Microsoft Flight Simulator's first technical alpha is coming in September

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Microsoft Flight Simulator's Insider Program has launched, offering prospective players previews of the roadmap, early builds and updates from the developers. To start things off, you can check out the development roadmap now. 

First, though, you'll need to sign up with your Microsoft account. It will just take a second and you can do it here. Or you can just take a look below. 

(Image credit: Microsoft)

This month, Microsoft will be doing a couple of media updates, so expect screenshots and clips, along with a bunch of internal tests. Insiders will also get an update on the build program, with a technical alpha planned for mid September. 

Along with the roadmap, the first Insider update also showed off a pair of fetching screenshots and four very brief videos.  

(Image credit: Microsoft)

(Image credit: Microsoft)

In late September, Microsoft will start releasing previews of its feature overviews, which will then start appearing in October. The Feature Discovery series will put the spotlight on the world, weather, aerodynamics and those sexy airplane cockpits. 

It's been a bit light on details, so far, so I'm itching for those preview builds and feature spotlights. It was the low-key best reveal of E3 2019, and I can't wait to jump back into the venerable series. The last one came out in 2006, so it's been a long wait.  

The team will be posting another update on August 22. 

Fraser Brown
Online Editor

Fraser is the UK online editor and has actually met The Internet in person. With over a decade of experience, he's been around the block a few times, serving as a freelancer, news editor and prolific reviewer. Strategy games have been a 30-year-long obsession, from tiny RTSs to sprawling political sims, and he never turns down the chance to rave about Total War or Crusader Kings. He's also been known to set up shop in the latest MMO and likes to wind down with an endlessly deep, systemic RPG. These days, when he's not editing, he can usually be found writing features that are 1,000 words too long or talking about his dog. 

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