2001 · Flight simulation · Simulation

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002

2002's version of Microsoft's long running series of non-combat, commercial flight simulators. The game uses a completely new 3D graphics engine which features photorealistic terrain as well as some nifty effects like jet contrails, volumetric clouds and a completely 3D virtual cockpit for each of the 12 planes in the game (which include the new Cessna 208 Caravan Floatplane and Boeing 747-400).

Released: 23 October 2001
Platforms: Windows
Genres: Flight simulation Simulation
Developers: —
Publishers: Microsoft
Modes: Multiplayer Single-player
Perspective: First person
Country: United States
Age ratings: ESRB E

About

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.

Keywords

flight simulator
gravity
flight
airplane
pilot
platform exclusive
year in the title
realism
interactive achievement awards 2002

Media

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 screenshot 1

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

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 frame rate 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.

Reception

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.

Flight Simulator 2002 won PC Gamer US's 2001 "Best Simulation" and the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences' "PC Simulation" 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."