Third-party developers have provided new assets showcasing plenty of new content coming for Microsoft Flight Simulator.
We get new screenshots and a development update from IndiaFoxtEcho about the the F-35 Lightning II.
“F-35B External model is now complete (apart from the usual minor fixes)… and we are quite happy with it.
As for the F-35A, this is basically a total rebuild of our P3D model: we have remastered the main texture to 8K, added a number of details, redone all the secondary textures with Substance and fixed some (minor) dimensional errors.
There is still a lot of work to do in the cockpit, avionics and flight dynamics departments… but so far it seems a decent product.
As flight dynamics, we have been able to reuse most of the code done by Rob Barendregt for the P3D version – STOVL works quite well at the moment and you can perform both vertical and rolling landings.
We have also swapped the model of the USS America with professionally made meshes, and went probably a little too far with the deck details (but performance is still good as we are in the middle of the Ocean). Needless to say, we’d like to include HMS Queen Elizabeth and Cavour – we will see if that will be possible.At the moment we are including USS Tripoli, placed as static object off the coast of San Diego, and USS America, not too far from NAS Iwakuni.
As side note, we have been told that other developers where allowed by Microsoft to add weapons (with visibility conditions) to their Marketplace model. We will check again with Microsoft, but so far we have been clearly said that it was not possible (to the point that they did not allow us to include the training bombs on the T-45). Hopefully they will be more flexible, as the F-35 “beast mode” looks pretty cool.
Now, on with the F-35C…”
Next, we get a few images of the exterior of Iris Simulations’ Grob 115E/Tutor T1 light training aircraft, which should be co coming “shortly.”
Origami Studios and IniBuilds released a new trailer of London Gatwick Airport (EGKK) in the UK, which keeps looking really promising.
We get a second trailer from Simulación Extrema showcasing its recently-revealed Amami Airport (RJKA) in Japan. This one also looks very promising.
Gaya Simulation finally showcased the first images of its previously-announced Munich Airport (EDDM).
We also get a new look at Václav Havel Airport Prague (LKPR) in the Czech Republic from Tailstrike Designs, showing the cargo area.
Stairport Sceneries provided another look at St Mary’s Airport (EGHE) in the Isles of Scilly, UK. The airport is in the final phase of testing and currently being optimized for the Xbox version of the simulator as well.
Orbx (sources: 1, 2) also showcased its Alaska Mesh with plenty of screenshots.
Last, but not least, we get a surprise release from PerfectSoft Studio, which launched Marrakech Menara International Airport in Morocco.
It’s currently available on SimMarket for approximately $18 plus applicable VAT.
Below you can see what it looks like and read a set of features.
- Accurate rendition
- 4K resolution textures
- Custom PBR materials throughout entire airport
- Realistic shadow rendition on all 3D objects and ground with texture baking
- Custom taxiway signs with hand-painted taxi marks
- Over 100.000, hand-placed vegetationobjects
- Realistic hand placed night lighting with floodlights and glows
- Static aircraft
- Animated jetways
- Optimized for great performance and visual quality
Recently, we published our brand new and massive interview with head of Microsoft Flight Simulator Jorg Neumann, focusing on the Xbox version and short and long-term plans for the sim (on both platforms).
If you’d like to read more about Microsoft Flight Simulator add-ons, you can enjoy our recent reviews of Great Britain Central, Tehran Imam Khomeini Airport, Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport, Shanghai Pudong Airport, Kraków Airport, Fukuoka City & Airport, Fort Lauderdale Airport, Chongqing City & Airport, Manila Airport, Santiago Airport, the Frankfurt City Pack, Key West Airport, the Okavango Delta, Bali Airport, London Oxford Airport, Berlin Brandenburg Airport, the CRJ 550/700, the PA-28R Arrow III, Kristiansand Airport, Macau City & Airport, Bonaire Flamingo Airport, Milano Linate Airport, the Singapore City Pack, Tokyo Narita Airport, Yao Airport, the F-15 Eagle, the Paris City Pack, Greater Moncton Airport, Tweed New Haven Airport, Santorini Airport, Sydney Airport, Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, Reggio Calabria Airport, Bastia Poretta Airport, Munich Airport, Paris Orly Airport, Newcastle International Airport, Sankt Johann Airfield, Dublin International Airport, and Seoul City Wow. We also have a beta preview of Singapore Changi airport.
If you want to learn more about the game itself, you can read our review that will tell you everything you need to know about Asobo Studio’s game.
Microsoft Flight Simulator is already available for Windows 10 and Steam, and Xbox Series X|S.
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