FS Planet Shows Off Flight Sim X

Last night, Bill Gates did a demo of Flight Simulator X, the eagerly anticipated upgrade to the Games for Windows franchise giant (read the press release).  Joystiq points to enthusiast site, FSPlanet that has some screen shots you gotta check out...

For those of you keeping score, Flight Sim is considered Microsoft's "oldest" franchise, originally sold in 1984.  I remember doing a demo of a barrel roll with a 747 on stage at our annual sales meeting several years ago...

• “Flight Simulator X” is the culmination of nearly 25 years of the landmark “Flight Simulator” franchise and the most significant addition to date and again raises the bar for technological innovation, incredible graphics and realism for the genre.

• “Flight Simulator X” is designed to take advantage of Windows Vista, the latest Windows gaming hardware technology and 3D graphics programming techniques, by immersing players in a realistic, dynamic and living world and offering a wide array of aircraft – from the Havilland Beaver and Grumman Goose to the Cessna 172.

• “Flight Simulator X” introduces new missions for more structured gameplay and also provides players the opportunity to jump online and fly together.

• “Flight Simulator X” offers increased online gameplay capabilities and offers players a world where they can choose who they want to be and interact with other in real time.

Comments

[Todd Murphy]

Wouldn't Flight Sim X be a great addition to the 360? It could take full advantage of high-definition TV, surround sound, and add a gaming element (genre) to the 360. Couple that with a USB keyboard and you'll have the full experience. I would prefer to play Flight Sim on my 360 as compared to being locked to my computer desk.

[Erron]

I would really like to know more about the improvements to the AI
Capablilities in the Sim. Does anyone know? Specifically the
improvements to the ATC interface both between the pilot and the
AI.

[Jonathan]

Since there are now birds in the simulator, will there be bird strikes perhaps? Also, will the simulated ATC act more like real world ATC? Voice recognition possibly?