Flight simulator games such as Microsoft Flight Simulator can be played using flight sticks, yoke systems, HOTAS (hands-on throttle-and-stick) controllers, rudders, and other accessories to make them feel more immersive and fun to play.
The Microsoft Flight Simulator series has been around for quite some time. The first iteration of the game was released way back in 1982 and since then has released 10 other major installments in the series. This latest entry is the second developed by Asobo Studio after the closure of Aces Game Studio, the series previous developer. Before this, Asobo Studio worked on the Steam edition of Flight Simulator X. Apart from Microsoft Flight Simulator, EA and Motive Studios’ extended gameplay preview at Gamescom.
According to a report by The Verge, the best-selling PC flight sticks, yokes, and HOTAS controllers on Amazon.com are all unavailable to buy new. Many of them are only available Used or scheduled to be available in the next few months. Those who are completely against purchasing them second hand still have some hope though. The Verge notes that there are several other retailers that still do have flight sticks, yokes, and HOTAS controllers available, it just requires a bit more searching. With the number of different models and brands of flight sticks available, it’s pretty impressive to see many of them unavailable to purchase new on Amazon.
The shortage of flight sticks and yokes isn’t exclusively due to the release of Microsoft Flight Simulator though as several other games also make use of them, such as the aforementioned Star Wars: Squadrons as well as already-available titles including just released a rather pricey $90 ship.
It’s great to see the popularity of Microsoft Flight Simulator go up again with this latest release, enough that it may have affected the sales of an entire hardware category. Hopefully, hardware manufacturers will be able to keep up with the demand for flight sticks and similar peripherals as the popularity of other flight sims may also go up as players of Microsoft Flight Simulator may potentially search for something similar to try out.
Source: The Verge
