Microsoft Flight Simulator (1982 video game)

Microsoft Flight Simulator
Developer(s)Sublogic
Publisher(s)Microsoft
Designer(s)Bruce Artwick
SeriesMicrosoft Flight Simulator
Platform(s)IBM PC
ReleaseNovember 1982
Genre(s)Amateur flight simulation
Mode(s)Single-player

Microsoft Flight Simulator, commonly known as Microsoft Flight Simulator 1.0, is a flight simulator video game, released in November 1982 for the IBM PC.[1] It is the first instalment in the Microsoft Flight Simulator series.

History

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

Around the years of 1981–82, Microsoft contacted Bruce Artwick of Sublogic, 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.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10]

Gameplay

In Microsoft Flight Simulator, the player flies a Cessna 182 in one of four US regions: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, or Seattle. The starting airport was 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.

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

Reception

Will Fastie for Creative Computing said "In their established tradition, Microsoft has again chosen to market a classic program, unique in the market."[11]

Jay Marrone for SoftSide said "the MS-Flight Simulator is an entertaining program for anyone who ever wanted to pilot an airplane."[12]

Hartley G. Lesser for Electronic Fun with Computers & Games said "Microsoft's Flight Simulator actually turns your IBM PC into a Cessna. The thrill of flying becomes a reality."[13]

Stan Miastkowski for Byte said "The Microsoft Flight Simulator is a tour de force of the programmer's art."[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 to its World Video Game Hall of Fame.[16]

Reviews

References

  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.
  17. ^ "PC Mag 1983-01". January 26, 1983 – via Internet Archive.