Microsoft confirmed the closure of Aces Game Studio to IGN today, the internal development studio responsible for Microsoft Flight Simulator.Amidst the 5,000 job cuts at Microsoft it appears as though Microsoft Flight Simulator is the first product victim. In a statement to IGN, Kelda Rericha of Edelman, Microsoft's public relations firm, said that the decision was made within Microsoft's Internal Entertainment Business "to align our people against our highest priorities."
Microsoft Flight Simulator dates back over 25 years with the first edition released in late 1982. Does this mean that Flight Simulator is a victim of the layoffs? According to Rericha, "We are committed to the Flight Simulator franchise which has proven to be a successful PC based game for the last 27 years. You should expect us to continue to invest in enabling great LIVE experiences on Windows, including flying games, but we have nothing specific to announce at this time."
Last time I played it was on the Atari, I had no idea this educational game was created by MS.
Last time I played it was on the Atari, I had no idea this educational game was created by MS.
I play the latest Flight Simulator release that my hardware allows for (Flight Simulator X since I upgraded my video card...Flight Simulator 2004 before that). I love the games.
They got so far developing that game its u unbelievable they called it quits now!
Last edited by iAwesomeness on 24 Jan 2009 - 11:30
Microsoft Flight Simulator LIVE ? or is this the end of MFS as we know it, there will be another 'flying game' but it wont be MFS anymore
The last decent flight simulators was :msfs2004, x-plane, lomac and falcon4, all of them are 5 year old game (or even old).
Truly, the genre is clearly dead, just a group of hardcore players will keep playing it.
And that's just adding insult to injury. I'm willing to bet 75% of private pilots own Flight Simulator and use it to train. For example: turn off the exterior views, and look at just the gauges. For those of you that don't understand how pilots function, think about loading flight sim, never looking outside, taking off, flying around, and landing exactly where you're supposed to be (and never looking out a window).
Hopefully they'll contract out development or sell the rights to another company who can continue the tradition. There is still X-Plane, but nothing has the loyalty of Flight Sim.
I still think there a market for it and wish they continue development.
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