Microsoft Layoffs Hit MS Flight Simulator Studio (Update: Studio Closed, Series to Continue)

36
Update: Microsoft has confirmed that the ACES studio, the team responsible for the Flight Simulator series, has been closed.

However, a Microsoft spokesman did confirm that the series will continue, saying: "We are committed to the Flight Simulator franchise which has proven to be a successful PC based game for the last 27 years."

Original story: Today's wide-ranging industry layoffs have even extended to one of the industry's stalwarts, with some Gamasutra sources claiming that much of, if not the entire Microsoft Flight Simulator team has been let go.

Microsoft earlier today announced that it would eliminate up to 5,000 jobs due to "the further deterioration of global economic conditions." The Flight Simulator PC franchise began in 1982 following the release of subLOGIC's Flight Simulator 1.00, and has since become a Microsoft standard. The most recent edition, Flight Simulator X, was released in 2006.

No word yet on what this means for the future of the Flight Simulator series.

Filed Under
From The Chatty
  • reply
    January 22, 2009 7:25 PM

    Owned. (Why do I secretly feel bad that these people are losing their jobs?) Byebye Flight Simulator.

    • reply
      January 22, 2009 7:29 PM

      That totally sucks. If true, it means Flight Sims truly are dead. :(

      • reply
        January 22, 2009 8:07 PM

        The guys that made IL-2 are supposed to be coming out with a new flight combat sim aren't they?

      • reply
        January 23, 2009 6:10 AM

        Theres still a bunch of flight sims being made, especially from euro developers.

    • reply
      January 22, 2009 7:32 PM

      This sucks. This is one area of MS I still respected.

    • reply
      January 22, 2009 7:46 PM

      [deleted]

    • reply
      January 22, 2009 7:48 PM

      Why do you secretly feel bad? Having empathy in normal human quantities has to be some kind of secret?

      • reply
        January 22, 2009 8:53 PM

        Was just joking around and such, I don't mind the Flight Simulator series ending though, never liked it much.

Hello, Meet Lola