Microsoft issues update on Flight Simulator 2020 Xbox One release

While Flight Simulator's Xbox One release appears a while out, it's already aided with PC optimizations.

What you need to know

• Microsoft Flight Simulator launches for PC on August 18, with an Xbox version to come.
• Developer, Asobo Studio, states its Xbox One version has aided with optimizations, helping "improve the PC version at the same time."
• Microsoft Flight Simulator is yet to receive an Xbox One release date.

Microsoft Flight Simulator continues to shape up as an impressive cloud showcase on a global scale, fusing the hit simulation series with satellite data and cloud backing. The result brings unmatched authenticity for virtual globetrotters, with over two petabytes of data feeding its open world. But for its August 18 launch, that ambition remains tied to the PC.

The company has outlined plans to bring Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 to the Xbox console family but continues to stress its latest as a "PC-first" project. The studio initially serves an established PC following its first iteration, while remaining tight on when Xbox players will be ready for take-off. But already promised for Xbox One, with the next-gen Xbox Series X console scheduled to ship this holiday, the title has a clear opening on the platform. In the meantime, the studio continues to reiterate more to come "at a later date."

Microsoft recently hosted a virtual press briefing for its upcoming Flight Simulator release, and while the Xbox One version was off-limits, we did learn more about how it relates to PC. The group Q&A touched on its Xbox One development, and whether the near decade-old hardware has held back the scope of the project.

"No. We are trying to have the best visuals on every single platform, and it's another layer of optimization," said Martial Bossard, lead software engineer at Asobo Studio. "By the way, the Xbox will help us to optimize the product, so it will also be a benefit for PC. There is nothing PC will lose from the Xbox. It's basically the opposite. We're doing the work to have a better experience on the Xbox family, then we will improve the PC version at the same time."

It suggests a comparable core simulation headed to Xbox, treating its old console akin to a low-end PC. It follows almost one year of closed-alpha community testing on PC, intending to nail optimizations for launch. The final PC vision is an impressive showcase following our recent hands-on opportunity, positioned as a robust platform for its multi-year journey to come. It supports a broad range of hardware at launch, and you can check the full PC system requirements for Microsoft Flight Simulator right here.

Microsoft Flight Simulator hits PC on August 18, with its Xbox release date still to be announced. With few details on the Xbox version as fall rapidly nears, it appears availability in 2021 could be on the cards.

The Legend Returns

Microsoft Flight Simulator (PC)

$60 at Microsoft $120 at Microsoft (Premium)

Prepare for take-off.

Microsoft Flight Simulator takes to the skies on Aug. 18, promising a cloud-powered globe, with authenticity on an unmatched scale. It's headed exclusively to Windows PCs, with preorders now live in three flavors.