Microsoft partners with blackshark.ai on Flight Simulator, provides SDK update

With the Microsoft Flight Simulator Closed Beta going live just over a week ago, the firm's focus has shifted toward other deliverables in the following days. After confirming VR support and a Steam launch for the title last Thursday, this week's development update showcases the Partnership Series, an SDK update, and more.

For starters, Microsoft has partnered up with blackshark.ai for the firm's expertise on AI-based solutions that can be utilized in-game. According to blackshark.ai's CTO, Thomas Richter-Trummer, the goal was to allow the player to "fly over the whole world as a backdrop of the game, offering unmatched gaming experiences on all levels". To pursue this objective, the firm developed a unique AI solution that leverages Microsoft Azure to gain insights on the planet through Bing Maps imagery data. More details on the collaboration can be viewed in the video below.

Moving on, Microsoft has revealed that hundreds of companies have already applied for its recently introduced Marketplace Partnership Program. As far as the SDK side is concerned, the tech giant has vowed to make its documentation more thorough in order to reflect newly available features better, with recent examples including custom jetways and the functionality of the light system. The SDK team will also be reinforced in the coming months.

Further changes include:

• Bug fixes and new utility tools for the Developer Mode
• Improved overall stability and improved taxiway sign editing as well as projected meshes support
• Improved stability, asynchronous loading and more flexibility for WebAssembly (upcoming)

With recent Feedback Snapshots, a trend of releasing them only to participants of the Insider Program has been observed, and the same holds for the latest iteration as well. And lastly, an updated version of the development roadmap which showcases upcoming deliverables from the August – November period is in the works. A preview version of this should be available soon after Microsoft Flight Simulator's planned August 18 launch.