Microsoft Flight Simulator – The next generation of one of the most beloved simulation franchises
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Microsoft Flight Simulator
Available Now on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and via Xbox Cloud Gaming for Xbox One and other supported devices
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Posted by: Microsoft Flight Simulator Team
From the early days of flight, we often recognize common household aviator names in history such as the great Amelia Earhart, The Wright Brothers, Charles Lindbergh, and countless others. We love to spotlight as many of these incredible aviation pioneers as we can in gratitude for what they did to shape aviation into what it … Continued
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Posted by: Microsoft Flight Simulator Team
In conjunction with World Update XI: Canada, Microsoft Flight Simulator today released its latest aircraft in the “Local Legends” series of planes. Manufactured by Carenado, the 195 Businessliner is a single-engine, high-wing general aviation and utility airplane by American aviation manufacturer, Cessna. The aircraft is one of a small family of two consisting of the … Continued
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Posted by: Microsoft Flight Simulator Team
One of the most important and innovative aircraft in aviation history is now available for Microsoft Flight Simulator, the stately Junkers F 13!The Microsoft Flight Simulator Team is delighted to announce the release of Local Legend VI: the Junkers F 13. A breakthrough design that remains iconic to this day, the F 13 was the … Continued
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Posted by: Microsoft Flight Simulator Team
It’s the final countdown! The launch of the highly-anticipated 40th Anniversary Edition is only one week away, and we couldn’t be more excited.
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Posted by: Microsoft Flight Simulator Team
15 Items On Sale Now in the Marketplace!
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Posted by: Microsoft Flight Simulator Team
Screenshot by Parorng (Forum) We are now only two weeks away from the November 11th launch of the 40th Anniversary Edition. This free update comes with a wealth of new features and content, including official support for gliders. To learn more about how we brought these unpowered aircraft to Microsoft Flight Simulator in the most realistic way … Continued
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Posted by: Microsoft Flight Simulator Team
3 Items On Sale Now in the Marketplace
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Posted by: Microsoft Flight Simulator Team
The dev team remains hard at work preparing for the release of the upcoming 40th Anniversary Edition which is scheduled to launch on November 11.
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@MSFSOfficial
Typhoons at RAF Fairford [EGVA]#MicrosoftFlightSimulator #MSFS #Aviation #AvGeek #A2A #AirToAir #Typhoon #virtualphotography #xbox #XboxSeriesX #XboxShare #VGPUnite #VPGAMERS #ThePhotoMode #TheCapturedCollective pic.twitter.com/5DumDEkxPP
— Matt (@IronWings_VP) November 3, 2022
Our apologies for the delay, but this week’s Development Update blog is now live! ✈️ https://t.co/bk6KuujErD
— Microsoft Flight Simulator (@MSFSofficial) November 4, 2022
Have you heard? Thrustmaster has released their new TCA Captain Pack X Airbus Edition! 🎉
And, in anticipation of #FS40, we’re working with them to give one away!
To enter, retweet and follow both @MSFSofficial & @TMThrustmaster.
pic.twitter.com/bHMgQssy8r
— Microsoft Flight Simulator (@MSFSofficial) November 3, 2022
Partner Program — Microsoft Flight Simulator
Microsoft Flight Simulator
MARKETPLACE PARTNER PROGRAM
Sell your content to Flight Simulator pilots around the world, all within the Flight Simulator in-sim Marketplace and official website.
Apply Now
Microsoft Flight Simulator Marketplace Partner Program
We are excited to announce our new Microsoft Flight Simulator Marketplace Partner Program!
For the first time, Microsoft Flight Simulator will include a built-in Marketplace which enables approved partners to sell their content directly to simmers.
The 3rd party creator community has been incredibly vibrant, delighting simmers with their creativity for many years. We recognize that creations by 3rd parties are a vital ingredient to broaden and deepen the Flight Simulation experience so we are excited to announce our Marketplace Partner Program which enables approved partners to sell content within our built-in Marketplace.
We are looking for partners with all types of content that will enhance the simulation experience. We can’t wait to see what you come up with!
What is the Microsoft Flight Simulator Marketplace Partner Program?
The new Marketplace Partner Program provides a streamlined path for you to partner with Microsoft and sell your content directly from the simulator itself. There is no cost to sign up for the program, but you need to apply and be approved in order to get started. Once you’ve been approved and you’ve published content in the Marketplace, you’ll be able to see how your content is performing, how much revenue you are earning and automatically receive payments based on your payment profile.
Why should I join?
We firmly believe that the new built-in Marketplace provides a great opportunity for you to reach more customers than you may be able to reach today. Our goals and aspirations with Microsoft Flight Simulator are to further expand on the success of FSX, which has sold millions of copies, and that even more people will experience the simulator through Xbox Game Pass for PC.
The Marketplace allows simmers to purchase content without ever leaving the simulator, resulting in significantly reduced friction to complete a purchase.
The Marketplace will operate under an Agency model, which means that you, as the content creator, will set the price for every piece of content you submit. Becoming a partner doesn’t alter your ability to sell your content on your own websites and storefronts. Just like with FSX, you can continue to sell your content outside of our Marketplace. Becoming a Microsoft Flight Simulator Marketplace Partner essentially unlocks another channel for you.
How does it work?
If you are interested in participating in our in-sim Marketplace, you are welcome to apply. Our Marketplace team will review your application and let you know whether it is approved. We will try to approve as many partners as possible, but we expect our capacity to be limited, at least initially.
Once you are accepted into the program, you will then need to accept the Marketplace Provider Agreement and submit tax and banking information to ensure you get paid for sales of your content.
You will work directly with our Marketplace Ingestion Team, who will partner closely with you throughout the content publishing process as we continue to improve our ingestion pipeline.
How do I sign up?
Be one of the first partners to sell content in the Marketplace by applying today!
You can submit an application for the Marketplace Partner Program here . We look forward to hearing from you and working together to delight Microsoft Flight Simulator fans with your content!
Questions?
You can contact the Marketplace team with questions and inquiries here.
Flight Simulators on PC ✈️: A list of the best flight simulator games
Man’s desire to reach the clouds was sung in ancient Greek myths. And even today, despite the development of aviation, flying remains an unattainable dream for many, since it takes a lot of time and effort to obtain a pilot’s license. However, there is an easier way to conquer the heavens — in virtual space.
In this article, we have collected the best flight simulators that you can download on PC.
The flight sim genre is much less in demand than the same racing, strategy, shooters — yes, in fact, any other genres. Nevertheless, there are about a dozen great games in it — they are presented in our list of the best. For convenience, the top is divided into two categories — simulators, where you should not meddle without a normal joystick, and arcade games, for which a regular gamepad or keyboard with a mouse is enough.
Simulators
War Thunder
This online flight simulator may not be the most «simulator» on the list, but it certainly can be considered the most popular. War Thunder gives you the opportunity to try out military aircraft of the 1930s-50s: bombers, attack aircraft, fighters, and so on, while players are free to choose the difficulty of the gameplay: for those who just want to shoot, an arcade mode is provided, while hardcore fans are offered more difficult to master realistic and simulation modes.
At the same time, War Thunder can also be called the most beautiful flight sim among all presented in the selection: the game engine supports all modern graphics technologies, as a result of which the project demonstrates a very good picture.
play
IL-2 Sturmovik
A game that quickly became a cult classic thanks to realistic aircraft simulation, reliable physics, hardcore gameplay and multiplayer that supported more than a hundred players on a single server. IL-2 Sturmovik invites you to take part in the battles of the Second World War, sitting at the helm of almost a hundred aircraft, each of which is worked out to the last detail.
The development of the series continues to this day: IL-2 Sturmovik received many additions and several sequels, and the developers tirelessly create new content for the game.
buy
Digital Combat Simulator
Large-scale combat simulator, which is the successor and development of the Flanker and Lock On series (by the way, you can also pay attention to them).
Digital Combat Simulator is interesting due to its modular system: the game consists of many parts that contain various scenarios, locations and vehicles, are bought separately and integrated into the main client. Moreover, these modules can be developed and added by third-party studios.
DCS allows you to sit at the helm of several dozen aircraft and take part in various military campaigns that unfold in the «hot» spots of the globe, as well as transfer events to the past and even to fictional countries. As expected, Digital Combat Simulator is distinguished by a realistic physical and flight model, and, accordingly, a high entry threshold.
buy
X-Plane
A series of flight sims with even more realistic flight simulation than Microsoft Flight Simulator. X-Plane uses technologies that allow you to accurately simulate the behavior of aircraft components based on data about their geometry and mass, location and performance characteristics of engines. Therefore, the game is used not only for entertainment, but also as an auxiliary tool in the development of aircraft models.
X-Plane also supports custom modifications, which has helped build a community around the project that regularly updates it with new content.
buy
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020
A civil aircraft simulator from Microsoft featuring realistic physics and controls. Microsoft Flight Simulator allows you to fly around the globe, experiencing all the complexities and subtleties of controlling a real aircraft. At the same time, the weather conditions will be downloaded directly from the Web, so that when flying over your city in the game, the gamer will receive the same weather that he sees from the window.
MFS 2020’s gameplay level is so high that the project is even used as a training simulator in flight schools, and modification support allows you to add various user-generated content to the game.
buy
Falcon 4.0
Old (1998), but highly acclaimed and very realistic simulator from the MicroProse studio (you may know it if you like the X-COM games).
Falcon 4.0 has such authentic gameplay that even pilots of real F-16s use it — in fact, you will fly in these planes. To be honest, she deserves a higher place in this selection, but over the years we were forced to give way to younger projects.
buy
Dovetail Games Flight School
A good flight simulator, the developers of which set out to teach players how to fly training aircraft. Accordingly, one should not expect participation in battles from the game, but it is able to teach the basics of flying skills, which will not be superfluous when entering a real school. Moreover, here you can both master the theory and consolidate it in practice, performing complex missions with a variety of tests.
official website
FlightGear
An open source project that is a professional civil and military aviation simulator. There are many builds for different operating systems, and the game is often updated with new aircraft and scenarios. In general, this is a very realistic flight sim, however, the semi-amateur status of development implies a large number of bugs and optimization problems.
official website
Aerofly FS 2 Flight Simulator
This flight simulator will literally take you to the cockpit of an airplane — of course, if you have a VR helmet. The game for virtual reality devices boasts beautiful graphics, fairly realistic 3D cockpits, reliable physics, and a couple of dozen aircraft included.
buy
Rise of Flight United
A free game based on the events of World War I. You have to test the fighters of the early years of aviation in action: experience for yourself the difficult conditions in which the pilots were a hundred years ago. The basic version of the project includes only three aircraft; to get access to new combat vehicles, you will have to fork out for DLC.
Play
Arma 3 Jets
Add-on to the popular military shooter that adds planes and dogfights to the game. Several fighters and a drone are featured here, and a new scenario has been added to the list of missions, which is dedicated to the battle in the sky.
In addition, players on the ground can use radar and air defense systems, and the sea is now patrolled by an aircraft carrier and destroyer capable of carrying aircraft.
Note: DLC requires base game Arma 3 9 to work0003
buy
FlyInside Flight Simulator
Another VR flight sim with detailed cockpits, beautiful landscapes and a large selection of vehicles, including fighter jets, training aircraft and heavy military helicopters. A VR headset provides a complete immersion in the virtual world, but it should be noted that the game cannot boast of perfect optimization — you will have to get powerful hardware.
buy
RealFlight 9
Simulator dedicated to the racing of radio-controlled airplanes, helicopters and drones. The developers collaborated with experienced pilots to implement a reliable physics and control model, and there are more than 160 models in the list of vehicles available for piloting, and this list is constantly updated with new products.
In addition, the game is compatible with VR headsets.
buy
VTOL VR
Combat simulator set in the near future, where players control futuristic aircraft — models that are currently only being designed in design bureaus.
VTOL VR is a game for VR helmets, and this, on the one hand, imposes restrictions on accessibility, but on the other hand, it provides the deepest possible immersion. To personally be in the cockpit of an aircraft, switch toggle switches and press buttons — it’s worth a lot.
Buy
AIR WARS
Another simulation for VR, in which the developers highlight a number of conflicts that took place in history, inviting players to take part in fictional air battles within these conflicts.
Among them are the wars between Pakistan and India, Syria and Israel, Russia and Georgia. Each of the missions uses different aircraft with unique performance characteristics, and the gameplay tries to be as realistic as possible.
AIR WARS has one drawback — the game is in early access, so many mechanics do not yet work as they should. But the project has potential.
Buy Now
Project: SKYSCAPE
Co-op simulator for PC and VR devices, which includes several combat aircraft and a number of tasks for their use. The authors have prepared a large sandbox world, a detailed cockpit view with many interactive elements, as well as a well-developed combat system to simulate air battles. And all this — with a very nice, contrasting picture.
Buy
Arcade
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
The Ace Combat series is almost not represented on the PC: for all the years of its existence, only Assault Horizon and Skies Unknown visited the «boyar» platform. It was the second one that won first place in the list of arcade aviasims. And deservedly so: beautiful graphics, a huge number of aircraft (both real and fictional), an addictive plot and, of course, a dynamic multiplayer — all this puts Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown at the top of the top.
The developers have not forgotten about the relative reliability of what is happening. Combat vehicles behave exactly as they should: each plane feels like a powerful, multi-ton colossus, but at the same time obeys any player’s commands. Some elements of realism, like the weight and amount of ammunition carried, had to be sacrificed for the sake of entertainment, but as an entry point into the genre, which can be followed by acquaintance with its more serious representatives, Ace Combat 7 is more than suitable.
buy
Ace Combat Assault Horizon
Ace Combat Assault Horizon is the Call of Duty of the flight sim genre: action-packed missions, intense gunfights, frantic flights in ultra-modern fighter jets between skyscrapers, and a simple yet engaging storyline.
Assault Horizon has slightly reduced in terms of fantasy (for example, there are no “flying fortresses” and futuristic examples of aviation from previous parts), but it will please players with cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes, as well as an amusing aircraft customization system that allows you to paint your steel bird as you please.
All in all, this project is definitely worth checking out.
buy
Tom Clancy`s H.A.W.X.
Ubisoft’s air sim dilogy, written by renowned author Tom Clancy. Gamers are waiting for several dozen models of modern aircraft, a variety of missions and quite convincing gameplay.
For some reason, the publisher withdrew both parts of the Tom Clancy`s H.A.W.X series. out of sale, so you can no longer play legally — you have to raise the Jolly Roger (we do not approve of this) and download these games for free.
Air Brawl
A primitive multiplayer arcade game with cartoonish graphics and minimal skill requirements. Players are invited to participate in fleeting battles using various classes of aircraft, gadgets and traps. Nothing special, but you can spend a certain number of hours — the game is quite capable of tightening.
Play
Air Conflicts
A series of arcade flight simulations for PC covering the First and Second World Wars and the Vietnam War.
Appropriate aircraft are included: the player will be able to control the ancient «whatnots», masterpieces of WWII engineering, as well as planes and helicopters that brought death from the air to the Vietnamese partisans.
Air Conflicts is not distinguished by detailed physics and realistic behavior of aviation, but boasts a good pace of action and a fairly detailed system for customizing military equipment. So, if you are looking for games that are similar to flight simulators, but do not require mastery skills, you should pay attention and download this project.
buy
Dogfight 1942
Aircraft arcade with aircraft from the Second World War. The game allows you to fly as Soviet, American and French pilots while chasing Germans and Japanese in dynamic missions filled with firefights and explosions. There is no smell of any simulation here, but quite peppy gameplay, various missions and those very “dogfights” are implemented.
Buy now
Disney Planes
Disney Planes Arcade Flying Game is a collection of fun missions that have you complete missions and fight enemies as familiar characters.
The game does not claim to be realistic, but it will entertain both young and adult gamers.
buy
Wings of War: Modern Warplanes
Fast-paced air shooter with powerful aircraft and intense battles. You have to get into the cockpit of a combat vehicle and enter into an exciting confrontation in the skies: perform aerobatics, shoot down enemies and complete the missions assigned to you!
buy
Comanche
A relatively new helicopter action game with semi-arcade gameplay: helicopters and drones have a realistic control model, but the game does not require an advanced controller and freely obey commands from a gamepad or keyboard and mouse. Comanche contains single and multiplayer modes, and is constantly updated with fresh content, opening up new missions, vehicles and maps for players.
buy
Sky Rogue
Fantastic flying sim with low-poly graphics in which you will control futuristic fighters, destroy enemy planes and upgrade your combat vehicle.
The game is minimalistic but capable of entertaining, and procedural level generation and permanent death bring some unpredictability to the gameplay.
buy now
SimplePlanes
This unusual building set will give you the opportunity to create your own aircraft by designing new models and connecting parts, after which you can test them in action — with realistic physics and control model. If you don’t feel like fiddling around with blueprints, you can take advantage of a large selection of custom vehicles designed and published on the Steam Workshop — not only aircraft, but also racing cars, trucks and other models.
buy
Project Wingman
Project Wingman is a fast-paced action game that allows you to control a jet fighter and complete a variety of combat missions in an alternate history setting.
This is not a simulation: planes perform unrealistic turns, and a car can be armed with futuristic guns, like a railgun. At the same time, before you is a very exciting and fun game in which you will fail for a couple of dozen hours.
Buy
AFTERBURN
Ultra-fast action game with low-poly graphics in which you destroy opponents while at the controls of a futuristic aircraft. Simple controls, low system requirements, detailed customization of the combat vehicle and a minimum of unnecessary actions before entering the battle — the game looks like good entertainment for the evening, without requiring anything more.
Buy Now
JEFF-16
Arcade action game that contains only one plane — the F-16 model. In the role of a pilot, you will rush through various locations, trying to pass all the checkpoints and shoot down opponents who will interfere with you.
Buy Now
AIRHOUNDS
A game in a futuristic setting with procedurally generated locations where the main character tries to take revenge on his offenders who sent him into exile. Gamers are waiting for three biomes and many dangerous bosses, and at their disposal will be unique abilities like rewinding time and a fiery tornado.
AIRHOUNDS contains roguelike elements, so each mission comes with the risk of losing all the accumulated bonuses.
Buy
Coastline Flight Simulator
An open world simulator with the ability to get off the plane and run around the island. Here, the players will have civilian ships at their disposal, with the help of which they will have to build a cargo transportation business.
The developers offer three types of aircraft with the ability to upgrade, a huge territory, a dozen settlements, more than twenty products, ten flying lessons, a hundred achievements and much more. The game cannot boast of outstanding graphics, but perhaps you will be interested in its gameplay.
Buy
List of flight simulators on PC
War Thunder
Free
server
Released: 2013
Platforms: MacOS, PC
System Requirements: Low
Genre: flight simulator, thriller, shooter, action, simulation
War Thunder is a realistic and large-scale game dedicated to World War II.
Players from all over the world participate here in battles based on the military realities of those years. Battles are fought alone in separate missions…
88 /100
IL-2 Sturmovik: 1946
Released: 2006
Platforms: on PC
System requirements: low
Genre: flight simulator, simulator
The third addition to the game «IL-2 Sturmovik» opens before us the world of military aviation of the distant 1946, where we will have to take part in a little-known confrontation between the USSR and Germany…
85 /100
Microsoft Flight Simulator X
Released: 2006
Platforms: PC
System Requirements: Medium
Genre: flight simulator, simulator
This game is the tenth version of the civil flight simulator. In Microsoft Flight Simulator X, there are 18 aircraft at the user’s disposal. The player can use any of them, as well as determine which of the 40 detailed airports located in 28 cities suits him.
..
80 /100
Ace Combat Assault Horizon — Enhanced Edition
Released: 2013
Platforms: PlayStation 3, PC, Xbox 360
System Requirements: Medium
Genre: flight simulator, shooter, action, simulation
Ace Combat: Assault Horizon is a continuation of the previous version of the game. But now exciting events are taking place on planet Earth, and not in the vastness of space. The game now includes multiplayer…
77 /100
X-Plane 8
Released: 2004
Platforms: PC
System Requirements: Medium
Genre: flight simulator, simulator
X-Plane 8 is an excellent flight simulator from the creators of Laminar Research. In the gameplay, you will be able to control various aircraft with your own hands, as well as the Buran or Apollo spacecraft…
75 /100
UK Truck Simulator
Released: 2010
Platforms: on PC
System requirements: high
Genre: Flight Simulator, Open World, Business, Action, Simulation, Adventure, Time Management
UK Truck Simulator is a car simulator in which fans of driving on motorways are waiting for travel between eighteen cities in the UK.
The tasks of the player include the timely delivery of more than sixty types of cargo…
74 /100
Tom Clancys H.A.W.X.
Released: 2009
Platforms: Android, iOS, PlayStation 3, PC, Xbox 360
System Requirements: Low
Genre: flight simulator, action, simulation
Tom Clancys H.A.W.X. is a new generation flight simulator that completely changes the idea of games of this genre. In the near future, private military corporations will have huge influence in the world …
74 /100
Lock On: Modern Air Combat
Released: 2003
Platforms: on PC
System requirements: low
Genre: flight simulator, simulator
Official technical documents were used to model aircraft for this game. Thus, this flight simulator is equally interesting for both novice pilots and professional pilots…
71/100
Thunder Wolves
Released: 2013
Platforms: PlayStation 3, PC, Xbox 360
System Requirements: Medium
Genre: Flight Simulator, Action, Simulator, Indie, Arcade
Thunder Wolves is an exciting aerial arcade game.
The player will have to imagine himself as a pilot of a fast-moving combat helicopter, learn how to control it, dodging enemy fire…
69 /100
Sky Legends
Released: -0001
Platforms: MacOS, on PC
System requirements: unknown
Genre: flight simulator, simulator
Sky Legends is an amazing online piloting and combat simulator, embodied in a browser game mode. Combat flight simulator is free and supports multiplayer game…
69 /100
Combat Wings: Battle of Britain
Released: 2009
Platforms: on PC
System requirements: low
Genre: flight simulator, action, simulator, arcade
Combat Wings: Battle of Britain is a flight simulator that gives the player the opportunity to take part in fierce battles in the sky over the territory of Europe, where many enemy planes are flying…
68 /100
DCS: Black Shark 2
Released: 2011
Platforms: on PC
System requirements: high
Genre: flight simulator, action, simulation
DCS: Black Shark 2 realistically features the Black Shark Ka-50 attack helicopter.
