Virtual Horizons: The Art and Science of Recreating Reality in Flight Simulators

Flight simulators have come a long way in terms of graphics and realism. These games have always been at the forefront of pushing the boundaries of what can be visually recreated in a video game. From pixelated graphics to stunning visuals of outer space, flight simulators have always strived to create an incredibly realistic experience.

In the latest episode of The Vergecast, Polygon’s Charlie Hall joins the conversation to shed light on the current state of flight simulation. Hall has extensive experience spending over four months in VR mapping the Milky Way in Elite: Dangerous, bringing a unique perspective to the discussion. The focus is on how professionals set up their simulators to achieve the most true-to-life experience and the challenges involved in making virtual worlds look like reality.

Hall argues that while VR and XR headsets show great potential for even more realistic experiences in the future, current virtual cockpits still rely on multi-monitor setups and high-powered GPUs for the best results. This holds true whether you’re playing at home or managing official military simulators like the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning at the US Air Force. The level of detail and realism achieved in these setups can be astonishing until you witness it firsthand.

For those interested in delving deeper into the topics discussed in the episode, there are links provided to explore further. Whether you’re a gaming enthusiast or curious about the technology behind flight simulations, this episode offers valuable insights into the art of recreating reality in a virtual world.