Microsoft Flight Simulator revealed at E3 2019, arrives in 2020
Flight Simulator is back, and its trailer was captured in glorious 4K using Azure AI.
What you need to know
- Microsoft Flight Simulator is making a return in 2020.
- On the Xbox E3 2019 stage, Microsoft showed off a trailer for the upcoming sim.
- There's no confirmed release date yet, but the game will land in Xbox Game Pass on day one.
- The world was constructed with over 2 petabytes of data.
If you grew up in the 90's, you may have spent countless hours in Microsoft's Flight Simulator. Now, Microsoft Flight Simulator has returned with scenic city skylines, cascading mountains, and striking aircraft. The series was always known for its realistic flight simulation and looks, and that trend continues with this upcoming title.
The world premiere at E3 2019 shows everything from smaller prop planes to commercial-grade airliners soaring through the sky. Looking out of your cockpit shows a dynamic range of environments including cityscapes at night, pouring rain, and tropical islands.
Microsoft Flight Simulator will be available as part of Xbox Game Pass on day one. There isn't a confirmed release date yet for Microsoft Flight Simulator, but the trailer's description states that it will arrive in 2020.
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Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.
Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.
