Microsoft's new Flight Simulator game is now available for PCs

[Karlston]

Microsoft's new Flight Simulator game is now available for PCs

It was June 2019 when Microsoft first announced the return of its popular Flight Simulator franchise. As promised, the game is available for everyone now, although it's been in private alpha testing for quite some time. Now, general availability is here.

 

To celebrate the release, Microsoft is releasing a free "Aviators Club" livery set that can be claimed through the in-sim marketplace. It's available between tomorrow and September 30 for anyone playing the new game.

 

The first iteration of Flight Simulator launched in November 1982, nearly 38 years ago. While that in itself gives the game a storied history, that also makes it the longest-running software line that Microsoft currently runs. It even predates Windows, which debuted in 1985. There have been plenty of iterations over the years too, the most recent bring Flight Simulator X and Microsoft Flight.

But the new Flight Simulator brings the game back to its roots all while pushing it forward, using modern technologies. It uses Azure AI and Bing Maps to stream the real world, and it also includes things like real-time weather. It's the real world you're flying over, so you can go fly over your house, local landmarks, and more. More features are coming too, such as virtual reality.

 

Flight Simulator comes in Standard, Deluxe, and Premium Deluxe flavors, with increasing amounts of airplanes and hand-crafted airports in each one. Standard is included with Xbox Game Pass for PC. Microsoft had originally planned to make the game for Xbox consoles as well, but it's been quiet on the effort. If you want to check out the game, you can find it here.

 

 

Microsoft's new Flight Simulator game is now available for PCs

 

[Karlston]

Microsoft posts Flight Simulator's known issues, users report download problems

Microsoft’s latest iteration of Flight Simulator is now available generally. The game is one of the longest-running software programs built by the Redmond giant, with the latest version bringing impressive graphics, real-time weather, and dynamic scenery powered by Azure AI and Bing Maps. The game was released via the Microsoft Store as well as on Steam.

 

However, though the early reviews have been largely positive, some users – especially on Steam – are reporting problems with the game that range from random crashes, performance hiccups, and the unavailability of additional content for the premium tiers (spotted by Notebookcheck). Microsoft has acknowledged the issue with missing content via a Steam post and has provided a possible workaround while it investigates the problem. The firm has also posted a list of known issues, which could also apply to the version of the game downloaded from the Microsoft Store.

 

For Steam users that are not seeing the addition aircraft – such as the Boeing Dreamliner – that is part of the Delux or Premium Delux tiers of the game, here is a workaround that might work:

• Close Microsoft Flight Simulator
• Close Steam
• Open Steam
• Launch Microsoft Flight Simulator
• Wait for the Content Manager to search for updates and download the missing packages

As for other known issues, there are problems with adding peripherals, the Autopilot, automatic switching from NAV mode to the localizer (LOC), and more. Here is the list of known issues listen on Steam:

• "Please insert disc" issue
  • Potential solution:
  • Check the timezone in windows to fit with your country
• Peripherals:
  • Crashes can occur when unplugging or plugging in two or more peripherals at once during any loading screen.
• Aircraft instruments:
  • The autopilot may struggle with altitude and speed targets
  • VNAV is partially implemented on airliners, and not on general aviation aircraft
• Garmin avionics issues:
  • Some airliners core systems are partially or not implemented
  • The switch from NAV mode to LOC does not happen automatically
• Content manager:
  • When entering the Content Manager while offline, the content will not load
  • Deleting first party content from the Content Manager will cause it to be downloaded again on next startup

Reviews on the Microsoft Store also hint at users facing download problems, as the game fails to either download, or halts mid-way. The Flight Simulator forums have also been inundated with complaints and posts.

 

Another issue that is being reported includes the inability of some Steam users to return the game. Since the initial download is smaller, which then initiates a separate 90GB+ download from Microsoft’s servers, the two-hour return period times out before users can even fire up the game. Some posts suggest that reaching out to support helps with acquiring a refund.

 

Microsoft has acknowledged most of the problems and has noted that it is working to resolve them.

 

 

Microsoft posts Flight Simulator's known issues, users report download problems