Ep.62 – The Thrill of Flying: Microsoft Flight Simulator and its Evolution of Virtual Flight

In 1982, Microsoft Flight Simulator took off on the IBM PC and set a new standard for realism in gaming. Created by Bruce Artwick at Sublogic, the series began with wireframe graphics on the Apple II before Microsoft saw its potential to showcase 16-bit hardware. Our story follows Artwick’s path from graduate research on flight displays to founding Sublogic and releasing FS1 Flight Simulator in 1979, then partnering with Microsoft for the iconic PC version. We explore how each installment pushed boundaries—adding real airports, weather, and aircraft—and how the series became a proving ground for new technology. We also examine its modern revival, where Bing Maps and cloud processing create a living world. Join us as we revisit this mile-high series on today’s trip down Memory Card Lane.