Microsoft has announced a free Dune: Part Two expansion for their 2020-released Microsoft Flight Simulator, alongside new hardware.
The new expansion is focused entirely on Frank Herbert’s Dune series, specifically its forthcoming film sequel, directed by Denis Villeneuve.
Here’s a brief blurb on the free expansion, plus a trailer:
Dune Comes Alive Like Never Before in Free Expansion
Microsoft Flight Simulator, working with Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures, for the first time ever is taking you beyond Planet Earth into the harsh deserts of the world of “Dune” and the planet Arrakis. The skies of Arrakis are traversed by a deft craft called an ornithopter, a nimble flying machine propelled by four precisely tuned oscillating wings. The Royal Atreides Ornithopter is a special ultra-performance variant of the craft, renowned for its lightning acceleration, blazing speeds, and precision maneuverability when under the control of pilots skilled in its operation – and who have the fortitude to survive the harsh extremes of Dune.
Microsoft Flight Simulator Aviators have the unique opportunity starting today to put their courage and skills, to the test in the cockpit of the Royal Atreides Ornithopter in this latest expansion. which includes three tutorials: take-off, landing, and freefall. Once simmers have mastered the basics, they can move on to attempt the package’s six activities: five-time trials and a daring rescue mission where aviators must save their flight instructor before a massive sandstorm engulfs him.
Microsoft also revealed highly exclusive and limited Dune: Part Two branded Xbox hardware, with an Xbox Series X console emblazoned with Dune colors:
The company revealed what their dubbing as the “world’s first floating Xbox contoller”, but it might be the world’s first floating controller, period. Here’s more photos:
As mentioned, the Dune: Part Two Xbox hardware will be very limited and raffled off via a giveaway: by following Xbox on X (formerly Twitter) and retweeting the official Xbox sweepstakes tweet during the Entry Period. The giveaway runs from February 13, 2024 through March 25, 2024. More info here.
Microsoft Flight Simulator has been available for Windows PC (via Steam and the Microsoft Store) and Xbox Series X|S.
Dune: Part Two premieres first via international theaters on February 28th, 2024 and on March 1st in North American theaters.
