In a significant shift for the Microsoft Flight Simulator franchise, which has traditionally been linked to Microsoft’s DOS and Windows operating systems, alongside Xbox consoles, a new chapter is set to unfold. During a recent State of Play livestream, Sony announced that Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 will be available on the PlayStation 5 starting December 8.
This development aligns with Microsoft’s growing trend of releasing previously Xbox-exclusive titles on rival platforms. Since its launch, Flight Simulator 2024 has already been accessible to Xbox Series S/X users for nearly a year, marking it as a “timed exclusive.”
The decision to bring a franchise so closely associated with the Microsoft identity onto a competitor’s console is noteworthy. It draws parallels to the historic moment in 2001 when Sonic games transitioned to Nintendo platforms, following Sega’s exit from the console market after the Dreamcast’s underperformance.
With the continued emergence of major Microsoft titles crossing over to other platforms, questions arise about the future of Xbox as a standalone console entity. Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, reflected on this evolving landscape in a 2024 interview, stating, “We run a business. The video game industry has been growing for a long time, and now people are looking for ways to grow. As fans and players, we must anticipate more change in how traditional games are built and distributed.”
