Microsoft Flight Simulator 4.0
Microsoft Flight Simulator 4.0 | |
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Single-player |
Microsoft Flight Simulator, commonly known as Microsoft Flight Simulator 4.0 or FS4, is a 1989 video game developed by
Gameplay
Microsoft Flight Simulator 4.0 is a game in which the ability to make adjustments to flight characteristics was added, as well as the ability to design new experimental aircraft. Scenery Disks into SCN files.
Add-ons
A large series of add-on products were produced for FS4 between 1990 and 1993. First from Microsoft and the
Mallard Software and BAO released the Sound, Graphics, and Aircraft Upgrade (SGA), which added digital and synth sound capability (on compatible hardware) to FS4. A variety of high resolution modes also became available for specific types of higher end video cards and chipsets, thus supplying running resolutions up to 800 × 600. As with ASD, the SGA upgrade also came with some additional aircraft designed by BAO, including an Ultra-light.
Another addition was known as the Aircraft Adventure Factory (AAF), which had two components. The first, the Aircraft Factory, was a Windows-based program allowing custom design aircraft shapes to be used within FS4 utilizing a CAD-type interface, supported by various sub menu and listing options. Once the shape was created and colors assigned to the various pieces, it could be tied to an existing saved flight model as was designed in the Aircraft Designer module. The other component of AAF was the Adventure module. Using a simple language, a user could design and compile a script that could access such things as aircraft position, airspeed, altitude, and aircraft flight characteristics.
Other add-on products (most published by Mallard Software) included: The Scenery Enhancement Edition (SEE4), which further enhanced SC1 files and allowed for AF objects to be used as static objects within SEE4; Pilots Power Tools (PPT), which greatly eased the management of the many aircraft and scenery files available; and finally, a variety of new primary scenery areas created by MicroScene, including Hawaii (MS-1), Tahiti (MS-2), Grand Canyon (MS-3), and Japan (MS-4). Scenery files produced by Sublogic could also be used with FS4, including Sublogic's final USA East and West scenery collections.
Reception
Russel Sipe reviewed the game for Computer Gaming World, and stated that "In the computer entertainment industry there is an informal rule that determines the value of a product: if the product gives you one hour of playing time per dollar spent it is worth the price. By that formula FS4 is, without a doubt, an exceptional buy in computer entertainment."[2]
Tim Trimble reviewed the game for Computer Gaming World, and stated that "Overall, Flight Simulator 4.0 is a great improvement over previous versions and shows that Microsoft is committed to creating a "true" flight simulator that is not only thoroughly enjoyable but also provides a great education to any prospective or existing pilot."[4]
Reviews
References
- ^ "Microsoft Flight Simulator (v4.0) (1989) back cover". MobyGames. Blue Flame Labs. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ a b Sipe, Russel (December 1989). "Flying Off The Shelf: New Products From subLOGIC". Computer Gaming World. Vol. 1, no. 66. pp. 30, 32.
- ^ "Microsoft Flight Simulator: Aircraft & Scenery Designer for DOS (1990)". MobyGames. Blue Flame Labs. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ Trimble, Tim (June 1991). "A Flight Toward Reality: Flight Simulator 4.0". Computer Gaming World. Vol. 1, no. 83. pp. 20–21.
- ^ "Tilt, May 1991, p.56". download.abandonware.org.
- ^ "Aktueller Software Markt (ASM) Magazine (January 1990)". January 29, 1990 – via Internet Archive.