Microsoft Flight Simulator Gets a Free Dune Expansion

Microsoft Flight Simulator is getting a free Dune expansion today ahead of the release of the Dune: Part Two movie on March 1. This is the second time that Microsoft Flight Simulator gets a free expansion inspired by a Hollywood movie after the previous Top Gun: Maverick expansion released back in 2022.

The Microsoft Flight Simulator: Dune Expansion pack will let players explore the desertic Arrakis planet while flying the Royal Atreides Ornithopter, an aircraft propelled by four oscillating wings. Even if you’re not a Dune fan, the trailer below may well concinve you give this free expansion a try.

“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,” the Xbox Wire team explained. “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 Flight Simulator is free to play with Game Pass for Console and PC, and if you don’t want to wait for the over 100GB download, the game is also available on Xbox Cloud Gaming. It’s one of the best-looking games you can play on Xbox Series X|S consoles today, and a new installment titled Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 will be released on PC and current-gen Xbox consoles later this year.

As Microsoft will likely announce that it’s bringing select Xbox exclusive games to other consoles on Thursday, this free Dune expansion for Microsoft Flight Simulator is a good reminder that there are some great exclusive games on Xbox consoles. However, that may not be enough to help Microsoft’s Xbox business grow in the future.