The new Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 lets you take a virtual trip to anywhere in the world – even the private island that was owned by the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as the people of the internet have shown.
The new title from the tech giant lets you explore cities all over the world, flying over billions of buildings and getting to see the whole planet like never before. Well, in a virtual capacity, of course.
Quite why people have chosen Epstein’s island in Little St. James, in the US Virgin Islands, is probably an issue that’s best left unexplored
The financier was found dead in his prison cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges, having already been convicted of sex crimes in 2008. The FBI raided the island following his death.
ANYWAY. Although Microsoft originally released Flight Simulator back in 1982, the new version of the game is absolutely next level.
Thanks to 3D mapping of most of the world, there are trees, grass, building and bodies of water as well as billions of buildings all the same as in real life. Don’t just take our word for it:
It’s so realistic that you can see storms that are hundreds of miles away, as well as lightning in the clouds.
You also have 37,000 airports to choose from as you make your way around the globe using the game.
According to Microsoft you can explore more than two million cities and there have been 1.5 billion buildings mapped out on to it.
But although you may feel like you’d be quite up for being the only person on the planet – no such luck. The areas you get to visit aren’t lifeless and you can see traffic and animals as well as the change from day to night – all of which will affect your flights.
You will also have to make your way around live real-time weather. This means you’ll get accurate wind speeds and directions, rain and storms – you will also have humidity and temperature change to cope with.
Not only does the game offer a wide range of planes – anything from light aircraft to commercial jets – they all scale to your level, giving you interactive instruments, guidance and checklists.
You can make flight plans for anywhere you like, meaning you can drop by your own gaff if the mood takes you.
The game is out already and available to buy on Microsoft Windows. It will eventually come out on Xbox One and Xbox Series X too.
For the most basic version, you can expect to fork out £59.99. More premium editions will cost you £79.99 and £109.99 – not bad for a round-the-world trip.
