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An independent ANZ developer has released the first shots of its upgrade to Hobart Airport in the new Microsoft Flight Simulator.
NZA Simulations’ update, which it hints will be released soon, also includes nearby Cambridge Aerodrome (YCBG).
NZA Simulations Hobart & Cambridge Tasmania – Day time wide angle in full detail. Get hyped, we’re close.
Posted by NZA Simulations on Saturday, January 23, 2021
While few details have been announced, an eye-popping amount of detail has been added to both interior and exteriors, compared to the original generic reproductions.
You can see more photos and information on the business’ Facebook page here.
It follows the success of fellow local developer Orbx’s upgrade to Sydney, which included 100 points of interest such as skyscrapers, sports stadiums and beaches in photorealistic detail, as well as the Harbour Bridge.
Some of the less realistic airports and regions are due to most of the world being recreated from Microsoft’s rival to Google Maps, Bing, rather than being designed from scratch.
However, the computer giant has allowed third-party developers, such as Orbx and NZA, permission to create and sell upgrades.
The sim received gushing reviews from some of the world’s most prestigious computer game websites and newspapers, after its release in August 2020.
Eurogamer rated the new version ‘Essential’ and said it was a “technical marvel” that demonstrated the “joys of flight”; IGN said it had “never seen anything close to this level of accuracy in a flight simulation before”; while The Guardian gave it five stars and said it “captures the wonder of flight, and the spiritual and emotional rush of seeing the world in a different way”.
Previously, Microsoft confirmed to Australian Aviation that the game allows players to take off and land at 613 airports in Australia and 37,000 globally.
It features a special “hand-crafted” replica of Sydney Airport, shown in a video below, including animated windsocks reacting to real-life weather; staff going about their work and accurate signs and taxiways.
Players can fly around this world in up to 30 aircraft ranging from the A320neo to a Cessna 152 and Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental. All feature accurate cockpits with realistic controls and instrumentation.
The sim comes in three versions, ranging from US$60–US$120, with the Deluxe and Premium editions including more planes and airports.
