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Microsoft Flight Simulator (1982 video game)

(Redirected from Microsoft Flight Simulator 1.0)

Microsoft Flight Simulator is a 1982 flight simulation video game, released in November 1982 for the IBM PC by Microsoft,[1] developed by Bruce Artwick of Sublogic. It is the first installment in the Microsoft Flight Simulator series, and was developed from Artwick's earlier FS1 Flight Simulator.

Microsoft Flight Simulator
DeveloperSublogic
PublisherMicrosoft
DesignerBruce Artwick
SeriesMicrosoft Flight Simulator
PlatformIBM PC
ReleaseNovember 1982
GenreFlight simulation
ModeSingle-player

The game allows the player to fly a Cessna 182 Skylane across four US regions, and also features a World War I aerial combat mode set in Europe. Early versions were widely used as a benchmark test for PC compatibility.

Upon release, the game received positive reviews from the gaming press, with critics praising its realism and technical achievement. It sold approximately 800,000 copies in its first five years. In 2021, Microsoft Flight Simulator was inducted into The Strong National Museum of Play's World Video Game Hall of Fame.

Gameplay

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This image is of Microsoft Flight Simulator displaying color on a composite monitor.[2] The game does have support for RGB monitors, but in monochrome only.

In Microsoft Flight Simulator, the player flies a Cessna 182 Skylane in one of four US regions: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, or Seattle. The starting airport is Meigs Field in Chicago, with a view of the city skyline to the left and Lake Michigan to the right. It would remain the default airport in future versions of Microsoft Flight Simulator, until the real airport was closed in 2003.

There is also a "Europe 1917" mode which is similar to the "British Ace" mode of FS1 Flight Simulator. This mode has the player flying a Sopwith Camel in a grid-divided area with mountains on two sides. They can declare war and fire at enemy aircraft.

Development

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In 1981, Microsoft contacted Bruce Artwick of Sublogic, the creator of FS1 Flight Simulator, to develop a new flight simulator for IBM compatible PCs. This version was released in November 1982 as ''Microsoft Flight Simulator''. It featured an improved graphics engine, variable weather and time of day, and a new coordinate system (used by all subsequent versions up to version 5). It was later updated and ported to other home computers as Flight Simulator II, published by Sublogic.

Advertisements claimed "If flying your IBM PC got any more realistic, you'd need a license", and promised "a full-color, out-the-window flight display".[3] Early versions of Microsoft Flight Simulator were used as a test for PC compatibility. If a computer could run Microsoft Flight Simulator and Lotus 1-2-3, it was 100% IBM PC-compatible.[a]

Reception

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Microsoft Flight Simulator was positively received by the gaming press upon its release. Will Fastie, writing for Creative Computing, praised Microsoft for choosing to publish the title, calling it a classic program unlike anything else on the market.[11] Jay Marrone of SoftSide described it as an entertaining program for anyone with an interest in aviation.[12] Hartley G. Lesser of Electronic Fun with Computers & Games praised its realism, writing that the simulator felt as though it genuinely replicated the experience of flying a Cessna.[13] Stan Miastkowski, reviewing the game for Byte, called it a remarkable technical accomplishment by its programmer.[14]

The game sold about 800,000 copies in its first five years.[15] In 2021, The Strong National Museum of Play inducted Microsoft Flight Simulator into its World Video Game Hall of Fame.[16]

Notes

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  1. ↑ Attributed to multiple references:[4][5][6][7][8][9][10]

References

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  1. ↑ Hockman, Daniel (April 1987). "Bruce Artwick's Flight Simulator / You've Come A Long Way, Baby! / The History of an Epic Program". Computer Gaming World. No. 36. pp. 32–34. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  2. ↑ See King's Quest image for sample images
  3. ↑ Advertisement (December 1982). "If flying your IBM PC got any more realistic, you'd need a license". PC Magazine. pp. Inside front cover. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  4. ↑ Springer, P. Gregory (1985-06-03). "Tandy's Magnificent Concession". InfoWorld. p. 72. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
  5. ↑ Lockwood, Russ (September 1985). "Zenith Z-151; choice of U.S. Air Force and Navy". Creative Computing. p. 50. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  6. ↑ Alsop, Stewart (31 January 1994). "A public Windows pane to make compatibility clearer". InfoWorld. p. 102. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
  7. ↑ Dvorak, John C. (12 May 1986). "Springtime In Atlanta Beats Fall In Las Vegas". InfoWorld. p. 66. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
  8. ↑ Satchell, Stephen (27 January 1986). "The Corona ATP Is Faster Than The IBM PC AT, But It Has Flaws". InfoWorld. pp. 47, 50. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
  9. ↑ Mace, Scott; Karen Sorensen (5 May 1986). "Amiga, Atari Ready PC Emulators". InfoWorld. p. 5. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
  10. ↑ Satchell, Stephen (14 January 1985). "AT&T 6300 PERSONAL COMPUTER". InfoWorld. pp. 49, 53–54. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
  11. ↑ "Creative Computing (better Scan) 1983 02". February 1, 1983 – via Internet Archive.
  12. ↑ "SoftSide Magazine Issue 55 (Computer Video)". April 26, 1983 – via Internet Archive.
  13. ↑ "Electronic Fun with Computer & Games - Vol 01 No 12 (1983-10)(Fun & Games Publishing)(US)". October 26, 1983 – via Internet Archive.
  14. ↑ "Byte Magazine Volume 09 Number 03 - Simulation". March 26, 1984 – via Internet Archive.
  15. ↑ Lynch, Dennis (July 1, 1988). "Games software moving from summer show to stores". Chicago Tribune. p. 162. Retrieved February 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ "Microsoft Flight Simulator". The Strong National Museum of Play. The Strong. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
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