Microsoft Flight Simulator 2022 Roadmap: DLC, Updates, and More

Microsoft Flight Simulator Airbus A320 Jfk Source: Microsoft

Microsoft Flight Simulator has big plans in store, with the company'due south return to the genre already disrupting through a cutting-border replica of planet Earth. Its engineering established an impressive out-of-the-box foundation from the backing of its cloud empire, layered with two petabytes of satellite imagery, mapping data, and avant-garde aerodynamics.

But Microsoft isn't stopping with its Baronial 18 debut, now talking what'south next for its latest Flying Simulator. The developer positions the championship as an "ever-changing, ever-evolving platform," discussing its start content roadmap, dissever across both regular free updates, commencement with the odd paid downloadable content (DLC) expansion. Here's what to expect out for beyond take-off.

How Flight Simulator handles 'world' and 'sim' updates

Microsoft Flight Simulator Xtra330 Source: Microsoft

Time to come free updates come split across ii master forms: world updates addressing its globe, and changes to the simulation. The team hopes to deliver focused updates, cycling betwixt the world and simulation, to achieve "something meaningful" every month.

The world of Microsoft Flight Simulator is continually updated with the latest bachelor information from Bing Maps, automatically refreshing on a 28-twenty-four hour period frequency. Changes made to Microsoft's mapping platform volition also be reflected in-game, ensuring Flying Simulator remains up to date beyond release. Other existent-time elements like weather condition and air traffic keep gameplay current, without substantial input from the evolution team.

Formal "world updates" will further expand on these automated processes, compiling transmission changes and tweaks into a more "consumable" format. They package up designated areas with new data, more than handcrafted airports, new landing challenges, and other refinements to the earth.

Microsoft offsets earth updates with its simulation changes, aiming to enrich moment-to-moment aviation instead. That includes new features and improvements, still to be appear, focused on the flying mechanics. The list of aircraft in Microsoft Flight Simulator will also undergo expansion with fourth dimension.

Microsoft Flight Simulator will get paid DLC expansions — offset including helicopters

Microsoft Flight Simulator Boeing 747 Multiplayer Source: Microsoft

Microsoft Flight Simulator volition also introduce paid DLC every "two to 3 months," set to add new flagship features outside of the free updates and content refreshes. Those milestones will delve into new facets of simulation, beyond its initial focuses for launch content.

The showtime DLC for Microsoft Flight Simulator plans to introduce helicopters, expanding its simulation with a new class of transport. The squad has explored helicopter models, set to provide a framework for the vastly different systems and aerodynamics, over the existing plane roster. It expects the paid DLC to include a pick of helicopters, helipads, playable missions, and other luxuries beyond the raw implementation.

Microsoft volition announce further paid DLC packs every bit they come, remaining coy on upcoming plans. However, with experimental gliders already in the pipeline, they're a likely future candidate for premium offerings.

Yeah, VR is coming to Microsoft Flight Simulator very before long

HP Reverb G2 Source: HP

Microsoft Flying Simulator will besides explore virtual reality (VR) post-launch, with its evolution team recently outlining intentions to evangelize support through a free update. The optional manner provides an added layer of immersion for those with VR headsets, helping bring its hyper-realistic globe and detailed cockpits just inches from your eyeballs. That added immersive layer appears hotly anticipated for some, among the first points of interest for what'south next.

VR first hits Microsoft Flight Simulator 2022 in a somewhat limited course, initially tied to 1 headset according to the company. The HP Reverb G2 will exist the only compatible headset for testing, birthed through a collaboration between Microsoft and Valve, and scheduled to release afterwards in 2022. While VR volition arrive later on this year, a later update volition expand compatibility to more headsets.

That accompanies the existing TrackIR support, scheduled to arrive alongside Microsoft Flying Simulator on Baronial 18. Wait boosted refinements with time, providing a head-tracking alternative compatible with a non-VR setup.

More in-store for Microsoft Flying Simulator

Microsoft Flight Simulator Source: Microsoft

Microsoft has too discussed farther planned content for Microsoft Flight Simulator across launch, and by extension, likely some of the showtime title updates to see over the months ahead. And based on its previously outlined roadmap guidelines, these will likely remain free past edifice on its simulation depth.

Shared cockpit functionality is planned for Flight Simulator 2022 in a future update, allowing multiplayer pilots to control a unmarried aircraft inside i surround. For a title that thrives on authenticity, integration would fully support multi-crew aircraft for multiplayer.

The team also expressed interest in expanding its seasons across current weather condition and climate systems. Flight Simulator 2022 has robust support for sun, rain, snow, and other environments, but future seasons may consider ice, wind conditions, snow acclimation, and animate being behaviors.

Microsoft Flight Simulator Cessna C172 Greece Source: Microsoft

And with Flying Simulator'southward open-world at present more than accessible than ever, the championship besides draws a broader audition of newcomers to the franchise. Afterwards launch, the team plans to explore formal missions or a career system designed to provide additional guidance beyond its basic flight lesson systems.

That's just a sample of what Microsoft Flight Simulator has in store beyond its August 18 street appointment. The title launches exclusively on PC, both via Windows 10'southward integrated Microsoft Shop and Steam, with preorders now live starting at $60.

The Legend Returns

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2022 Box Art

Microsoft Flight Simulator

Prepare for take-off.

Microsoft Flight Simulator takes to the skies on Aug. xviii, promising a cloud-powered globe, with authenticity on an unmatched scale. It's headed exclusively to Windows PCs, with preorders now alive in three flavors.

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