X-Plane 12 launches as an Early Access beta title
After months of anticipation, Laminar Research has formally released X-Plane 12 into Early Access. With this new version of the long-running flight simulator comes a slew of new graphical upgrades, brand-new included aircraft, a “4D” weather engine, and more. Since X-Plane 12 has released as an Early Access title, Laminar describes it as a project that’s “still in active development.”
Heading to its product landing page makes it clear that anyone who chooses to buy it now is an Early Adopter. That said, the sim will receive free updated over time, and buying it now grants you access to those updates “for the life of v12.” Additionally, this license also includes a free copy of X-Plane 11, so users can still fly their add-on aircraft that is not yet compatible with the new X-Plane 12.
On that note, the included new aircraft include the Airbus A330 (commercial jet), Cessna Citation X (business jet), Cirrus SR 22 (single-engine prop), Piper PA-18 (single-engine prop), Van’s RV-10 (single-engine prop), Lancair Evolution (single-engine turboprop), and finally, the Robinson R-22 (helicopter).
There are 12 aircraft returning from past iterations of the sim, including models like the Boeing 737-800, Piper PA-18 Super Cub, Cessna Skyhawk 172SP. This makes for a total roster of 23 default aircraft, with the majority being single-engine light aircraft.
On the airport scene, X-Plane 12 features “detailed 3D scenery for more than 17,000 airports” across the world. They all have new ground textures, towers, and pavement effects to provide more realism. The latter feature refers to some of the new graphical effects, such as rain puddles (with reflections) and water spray.
The new sim also sports a new “photometric lighting engine” that
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