| Computer flight simulator games have come a long | | | | you release the brakes. Or if the instrumentation has a |
| way since Bill Gates put his money where his | | | | slight lag in response (as it does quite noticeably in |
| fascination with flight was and bankrolled the ACES | | | | certain aircraft), then the cockpit controls in computer |
| studio. Flight simulation games have always been at | | | | flight simulator games will reflect this. Instrument and |
| the forefront of gaming technology thanks in part to | | | | system failures will also be mirror-images of the real |
| ACES but mostly to the military. These days, when | | | | thing. |
| people in Nevada are flying war theater drones over | | | | The range of aircraft and landing options in the fleet is |
| Iraq in real time, the line between simulation and reality | | | | another difference in later generation computer flight |
| has become even more blurred. | | | | simulator games. Planes, from vintage to next-gen, |
| But most people just want to have fun with a more | | | | should be available, but also helicopters, gliders, and |
| serious game without any violence. And computer | | | | other exotic aircraft like ornithopters and zeppelins |
| flight simulator games are perfect for this. Whether | | | | should be options. Air-to-air refueling and aircraft |
| you are a novice just wanting to try out flying a plane, | | | | landing should be some of the advanced skill options |
| or are more experienced and want to hone your skills | | | | available. |
| or try out some dangerous maneuvers, a flight | | | | Scenery is a key factor in creating and maintaining |
| simulator game is a great pastime. And it is only getting | | | | realism in computer flight simulator games. Whether it is |
| better; graphics have become so realistic and features | | | | topography, infrastructure, or astronomy, they all need |
| so varied. | | | | to be flawlessly detailed and seamlessly animated. The |
| The better computer flight simulator games are so | | | | impact of fog or sun, day or night, wind or blizzard |
| realistic that they are used for training new pilots and | | | | should be detailed in the flying view. |
| for re-training practicing pilots. The basics have not | | | | Time synchronization is another feature to look out for |
| changed much. But the improvements in accessories, | | | | - wherever you are in the world virtually, the game |
| sights, and sounds have totally transformed how | | | | reflects the actual, real-time of your location. This kind |
| exciting the games are. | | | | of verisimilitude is what makes flight simulation such an |
| For instance, newer computer flight simulator games | | | | addictive game. |
| can network through a server and enable you fly with | | | | The ability to record and playback is another feature |
| your friends. You can connect up a series of screens | | | | that should be standard. The realism of the flight |
| to expand your flying view up to a complete surround | | | | simulator game enhances the fun side of it. But an |
| or have multiple views of different parts of the game. | | | | added bonus is that you are really learning to fly. You |
| You can create your own sights, planes, airports and | | | | are developing a skill that, with a couple of further |
| sounds. | | | | steps, can be applied to real aircraft as well. And the |
| A good flight simulator game will have animated, | | | | capability of record and playback allows you to make |
| photo-realistic cockpits. So, for instance, if the airport | | | | and learn from mistakes. |
| you are in has a slight slope you will feel that when | | | | |