14 November 2006
Newest addition of popular flight simulator launched in Middle East markets to address evolving gamer needs

Microsoft Game Studios has announced that its popular Flight Simulator X has gone gold. The game is now available in the Middle East, giving gamers of all ages, types and skill levels a chance to experience being an aviator traveling the globe in one of the dozens of aircraft available. With high realism and advanced graphics, Microsoft Flight Simulator X builds on the momentum generated by previous additions to provide a truly immersive gaming experience

"Gaming has come of age in evolving Middle East and UAE markets,  with gamers across the region seeking fresh challenges, newer dimensions to conquer and an experience that is as close to reality as possible. Gamers are calling for well-designed games that take action, adventure and immersion to a new level. The 10th edition of the Flight Simulator provides advanced 3D graphics and an excellent storyline to provide hours of entertainment, and is designed to appeal to a broad spectrum of gamers," said Armagan Demir, Head of Entertainment & Devices Division - Middle East, Microsoft.

Flight Simulator X offers a beautifully crafted, rich and realistic gaming world gaming experience. With the addition of more than 50 missions, Flight Simulator X challenges aviators to beat the clock in Red Bull air races or drop relief materials in exotic locations. The new Simulator edition also offers a powerful online gaming component that sees gamers select a role from air traffic controller to co-pilot or pilot in a virtual world, and interact with other aviators worldwide.

"The online component of the Flight Simulator X has been designed to complement and expand on the single player element. The Flight Simulator has a rich online community where individual players can enact different roles with corresponding missions and objectives. The online element of Flight Simulator X adds a new dimension to the game's playability, ensuring many hours of entertainment even after gamers have finished all the single player missions," he added.

Available in both standard and deluxe versions, "Flight Simulator X" features added realism that includes weather, time of day and seasons. The game also introduces new aircraft to pilot, and includes more than 24,000 airports to depart from. For more information or to download the trial version, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/games/pc/flightsimulatorx.aspx .

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About Microsoft Gulf
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. Microsoft Gulf opened its Dubai-based headquarters in 1991. Microsoft Gulf today oversees Microsoft activities in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the UAE and Yemen. Microsoft Corporation's address on the World Wide Web is: www.microsoft.com Microsoft Middle East's Web site is: www.microsoft.com/middleeast

This release is being released by Orient Planet on behalf of Microsoft's Entertainment & Devices Division.

Microsoft contact:
Bahaa Issa
Dubai,
United Arab Emirates
Tel: 00-9714-3917000
Fax: 00-9714-3917001            
Email: bahaai@microsoft.com

Orient Planet
Orient Planet PR & Marketing Communications
Tel: +971 4 3988901
Fax: +971 4 3988941
Website: www.orientplanet.com

© Press Release 2006