Let me get this straight...

[Wing Nut 23]

Returning to Flight Sim and I purchased online for a digital download.  According to this, not only do I have to pay for the game but I have to sign up for Xbox Game Pass for $9.99 per month?  Also, if someone could help me find the download code I am supposed to use, that would be great.  Thanks for the help!

[kiwikat 506]

Get MSFS on Steam.

[enright 496]

You don't need game pass if you've purchased a copy of Flight Simulator.

Game pass is a subscription that includes a free copy of MSFS (in addition to many other titles) for as long as your subscription is active. Alternatively, you can outright purchase a copy of MSFS (which it sounds like you have already done) - in which case you do not need the game pass subscription to play it.

Where to find the download code depends on where you purchased it (e.g. GameStop, Amazon, etc...). It's often either emailed to you - or visible when you log in to whatever store you purchased it from and view the order.

If you haven't yet purchased it - the easiest places to purchase it are on Steam or the Microsoft Store - both of which allow you to just immediately download the game after your purchase.

Hope this helps!

[Wing Nut 23]

Thanks guys, they're not making this easy...

 

[suncoastflyer 685]

Where did you buy it?

[Fielder 3,676]

If we knew where you bought it then we might be able to help. As stated above you don't pay any monthly fees no matter where it was purchased. Unless you also want to subscribe to gamepass for other games besides MSFS

[Ricardo41 5,949]

5 hours ago, Wing Nut said:

Thanks guys, they're not making this easy...

 

It's not difficult. 

[DAD 2,653]

5 hours ago, Wing Nut said:

Thanks guys, they're not making this easy...

 

Trust us, it can get even more difficult; just wait until you want to install the first MSFS update... 😉 

[gb09f 298]

Sorry to hear you're finding it difficult. Did you buy it through the Microsoft Store? It's actually quite simple unless you have a messed up Windows or Store App on your PC which a lot of people seem to have. It's also advisable to ditch 3rd party antivirus software as it can interfere with installing programs. 

[edpatino 1,964]

1 hour ago, DAD said:

Trust us, it can get even more difficult; just wait until you want to install the first MSFS update... 😉 

Or enter in a beta....

[edpatino 1,964]

7 hours ago, kiwikat said:

Get MSFS on Steam.

That's possibly the best advise you can have.

[Amon1973 1,421]

6 hours ago, Wing Nut said:

Thanks guys, they're not making this easy...

 

How are they not making it easy? It's straight forward. Options are;

1. Buy MSFS outright on steam, no additional cost if you just want a bare bones flight sim.

2. Buy MSFS outright on the MS store, again no additional cost going forward, as option 1.

3. Buy MSFS on DVD from Aerosoft outright, as option 1 and 2.

4. Rent MSFS for a monthly fee at Xbox game pass but get access to a whole lot of other games at the same time.

No other sim has these flexible options.

You even have the option of trying the sim out for £1 in a trial period of one month if you've never had an Xbox Live subscription before, so it will not cost much to see if the sim is for you, and play other games for a month, all for £1.

[Stoopy 1,571]

1 hour ago, DAD said:

Trust us, it can get even more difficult; just wait until you want to install the first MSFS update... 😉 

Or... get it on Steam.  😉

[Ray Proudfoot 8,960]

2 hours ago, Ricardo41 said:

It's not difficult. 

It depends on how familiar you are buying software like this. Or even using a Windows computer. “Returning to flight sim” could mean a steep learning curve. 

It’s completely different to buying a CD version of FSX or even a download of P3D. For many it will be the first time they’ve bought a licence this way.

And not forgetting that there are multiple versions on more than one platform. It’s probably the most complex purchasing decision a flight simmer has had to make.

[hangar 661]

1 hour ago, Ray Proudfoot said:

It depends on how familiar you are buying software like this. Or even using a Windows computer. “Returning to flight sim” could mean a steep learning curve. 

It’s completely different to buying a CD version of FSX or even a download of P3D. For many it will be the first time they’ve bought a licence this way.

And not forgetting that there are multiple versions on more than one platform. It’s probably the most complex purchasing decision a flight simmer has had to make.

...words of wisdom & truth