During last week’s E3 press conference, Microsoft surprised the crowd with an unexpected game announcement, Microsoft Flight Simulator. Last released in 2006 (Steam edition came out in 2014), fans of the simulation series have been anxious for an updated release, but hadn’t been holding their breath that Microsoft would do so. But as the trailer flashed on screen, an audible sigh of relief could be heard throughout the crowd.

You can check out the new gameplay trailer here below.

The trailer wows with crisp 4k visuals, expansive vistas, and well-crafted plane models. We see a level of realism that hasn’t been encountered in any recent flight sim. Microsoft flexed their muscle early on by letting us know that the game is powered by satellite data and Azure AI; making locations and flight paths super faithful to their real world counterparts. One unanswered question is whether this title will include VR capabilities, which we hope it does. In either case, if what we saw in this trailer holds up to the final experience, Microsoft Flight Simulator will end up being a standout title of 2020.

Microsoft Flight Simulator will be released in 2020 on Xbox One and Windows 10 and will also be available for free via Game Pass.

Be sure to click right here for more from E3 2019!

Trailer

Coming 2020, Microsoft Flight Simulator is the next generation of one of the most beloved simulation franchises. From light planes to wide-body jets, fly highly detailed and stunning aircraft in an incredibly realistic world. Create your flight plan and fly anywhere on the planet. Enjoy flying day or night and face realistic, challenging weather conditions. Available with Xbox Game Pass. https://www.xbox.com/flightsimulator