Flight Simulator’s latest World Update gives New Zealand a bit of a makeover

Developer Asobo’s relentless stroll around his digital globe with a retouching brush in hand continues with the release of Flight Simulator World Update 12, which is now live, bringing a slew of improvements to his interpretation of New Zealand.

The New Zealand makeover marks the 12th global update to be released for Flight Simulator since its launch in 2020, and follows similar improvements for – take a deep breath – Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland , France, Germany, Gibraltar, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

Global Update 12 brings similar additions to those seen in previous updates, which means new high-resolution satellite and aerial imagery, as well as improved digital elevation models. It also includes seven new photogrammetry-enhanced cities – Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton, Nelson, Queenstown, Tauranga and Wellington – and nine new craft airports.

Microsoft Flight Simulator – New Zealand Global Update Trailer.

These, if you’re wondering, come in the form of Gisborne Airport (NZGS), Milford Sound Airport (NZMF), Martins Bay Airfield (NZMJ), River Gorge Airstrip (NZQE), Rotorua Airport (NZRO), Lake Tekapo Airport (NZTL), Whangarei Airport (NZWR), Westport Airport (NZWS) and Quintin Lodge airstrip (T004).

And that’s not all! World Update 12 also adds 62 new craftable POIs, including, yes, Hobbiton Village (you’ll find the full list at the end of this story), plus four new landing challenges, three new journeys in the bush and three new discovery flights around Auckland, Queenstown and Lake Benmore.

Global Update 12, which follows the huge 40th Anniversary Edition Update, is free and available now on Xbox Series X/S, PC and Cloud Gaming. To coincide with the update, Asobo has also released its latest Local Legends aircraft, the Caribou DHC-4which can be purchased through the Flight Simulator Marketplace.

And, finally, as promised, the full range of handcrafted POIs are coming in today’s Global Update 12:

Akaroa Dolphin Cruise St Patrick’s Catholic Church Akaroa Akaroa Waterfront Auckland Harbor Bridge Auckland War Memorial Mus. Balclutha Road Bridge Beehive Big Lemon and Paeroa Bottle Cape Egmont Lighthouse Cape Reinga Lighthouse Cardrona Ski Resort Castle Point Lighthouse Christchurch Cathedral Coronet Ski Area Cromwell Peak Big Fruit Sculpture Dog Island Lighthouse Dunedin Law Courts Dunedin Station Durie Hill Memorial Tower Edith Cavell Bridge Farewell Spit Lighthouse First Church of Otago Fo Guang Shan Temple Forsyth Barr Stadium Hell’s Gate Hobbiton Matamata Village Hole in the Rock Hopwood Clock Tower Huntly Power Station Invercargill Water Tower Gorge Suspension from Kawarau Br. Kerikeri Mission Station Larnach Castle Majestic Center Mohaka Viaduct Mount Cargill Transmitter Mount John Univ. Mount Kaukau Observatory Transmitter Mus. of NZ Te Papa Tongarewa New Plymouth Power Station New Zealand Parl. Library New Zealand Parliament House North Harbor Stadium Ohaaki Power Station Ohakune Carrot Otira Viaduct Rakaia Bridges (road and rail) Rugby League Park Sky Tower Skyline Queenstown Sugarloaf Transmitter Taiaroa Head Lighthouse Taramakau Road-Rail Bridge Tekapo A Power Station The Church of Good Shepard The Remarkables Ski Area Tiritiri Matangi Lighthouse Titahi Bay Transmitter Tiwai Point Aluminum Smelter TSS Earnslaw, Lake Wakatipu Waitangi Treaty Site Wellington Regional Stadium and Railway Station