| As the speed and bandwidth from internet providers | | | | and purchase it right online. There are no extra steps |
| has increased, so have the popularity of PC flight | | | | involved like going to the store or waiting for a CD to |
| simulator games. Online gaming has become more and | | | | be delivered in the mail. |
| more life like with role playing games where you | | | | Plus you get instant gratification with an online |
| virtually become a fantasy character and control their | | | | download, so you are up and running your PC flight |
| actions. | | | | simulator game before you know it. You will also have |
| Many games have the option to play single-player or | | | | the option of receiving updates online so you keep up |
| multi-player, and the social interaction of these games, | | | | with the latest version. |
| with friends or complete strangers, has become a | | | | You could even take a quick virtual flight while you are |
| billion dollar industry. | | | | on a break at work. You can't do that with a gaming |
| PC flight simulator games are just now joining in on the | | | | console unless you have a handheld game, but the |
| online phenomenon, allowing players to connect to a | | | | picture and the graphics are not as good on a smaller |
| server and fly together, practicing maneuvers, or just | | | | screen as they are on your computer monitor. |
| chatting with other online gamers that have the same | | | | One reason the graphics are so good is that they use |
| interests. You can still choose to fly solo and practice | | | | an OpenGL application which is a standard |
| your skills on your own. | | | | specification for producing 2D and 3D computer |
| One reason that PC flight simulator games are so | | | | graphics. It provides added functionality to create 3D |
| versatile is that your laptop is much more mobile than | | | | scenes from simple shapes, a technology that is a big |
| a gaming console. You don't have to unplug a bunch of | | | | part of the realistic view you see from the cockpit of |
| cords from behind the TV to move around from place | | | | your PC flight simulator. |
| to place. | | | | If you are interested in a career in aeronautics, the |
| If you do have some accessories attached with a | | | | life-like scenery and options for settings help to create |
| USB cord, it is simple to reach around and unplug it | | | | a training environment that could give you the start you |
| from the back or side of your laptop. You can | | | | need to move into the aviation field. Most flight schools |
| purchase equipment like a joystick or yoke and rudder | | | | use simulation to get a student started on learning how |
| pedals for around $100 and they offer a lot of realism | | | | to fly any type of plane or helicopter. |
| to the feeling of flight. But for freedom and | | | | So, whether you are interested in soloing, flying in |
| convenience, you can also control the aircraft with the | | | | formation, or gearing up for a career, the PC flight |
| keyboard. | | | | simulator is the most versatile gaming platform you will |
| When you are looking for a new video game, you can | | | | find. |
| do a search on your computer, try out a free demo, | | | | |