Earlier this month, we shared some details surrounding FlyTampa’s upcoming Area 51 project for Microsoft Flight Simulator. This new product is more than just a new ‘airport’ from the team; it is an entire area focused on “atmosphere-driven environments”.
Rather than recreating only the famous Groom Lake facility itself, the project aims to depict the broader surrounding region in significant detail. FlyTampa says the environment will include perimeter roads, security checkpoints, access routes, stretches of the Extraterrestrial Highway, and the mountainous ridgelines where aviation enthusiasts and conspiracy theorists alike have attempted to glimpse the highly secretive base over the decades.
The developer describes AREA 51 as being less about a conventional scenery package and more about recreating the scale, isolation, and atmosphere surrounding one of aviation’s most infamous locations. FlyTampa says the project focuses heavily on environmental storytelling, combining present-day infrastructure with declassified references and historical research to capture the evolution of the Nevada installation over the past seventy years.
Two of the previews above are what we have seen previously, with two brand-new previews exclusive to FSElite readers. We get to see some of the hangar interiors, the Alien Research Centre, and Rachel Back Gate.
FlyTampa has partnered with Sierra Division, a real-time art production studio whose previous work includes collaborations with companies such as Valve and NVIDIA. According to the announcement, the project required workflows more commonly associated with AAA game development than traditional flight simulation scenery creation.
FlyTampa also confirmed that AREA 51 will feature mission-based content and interactive challenges intended to encourage exploration throughout the region. Additional features highlighted include large-scale terrain coverage, advanced environmental detailing, and custom-built assets produced through Sierra Division’s pipeline.
The AREA 51 project is due to release for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on both PC and Xbox soon.
What About FlyTampa Airports?
When we spoke to FlyTampa about this project, we also wanted to understand what this meant for their previous airports in the simulator. Emilios from the team said, “I’d love to address the community directly on a few things”.
Firstly, Las Vegas is being rebuilt from the “ground up”. This massive overhaul will take work, but it’s being developed to the “highest quality” and will be built to last.
For those wanting to know more about Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (EHAM) the team is currently working on compatibility. Furthermore, FlyTampa is working directly with the airport itself to make a larger upgrade in the future once they have enough data and the volume of changes justify the development.
As always, we will keep an eye on progress and be sure to keep you in the loop.
