers and those who want to explore the world with us – to join us on this journey. With authentic realism of all environments, aviation careers to pursue and the ability to explore our beautiful world with various kinds of aircraft, there is something amazing for everyone in this version of the simulator.

We feel very fortunate that Microsoft Flight Simulator has a vibrant, highly informed and passionate community which has been invaluable on our journey to continually improve the simulator. Our motto is “for the community – with the community”, which means that we will continue to carefully listen to your feedback and suggestions to help guide our development efforts – and it also means that we will continue to work with teams from the community to help us produce the best aircraft, airports, scenery, missions, and other features.

For more information visit the official Microsoft Flight Simulator website.

MicroProse, the legendary game developer renowned for classics like Falcon and B-17 The Mighty Eighth, is thrilled to announce the development of the Heritage Valor Collection, a series of high-quality add-ons for Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS) 2020 and the upcoming Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.

The Heritage Valor Collection is meticulously crafted around a WWII theme, offering virtual pilots an immersive experience with historically accurate aircraft. The inaugural product in this exciting new collection will be the B-17 Flying Fortress – The Queen.

The B-17 Flying Fortress – The Queen will feature a late-1942 B-17G model, one of the most advanced iterations of the iconic Flying Fortress, which played a crucial role in the European theater. Enthusiasts and virtual aviators alike will have the opportunity to pilot this legendary aircraft across the virtual skies.

The B-17G is being developed by a committed team, focused on bringing this venerable aircraft to Microsoft Flight Simulator with exceptional detail and historical accuracy, offering virtual pilots a fully immersive experience.

“We are incredibly proud to bring the Heritage Valor Collection to the flight simulation community,” said David Lagettie, CEO of MicroProse. “Our goal is to deliver an unparalleled level of authenticity and detail, allowing users to experience the greatness and power of these historic aircraft.”

Watch the new trailer HERE.

Early list of features

The pursue for realism

“Developing these aircraft is a challenging endeavor due to the numerous variations, even within the same block or sub-version of the aircraft. Accurate references are often difficult to find, as even museum-preserved aircraft don’t fully capture their historical authenticity,” said Sérgio Costa, Project Development Manager at MicroProse and head of the Heritage Valor Collection line of products.

Sérgio added, “We have been collaborating closely with consultants to enhance visual realism and access various resources that aid in fine-tuning the flight model and systems.”

For more information about the Heritage Valor Collection and the B-17 Flying Fortress – The Queen, visit www.heritagevalorcollection.com.

Take to the Skies on November 19th with the All-New Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024!

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is the next installment in the Microsoft Flight Simulator franchise. It is the most ambitious consumer flight simulator ever undertaken. It features the largest, most diverse and detailed fleet of aircraft, the most complete representation of airports and air traffic, and the most visually stunning rendition of Earth ever created. This brand-new simulator is designed to take advantage of the latest technologies in simulation, cloud, machine learning, graphics and gaming. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 goes beyond merely operating the aircraft; it will allow simmers to pursue their dream of an aviation career.

With features like aerial firefighting, search and rescue, commercial flights, remote cargo ops, VIP charter service, air racing, and more, simmers will not only be experiencing the joy of flight, but also dive into the pilot career they always dreamed of. The sky is calling! Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 takes off on PC and Xbox Series X|S on November 19, and will be available with Game Pass on console, PC, and cloud on day one.

Watch the Xbox Games Showcase 2024 Trailer HERE.

By Jorg Neumann, Head of Microsoft Flight Simulator

The longest-running game franchise at Microsoft, Microsoft Flight Simulator, today announced that it looks forward to celebrating its 40th Anniversary with the community in November 2022.

With more players than ever enjoying the incredibly detailed aircraft and authentic representation of our planet, Microsoft Flight Simulator forged new territory with versions now available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and mobile devices via Xbox Cloud Gaming.

The 40th Anniversary Edition, a completely free offering for those who already own Microsoft Flight Simulator or play it via Xbox Game Pass, is a comprehensive celebration of the franchise with both a tribute to our past as well as an introduction to new and highly anticipated aircraft types.

The nod to the past will re-introduce some classic airports and several of the most famous planes from earlier versions including Microsoft Flight Simulator X and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight!

We have also listened to our community and will incorporate the most requested aircraft types: helicopters, brought to life with an all-new Fluid Dynamics Simulation, gliders that allow you to experience the planet in a totally unique way and a highly detailed, true-to-life airliner!

Watch the Microsoft Flight Simulator – 40th Anniversary Announcement trailer HERE.

Here is just a small sampling of what simmers will find in the Microsoft Flight Simulator 40th Anniversary Edition:

Historical Aircraft:

• Wright Flyer
• Ryan NYP (“Spirit of St. Louis”)
• Douglas DC-3
• De Havilland Canada DHC-2-Beaver

Helicopters:

• Bell-407
• Guimbal Cabri G2

Gliders:

• DG Flugzeugbau LG8-18
• DG Flugzeugbau DG1001E neo

True-to-Life Airliner:

• Airbus A310

Many of these aircraft were made in collaboration with the best third-party developers including iniSimulations, MilViz, Bluemesh, Aeroplane Heaven, and others.

Microsoft Flight Simulator also announced today a unique collaboration with the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum to bring one of the world’s most famous planes, the “Spirit of St. Louis,” to life in the simulator as part of the 40th Anniversary Edition.

Finally, in an exclusive partnership with the Halo franchise and 343 Industries, Microsoft Flight Simulator introduces an incredibly detailed Halo Infinite Pelican add-on. It’s available for free today in the in-sim marketplace for owners of the sim and Xbox Game Pass members.

We can’t wait for you to experience so many new offerings coming to Microsoft Flight Simulator. Invite your friends to experience the wonders of flight. The sky is calling!

Microsoft Flight Simulator is available on Xbox Series X|S and PC with Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, Windows, and Steam, and on Xbox One and supported mobile phones, tablets, and lower-spec PCs via Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Microsoft announces that Microsoft Flight Simulator has released the long-awaited “Top Gun: Maverick” expansion. Develop the skills required and navigate the complexities encountered by actual Top Gun pilots in authentic locations including the most challenging landing – on an aircraft carrier. This offering will push your piloting abilities to the limits—and beyond.

The “Top Gun: Maverick” expansion contains:

• A “Top Gun: Maverick Edition” livery for the F/A-18E Super Hornet.
• Three training missions for the Super Hornet that will allow you to master radical flight maneuvers including unrestricted take-offs, split S maneuvers, and low altitude, high-speed maneuvering through complex terrain.
• Five high-speed, low-level challenges that require utmost skill to navigate just above mountains and traverse through canyons.
• A carrier deck landing challenge, one of the most demanding operations in the world of military aviation.
• A never-before-unveiled hypersonic aircraft that can attain speeds of Mach 10 and altitudes greater than 150,000 feet above sea level.
• A mission to roar into the stratosphere

Source: Blue’s News

Following the long-awaited and delayed movie release Top Gun Maverick, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020′s Top Gun expansion will be published. The add-on DLC will be free.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020′s free Top Gun expansion will be published. The expansion was announced a year ago and was originally scheduled to be launched in November 2021, however that date was later pushed back. On Twitter, Microsoft confirms the Top Gun: Maverick expansion’s release date. Fighter jets from the film are included in the free DLC. Although the developer Asobo has not revealed which aircraft will be featured in the expansion, it is known that players will be able to fly in Tom Cruise’s fighter plane. An earlier trailer also indicates the inclusion of an American aircraft carrier for landing and takeoff.

The release date is slightly earlier than that of the film of the same name, which is scheduled for May 27. Microsoft had stated that the release of the Flight Simulator extension and the film would take place around the same time. However, no official and precise release date had been set.

Source: Windows Blog

Microsoft Flight Simulator, which first launched on PC, gained a new audience of PC gamers with Xbox Game Pass. In July 2021, millions of console players were introduced to the flight simulation experience through the game’s launch on Xbox Series X|S.

Now, the Microsoft Flight Simulator Game of the Year (GOTY) Edition arrives Nov. 18. This “Thank You” to fans – new and old – includes new aircraft (such as its first military jet and a legendary short takeoff and landing (STOL) utility plane), new airports, new missions and much more.

To celebrate the launch of Windows 11, 11 landmarks across the globe will be lit up in Windows blue within Microsoft Flight Simulator. There will also be a special Windows 11 themed livery for simmers to add to their collection.

Head over to Xbox Wire for all the details on this edition.

Reno Air Races: Expansion Pack and Reno Air Races: Full Collection will also be available to buy in the Microsoft Flight Simulator marketplace starting Nov. 18. The Microsoft Flight Simulator team worked closely with the Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) and dozens of pilots and owners to develop highly authentic recreations of many of the world’s most famous racing aircraft, such as North American P-51 Mustangs and Aero L-39 Albatros.

Find out more about Reno Air Races on Xbox Wire.

Source: TechPowerUp!

The upcoming Update 5 for the Asobo Studio-developed Microsoft Flight Simulator will be a welcome boon to any and all players of the simulator. The development studio has issued an update via YouTube describing the performance improvements they’ve seen with their latest work into the game engine, which has integrated DX 12 capability – taking advantage of its “closer to the metal” capabilities so as to improve performance.

The update is dropping on July 27th, the same time that the game will be made available on the Xbox family of consoles. One can easily construe a scenario where Update 5′s DX 12 and performance optimizations were made mostly as a way to make the game perform better on Xbox console hardware – the game is absolutely capable of bringing the most powerful graphics cards in the world to their knees at high resolutions and highest quality settings. With the same hardware, quality settings and playable scenario, average performance went from 32-40 FPS before the update up to the 55-60 interval post Update 5 optimizations. The update sees CPU utilization dropping by 25%; memory usage drop by 50%; and GPU utilization climbs from 75% up to 100%. Look for the break for a video showcasing the latest version of Microsoft Flight Simulator – with Update 5 applied.