Microsoft Flight Simulator’ has just received one of the most eagerly awaited features: virtual reality support. This compatibility has been implemented in the Sim Update 2, which of course is a completely free update. We have known for a long time that December 22nd was going to be the date chosen by Microsoft and Asobo Studios to launch this feature, and they have not failed to deliver on their promise.
Flight Simulator is compatible with any virtual reality helmet that supports OpenXR. This includes, among others, Valve Index, Oculus Quest with Oculus Link, and the devices for Windows Mixed Reality, see the HP Reverb G2. It will be necessary to have a PC powerful enough to run it smoothly and make the experience more immersive.
How to fly
The new Microsoft simulator has been on the market since August 2020. Virtual reality support was deployed as a closed beta in October and only for HP Reverb G2 users, although in a second phase it was opened to all SteamVR-compatible devices. This feature is now available to all users.
If you have a virtual reality helmet, you can fly a plane as if you were inside the cockpit and move your head freely. Remember that one of the most characteristic elements of Flight Simulator is that you can have a first-person view and manually interact with the buttons and other elements on the dashboard.
Also, if you have a simulator or a controller you can also use them as before to control the plane. If not, you can always use the mouse and keyboard. Theoretically, in virtual reality, you should be able to use all the peripherals that the base game already allows, so there should be no major problem. What is not mentioned is that the game is compatible with the controls of the helmets themselves.
Another interesting novelty related to virtual reality is the possibility of moving some control panels to areas outside our visual field. Let’s think, for example, about the map or the time controls. You can take them to the right side so that you only see them when you move your head and they do not distract you during the flight.
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