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The Tokyo Game Show Online 2020 started today and it kicked off with the Xbox Tokyo Game Show Showcase. This may seem like a strange choice, because Japan has not traditionally been very enamored with Xbox. However, Microsoft brought numerous Japan-focused announcements to its stream. These included confirmation of the release date for Xbox Series X and S in Japan and when Project xCloud will be available there. The big news for PC fans though was in relation to the Japan free world update for Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Microsoft Flight Simulator launched to rapturous acclaim on August 18. It’s currently in the top 5 reviewed games of 2020 on Metacritic. Our very own Akia Rahming described it as pushing “the genre as a whole to an entirely new standard,” in his review. In fact, it’s not just critics who love it. The game is performing well on Steam despite being free as part of Xbox Game Pass for PC.
Fly into the setting sun
The game’s developer, Asobo Studio, has promised a stream of content for Microsoft Flight Simulator including patches and free world updates. Well, the first of the free world updates has been announced and focuses on Japan. It will update the digital elevation map for the entire country. What’s more, it will add high-resolution 3D photogrammetry for six cities. These cities are Tokyo, Yokohama, Sendai, Utsunomiya, Takamatsu, and Tokushima. Six “handcrafted” local airports are also being added along with three new landing challenges.
A trailer for the update has been released and shows off some of the gorgeous vistas you will be able to see. Highlights include Mount Fuji, Himeji Castle, Great Seto Bridge, and the Isukushima Shrine. You can check out the trailer below.
Microsoft Flight Simulator – World Update 1: Japan is free and scheduled to launch on September 29. Microsoft Flight Simulator is available now for Steam, Windows 10, and Game Pass for PC.
