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| Microsoft Flight Simulator | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Sublogic |
| Publisher(s) | Microsoft |
| Designer(s) | Bruce Artwick |
| Series | Microsoft Flight Simulator |
| Platform(s) | IBM PC |
| Release | November 1982 |
| Genre(s) | Amateur flight simulation |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Microsoft Flight Simulator, commonlyknown asMicrosoft Flight Simulator 1.0, is a 1982flight simulation video game, released in November 1982 for theIBM PC.[1] It is the first installment in theMicrosoft Flight Simulator series.
InMicrosoft Flight Simulator, the player flies aCessna 182 Skylane in one of four US regions:Chicago,Los Angeles,New York City, orSeattle. The starting airport isMeigs Field in Chicago, with a view of the city skyline to the left andLake Michigan to the right. It would remain the default airport in future versions ofMicrosoft Flight Simulator, until the real airport was closed in 2003.
There is also a "Europe 1917" mode which is similar to the "British Ace" mode ofFS1 Flight Simulator. This mode has the player flying aSopwith Camel in a grid-divided area with mountains on two sides. They can declare war and fire at enemy aircraft.
Around 1981,Microsoft contactedBruce Artwick ofSublogic, the creator ofFS1 Flight Simulator, to develop a new flight simulator for IBM compatible PCs. This version was released in November of the following year asMicrosoft Flight Simulator. It featured an improved graphics engine, variable weather and time of day, and a new coordinate system (used by all subsequent versions up to version 5). It was later updated and ported to other home computers asFlight Simulator II, published by Sublogic.
Advertisements claimed "If flying your IBM PC got any more realistic, you'd need a license", and promised "a full-color, out-the-window flight display".[3] Early versions ofMicrosoft Flight Simulator were used as a test forPC compatibility. If a computer could runMicrosoft Flight Simulator andLotus 1-2-3, it was 100% IBM PC-compatible.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][excessive citations]
Will Fastie forCreative Computing said "In their established tradition, Microsoft has again chosen to market a classic program, unique in the market."[11]
Jay Marrone forSoftSide said "theMS-Flight Simulator is an entertaining program for anyone who ever wanted to pilot an airplane."[12]
Hartley G. Lesser forElectronic Fun with Computers & Games said "Microsoft'sFlight Simulator actually turns your IBM PC into a Cessna. The thrill of flying becomes a reality."[13]
Stan Miastkowski forByte said "TheMicrosoft Flight Simulator is a tour de force of the programmer's art."[14]
The game sold about 800,000 copies in its first five years.[15]
In 2021,The Strong National Museum of Play inductedMicrosoft Flight Simulator to itsWorld Video Game Hall of Fame.[16]