History of Microsoft Flight Simulator. Microsoft Flight Simulator began as a set of articles on computer graphics, written by Bruce Artwick throughout 1. D graphics. When the editor of the magazine told Artwick that subscribers were interested in purchasing such a program, Artwick founded sub. LOGIC Corporation to commercialize his ideas. At first the new company sold flight simulators through mail order, but that changed in January 1.
Flight Simulator (FS) for the Apple II.[1] They soon followed this up with versions for other systems and from there it evolved into a long- running series of computer flight simulators. Sub. LOGIC flight simulators [edit]. Animation from Flight Simulator 1 for Apple IIFirst generation (Apple II and TRS- 8. January 1. 97. 9 for Apple II[1]- January 1.
TRS- 8. 0Computer- graphics specialist Bruce Artwick and pilot and marketing student Stu Moment were roommates at the University of Illinois. A2. FS1 Flight Simulator, their first product after forming sub. LOGIC,[2] had black and white wireframe graphics, featured a very limited scenery consisting of 3. Despite this, it ended up being one of the most popular Apple II applications of the early 1. The simulator was later ported to the TRS- 8. Model I, which had only rudimentary graphics capability. To squeeze the simulator into the TRS- 8.
LOGIC saw it necessary to drop the instrument panel and reduce the resolution. Flight Simulator for the TRS- 8. Flight Simulator (gameplay video in a modern emulator). Flight Simulator sold 3. June 1. 98. 2, tied for third on Computer Gaming World's list of top sellers.[3] Later sub.
LOGIC released updated versions for both the Apple II and TRS- 8. The updates included enhanced terrain, help menus, and a bomb sight. Second generation (Tandy Color Computer 3, Apple II, Commodore 6. Atari 8. 00)[edit]- December 1.
Apple II[2]- June 1. Commodore 6. 4- October 1. Atari 8. 00- Sometime in 1. Co. Co 3. A screenshot from Flight Simulator II, showing the southern end of Meigs Field in Chicago. After the release of sub.
LOGIC's Microsoft Flight Simulator for the IBM PC, sub. LOGIC backported its improvements to other computers as Flight Simulator II.[2] This version, like the Microsoft release, did away with wireframe graphics for solid colors, and featured real- world scenery (although limited to a few areas in the United States). It also introduced simulator add- ons, although not in the form it is today, as sub. LOGIC also included functionality to load additional scenery from floppy disks, thus making it possible for a user to virtually fly in his or her own backyard. Info. World in 1. Flight Simulator II for the Apple as "a complicated but exhilarating game ..
Bruce Artwick has really done it all", and stated that it was superior to Microsoft's version.[4]II Computing listed it ninth on the magazine's list of top Apple II games as of late 1. Logic's best- selling Commodore game as of late 1. Third generation (Amiga, Atari ST, and Macintosh)[edit]- March 1. Apple Macintosh[2]- November 1. Amiga and Atari STIn 1. Amiga Corporation asked Artwick to port Flight Simulator for its forthcoming computer, but Commodore's purchase of Amiga temporarily ended the relationship.
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Sub. LOGIC instead finished a Macintosh version, released by Microsoft, then resumed work on the Amiga and Atari ST versions.[2]Although still called Flight Simulator II, the Amiga and Atari ST versions compare favorably with Microsoft Flight Simulator 3. Notable features included a windowing system allowing multiple simultaneous 3d views - including exterior views of the aircraft itself - and (on the Amiga and Atari ST) modem play. Microsoft Flight Simulator[edit]Flight Simulator 1. FS 1. 0 – This image is of FS 1. The game does have support for RGB monitors, but in monochrome only.- November 1. Sometime during 1. Microsoft obtained the license to port the simulator to IBM compatibles PCs.
This version was released in November 1. Microsoft Flight Simulator, and 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). 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".[8] Early versions of Microsoft Flight Simulator were used as a test for PC compatibility. If a computer could run MSFS 1.
Lotus 1- 2- 3, it was 1. IBM PC- compatible, and if it could not, it was not.[9][1. Compatibility difficulty included the unusual use of the x.
DIV command, where a "DIVIDE BY ZERO" command would be issued every time a screen refresh was needed. This technique often required hardware changes to assure compatibility with MSFS 1. There was a dogfight mode with the Sopwith Camel and crop- dusting mode included. Flight Simulator 2. FS 2. 0 – Scenery coverage includes the entire United States.- Released in 1. In 1. 98. 4, Microsoft released their version 2 for IBM PCs.
This version didn't differ too much from MSFS1; the graphics were somewhat improved, as well as a more precise simulation in general had been created. The new simulator expanded the scenery coverage to include a model of the entire United States, although the airports were limited to the same areas as in MSFS1. However, compatibility with sub. LOGIC Scenery Disks was provided, which were released in the following years, gradually covering the whole USA, Hawaii, Japan, and part of Europe. Flight Simulator 3. FS 3. 0 – Many more buildings and additional aircraft.
For the first time, users had an option to view the aircraft from the outside. A Cessna Skylane flying over Chicago is shown here.- Released in mid- 1. Microsoft Flight Simulator 3 improved the flight experience by adding additional aircraft and airports to the simulated area found in MSFS2, as well as improved high- res (EGA) graphics, and other features lifted from the Amiga/ST versions. The three simulated aircraft were the Gates Learjet 2. Cessna Skylane, and the Sopwith Camel.
Flight Simulator 3 also allowed the user to customize the display; multiple windows, each displaying one of several views, could be positioned and sized on the screen. The supported views included the instrument and control panel, a map view, and various external camera angles. This version included a program to convert the old series of sub.
LOGIC Scenery Disks into scenery files (known as SCN files), which could then be copied to the FS3 directory, allowing the user to expand the FS world. Flight Simulator 4. FS 4. 0 – Now with dynamic scenery, more detailed roads, bridges, and buildings.
Allowed users to design their own aircraft.- Released in late 1. Version 4 followed in 1. MSFS3. These included amongst others; improved aircraft models, as well as an upgraded model of the Cessna Skylane, programmable dynamic scenery (non- interactive air and ground traffic on and near airports moving along static prerecorded paths). The basic version of FS4 was available for Macintosh computers in 1. Like FS3, this version included an upgraded converter for the old sub.
LOGIC Scenery Disks into SCN files. A large series of add- on products were produced for FS4 between 1. First from Microsoft & the Bruce Artwick Organization (BAO) came the Aircraft and Scenery Designer (ASD) integration module. This allowed FS4 users to quite easily build, on the fly from directly within the program, custom scenery units known as SC1 files which could be used within FS4 and traded with other users (this activity was quite popular in the FS Forum on Compu. Serve). Also, ASD provided the addition of the Aircraft Designer Module. Again, from directly within the program the user could select one of two basic type aircraft frames (prop or jet) and proceed to parameter customizations ranging over 4 pages of flight envelope details and visual aspects. Finally, ASD provided additional aircraft including a B7.
Next from Mallard Software and BAO came the sound, graphics, and aircraft Upgrade (SGA). This added digital and synth sound capability to FS4 (which used to be only via PC speaker.) Second a variety of high resolution modes became available for specific types of higher end video cards and chipsets, thus supplying running resolutions up to 8. As with ASD, the SGA upgrade also came with some additional aircraft designed by BAO, including an Ultra- light. The final addition was known as the Aircraft Adventure Factory (AAF). AAF consisted of two primary components.