Microsoft is releasing a Flight Simulator X: Acceleration Expansion Pack for PC this Spring.

With the Acceleration Expansion Pack, gamers can race against friends in highly detailed locations around the world, test their skills and heroism in many new missions, fly three new aircraft, and share rewards, photos and videos with friends and the broader flight community.

Features:

• Multiplayer racing mode. The new multiplayer racing mode will allow gamers to compete against friends with four types of racing: aerobatic style, Reno high-speed, cross-country and sailplane. Gamers will be able to test their skills in three different levels of difficulty from simple pylon racing to racing in harsh weather conditions.

• DirectX 10. Flight Simulator X: Acceleration Expansion Pack will continue to build on the rich visual foundation of Flight Simulator X, taking advantage of Windows Vista and DirectX 10 to deliver improved graphics and dynamic environments.

• New missions. More than 20 new missions that will allow gamers to test their skills at tasks ranging from test piloting a fighter jet to search and rescue.

• New aircraft. F/A-18A Hornet, P-51D Mustang and EH-101 helicopter.

• Connected world. The Acceleration Expansion Pack continues to take advantage of the online game capabilities in Flight Simulator X, allowing gamers to race against friends and work together to complete missions as they interact with other aviators from around the globe by chatting in real time via headset and keyboard.

• Games for Windows franchise. This expansion pack will also ship as a Games for Windows title with easier installation, reliability standards and support for key features of Windows Vista, including the Games Explorer and Parental Controls.