Microsoft is one company that has contributed to almost everything in technology. However, besides Windows, apps, and phones, a big area where the Mountain View giant’s presence lies is gaming. Over the last five decades, the company has been a master architect of video games, weaving its influence through every pixel and line of code. As we stand on the iconic day of Microsoft’s 50th anniversary, I thought of setting out on a nostalgic odyssey, a journey through time, to unearth five genre-defining gems from each decade that etched MS’ name into the soul of gaming. Prepare for a cascade of memories, a symphony of retro soundscapes, and a celebration of the titles that dared to redefine the rules.
1. Microsoft Flight Simulator 1.0
- Release Date: November 1982
- Platform(s): IBM PC
When Bruce Artwick of Sublogic created the FS1 Flight Simulator, who knew what was coming for all the fans? Within two years, Microsoft brought the creator on board to make the first Microsoft Flight Simulator. The gameplay was simple: you fly a Cessna 182 in one of four US regions: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, or Seattle. Another game mode could fly the Sopwith Camel and shoot enemy aircraft. But what made the game such a standout for its era?
I know you might think the game’s mechanics seem primitive, but imagine that in 1982, MS Flight Simulator offered things that simulator developers still cannot emulate. By introducing a new degree of realism and showcasing the potential of personal computers as platforms for complex simulations, it went beyond the straightforward arcade experiences of its time. It created a devoted fan base and pushed the limits of graphics and processing power in PC hardware by providing an unparalleled virtual flight experience.
Furthermore, the game’s influence on industry standards was cemented when it was adopted as a benchmark for IBM PC compatibility. More significantly, it broadened the definition of a video game, demonstrating that software could offer experiential and educational benefits in addition to entertainment. In simple terms, Microsoft Flight Simulator 1982 established the fundamental framework for the intricate and tantalizing simulation games that currently characterize the genre.
2. 3D Pinball/Age of Empires II
- Release Date: August 24, 1995 /September 27, 1999
- Platform(s): Windows 95 – Windows XP/Windows, Mac OS, PS 2
Well, for this decade, I had to pick two games because they both impacted me positively, even if they were released when I was born. Pinball was one of the first games I tried out on Windows 95 OS. Thanks to Microsoft, this simple inclusion changed how much I became a fan of arcade games without visiting a shop. Through a pre-installed operating system, it democratized a genre by bringing pinball, a customarily arcade-bound experience, straight into millions of homes.
A new generation of pinball fans was fostered by this accessibility, which exposed innumerable users to the game’s delights. Particularly in office settings, its straightforward but captivating gameplay offered an easily accessible kind of entertainment, gently influencing the idea that computers are also tools for leisure rather than just work.
Additionally, even though its 3D rendering was simple by today’s standards, it demonstrated the developing graphical capabilities of personal computers. Furthermore, it quietly pushed the limits of what users could expect from their devices. Microsoft quietly normalized PC gaming by incorporating a light-hearted, widely popular game into its operating system, which helped make it a more popular kind of entertainment. But this decade had more to offer, and in 1999, we had another revolution from Microsoft: the big boss of the RTS genre in Age of Empires 2.
Not just another real-time strategy game, Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings altered the genre and made a lasting impression on gaming history. It increased strategic depth by requiring players to grasp complicated unit formations, intelligent civilization-specific tactics, and complex resource management. Its historically accurate setting and depth created an ardent community that appreciated education and gameplay.
Age of Empires II popularized the idea of asymmetrical gaming, in which every civilization provided distinct strengths and flaws, producing engaging and varied experiences. Moreover, it supported the historical RTS, enabling players to actively interact with history and generating interest in medieval battles and societies. Its ongoing appeal, preserved by regular updates and a vibrant competitive scene, confirmed its foundational role in the RTS genre, affecting many later games and shaping the strategic gaming environment for future generations.
3. Halo: Combat Evolved
- Release Date: November 15, 2001
- Platform(s): Xbox, Windows, Mac OS X
The FPS genre was a problem when the gaming industry hit the 2000s. Yes, we had Doom, which gave birth to the genre, but carrying it forward was a tough job, especially when the first-person perspective was still not something people would accept. In came Microsoft with Halo: Combat Evolved, which reshaped the landscape of first-person shooter (FPS) games.
It was a revolution, not just an Xbox launch title. Through its creative control system, smart enemy AI, and gripping story that plunged players into a rich science fiction world, Halo redefined console FPS gaming. Its focus on strategic combat, with a mix of gunplay, grenades, and melee strikes, set a new benchmark for the category.
I was merely a kid when I first tried Halo: Combat Evolved, but it blasted me with a solid FPS bomb. I could not believe what I witnessed back then, but now that I play games like Valorant or Counter-Strike, I realize that almost every inch of modern FPS is a replica of the first Halo.
Most of the impact on current-gen FPS games comes from Halo’s multiplayer mode. You had both options to play with friends: split-screen and system link. This magnified the trend of console gaming. In short words, Halo: Combat Evolved pushed console sales but laid the blueprint for FPS games for decades to come.
4. Forza Horizon
- Release Date: October 23, 2012
- Platform(s): Xbox 360
If anyone had asked me before the 2010s, “What is your favorite racing game?” my answer would have always been NFS Most Wanted from 2005. And, in my defense, it was the best racing game I played. The story, the racing scenarios—everything kept me hooked. Then Microsoft thought of entering the racing genre in video games, and Forza Horizon took over my favorite spot.
For me, it was an incredible shift in the open-world racing genre. Before Forza Horizon, everything felt limited in racing games, and I literally mean it. After I asked the game parlor owner to install Forza Horizon on the Xbox 360 so that I could switch from my Most Wanted addiction, I never returned. Well, Forza gave me that much freedom.
By letting players effortlessly move between solo exploration and multiplayer activities, Forza Horizon popularized the idea of a shared open world, thus promoting community and connection. Its dynamic day-night cycle and varied environmental obstacles increased the depth of the experience, thus stretching the limits of what a racing game could provide.
Moreover, the game’s emphasis on culture created a distinct and immersive atmosphere, already setting it apart from its contemporaries. All of this, including an amazing and thoughtful soundtrack, made Forza Horizon the first successful open-world racing game that still dominates the franchise.
5. Starfield
- Release Date: September 6, 2023
- Platform(s): Windows, Xbox Series X/S
Just like any other art form, even video games are bound to run into limitations. Unfortunately, that same problem also hit Microsoft. In the decade leading up to the company’s 50th anniversary, Microsoft’s ambition to give open-world space exploration was commendable with Starfield (review). However, gameplay was a significant concern for this ambitious game.
Starfield’s gameplay was engaging, but it struggled fundamentally. The key goal was to separate Starfield from the world of stories like Star Wars or Star Trek. Of course, it manages to accomplish that. But the issue comes from making a difference in the RPG genre. Starfield failed to alter the landscape of RPGs or space exploration games like Halo or Age of Empires II did for their respective genres.
It is a reasonable refinement project that takes all the concepts and tries to improve them. Yes, Starfield has glories and constant updates that fix the experience, but overall, the game was a letdown. Luckily, we are in the middle of this decade so that I will pray for good times. And if Microsoft prefers to go in its direction, making genre-defining experiences, who knows, we will get multiple iconic games that are not remakes or bug-loaded software packs.
Despite the last decade of Microsoft coming with lackluster titles, the company has left its mark with some of the most iconic games over the last 50 years.
That said, which one of these Microsoft games is your favorite, and which ones do you think changed how you see video games? Do tell us in the comments below.
