Simulation Platform Gets Real

The simulation engine, tools, and some of the data used by Microsoft to create the popular Flight Simulator game is now available as a software development kit. ESP (the name of the product and not an acronym) helps simulation developers by increasing the amount of reusable code and lowering the cost of development. Initially targeted at aviation training scenarios, future versions will support other uses, including ground and indoor simulations, and could broaden the use of simulation by making it a viable option in markets where it is currently too costly.

Expanding Market for Simulation

ESP is aimed at the US$18 billion market for simulation hardware, software, and services, a market that currently lacks a standardized development platform and requires significant custom development. By providing a software simulation platform that runs on commercial off-the-shelf hardware, Microsoft hopes to lower development costs for current simulation solutions and extend simulation to new markets.