MSFS

MSFS, short for Microsoft Flight Simulator, is a flight simulation software series reboot developed by Asobo Studio and published by Microsoft. The initial release in 2020 for Windows marked a revival of the Microsoft Flight Simulator brand, followed by versions for Xbox Series X|S. The project emphasizes realism and accessibility, offering a wide range of aircraft, authentic cockpit simulations, realistic flight physics, navigation, weather, and air traffic.

Global scenery is generated from Bing Maps imagery and enhanced with photogrammetry. The game uses Azure AI to produce dynamic weather and terrain. Live weather, wind, precipitation, and real-time air traffic are integrated to reflect current conditions. The title supports virtual reality and supports a range of controls from hobbyist yokes to consumer gamepads, and includes a large library of airports and aircraft spanning light singles to large airliners.

Upon launch, MSFS introduced frequent free updates, including world updates that add newly mapped regions and enhanced airports. It also released add-on content through Deluxe and Premium editions and an ongoing stream of patches that improve performance and add features. The Xbox version expanded access to console players.

MSFS has been widely praised for its visuals and sense of immersion, while presenting a learning curve and substantial hardware requirements on PC. It has had a notable impact on popular flight simulation, helping to broaden the audience for flight simulators.