Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight Preshow Report

The next game in Microsoft's long-running Flight Simulator series will be on display at E3 2003. The popular and highly successful series will be joined this year by Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight, a game that will let you fly both contemporary and historical aircraft.

The new Flight Simulator game will in fact let you choose to fly one of 15 modern aircraft, such as the Cessna 172 Skyhawk SP Model 172 and the Boeing 747-400 commercial airliner. Like other games in the series, Flight Simulator 2004 will feature an authentic flight model that will take into account such realistic considerations such as wind direction and the different handling characteristics of each plane. The new game will feature an improved cockpit view that will give you more control over your plane by letting you directly access your radio and onboard controls without having to constantly switch to and from the cockpit view. In addition, the game will feature improved graphics in the form of a dynamic weather system and enhanced scenery and special effects. The game will model fair weather conditions and fog, rain, clouds, and haze, and it will also let you set your weather conditions according to your preferences. In addition, the game will feature highly detailed scenery and environments, including airports and lighted runways.

In addition to the game's 15 modern aircraft, Flight Simulator 2004 will let you try out nine historical aircraft from the past century of powered flight. For instance, you'll be able to try out the Ryan NP, the same plane used by Charles Lindbergh in the first nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean in the early 20th century. You'll even be able to try out the Wright Flyer, the earliest powered aircraft in history, which the Wright Brothers first launched at Kitty Hawk in 1903. In addition, the game will include various historical articles that describe the invention, construction, and flight of these classic planes. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight will be released in July.