This article needs additional citations for. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: – ( October 2007) Microsoft Flight Simulator began as a set of articles on computer graphics, written by throughout 1976, about flight simulation using 3-D graphics. When the editor of the magazine told Artwick that subscribers were interested in purchasing such a program, Artwick founded to commercialize his ideas. At first the new company sold flight simulators through mail order, but that changed in January 1979 with the release of Flight Simulator (FS) for the.
They soon followed this up with versions for other systems and from there it evolved into a of computer flight simulators. Main article: − December 1983 for Apple II − June 1984 for − October 1984 for − Sometime in 1987 for Third generation (Amiga, Atari ST, and Macintosh) − March 1986 for − November 1986 for andIn 1984 asked Artwick to port Flight Simulator for its forthcoming computer, but Commodore's purchase of Amiga temporarily ended the relationship. SubLOGIC instead finished a Macintosh version, released by Microsoft, then resumed work on the Amiga and Atari ST versions.Although still called Flight Simulator II, the Amiga and Atari ST versions compare favorably with Microsoft Flight Simulator 3.0. Notable features included a windowing system allowing multiple simultaneous 3d views - including exterior views of the aircraft itself - and (on the Amiga and Atari ST) modem play.gave the Amiga version five out of five, describing it as the 'finest incarnation'. Praising the 'superb' graphics, the magazine advised to 'BEGIN your game collection with this one!' FS 1.0 – This image is of FS 1.0 displaying color on a composite monitor. The game does have support for RGB monitors, but in monochrome only.
− Released in November 1982Around the years of 1981–82, obtained the license to port the simulator to IBM compatible PCs. This version was released in November 1982 as Microsoft Flight Simulator, and featured an improved graphics engine, variable weather and time of day, and a new coordinate system (used by all subsequent versions up to version 5).Advertisements claimed 'If flying your IBM PC got any more realistic, you'd need a license', and promised 'a full-color, out-the-window flight display'.
Early versions of Microsoft Flight Simulator were used as a test for. If a computer could run Microsoft Flight Simulator and, it was 100% IBM PC-compatible, and if it could not, it was not.Compatibility difficulty included the unusual use of the x86 assembly DIV command, where a 'DIVIDE BY ZERO' command would be issued every time a screen refresh was needed. This technique often required hardware changes to assure compatibility with Microsoft Flight Simulator software. Some planes in this version came with special features such as the, which had two additional gameplay features; the mode and the ability to use it for crop-dusting. FS 2.0 – Scenery coverage includes the entire United States.
− Released in 1984In 1984, Microsoft released their version 2 for IBM PCs. This version made small improvements to the original version, including the graphics and a more precise simulation in general. It added joystick and mouse input, as well as support for RGB monitors (4-color ), the, and in later versions, and displays for laptops. The new simulator expanded the scenery coverage to include a model of the entire United States, although the airports were limited to the same areas as in Flight Simulator 1.Over the next year or two, compatibility with Scenery Disks was provided, gradually covering the whole U.S. (including Hawaii), Japan, and part of Europe. FS 3.0 – Many more buildings and additional aircraft. For the first time, users had an option to view the aircraft from the outside.
A Cessna Skylane flying over is shown here. − Released in mid-1988Microsoft Flight Simulator 3 improved the flight experience by adding additional aircraft and airports to the simulated area found in Flight Simulator 2, as well as improved high-res graphics, and other features lifted from the Amiga/ST versions.The three simulated aircraft were the, the, and the.
Flight Simulator 3 also allowed the user to customize the display; multiple windows, each displaying one of several views, could be positioned and sized on the screen. The supported views included the instrument and control panel, a map view, and various external camera angles.This version included a program to convert the old series of Scenery Disks into scenery files (known as SCN files), which could then be copied to the FS3 directory, allowing the user to expand the FS world. FS 4.0 – Now with dynamic scenery, more detailed roads, bridges, and buildings. Allowed users to design their own aircraft. − Released in late 1989Version 4 followed in 1989, and brought several improvements over Flight Simulator 3. These included, amongst others, improved aircraft models, as well as an upgraded model of the Cessna Skylane, programmable dynamic scenery (non-interactive air and ground traffic on and near airports moving along static prerecorded paths). The basic version of FS4 was available for Macintosh computers in 1991.
Like FS3, this version included an upgraded converter for the old Scenery Disks into SCN files.A large series of add-on products were produced for FS4 between 1989 and 1993. First from Microsoft & the Bruce Artwick Organization (BAO) came the Aircraft and Scenery Designer (ASD) integration module.
This allowed FS4 users to quite easily build, on the fly from directly within the program, custom scenery units known as SC1 files which could be used within FS4 and traded with other users (this activity was quite popular in the FS Forum on CompuServe). Also, ASD provided the addition of the Aircraft Designer Module. Again, from directly within the program the user could select one of two basic type aircraft frames (prop or jet) and proceed to parameter customizations ranging over 4 pages of flight envelope details and visual aspects.
Finally, ASD provided additional aircraft including a B747 with a custom dash/cockpit (which required running in 640 × 350 resolution).and BAO released the sound, graphics, and aircraft Upgrade (SGA), which added digital and synth sound capability (only on compatible hardware) to FS4. A variety of high resolution modes also became available for specific types of higher end video cards and chipsets, thus supplying running resolutions up to 800 × 600. As with ASD, the SGA upgrade also came with some additional aircraft designed by BAO, including an Ultra-light.The final addition was known as the Aircraft Adventure Factory (AAF). AAF consisted of two primary components. First, the Aircraft Factory which was a Windows-based program allowing custom design aircraft shapes to be used within FS4 utilizing a unique, rather easy to use CAD type interface, supported by various sub menu and listing options.
Once the shape was created and colors assigned to the various pieces, it could be tied to an existing saved flight model as was designed in the Aircraft Designer module. The end result was a two file unit, creating a new custom aircraft for FS4. Thousands of aircraft were designed by users using this utility and like scenery files, found their way onto the FS Forum at CompuServe (the Mecca for FS4). The Aircraft designed was an independent utility in terms of the flight simulator, and one didn't need to have it installed in order to use the aircraft files.The other component of AAF was the Adventure module. Using a simple language (much similar to QBASIC), a user could design and compile a script that could be run from within FS4. Many FS4 parameters could be accessed including such things as aircraft position, airspeed, altitude, aircraft flight characteristics, etc. These could then be used to do things like display messages on the screen, play VOC audio files, and even display 256 color VGA images.
The end result was that users could create fun adventures to use and share. The Adventure interface is integrated within an upgraded version of the sound driver from the previous SGA upgrade, and thus this driver is needed in order to play adventures. The adventure compiler itself is, however, a separate program. Two other minor utility drivers came shipped with the AAF, one that replaced the transponder digits with the actual framerate, and one that provided correct magnetic deviation within the US scenery map.Other Add-On products (most published by Mallard Software) included: The Scenery Enhancement Edition (SEE4) which further enhanced SC1 files and allowed for AF objects to be used as static objects within SEE4. Pilots Power Tools (PPT) which greatly eased the management of the many aircraft and scenery files available. Finally, a variety of new primary scenery areas created by MicroScene, including Hawaii (MS-1), Tahiti (MS-2), Grand Canyon (MS-3), and Japan (MS-4).
Scenery files produced by could also be used with FS4, including subLOGIC's final massive USA East and West scenery collections.With its many options and add-ons, yet still relatively tight 'in program' integration and overall ease of use, the FS4 suite of programs presented a type of VR Toolkit for users with a flight simulator slant. While complex in some aspects, FS4 environment building options (including scenery and aircraft design) would provide an unsurpassed access to these activities for average users; an option, which in later versions of FS, was much less available and increasingly complex.
Flight Simulator 5.0 − Released in late 1993Flight Simulator 5.0 is the first version of the series to use textures. This allowed FS5 to achieve a much higher degree of realism than the previous simulators. This also made all add-on scenery and aircraft for the previous versions obsolete, as they would look out of place.The bundled scenery was expanded (now including parts of Europe).
Improvements were made to the included aircraft models, the weather system's realism and artificial intelligence. FS 5.1 – Added the ability to handle scenery libraries, faster performance, and weather effects added (storms, clouds, and fog).
− Released in 1995In 1995, Flight Simulator 5.1 was introduced, adding the ability to handle scenery libraries including wide use of satellite imagery, faster performance and a barrage of weather effects: storms, 3D clouds and fog became true-to-life elements in the Flight Simulator world. This edition was also the first version that was released on and the last for DOS. This was released in June 1995.In the fall of 1995, with the release of the Flightshop program, nearly any aircraft could be built. The French program 'Airport' was also available for free which allowed users to build airports (FS5.1 only had 250 Worldwide) and other designers were doing custom aircraft cockpit panels. This all made for a huge amount of 'freeware' to be released to be downloaded and added to the FS5.1 simulator. Forums such as CompuServe, Avsim, and Flightsim.com acted as libraries for uploads and discussion.In November 1995, Microsoft acquired the Bruce Artwick Organization (BAO), Ltd from Bruce Artwick. Employees were moved to Redmond, WA and development of Microsoft Flight Simulator continued.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000
FS95 (6.0) – More scenery and aircraft. Notice the texture mapped runway, aircraft, and sky, and high density of 3-D buildings. − Released in mid-1996With the release of, a new version (6.0) was developed for that platform. Although this was more or less just a port from the DOS version (FS5.1), it did feature a vastly improved frame-rate, better haze, and additional aircraft, including the aerobatic aircraft. It also featured more 3-D detailing, which could be noticed in many places such as Manhattan, Meigs etc.Instead of using the version number in the title, Microsoft instead called it ' Flight Simulator for Windows 95' to advertise the change in operating system.
It is often abbreviated as 'FS95' or 'FSW95'.This was the first version released after the purchase of BAO by Microsoft, and after having physically relocated development of the BAO development staff to Microsoft's primary campus in Redmond, Washington. The BAO team was integrated with other non-BAO Microsoft staff, such as project management, testing, and artwork.Additional scenery included major airports outside Europe and the US for the first time. Flight Simulator 98 − Released in mid-1997Flight Simulator 98 (version 6.1), abbreviated as FS98, is generally regarded as a 'service release', offering minor improvements, with a few notable exceptions: The simulator now also featured a helicopter (the ), as well as a generally improved interface for adding additional aircraft, sceneries, and sounds.Other new 'out of the box' aircraft included a revised with a photorealistic instrument panel and updated flight model. The primary rationale for updating the 182 was 's return to manufacturing that model in the late 1990s. The business jet was also included, replacing the aging from earlier versions. The Dynamic Scenery models were also vastly improved. One of the most noticeable improvements in this version was the ability to have independent panels and sounds for every aircraft.A major expansion of the in-box scenery was also included in this release, including approximately 45 detailed cities (many located outside the United States, some of which had been included in separate scenery enhancement packs), as well as an increase in the modeled airports to over 3000 worldwide, compared with the approximately 300 in earlier versions.
This major increase in scenery production was attributable partially to inclusion of the content from previous standalone scenery packs, as well as new contributions by MicroScene, a company in San Ramon, California who had developed several scenery expansions released by Microsoft.This release also included support for the Pro Force Feedback joystick, which allowed the player to receive some sensory input from simulated trim forces on the aircraft controls.This was the first version to take advantage of 3D-graphic cards, through Microsoft's technology. With such combination of hardware and software, FS98 not only achieved better performance, but also implemented better haze/visibility effects, 'virtual cockpit' views, texture filtering, and sunrise/sunset effects.By November 1997, Flight Simulator 98 had shipped one million units, following its September launch. It received a 'Gold' award from the Verband der Unterhaltungssoftware Deutschland (VUD) in August 1998, for sales of at least 100,000 units across Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The VUD raised it to 'Platinum' status, indicating 200,000 sales, by November.
FS2000 (7.0) – For the first time, a GPS feature is added. − Released in late 1999Flight Simulator 2000 (version 7.0), abbreviated as FS2000, was released as a major improvement over the previous versions, and was also offered in two versions; one version for 'normal' users, and one 'pro' version with additional aircraft. Although many users had high expectations when this version arrived, many were disappointed when they found out that the simulator demanded high-end hardware; the minimum requirements were only a Pentium 166 MHz computer, although 400–500 MHz computer was deemed necessary to have an even framerate.
However, even on a high-end system, stuttering framerate was a problem, especially when performing sharp turns in graphically dense areas. Also, the visual damage effects introduced in FS5 were disabled, and continued to be unavailable in versions after FS2000. While the visual damage effects were still in the game, Microsoft disabled them through the game's configuration files. Users can re-enable the damage effects through modifications. FS2000 also introduced computer controlled aircraft in some airports.This version also introduced 3D elevation, making it possible to adjust the elevation for the scenery grids, thus making most of the previous scenery obsolete (as it didn't support this feature). A GPS was also added, enabling an even more realistic operation of the simulator.
Main article: − Released in October 2001Flight Simulator 2002 (version 8.0), abbreviated as FS2002, improved vastly over previous versions. In addition to improved graphics, FS2002 introduced (ATC) and (AI) aircraft enabling users to fly alongside computer controlled aircraft and communicate with airports. An option for a target framerate was added, enabling a cap on the framerate to reduce stutter while performing texture loading and other maintenance tasks.
In addition, aircraft feature a 3D virtual cockpit, creating in effect a view of the cockpit from the viewpoint of a real pilot. The external view also featured an inertia effect, inducing an illusion of movement in a realistic physical environment. The simulation runs smoother than Flight Simulator 2000, even on comparable hardware. A free copy of was also included with the software.
Main article: − Released in July 2003Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight (version 9.0), also known as FS9 or FS2004, was shipped with several historical aircraft such as the, and the to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first flight. The program included an improved weather engine that provided true three-dimensional clouds and true localized weather conditions for the first time. The engine also allowed users to download weather information from actual, allowing the simulator to synchronize the weather with the real world. Other enhancements from the previous version included better ATC communications, interactive virtual cockpits, and more variety in autogen such as barns, street lights, silos, etc.Flight Simulator 2004 is also the last version to include and feature as its default airport. The airport was closed in March 30, 2003, and the airport was removed in the subsequent releases.
Main article: − Released in October 2006Flight Simulator X (version 10.0), abbreviated as FSX, is the tenth and most recent edition in the Flight Simulator franchise. It features new aircraft, improved multiplayer support, including the ability for two players to fly a single plane, and players to occupy a control tower available in the Deluxe Edition, and improved scenery with higher resolution ground textures.FSX includes fewer aircraft than FS2004, but incorporates new aircraft such as the,. The expansion pack, named Acceleration, was released later, which includes new missions, aircraft, and other updates. The Deluxe edition of Flight Simulator X includes the Software Development Kit (SDK), which contains an object placer, allowing the game's autogen and full scenery library to be used in missions or add-on scenery. Finally, the ability to operate the control surfaces of aircraft with the mouse was reintroduced after it was removed in FS2002.Previous versions did not allow navigation at latitudes higher than 60 degrees (north or south), and at around 75-80 degrees north/south it became impossible to 'fly' closer to the poles, whichever compass heading was followed. This problem is solved in FSX.
Users may now navigate through any great circle as well as 'fly' across both the. This version also adds the option to have a transparent panel.FSX is the first of the series to be released exclusively on due to space constraints. This is also the first in the series that calls for the preparing process known as activating. Through the internet or a phone a hardware number is generated, and a corresponding code is then used to lock the DVD to one single computer only.
It also requires a significantly more powerful computer to run smoothly, even on low graphical settings. Users have reported that the game is 'CPU-bound' - a powerful processor is generally more helpful in increasing performance than a powerful graphics card.in Chicago was removed following its sudden destruction in 2003, while in Hong Kong, which had closed in 1998, remained.Flight Simulator X: Acceleration − Released in October 2007Microsoft released their first expansion pack for Flight Simulator in years, called Flight Simulator X: Acceleration, to the US market on October 23, 2007, and released to the Australian market on November 1, 2007. Unlike the base game, which is rated E, Acceleration is rated E10+ in the US.Acceleration introduces new features, including multiplayer air racing, new missions, and three all-new aircraft, the, helicopter and the. In many product reviews, users complained of multiple bugs in the initial release of the pack. Main article:On June 10, 2019, at Microsoft's E3 conference, a new entry to the series was revealed. A short teaser video announced the upcoming Microsoft Flight Simulator to be released in 2020.The introductory title of the video stated the new iteration would be powered by satellite data and Azure AI; no further detail was given on how these technologies would be implemented. The video showed improved graphics with high fidelity shadow generation and reflections on aircraft surfaces, busy airports with animated vehicles and people, complex cloud formations, defined shorelines and water bodies, realistic precipitation effects on the aircraft's windshield, and very detailed terrain generation with a vast amount of autogenerated scenery.The official website for the game states: 'Microsoft Flight Simulator is the next generation of one of the most beloved simulation franchises.
From light planes to wide-body jets, fly highly detailed and stunning aircraft in an incredibly realistic world. Create your flight plan and fly anywhere on the planet.
Enjoy flying day or night and face realistic, challenging weather conditions.' According to Microsoft, the game will be available through Xbox Game Pass on PC and the Xbox platform.Soon after the surprising announcement, Microsoft Studios made available to the public its Microsoft Flight Simulator Insider Program webpage, where participants can subscribe to news, offer feedback, access a private forum and be eligible to participate in Alpha and Beta releases of the game. Microsoft Flight. Main article: − Released in February 2012On August 17, 2010, Microsoft announced a new flight simulator, designed to replace the Microsoft Flight Simulator series. New to Flight is integration, replacing the client which was used in previous installments.An add-on market place was implemented as well, offering some additional scenery packs and aircraft as (DLC).
The new version was aimed at current flight simulator fans, as well as novice players. However, Flight has a different internal architecture and operational philosophy, and is not compatible with the previous Flight Simulator series.Some users and critics such as Flying Magazine were disappointed with the product, the main issue being that the product is a game, rather than a simulator, to attract a casual audience rather than enthusiasts who would want a more realistic experience.On July 25, 2012, Microsoft announced it had cancelled further development of Microsoft Flight, stating that this was part of 'the natural ebb and flow' of application management. The company stated it will continue to support the community and offer Flight as a free download, but closed down all further development of the product on 26 July 2012. Products based on the Flight Simulator X codebase Lockheed Martin Prepar3D. See also:In 2009, announced that they had negotiated with Microsoft to purchase the intellectual property and including for Microsoft ESP which was the commercial-use version of Flight Simulator X SP2.
In 2010 Lockheed announced that the new product based upon the ESP source code would be called. Lockheed has hired members of the original team to continue development of the product. Most addons as well as the default FSX aircraft work in Prepar3D without any adjustment since Prepar3D is kept backward compatible. The first version was released on 1 November 2010.Dovetail Games Flight Sim World In May 2017, Dovetail Games announced Flight Sim World, based on the codebase of 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 the end of sales effective May 15, 2018. References.
^ Tolliver, Judy, ed. Computer Science Alumni News. Vol. 1 no. 6. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois. Pp. 10–11. ^ Hockman, Daniel (April 1987).
Retrieved 23 April 2016. Dunnington, Benn; Brown, Mark R.; Malcolm, Tom (January–February 1987). Pp. 90–95. Advertisement (December 1982). Pp. Inside front cover. Retrieved 21 October 2013. Springer, P.
Gregory (1985-06-03). Retrieved 19 July 2014.
Lockwood, Russ (September 1985). Creative Computing.
Retrieved 26 February 2013. Alsop, Stewart (31 January 1994). Retrieved 28 February 2011. Dvorak, John C.
(12 May 1986). Retrieved 28 February 2011. Satchell, Stephen (27 January 1986). Retrieved 28 February 2011. Mace, Scott; Karen Sorensen (5 May 1986). Retrieved 28 February 2011.
Satchell, Stephen (14 January 1985). Pp. 49, 53–54. Retrieved 28 February 2011. Staff (November 20, 1997). Archived from on March 4, 2000. (Press release) (in German).
Verband der Unterhaltungssoftware Deutschland. August 26, 1998. Archived from on July 13, 2000. Horn, Andre (January 14, 2004). From the original on July 18, 2018. (Press release) (in German).: Verband der Unterhaltungssoftware Deutschland.
November 27, 1998. Archived from on June 10, 2000.
Staff (1 November 1999). Archived from on 13 December 2006. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
T. Byrl Baker (28 July 2003). Retrieved 21 February 2011. Paul Freeman (28 March 2009). Retrieved 17 October 2010. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
Retrieved 2014-12-18. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
Retrieved 26 April 2018. Xbox (2019-06-09), retrieved 2019-06-12. Retrieved 2019-06-12. Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Retrieved 2019-06-12. Retrieved 15 September 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2016. Wilhelm, Alex (26 July 2012). Retrieved 15 September 2016. 26 July 2012.
Retrieved 15 September 2016. Retrieved 10 April 2018. Retrieved 2018-05-02.External links. – The parents of subLOGIC Flight Simulator. – It describes main developmental lines. – Features all versions (185MB zip file).
– Features all versions up to FS2004 (280MB zip file). Detailed history of early versions of Flight Simulator. Evolution of the Microsoft Flight Simulator. Extensive information and support for Microsoft Flight Simulator 4. Prepar3D home page.
EssentialFiles & PatchesMicrosoftFlight Simulator 98 Patch (819856kb). Improves FS98 & requiredfor many for add-ons. Consider this an essentialdownload! File size 819856FS98Converter.
Notused to install planes, but. Thisfile is essential for converting FS95 & earlier files&.is a necessary requirement for running ( but notfor installing ) many FS98 ready add-ons. Itis an essential download for FS98.
Filesize 1551048- requiredby some scenery add-ons. File size 155484 (Place into main Texturefolder in FS)(vodtex30.zip) - Visual Object Designer3.0 a Windows 95/98 utility for Microsoft Flight Simulator FS5/FSFW95/FS98and Combat Flight Simulator. A utility to generate a great varietyof objects for scenery design, like hangars, towers, controltowers, lines, surfaces runways, roads, docking systems andmore. Making use of some primitive forms, like cubes and pyramids,you can build simple objects like a new building or complexones like terminals and gates using the standard VOD textures.The program also generates and uses API macros for use withthe Airport program and also generates compatible macros touse with the ASD program from Abacus v1.1 and v2.0. This versioncomes with a set of 26 macros in API format.
This program requiresthe VOD standard texture file VODTEX30.ZIP. ByRafael Garcia Sanchez. File size 930995. R Garcia Sanchez.- required by some sceneryadd-ons.
702K (Place intomain Texture folder in FS).(vb5rtsp3) (VB Runtime files)Required for some add-ons. File size 1301280required for some add-ons. Filesize 378k.required by some programs.387k. (vbrun60) File size 1.05mb.WIDESERVER and WIDECLIENT - July 2000 Network interface forFS98 and FS2000 applications using the FS6IPC interface. Useversion 1.94 or later of FSUIPC with this version of WideFS.This is VERY important if you are running FS2000 since WideFSno longer provides many of the variables directly, only viaFSUIPC.
Also be sure to match versions of WideClient and WideServer.This is often essential for correct connections, as the protocolbeing used is developed and may be subject to subtle changesin each new version. By Pete Dowson. 313K.WIDESERVER and WIDECLIENT - Version 5.30, October 2001 Networkinterface for FS98, FS2000, FS2002 and CFS2 applications usingthe FS6IPC interface. Use version 2,73 or later of FSUIPC withthis version of WideFS.
This is VERY important if you are runningFS2000 or FS2002 since WideFS not only no longer provides manyof the variables directly, but only provides offset writingcapabilities using facilities added to FSUIPC. Also be sureto match versions of WideClient and WideServer.
This is oftenessential for correct connections, as the protocol being usedis developed and may be subject to subtle changes in each newversion. By Pete Dowson. 135K.FS98/FS2000/FS2002/CFS/CFS2 FSUIPC.dll application interfacingmodule v2.95.
FSUIPC is effectively a successor to FS6IPC.dll.Both modules are designed to allow external (i.e. Separate)programs to communicate with and perhaps control Microsoft FlightSimulator. Also included is WeatherSet.exe, an advanced weatherapplication for FS2000. By Pete Dowson. 331KWinzipDownloaded files come zipped.
You also need an unzipper.