The long running Microsoft Flight Simulator is looking for testers for its upcoming closed beta for the game's VR builds. The addition of VR support will be the biggest update for the renowned simulator to date, and it's one that hardcore flight sim fans have unquestionably waiting for since the visually stunning game's announcement.
Microsoft Flight Simulator has been around for almost forty years, and it remains one of the most well-known and comprehensive flight simulator programs available to the public. Throughout its history, Flight Simulator has mainly been available for PC and it's received comprehensive updates to accompany the upgrades and limitations of newer version of Windows. It wasn't until the Xbox One era that the game became available to play on Microsoft's famous console line, and it has already been announced for the upcoming Xbox Series X. Now, developer Asobo Studios has set its ever-expansive sights on the horizon of virtual reality.
The announcement comes from Microsoft Flight Simulator's official website, where the plans and requirements for the game's VR closed beta are laid out for players who want to participate as testers. The closed beta will be released in two phases so that Microsoft can more quickly and acutely dissect and implement player feedback. The first phase will focus on Windows Mixed Reality Devices, while the second will expand to additional devices. Only a select group of testers who are a part of the Microsoft Flight Simulator Insider Program will be given access to the closed beta, so signing up does not guarantee access.
The requirements to be a Microsoft Flight Simulator VR tester are limiting, to say the least. Along with already owning the game, potential testers will need to have the proper hardware and specific software updates installed in order to participate. Players will also need to agree to an NDA and submit diagnostic info unique to their machine when they sign up. Those who had tested the game's original alpha or beta are not automatically signed up for the latest closed beta - however, those who didn't participate in either of the earlier events can still sign up if they meet the requirements.
Microsoft is being meticulous with their latest version of Flight Simulator, and with good reason. Bringing it to VR has the potential to make it one of the most immersive and helpful flight sims on the market. It's a little surprising that Microsoft took this long to explore the virtual reality frontier in the series, especially since the technology has become popular in the last decade and has been modded into past iterations for both pleasure and practical purposes. This time, though, time and care is being spent productively to make the game just right, and Microsoft is obviously aware that bringing it to virtual reality could mark a huge franchise breakthrough.
Microsoft Flight Simulator is currently available for PC and Xbox One.
Source: Microsoft Flight Simulator