<strong>Microsoft Flight Simulator: </strong>Microsoft Flight Simulator, a colossus of the gaming world since 1982, is back. A next-level reboot will be released in 2020.
Microsoft Flight Simulator: Microsoft Flight Simulator, a colossus of the gaming world since 1982, is back. A next-level reboot will be released in 2020.
Courtesy Microsoft
<strong>Advances:</strong> These new preview images show the game has come a long way since the simple graphics of the early '80s.
Advances: These new preview images show the game has come a long way since the simple graphics of the early '80s.
Courtesy Microsoft
<strong>Number 11: </strong>This will be the 11th version of the game. Number 10 -- Microsoft Flight Simulator X -- was released back in 2006.
Number 11: This will be the 11th version of the game. Number 10 -- Microsoft Flight Simulator X -- was released back in 2006.
Courtesy Microsoft
<strong>'Simmer' universe:</strong> "Flight simulation is huge -- it's a universe, with thousands and thousands of people around the world using it," says Sérgio Costa, a Lisbon-based "simmer."
'Simmer' universe: "Flight simulation is huge -- it's a universe, with thousands and thousands of people around the world using it," says Sérgio Costa, a Lisbon-based "simmer."
Courtesy Microsoft
<strong>I'll take New York:</strong> "In the hallways of Microsoft the dream of making another flight simulator has always been alive," Jorg Neumann, head of Microsoft Flight Simulator, tells CNN. "Sometimes, what it takes is the right convergence of things."
I'll take New York: "In the hallways of Microsoft the dream of making another flight simulator has always been alive," Jorg Neumann, head of Microsoft Flight Simulator, tells CNN. "Sometimes, what it takes is the right convergence of things."
Courtesy Microsoft
<strong>Realism:</strong> "Thanks to the conjunction of new technologies we can now finally render the world realistically, making users feel more connected," says Sebastian Wloch, CEO and co-founder of game developers Asobo Studio.
Realism: "Thanks to the conjunction of new technologies we can now finally render the world realistically, making users feel more connected," says Sebastian Wloch, CEO and co-founder of game developers Asobo Studio.
Courtesy Microsoft
<strong>Weather: </strong>"The clouds are what we call volumetric, meaning they're 3D. When you fly through clouds the weather engine shows 3D rain," adds Wloch.
Weather: "The clouds are what we call volumetric, meaning they're 3D. When you fly through clouds the weather engine shows 3D rain," adds Wloch.
Courtesy Microsoft
<strong>Paris mapped by Bing: </strong>"The planet's getting scanned at a rapid pace," says Neumann. "We have two petabytes of data on Bing in ultra-high detail, and we're going to have full mapping of the planet very soon."
Paris mapped by Bing: "The planet's getting scanned at a rapid pace," says Neumann. "We have two petabytes of data on Bing in ultra-high detail, and we're going to have full mapping of the planet very soon."
Courtesy Microsoft
<strong>Incubator:</strong> With flight traffic set to double over the next 20 years, there's a looming pilot shortage. Flight simulators are the incubators of tomorrow's pilot talent pool.
Incubator: With flight traffic set to double over the next 20 years, there's a looming pilot shortage. Flight simulators are the incubators of tomorrow's pilot talent pool.
Courtesy Microsoft
<strong>Skills:</strong> "There are several skills needed by pilots that can be practiced on this kind of flight simulation technology," says Captain Marie Stridh, flight captain and pilot recruiter at SAS Scandinavian Airlines.
Skills: "There are several skills needed by pilots that can be practiced on this kind of flight simulation technology," says Captain Marie Stridh, flight captain and pilot recruiter at SAS Scandinavian Airlines.
Courtesy Microsoft