Microsoft’s Flight Simulator, the company’s longest-running video gaming franchise is turning 40 in November. To celebrate, Microsoft aired a trailer for the 40th Anniversary Edition of the wildly popular flight simulator title. The trailer was announced during the recent Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase, and you may want to watch it to the end; There’s a surprise waiting for all owners of Microsoft’s Flight Simulator.
Microsoft has described the 40th Anniversary Edition of the game as a ‘comprehensive celebration of the franchise with a tribute to our past.’ Given how long the game has been entertaining aspiring pilots and hardcore strategy gamers alike, it’s no surprise they’re doing so much to celebrate this impressive milestone. The 40th Anniversary Edition of Flight Simulator contains a well-deserved hit of nostalgia for fans of the early versions of the game, as well as a number of new highly-anticipated types of aircraft and classic global airports. But that is merely the beginning.
As an even more inclusive way to celebrate the game and all those who’ve enjoyed taking to the virtual skies within it for 40 years, Microsoft is upgrading every owned Flight Simulator game to include the 40th Anniversary Edition, free of charge. Microsoft is doing the same for anyone with a PC or Xbox Game Pass, so if you have either of these you’ll be able to play the 40th Annniversary Edition Flight Simulator free of extra charge.
Anyone involved in Flight Simulator community polls will be ecstatic to know that the most highly-requested aircraft type is finally headed to Flight Simulator; Helicopters. As a further celebratory addition, Microsoft is also adding in a few gliders. Both the gliders and helicopters will make use of the new Fluid Dynamic Simulation feature which will enable smoother and more realistically responsive flight.
Here is a sneak peek of some of the new content that will be included in the 40th Anniversary Edition:
Historical Aircraft:
- Wright Flyer
- Ryan NYP (“Spirit of St. Louis”)
- Douglas DC-3
- De Havilland Canada DHC-2-Beaver
Helicopters:
- Bell-407
- Guimbal Cabri G2
Gliders:
- DG Flugzeugbau LG8-18
- DG Flugzeugbau DG1001E neo
True-to-Life Airliner:
- Airbus A310
Microsoft has also announced a partnership with the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum, which will see the Spirit of St. Louis brought back to life within Flight Simulator. However, that’s still not all; You can expect to see the Pelican from Halo Infinite soaring through the skies as well. The Pelican is available for free from the Flight Simulator’s in-game marketplace. Let it never be said that Microsoft doesn’t know how to celebrate milestones.
In other Microsoft news, Mojang would like to introduce you to Minecraft Legends!
