Microsoft Flight
| Microsoft Flight | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Developer(s) | Microsoft Studios Vancouver |
| Publisher(s) | Microsoft Studios |
| Designer(s) | Paul Lange |
| Composer(s) | Paul Lipson |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
| Release | February 29, 2012 |
| Genre(s) | Casual simulation |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Aggregator | Score |
| GameRankings | 64.29% |
| Metacritic | 64/100 |
| Review scores | |
| Publication | Score |
| Eurogamer | 6/10 |
| GameSpot | 7/10 |
| GameSpy |    |
| IGN | 5/10 |
| Strategy Informer | 7/10 |
Microsoft Flight is an aviation game from Microsoft Studios created as a successor to the discontinued Microsoft Flight Simulator series. The game is offered "free-to-play"; charging gamers for downloading extra content, aircraft or scenery.
In July 2012, Microsoft ceased development of the game permanently to re-align its "long-term goals and development plans." The core game, which includes the Icon A5 aircraft and the Big Island of Hawaii scenery area, remains free to download. It can then be expanded with additional downloadable content (DLC) from the integrated Games For Windows Marketplace on Xbox-Live .
Microsoft closed the Xbox.com PC Marketplace on August 22, 2013. Previous items purchased are still usable, and the Flight software may still be downloadable, but no items can be acquired through the marketplace.
The game was officially released on February 29, 2012. Previously limited details were released about Flight, but Microsoft suggested that its realism and accuracy will appeal to flying enthusiasts, while new types of gameplay would appeal to newcomers. The game is integrated with the Games for Windows – Live platform, which allows players with Live accounts to join and host multiplayer sessions using a Gamertag. The introduction of Live meant that the GameSpy client would no longer be in use.
It introduced a new model of DLC, integrated with the Games For Windows Marketplace. All Flight add ons can be purchased and installed in-game from a central marketplace. There was no public SDK offered for Flight, with all DLC being developed by Microsoft Studios. On December 1, 2011 a beta application was set up on the website. An announcement was posted on the official Flight Facebook page (on December 13, 2011) stating that an official YouTube channel was published containing the current webisodes. It was announced on January 4, 2012 that it would be free-to-play on release in Spring 2012. On February 6, 2012 it announced that Microsoft Flight would be free to download on February 29, 2012. Also it was announced the first expansion pack would be released on the same day.
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