Microsoft Flight Simulator Gets WIP Screenshots of London Update & Orbx Partnership Video

Today Microsoft and Asobo Studio published their regular development update for Microsoft Flight Simulator, and it has a couple of treats.

First of all, we hear about the upcoming World Update which will improve scenery in the UK and Ireland.

More specifically, we learn that its release is now planned between Feb. 9 and Feb. 11.

We also get two work-in-progress images of London’s photogrammetry. We know that this wasn’t finished, which is part of the reason behind the delay of the update, and that’s certainly visible in the images, even if they give a good idea of the level of detail we can expect.

“Work on World Update 3 is nearly complete and we have started to integrate the photogrammetry cities into the sim. There is a bit more integration work to be done and then various data passes that need to be completed, but progress has been very good. We now anticipate that the update will be ready for you between February 9th and February 11th.

Below are a few images of London in the simulator … the city is (obviously) massive and it’s going to be incredible to fly around in that environment. This World Update contains five brand-new photogrammetry cities – Cambridge, Oxford, Birmingham and Bristol – nearly 80 POIs, five new meticulously hand-crafted airports (Barra, Liverpool, Land’s End, Manchester-Barton and Out Skerries), as well as visual and logical improvements to 85 more area airports, improved digital elevation data across the U.K. and a trio of new activities.”

We also get to see another partner video focusing on third-party developer Orbx (We recently interviewed its CEO Anna Cicognani, who appears prominently in the video).

Interestingly, we get to see a few teases of upcoming projects, including the laser lights of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel that will be included in the Landmarks Singapore City Pack coming next month.

Incidentally, if you’re interested in more Microsoft Flight Simulator add-ons, you can enjoy our recent reviews of the F-15 Eagle, the Landmarks Paris City Pack, Greater Moncton Airport, Tweed New Haven Airport, Santorini Airport, Sydney Airport, Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, Reggio Calabria Airport, Bastia Poretta Airport, Munich Airport, Paris Orly Airport, Newcastle International Airport, Sankt Johann Airfield, Dublin International Airport, and  Seoul City Wow. We also have a beta preview of Singapore Changi airport.

Earlier today, we learned that the next world update following the UK will encompass France and Benelux alongside a deep dive into the future plans for the simulator.

If you want to learn more about the game itself, you can read our review that will tell you everything you need to know about Asobo Studio’s game.

Microsoft Flight Simulator is already available for Windows 10 and Steam and will release in summer 2021 for Xbox Series X ad Series S.