[inky]

Genre: Flying Simulator
Developer: Microsoft Studios
Platform: PC
Release Date: February 29th
Price: Free-to-Play



System Requirements

Minimum:

CPU: Dual Core 2.0 GHz
GPU: 256 MB card capable of shader 3.0 (DX 9.0c compliant)
HD: 10 GB Hard Drive space
OS: WinXP SP3
RAM: 2.0 GB

Recommended (high settings):

CPU: Intel Core i7 960 @ 3.20 GHz, AMD Phenom II X6 1100T 3.3 GHz or better
GPU: ATI Radeon HD 5870, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 or better
HD: 10 GB Hard Drive space
OS: Windows 7 64-bit
RAM: 6 GB


____________________________________________________________

What is "Microsoft Flight?" "Microsoft Flight" is a new PC game from Microsoft Game Studios. The new title will be available on the Games for Windows - LIVE service and will bring a new perspective to the long-standing "Flight Simulator" franchise. From new game play elements and enhanced scenery and terrain to new aircraft and integrated content marketplace, it is an entirely new breed of virtual flight. The Games for Windows - LIVE platform sets the stage for all your virtual flight needs while connecting you to a global base of users, content and endless exploration. Microsoft Flight builds off its heritage of deep, immersive simulation and is redesigned to make the experience easier for virtual fliers of all interests and skills. How does “Microsoft Flight” differ from “Flight Simulator?” Why the new name? What’s changed? With “Microsoft Flight” we’re approaching the virtual flight genre from the ground up, with the focus on the universal appeal of the experience of Flight. We believe the simplicity of “Microsoft Flight” perfectly captures that vision while welcoming the millions of existing Flight Simulator fans. The new “Microsoft Flight” retains the full fidelity simulation longtime fans have come to expect while offering all players a whole new look and feel, a wide range of new game play and challenges, persistent experiences and social connectivity.

What is included in the free Microsoft Flight download?

• The Big Island of Hawaii scenery
• ICON A5 Light Sport Aircraft
• Additionally, when you sign in at Windows LIVE you will receive a Boeing Stearman aircraft, supplementary missions, and access to Achievements and an Online Pilot Profile.

What content will be available to buy at launch?

Hawaiian Adventure Pack - 1600 MSP ($20) which includes:

• The remaining Hawaiian Islands
• New challenges
• 20 new missions
• and the Vans RV-6A Aircraft

Aircraft:

• Maule M-7-260C - 1200 MSP ($15)
• North American P-51 Mustang - 640 MSP ($8)

What are the game modes?

The game is divided as follows:

Activites - which include Missions, Challenges and Aerocache Hunts. These consist of everything from simple landing challenges, to acrobatic courses and exploration missions. You will also unlock skins by doing these.
Free Flight - which lets you set your own flight conditions, like climate or time of day. You can also load save sessions from here or go to a specific airport and take jobs from the job board. Jobs include transporting passengers, cargo or participating in acrobatic shows.
Hangar - where you will be able to select and check on your owned aircraft, including characteristics, refueling and skins.
Pilot Profile - here you can check on your overall progress, statistics and achievements
Multiplayer - which lets you set your online options

Will the game support my Flight Stick?

Chances are it will. The game has native support for a wide variety of Flight Sticks and the 360 Controller as well, and will default control of the game to those devices if connected. You can change control to mouse/keyboard on the fly, if you so desire.

So, is the game a simulator or not?

The game is very much a simulator. It includes a realistic physics engine and detailed checklists for pre-flight checks, taxi, take-off, cruising and landing are available for every single aircraft. The plane models are also extremely detailed as well and include clickable buttons, adjustable knobs and working indicators. There are also more realistic flying options that you can enable through the options menu.

What if I am not interested in all of that?

The game is also very accessible to newcomers. Checklists can be skipped or completely automated if you just want to enjoy a more arcade experience. You'll still need to learn how to take off and land though :P

Will the game support mods?

The F2P Online nature of the game means it won't be supporting unofficial content, thus, you'll have to wait for Microsoft to put in the game what you would like to see.

Just so it is clear, is the game only the Hawaiian islands and those 5 airplanes at launch?

Yes, for now. The developers are promising constant content updates, plus some of the in-game goals can only be completed by bigger/faster/more complex aircraft not yet available in the game.

How does online work?

Every time you launch the game and sign into LIVE you are in an online session. You can set this session to private if you do not wish other players to join you. You can also join another person's match through the multiplayer panel or invite friends to join your match. You will share the airspace and can fly together or do separate missions and just chat. The game supports both text chat and voice and up to 16 players can fly together in an online session.

Is the game a looker?

The game is an absolute looker.

Q&A with Executive Producer Joshua Howard

Q: Is Flight intended to seed online services and bring people into Microsoft's online realm? A: I like to think this is both about reimagining a franchise that we know has always been successful. I also think it's part of Microsoft the studio saying 'I want to develop this new muscle.' Maybe because we have so much of the organization focused on the console-side of the business which is more rigid when it comes to business models, you get to ask the PC side to be a little more experimental, a little more exploratory. I relish that opportunity and the team has really jumped on that. We couldn't be doing half the things we do here on a console - this is not a console game that just happens to sit on a PC. This is really a PC game and we're proud of that.

Q: Will you sell the game on discs at retail? A: Sometime maybe in the future but right now we're all in online. Retail is not something we're talking about right now.

____________________________________________________________







Will be adding more of my own screens closer to release date. Same for videos.


____________________________________________________________




Useful Links

Official page
Xbox.com
Achievement List (It seems like you wont be able to get all of them at launch, even if you buy all the content).

Total Achievements: 32 worth 1000 points, including:
Hawaiian Adventure Pack: 6 achievements - 225 points
Maule M-7-260C: 1 achievement - 50 points

Bonus gif



Windows Live IDs:

GAF username - Gamertag

Xander51 - Xander51

...
If you see anything is missing or wrong, or got some new juicy info let me know =)

[epmode]

Will the game support mods? The F2P Online nature of the game means it won't be supporting unofficial content, thus, you'll have to wait for Microsoft to put in the game what you would like to see.

This seems like kind of an insane strategy for this kind of game. At least for a Microsoft Flight Simulator sequel. But hey, $$$$$$$$$

[Gez]

It seems i have exactly a 5870 for the recommend settings. Free to play? I'm impressed.

[inky]

Recent interview on the mod subject:

“We’re trying something very different,” MS Flight’s exec producer Joshua Howard told MCV. “Instead of opening this up to everything, anywhere, by anybody, which frankly creates sort of a confusing mess for a new customer, we get to manage it more, tell a story, help it grow and get on its feet." “I believe this ecosystem will come to be larger than the existing product’s ecosystem. And that will be a point where I can’t meet the appetite of a customer base, and I will invest to bring more people in.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/ms-un...flight-content

[wolfmat]

Honestly, I'm not seeing the appeal for the old crowd right now (apart from graphics, meh). I mean, in MSFS 2004, I still fly from Tokyo to LA occasionally. Or from Munich to Barcelona. And I'm not alone with this clinging to the last good MSFS.

I hope they'll get this up to par in a reasonable amount of time.

I guess I'll check it out when it's out. It's free after all.

[WillyFive]

The ability to fly anywhere anytime does not make it a confusing mess for the costumer.

It's the fact that the first thing you see when starting a game is a cockpit with a thousand switches and buttons and no obvious way to start the plane is what makes it a confusing mess for the costumer.

I'm a huge fan of Microsoft Flight Simulator, and I am open to this reincarnation with an open mind.

[Dineren]

I really enjoy realistic flight sims and the ability to fly anywhere, but I actually kind of like the idea of a more contained, detailed experience. I do hope they give you the ability to turn up the realism settings though.

My biggest worry is trackir support, I read a post somewhere saying they weren't going to support it. I realize most of their target demographic probably won't have it, but it adds so much immersion to flight games that I don't know that I could go back. Anyone heard anything about it?

[wolfmat]

I'm not interested in what appeals to newcomers. This series has a history of more than 30 years. (Seriously.) You have to take that into account.

So I don't get why you'd restrict me to Hawaii. Island hopping is just one small aspect of the previous iterations.

My guess is that they just can't cope with the amount of data necessary to get meaningful amounts of scenery up to par. So they opted for the next-best option, which really is restricting you to a heavily detailed scenery chunk, and releasing it for free to balance it out.

Let's see what their DLC plans are. But I feel like I'm back in the 80s, with scenery packs as the only option to expand the scope. It's really weird.

[vazel]

This game better perform buttery smooth. FSX's performance is still shameful.

[inky]

First the map screen. Big Island is free, the rest is paid content. Blue are proper airports with control towers and pink are soft landing strips.

[Sethos]

What made the previous Flight Sims great: The flight models, the ability to mod the game, you had the entire world to explore.

This game has: Very watered down flight models, can't mod it, a tiny island ( Isn't even THAT detailed ).

[WillyFive]

That's it?

It's another Pilotwings Resort?

[Ramblin]

FSX Light or Test Drive: Flight

[Metalic]

The old MFS games had shit load of aircrafts this one only has these ?

[kanugo]

Does anyone know if we'll get achievements without having to buy any add-on?

[strafer]

Still want Microsoft Flight Simulator 2012.

[SteveWinwood]

Seriously microsoft. Release the fucking old flight simulator on steam. I don't know where my discs are now and I want to play it.

[derFeef]

What made the previous Flight Sims great: The flight models, the ability to mod the game, you had the entire world to explore. This game has: Very watered down flight models, can't mod it, a tiny island ( Isn't even THAT detailed ).

?!

[Dennis]

Thread title made me lol

[Ramblin]

Still want Microsoft Flight Simulator 2012.

Where's the petition?

[Sethos]

?!

I was in the Alpha / Beta thing and even at maximum realism settings, it felt like an arcade game. Perfectly playable with a 360 controller, you could fly through a thunderstorm and push any plane to the raggedy edge and you'd be able to recover in no time. No real effects from G-forces or the wind. Maybe the effects weren't enabled in that version ( Doubt it? ) but they are far from anything you'd call realistic.

As I've said before, this feels like a console game now with the mission structure, the XP gaining, the collection of things, the arcade style handling and the watering down of everything. Really is a damn shame.

The engine on the other hand is great, runs SUPER smooth and looks great. Would love to see that engine in FSX.

[DownWithTheShip]

I really enjoy realistic flight sims and the ability to fly anywhere, but I actually kind of like the idea of a more contained, detailed experience. I do hope they give you the ability to turn up the realism settings though. My biggest worry is trackir support, I read a post somewhere saying they weren't going to support it. I realize most of their target demographic probably won't have it, but it adds so much immersion to flight games that I don't know that I could go back. Anyone heard anything about it?

This better have trackir support. That would be insane not to support it.

[derFeef]

I was in the Alpha / Beta thing and even at maximum realism settings, it felt like an arcade game. Perfectly playable with a 360 controller, you could fly through a thunderstorm and push any plane to the raggedy edge and you'd be able to recover in no time. No real effects from G-forces or the wind. Maybe the effects weren't enabled in that version ( Doubt it? ) but they are far from anything you'd call realistic. As I've said before, this feels like a console game now with the mission structure, the XP gaining, the collection of things, the arcade style handling and the watering down of everything. Really is a damn shame. The engine on the other hand is great, runs SUPER smooth and looks great. Would love to see that engine in FSX.

That's disappointing if you feel that way. I just tried simulation in the beta for a few minutes, but I still had the same problems like in other flight sims for whatever reason ;) I am sure flight sim veterans have a better understanding of it.

[Hoo-doo]

I tried the beta, and it never really clicked for me. It ran terribly on my PC (HD5850/i5), and it didn't look good either.
I used to be extremely into the older Microsoft Flight Simulator and Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator games, but I couldn't recapture that magic.

[plc268]

I guess I'll have to check out X-Plane 10 if I want a new flight sim. I was in the MS Flight Beta too, and it's just... dull. But then again, the draw of flight sims were never missions (I never did more than 10% of the FSX missions), but the ability to fly wherever and whenever.

[Peru]

Guess I'll have to think of this as Microsoft's Pilotwnigs and think of MS Flight Sim as dead for now. I'll try it out, of course.

[Munin]

While MS was busy crapping out this casual-ified nonsense, meanwhile some random no-name company has come out of nowhere with a new flight sim that has the best graphics I've ever seen in a flight sim. (check out 3:30 and after).

Only Switzerland is in right now, but man the potential....

[jooey]

While MS was busy crapping out this casual-ified nonsense, meanwhile some random no-name company has come out of nowhere with a new flight sim that has the best graphics I've ever seen in a flight sim. (check out 3:30 and after). Only Switzerland is in right now, but man the potential....

I'm sure those mountains look just as fantastic when you get close to them. Really.

[bigtroyjon]

While MS was busy crapping out this casual-ified nonsense, meanwhile some random no-name company has come out of nowhere with a new flight sim that has the best graphics I've ever seen in a flight sim. (check out 3:30 and after). Only Switzerland is in right now, but man the potential....

What's up with the soft core porn music?

[Munin]

I'm sure those mountains look just as fantastic when you get close to them. Really.

Because flying 3m over some mountains is totally the point of a flight simulator.

[Peru]

I think quite a few sims look amazing from that height, including FSX with scenery packs, and certainly flight sims with a more limited scope. That does look good, though.

[subversus]

I'm sure those mountains look just as fantastic when you get close to them. Really.

if the game supports DX11 then yes, really.

[Dineren]

I'm still quite interested to try this out. The graphics don't seem to be as impressive as i was hoping and I'd much rather have FS 2012, but that isn't going to happen. $20 for an area as big as Hawaii is a lot cheaper than many add-ons I've purchased for FS X. Though as I said earlier no Trackir support will kill it for me.

I'm a bit curious though, what does everyone think of X-Plane? Considering how rare civilian flight sim development seems to be I'm surprised it's not more popular at the forums I frequent. I've tried the demo for a bit and there didn't seem to be anything that jumped out at me that was bad about it (though the track ir implementation is weird, maybe there is a way to configure it in game, but I couldn't find it). Is it just the investment that has already been made into FS X or is there some other issue?

[plc268]

I'm still quite interested to try this out. The graphics don't seem to be as impressive as i was hoping and I'd much rather have FS 2012, but that isn't going to happen. $20 for an area as big as Hawaii is a lot cheaper than many add-ons I've purchased for FS X. Though as I said earlier no Trackir support will kill it for me. I'm a bit curious though, what does everyone think of X-Plane? Considering how rare civilian flight sim development seems to be I'm surprised it's not more popular at the forums I frequent. I've tried the demo for a bit and there didn't seem to be anything that jumped out at me that was bad about it (though the track ir implementation is weird, maybe there is a way to configure it in game, but I couldn't find it). Is it just the investment that has already been made into FS X or is there some other issue?

Well, I've tried X-Plane 9 in the past (they're on version 10 now), and the major differences from that and FS2004/FSX to me were the interface and control customization. X-Plane 9's interface was just plain atrocious compared to Microsoft's efforts. I also had a hell of a time getting my joystick properly configured as well. That said, it's a competent flight sim, but it's even more niche than FSX is/was.

Perhaps they fixed some of that stuff in X-Plane 10.

[wolfmat]

if the game supports DX11 then yes, really.

Maybe in terms of geometry and lighting, if they really killed themselves to get it perfect for DX11. Not in terms of texture though.

[kanugo]

The achievement list was revealed.

There are 32 achievements.

DLC: Hawaiian Adventure Pack has 6 achievements.

DLC: Maule M-7-260C has 1 achivement.

The fulll list can be seen here.

[inky]

Thanks. Added to the OP.

[Hari Seldon]

I guess I will try to download this, however I don't know if I remember my windows live account, haven't used it in years.

[TheExodu5]

No TrackIR support? Hype killed.

[Hari Seldon]

No TrackIR support? Hype killed.

What? Lol that is terrible. Come on guys!

[Huw_Dawson]

I can see it up on the GFWL marketplace on Xbox.com, but I can't "purchase" it. It informs me that the payment's failed and to try again.

Shame, because I wanted a flight sim to screw around in that wasn't called IL-2 Sturmovik.

[inky]

That's weird, I just "purchased" it with my microsoft points. It is 1.4 GB if anyone was wondering, but I didn't download it as I still have the beta installed and I need to uninstall that one first.

[Death31133]

Downloading Now!

http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/Pr...8d2?noSplash=1

[FlyinJ]

No TrackIR support? Hype killed.

This can't be real. Has this been confirmed?

[andylsun]

Downloading... 'your purchase cannot be completed at this time....' What.

Edit: Ah, click 'use microsoft points' instead of CC.

Been about 10 years since I've tried X-plane.

[plc268]

Downloading Now! http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/Pr...8d2?noSplash=1

*sigh*

I'll give it a chance. I just have to turn that switch in my head and treat it like pilotwings.

[inky]

This can't be real. Has this been confirmed?

Pretty much. Nothing official of course, and it was part of one of the surveys as a 'feature you'd like to see' but my impression is that they'll probably add Kinect head tracking and call it a day.

[Ceebs]

Looks like the add on stuff is going to be pricey.

Downloading to try it out anyway.

[FlyinJ]

Looks like the add on stuff is going to be pricey. Downloading to try it out anyway.

I'd say. $15 for a single plane? Jesus.

[PjotrStroganov]

Not available in your region:(