tucsoncoyote
10-17-2006, 08:21 AM
Alright I can see the odd looks when you read this thread. But as of Today (October 17th), Microsoft is releasing it's 10th version of perhaps it's most popular Simulation Program. Flight Simulator.
Back in 1982, Flight Sim was just a game (at least to some people), that had 'wireframe' buildings and runways. there was really no feel to the game.. but game play was simple...
But here in Microsoft's 10th Release Flight Simulator X, the Term "As Real as it gets" takes on a New Meaning.
Well how real is Flight Simulator X? well from the graphics and look from promotional videos, Flight sim X looks like it will get you almost to the point of "Total Immersion" (You'll almost feel that you're in the cockpit of your favorite, Airplane, Glider, or Ultralight.
But Like the title Says, This isn't your Daddy's Simulator (some 25 years ago) in that 25 year period and through the 9 previous versions we've started to see realism in ground terrain, to weather, to even Artificial Intelligent Traffic.
and now with the Internet the way it is, Flight sim X will take on new meaning as this version will not only have improved graphics, and Improved weather, but also Improved Playabilty for people who are avid flight simmers, including being able to play either a pilot or an Air Traffic Controller.
Plus Now if you even want to pilot a space shuttle into low earth orbit, now you can (In the previous 9 versions the highest you could go was just 100,000 feet or 18.39 miles. In Flight Sim X, that ceiling has been increased to 100,000,000 feet or 18,399 miles.. So a low earth orbit with a Shuttle is now acheivable..
Of course in that 25 years Microsoft hasn't really increased the price. (It's gone up due to Inflation), but this 10th version does come in two "Flavors" (Standard (Coming in at $49.99) and the "Deluxe" Version coming in at $69.99)...
and believe me there are Developers out there who keep cranking out new stuff, from planes to scenery (that is starting to become "Photorealistic" to flight plans for AI Traffic.
In closing, Flight sim X isn't your Daddy's Flight Sim anymore. Sure it's a game, but when you get to this point of realism, it makes you wonder.. what will flight sim 11 be like?
Feel free to put your thoughts on this product. (Comments, Criticisms, you name it.)
Time to take off, and fly..)
:coyote:
Back in 1982, Flight Sim was just a game (at least to some people), that had 'wireframe' buildings and runways. there was really no feel to the game.. but game play was simple...
But here in Microsoft's 10th Release Flight Simulator X, the Term "As Real as it gets" takes on a New Meaning.
Well how real is Flight Simulator X? well from the graphics and look from promotional videos, Flight sim X looks like it will get you almost to the point of "Total Immersion" (You'll almost feel that you're in the cockpit of your favorite, Airplane, Glider, or Ultralight.
But Like the title Says, This isn't your Daddy's Simulator (some 25 years ago) in that 25 year period and through the 9 previous versions we've started to see realism in ground terrain, to weather, to even Artificial Intelligent Traffic.
and now with the Internet the way it is, Flight sim X will take on new meaning as this version will not only have improved graphics, and Improved weather, but also Improved Playabilty for people who are avid flight simmers, including being able to play either a pilot or an Air Traffic Controller.
Plus Now if you even want to pilot a space shuttle into low earth orbit, now you can (In the previous 9 versions the highest you could go was just 100,000 feet or 18.39 miles. In Flight Sim X, that ceiling has been increased to 100,000,000 feet or 18,399 miles.. So a low earth orbit with a Shuttle is now acheivable..
Of course in that 25 years Microsoft hasn't really increased the price. (It's gone up due to Inflation), but this 10th version does come in two "Flavors" (Standard (Coming in at $49.99) and the "Deluxe" Version coming in at $69.99)...
and believe me there are Developers out there who keep cranking out new stuff, from planes to scenery (that is starting to become "Photorealistic" to flight plans for AI Traffic.
In closing, Flight sim X isn't your Daddy's Flight Sim anymore. Sure it's a game, but when you get to this point of realism, it makes you wonder.. what will flight sim 11 be like?
Feel free to put your thoughts on this product. (Comments, Criticisms, you name it.)
Time to take off, and fly..)
:coyote: