Today Microsoft hosted a livestream to detail its plans for the upcoming updates for Microsoft Flight Simulator, while third-party developers provided news and a release.
During the broadcast hosted on Twitch, we heard as usual from the head of Microsoft Flight Simulator Jorg Neumann, Asobo chief executive officer Sebastian Wlock, and executive producer Martial Bossard.
We learn from Neumann that Microsoft is very close to sending the first million dollars of the proceeds of the sale of the Antonov An-225 to Antonov itself, which will receive all the revenue to help rebuild the real aircraft. Considering the $19.99 price, one million dollars in revenue means over 50,000 units sold (likely more because those who purchased the Deluxe editions of the sim have a 30% discount).
We also heard that ATR 42/72 is the fastest-selling aircraft on the platform. The first update for the aircraft is coming next week (May 9) while the creator is working on Simbrief support and payload setting on the EFB tablet. The freighter version will come "at some point." A couple more "Expert Series" aircraft are currently being developed.
Speaking of the recently-released World Update Oceania, it'll get a further update as soon as possible including photogrammetry for Hawaii. Unfortunately, the World Update expected for May will be delayed by a few weeks (to July 11) due to persistent rain that prevented the completion of the shooting for the photogrammetry.
On the other hand, Microsoft will release updates for the DHC-4 Caribou, the Antonov An-225, and the Antonov An-2 on May 11.
After that, on June 19, we're getting City Update 2 dedicated to France and a Local Legend Aircraft, while on June 23, Microsoft will release the Aircraft & Avionics Update 02 and a Famous Flyer aircraft.
City Update 2 coming on June 19 will include five new photogrammetry cities, Amiens, Angers, Nantes, Nimes, and Reins. We're also getting Paris Le Bourget (LFPB) Airport made by iniBuilds.
The Local Legend aircraft also coming on June 19 is the Latécoère 631 made by BlueMesh. Below you can watch a trailer and screenshots. Interestingly, you can even control the tugboat.
Next, we hear from Matt Nischan from Working Title who announced that the Aircraft & Avionics Update 2 coming on June 23 (the beta will start on May 15) will focus on the overhaul of the Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner including the following features.
We're also getting an overhaul for the Boeing 747-8i with the following features.
We then got a small tease with a single screenshot. If you're wondering, it's Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, likely teasing a World Update or City Update set in Eastern Europe.
Lastly from Microsoft, below you can check out the updated roadmap for 2023.
Looking at third-party developers, we get an update from WWD about the upcoming freeware Airbus H135 helicopter. Work on the T1 variant has begun, and the developer hopes to have both the T1 and T2 variants available at launch with police and HEMS interiors. For the moment, the T3 variant won't be made because it's more complex and it's already available for Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Below you can check out some screenshots showcasing the work being done on the model. If you'd like to follow along with the development process, you can join the developer's Discord server.
A release came from Onfinal Studio and it's Kirkenes Airport (ENKR) in Norway. It's currently available on Simmarket for $16.04 promising the following.
- All new detailed 3D models of all buildings
- Custom-made objects placed around the airport
- PBR textures
- Night lighting and textures
- The new extended runway
- Corrected terrain around the airport
Microsoft Flight Simulator is currently available for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox Cloud Gaming, including Game Pass. If you'd like to learn more, you should stay tuned on TechRaptor as we have daily Microsoft Flight Simulator news to keep you updated on the many add-ons coming and released for the sim. We have also recently interviewed Microsoft's Jorg Neumann about the Antonov An-225 "Mriya" and iniBuilds' CEO Ubaid Mussa on the work of the popular third-party developer. If you're interested in reviews, you can check out iniBuilds' New York-JFK Airport, Orbx's Oslo Gardermoen Airport, and RHDSimulations' Boeing 767-300ER.
