Been a simulator enthusiast since the early '80's.  As we sit on the doorstep of MSFS 2020 here is a question. So when did the transition from simple games to true simulation first emerge.  So I recall the aftermarket add-on sets of USA Scenery Sets East and  West. What year did those appear and version did those enhance?  Then came Artwick and Moment's Flight Assignment: ATP, which if I recall at the time included all published approach procedures at USA airports. Runway approaches, not arrivals and departures.  That simulator first provided legitimate IFR (at the time VOR to VOR, NDB, and ILS) navigation.  Right?

I recall it was Sierra Pro Pilot that first provided the first at-the-time accurate terrain mesh.

So again. When did the providers to this activity cease providing a game and begin providing a legitimate simulator?

Edited July 22, 20205 yr by fppilot

I actually remember it differently...

My first Flight Simulator for the PCJr was certainly rudimentary, but was meant as a simulator.

As part of the package, there was a WW I Ace battle game with Sopwith Camels.

So I might ask, at what point did this flight simulator become a game? 😉

Edited July 22, 20205 yr by Bert Pieke

Strange question. Flight simulation is a game. Meant for entertainment purposes. It pretty much says so on every box or addon. You play at being a pilot. 

And once again we have the longest running debate in the flight sim world which has been posted 1,000,101 times.

Answered many times over many years... it's purely how and why the individual uses the software and what they do with it.  Why is that so darned difficult to fathom?

 

 

Edited July 22, 20205 yr by DaveCT2003

Is it a tool or is it a toy?  The answer to the question is "yes."  It is either or both depending on how you use it.  This applies to a flight sim, a computer, a hammer, a jeep, a sailboat, or a real aircraft.

Hook

Edited July 22, 20205 yr by LHookins

I'll just leave this here. 😋

13 minutes ago, Der Zeitgeist said:

I'll just leave this here. 😋

...

Your point? 

It's still a game. It actually says so on the cover; A Chris Roberts Game

Edited July 22, 20205 yr by travelabroad

If you want to call it a simulator to impress your better half at how you could fly the airliner if the Pilots pass out, power to you. However, since you cannot legally log simulator time for the FAA, or whoever your aviation safety regulator happens to be, then I'm sorry, but it's a game and forever will be a game.

6 minutes ago, travelabroad said:

Your point? 

It's still a game. It actually says so on the cover; A Chris Roberts Game

Exactly. 

The question was this:

5 hours ago, fppilot said:

When did the providers to this activity cease providing a game and begin providing a legitimate simulator?

The answer is "never". The concepts of "game" and "simulator" are entirely subjective, both can be whatever you want them to be, and they're not mutually exclusive.

 

Edited July 22, 20205 yr by Der Zeitgeist

3 hours ago, Bert Pieke said:

I actually remember it differently...

My first Flight Simulator for the PCJr was certainly rudimentary, but was meant as a simulator.

As part of the package, there was a WW I Ace battle game with Sopwith Camels.

So I might ask, at what point did this flight simulator become a game? 😉

The white scarf, leather helmet and googles were exclusively third party addons then.

I would say that som "features" within Flight Simulator / P3D are simulations. Take for example the RXP GNS/GTN series. If you know your way around them in FSX/P3D then you will have no problems using them in a real Aircraft.

4 hours ago, Der Zeitgeist said:

I'll just leave this here. 😋

well you could consider it a sim for the US Space Force ?

However when MS sell Goat Simulator through their store, its clear they dont take the word simulator seriously

Quote

Goat Simulator is the latest in goat simulation technology, bringing next-gen goat simulation to YOU. You no longer have to fantasize about being a goat, your dreams have finally come true!

https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/p/goat-simulator-windows-10/9mxwkhj3vzzh?activetab=pivot:overviewtab

Edited July 22, 20205 yr by jeansy

FS2000 first had worldwide navdata, so that's a starting point.

12 hours ago, fppilot said:

So again. When did the providers to this activity cease providing a game and begin providing a legitimate simulator?

When a subset of users started putting on airs and got delusions of grandeur?