Soar Above the Rest: Microsoft Flight Simulator Leads the Crossover Gaming Revolution

Microsoft Flight Simulator made a surprising announcement during the Xbox Games Showcase that it will be receiving a crossover expansion with the upcoming movie adaptation of Dune. This move could potentially set a new trend for other sim games to follow in the future. While the showcase also revealed the sequel Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, the spotlight was on the expansion that includes the Atreides Ornithopter and is set to coincide with the release of Dune Part Two later this year. This is not the first time Microsoft Flight Simulator has collaborated with other entertainment properties, having previously worked with Halo Infinite and Top Gun: Maverick in 2022. This trend of gaming crossovers seems to be gaining traction, with developers looking to capitalize on the hype and engagement generated by these collaborations.

Gaming Crossovers Then Versus Now

Many popular games, such as Fortnite, Fall Guys, and Dead by Daylight, heavily rely on crossovers to keep their content fresh and exciting for players. With the free-to-play format making these games accessible to a wide audience, it's no surprise that brands and franchises have recognized the potential of collaborating with them. Fortnite has mastered the art of crossovers by partnering with athletes, musicians, content creators, and even anime, and seamlessly integrating them into its ongoing story. However, other games, such as Super Smash Bros., Kingdom Hearts, and Marvel vs. Capcom, also heavily rely on crossovers as a main selling point, with many fighting games like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat joining the trend. While fan-service crossovers are not new, there does seem to be a shift in how developers are approaching them, especially with the rise of free-to-play games.

The New Quid Pro Quo of Gaming Crossovers

In recent years, it has become increasingly difficult to discern whether crossovers are genuine attempts to bring together different franchises or mere attempts to capitalize on established names and nostalgia. While some crossovers, such as Sea of Thieves: The Legend of Monkey Island expansion, feel like natural fits, others, like PowerWash Simulator's collaborations with Tomb Raider and Final Fantasy 7, have raised eyebrows. However, with gaming crossovers taking on a new approach - from Fortnite's collaboration with TIME to PowerWash Simulator's growing list of triple-A crossovers and Microsoft Flight Simulator's latest Dune tie-in - it seems that more and more studios are treating crossovers as a transaction. This model appears to be working, as the crossover era shows no signs of slowing down and could even see unlikely games scoring high-profile collaborations and surprising players.

Microsoft Flight Simulator is available now on PC and Xbox Series X/S.