Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002

''Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002'' also known as ''FS2002'', is a video game released in October 2001, and is the 8th installment of the ''Microsoft Flight Simulator'' video game series. A version called ''Professional Edition'' was released at the same time as standard edition that added two aircraft, a flight instructor feature, and an editor to create buildings and aircraft.

Gameplay

FS2002 (8.0) improved vastly over previous versions. In addition to improved graphics, FS2002 introduced air traffic control (ATC) and artificial intelligence (AI) aircraft enabling users to fly alongside computer controlled aircraft and communicate with airports. An option for a target framerate was added, enabling a cap on the framerate to reduce stutter while performing texture loading and other maintenance tasks. In addition, aircraft feature a 3D virtual cockpit, creating in effect a view of the cockpit from the viewpoint of a real pilot. The external view also featured an inertia effect, inducing an illusion of movement in a realistic physical environment.

Alterations due to September 11 attacks

Microsoft removed World Trade Center (1973–2001) scenery from the game shortly before release due to the September 11 attacks.

Reception

Sales

In the United States, ''Flight Simulator 2002'' debuted at #12 on NPD Intelect's computer game sales rankings for October 2001, at an average retail price of $70. It was absent from the top 20 by November. By the end of 2001, the game's domestic sales totaled 130,954 units, for revenues of $9 million. Internationally, the game received a "Silver" sales award from the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA), indicating sales of at least 100,000 copies in the United Kingdom.

Reviews and awards

''Flight Simulator 2002'' won ''PC Gamer US''s 2001 "Best Simulation" and the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences "Computer Simulation Game of the Year" awards. The former publication's editors wrote that the game "narrowly prevailed" against ''IL-2 Sturmovik'', and commented that its winning despite having no "guns, missiles or explosive pyrotechnic effects of any kind is remarkable testimony of the bleeding-edge quality of Microsoft's benchmark product." '' Computer Games Magazine'', ''The Electric Playground'' and '' Computer Gaming World'' all nominated ''Flight Simulator 2002'' as the top simulation of 2001, but these awards went instead to ''IL-2 Sturmovik''. ''Computer Gaming World''s editors called ''Flight Simulator 2002'' "an excellent iteration of the esteemed series," and a game that "took on the daunting task of increasing the detail level of the entire world at least a hundredfold."

Reviews

*GameSpot - Nov 07, 2001
* Computer Gaming World - Feb, 2002
* Jeuxvideo.com - Nov 26, 2001
* IGROMANIA - Jan, 2002

References

External links

''Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002''
at MobyGames
''Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002: Professional Edition''
at MobyGames

{{Authority control

2001 video games
D.I.C.E. Award for Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year winners
Impact of the September 11 attacks on the video game industry
Microsoft Flight Simulator
Video games developed in the United States
Windows games
Windows-only games