Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000

Description
A frequent abbreviation for the video game simulator of flight known as Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000, also known simply as FS2000. It was made available for Windows around the tail end of 1999. In addition to the ordinary version, a Professional Edition was also made available. It included two new aircraft, six new cities, and an editor for the flight model and instrument panel.
One version of Flight Simulator 2000 (version 7.0), abbreviated as FS2000, was released as a major improvement over the previous versions, and it was also offered in two different versions: One version for "normal" users, and one "pro" version with additional aircraft. Both versions were available for purchase. Although many users had high expectations for this version when it was released, many of them were let down when they discovered that the simulator required high-end hardware. The minimum requirements were only a Pentium 166 MHz computer, but it was deemed necessary to have a 400–500 MHz computer in order to have an even framerate. However, even on a high-end PC, there was a problem with stuttering framerate, which was most noticeable when making abrupt turns in graphically crowded sections. Additionally, the visual damage effects that were added in FS5 were turned off, and they have remained inaccessible in all versions released after FS2000. Microsoft was able to disable the visual damage effects using the game's configuration files, even though they were still present in the game. Users have the ability to reactivate the damaging effects through the use of modifications. Additionally, FS2000 had computer-controlled aircraft at a number of different airports.
This version also introduced 3D elevation, which made it possible to alter the elevation for the scenery grids. Because the majority of the prior scenery did not support this function, it became outdated as a result of the introduction of this feature in this version. Additionally, a GPS was implemented, which allowed for an operation of the simulator that was even more accurate to real life. FS2000 also improved its dynamic environment by including models that were more detailed and an artificial intelligence system that enabled planes to yield to other aircraft while taxiing so as to prevent incursions.
The upgraded weather system that was included in FS2000 was the first to offer precipitation in the form of either snow or rain. Other new features, such as the capability to download real-world weather, were also introduced with this version of the simulator.
The supersonic Aerospatiale-BAC Concorde was one of the new aircraft featured in FS2000. Another was the Boeing 777, which had only recently been put into service at the time. Both of these aircraft were prominently featured on the box covers of both editions of the game.
The addition of more than 17,000 new airports, bringing the total number of airports in Flight Simulator 2000 to over 20,000 globally, as well as worldwide navigational aid coverage, is a milestone that is frequently missed despite its high level of significance. This resulted in a significant expansion of the product's usefulness in replicating long-distance international flights as well as instrument-based aircraft that relied on radio navigation aids. Some of these airports, in addition to extra items like radio towers and other "hazard" constructions, were constructed from databases maintained by the United States government that are accessible to the public. Others, particularly the larger commercial airports with extensive apron and taxiway structures, were constructed from detailed information included in Jeppesen's proprietary database. Jeppesen is one of the leading commercial producers of worldwide aviation navigation data.
Together, these new data sources in Flight Simulator made it possible for the franchise to claim the inclusion of virtually every documented airport and navigational aid in the world, in addition to making it possible to implement the new GPS feature. Additionally, the franchise was able to claim that it was the first to do so. In the same way that it was done for Flight Simulator 1998 (FS98), the production of the scenery for Flight Simulator 2000 (FS2000) was contracted out to MicroScene in San Ramon, which collaborated with the primary development team at Microsoft.
The Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0 operating systems were supported by the Microsoft Flight Simulator series until the release of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000, which was the final installment of the Flight Simulator series.