Microsoft Flight Simulator (1982 video game)

Microsoft Flight Simulator is a flight simulator video game, initially developed by Bruce Artwick and his company Sublogic, and subsequently licensed and published by Microsoft. Released in 1982 for the IBM PC, it marked a significant step forward in home flight simulation due to its relatively detailed (for the time) graphical environment and focus on realism. It was one of Microsoft's earliest software titles not related to programming languages or operating systems.

The game allowed players to pilot a Cessna 182 aircraft around a simulated world. The initial release featured a limited number of airports and scenery based on the United States, including several major cities. Players could control various aspects of the flight, including throttle, flaps, and rudder, as well as navigate using basic instruments. The simulation incorporated weather effects and time-of-day variations, adding to the realism.

The 1982 version of Microsoft Flight Simulator was significant for its use of wireframe graphics to create a 3D perspective environment. This was innovative for its time and helped to popularize the flight simulation genre on personal computers. The game's success led to numerous subsequent versions and iterations, solidifying the Microsoft Flight Simulator franchise as a long-running and influential series in the gaming industry. The early versions were often used not only for entertainment but also as introductory tools for aspiring pilots.