Flight Simulation X
Microsoft Flight Simulation X (the X is pronounced ten, as in the Roman numeral, also known amongst Flight Simulation enthusiasts simply as FSX) is the latest version of Microsoft Flight Simulation after Flight Simulation 2004. It includes a graphics engine upgrade as well as compatibility with Windows Vista, having been hailed by Microsoft as the most important technological milestone in the series to date. It is the first version in the flight Simulation series to be released on DVD-ROM.
Flight Simulation X marks the tenth version of the popular line of Simulations. It was officially released to the US market on October 17, 2006. According to Microsoft's Web site for the game, a standard edition features everything from navaids to GPS and airways. It also includes 18 planes, 28 detailed cities, and 40 highly detailed airports. The deluxe version features 24 types of aircraft, 38 highly detailed cities, and 45 highly detailed airports.
About Flight Simulation X
Flight Simulation X was officially unveiled at the 2006 international Consumer Electronics Show (CES) as a gaming showcase for Microsoft Windows Vista. Microsoft released screenshots as well as a list of frequently asked questions as a press release on Microsoft Flight Simulation Insider, as well as numerous flight Simulation communities (see External links). This also included mission-based gameplay with mission specific aircraft as well as an upgraded rendering engine capable of increased detail. Following the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in May 2006, Microsoft published new screenshots, videos and an official trailer. The overall reaction by the community was quite positive,[citation needed] and the graphical quality of the Simulation has greatly increased.
Flight Simulation X has a required system rating of 3 for Windows Vista and a recommended rating of 5.
More About Flight Simulation X
On 22 January 2009, it was reported that development team behind the product was being heavily affected by Microsoft's ongoing job cuts, with indications that the entire Microsoft Flight Simulation team was being made redundant. Microsoft later confirmed this and stated they are committed to the Flight Simulation franchise, and expected to continue to release products in the series, but had nothing specific to announce at that time.
Flight Simulation X was released in three editions, Standard, Deluxe and later Gold. Deluxe Edition incorporates some additional features, including an on-disc Software Development Kit (SDK), three airplanes with the Garmin G1000 Flight Deck, and the ability for the player to Air Traffic Control (ATC) other users with a radar screen.
In addition, the Deluxe Edition features 24 aircraft compared to 18 in the Standard Edition, 45 high-detail airports compared to 40, 38 high-detail cities compared to 28, and 51 structured missions compared to 30+.
Flight Simulator X Flight Simulation
Microsoft Flight Simulation X: Gold Edition combines the Deluxe Edition and the Acceleration expansion pack into one. Also, it has more missions than the two editions/packs combined.
Flight Simulation X is notable for being the first product in Microsoft's Flight Simulation series to have a game demo, which contains a subset of features of the retail product (including a limitation to the duration of a flight) and requires Windows XP Service Pack 2 or Windows Vista for installation.
The first limited demo of Flight Simulation X was released to the public on August 9, 2006, and put up for download on the website. Even though playable, the August demo represented a beta release of the product, and had a number of bugs, some of which were recognized in the official installation's README file. On October 2, 2006 the demo was superseded by a newer release, which, while having fewer bugs, is almost identical to the first demo. The DHC-2 Beaver was removed in favor of a Learjet 45. Both the demos feature St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles and the surrounding area only (as opposed to the entire world), including Princess Juliana International Airport. There are four playable aircraft (Bombardier CRJ-700, Beechcraft 58, DHC-2 Beaver/Learjet 45 and an ultralight aircraft), and three missions, one of which is actually an introductory tutorial. Demo versions can be downloaded from Fusion Sim. Demo versions are available in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Polish.
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