By: Alex
Check out the video below — not only are the sceneries breathtaking and the image quality impressively sharp, but they also feature famous Japanese landmarks. Most notably, some scenes are clearly shot from the cockpit, and there are plenty of shots following airplanes in flight. It’s obvious that simply strapping a GoPro under an aircraft wouldn’t produce such high-quality footage. This travel or aerial photography expert must be quite something!
But the truth might be a bit of a “disappointment” to many — the entire video is actually made up of footage from the game Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. The game was released in mid-August and recently announced its first free update, scheduled for September 29. The update is Japan-themed and includes highly detailed 3D visuals of six cities, including Tokyo and Yokohama, more handcrafted airports, and high-resolution asset files for 20 landmarks, among other features. To enjoy stunning views, you don’t necessarily have to travel far or even walk — the “simulator” offers about 90% of the experience.
While most people may not be interested in flying airplanes, the game emphasizes that even in the easiest difficulty mode, players who’ve played flight shooter games can control aircraft and soar through the skies, taking in landscapes around the world that change with the seasons, time of day, and real-time weather conditions (internet connection required for data). In fact, even hardcore flight simulation enthusiasts can’t deny that the scenery and weather elements in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 are exceptionally well done — so much so that some jokingly call it “Scenery Simulator 2020”!
Source: Engadget