Released in the middle of last year during a peak time of COVID-19, Microsoft Flight Simulator was an opportunity for us to take to the (digital skies) and explore the marvels of the planet… and gawk at some of the world generation bungles. Microsoft and developer Asobo Studio have confirmed that the game will be getting a Game of the Year Edition from 18 November 2021.
This edition of Microsoft Flight Simulator is pitched as a “new edition [which] celebrates all the positive feedback, reviews and awards garnered, but it is also a “Thank You” to our fans – new and old – that have made Microsoft Flight Simulator such a phenomenon” This is not an alternate edition per ce, but instead a special update rolling out to existing players on the PC and Xbox Series X|S. While the original retail release will be retired, the GotY Edition will be taking its place. Alternatively, it will be available indefinitely via the Xbox Game Pass for both platforms.
So what does this GotY Edition Include? Below is a list of some of the promoted content of the update:
New Aircrafts
Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet
Our first military jet and a highly requested feature from the community. The Top Gun: Maverick expansion will release with the movie next Spring, but we wanted simmers to have the opportunity to test their need for speed this holiday.
VoloCity
We partnered with well-known German company Volocopter, which is working on an eVTOL called “VoloCity”, a vision for an urban air taxi. We worked closely with the Volocopter engineering team to develop an authentic version of the prototype aircraft for the simulator. This is our first aircraft that can perform pinpoint landings and is a teaser of what you can look forward to in 2022 when we intend to launch helicopters in the sim.
Pilatus PC-6 Porter
This legendary short takeoff and landing (STOL) utility aircraft is a highly versatile plane from Switzerland and comes with several cockpits, cabins, and landing gear variations. It is the result of our close collaboration with the manufacturer and the development efforts by famed developers Hans Hartmann and Alexander Metzger resulted in a great and fun new aircraft with exception capabilities in the simulator.
CubCrafters NX Cub
Yakima-based CubCrafters recently introduced a nosewheel option for their flagship CC-19 XCub Aircraft, popularly called the NX Cub, which we are pleased to introduce to the flight sim audience to further enhance our bush flying and off airport options.
Aviat Pitts Special S1S
One of our most popular planes gets a single-seat option with the release of this aircraft.
New Airports
8x new handcrafted airports across Central Europe and the United States will be introduced to the game. These locales include:
Germany
Leipzig/Halle Airport (EDDP)
Allgäu Airport Memmingen (EDJA)
Kassel Airport (EDVK)
Switzerland
Lugano Airport (LSZA)
Zurich Airport (LSZH)
Luzern-Beromunster Airport (LSZO)
United States
Patrick Space Force Base (KCOF)
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar (KNKX)
Furthermore, information about 545 previously missing airports in the United States will be introduced to Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Also Including…
New Missions
Based on the popularity of the recently introduced Discovery Flights, we are adding an additional 6 locations (Helsinki, Freiburg im Breisgau, Mecca, Monument Valley, Singapore, and Mount Cook) to this popular series.
New Tutorials
To further expand the onboarding experience, we are adding 14 new tutorials, introducing simmers to Bush flying (in an Icon A5) and IFR (in a Cessna 172).
New Features
We are also pleased to introduce several highly requested features by the community: an updated weather system, early access to DX12, and a dev mode replay system.
New Photogrammetry Cities
As part of our ongoing collaboration with Bing Maps, we are pleased to add a number of new photogrammetry cities: Helsinki (Finland), Freiburg im Breisgau (Germany), Brighton, Derby, Eastbourne, Newcastle, and Nottingham (UK) and Utrecht (Netherlands).