The expansion pack still has to undergo the rating and dating process

Jul 11, 2007 10:50 GMT  ·  By

If you're into flight-simulators I guess this fact sheet for Flight Simulator X: Acceleration Expansion Pack I just stumbled upon today will brighten your morning (that is, if you live in an area where it's still morning...). The game, developed by ACES Studio and published by Microsoft's Game Studios, still has to be rated, but that won't stop you from imagining how it's going to be when it's released.

First things first, though. For those of you who are just now picking up on the flight-simulation genre, the 'Acceleration Expansion Pack' for Flight Simulator X will provide gamers of all ages, types and skill, levels in which they can race against their friends, set in amazingly highly detailed locations around the world. Hardcore gamers will be faced with testing their skills and heroism in many new missions, fly three exciting new aircraft, and share rewards, photos and videos with friends and the broader flight community.

OK, now that we're all on the same level, here's what the expansion pack will bring in terms of key features, just as I found in the official report:

■ Multiplayer racing mode. "Flight Simulator X: Acceleration Expansion Pack" will offer the thrilling new multiplayer racing mode that will allow gamers to compete against friends with four types of racing: aerobatic style, Reno high-speed, cross-country and sailplane. Gamers will be able to test their skills in three different levels of difficulty from simple pylon racing to racing in harsh weather conditions.

■ DirectX? 10. "Flight Simulator X: Acceleration Expansion Pack" will continue to build on the rich visual foundation of "Flight Simulator X," taking advantage of Windows Vista and DirectX 10 to deliver breathtaking graphics and dynamic environments for a truly immersive experience.

■ New missions. "Flight Simulator X: Acceleration Expansion Pack" will offer more than 20 new missions that will allow gamers to test their skills at tasks ranging from test piloting a fighter jet to search and rescue.

■ New aircraft. "Flight Simulator X: Acceleration Expansion Pack" will allow pilots to fly through highly detailed scenery in three new aircraft: the F/A-18A Hornet, P-51D Mustang and EH-101 helicopter.

■ Connected world. "Flight Simulator X: Acceleration Expansion Pack" continues to take advantage of the online game capabilities in "Flight Simulator X," allowing gamers to race against friends and work together to complete missions as they interact with other aviators from around the globe by chatting in real time via headset and keyboard.

■ Games for Windows franchise. This expansion pack will also ship as a Games for Windows title with easier installation, reliability standards and support for key features of Windows Vista, including the Games Explorer and Parental Controls.

Remember: Flight Simulator X: Acceleration Expansion Pack still has to be rated and dated for a DVD-ROM Windows XP and Windows Vista release. Yes, it's a PC only title, did I forget to mention that...?