Just in from a leaked source is a shock from Microsoft: the box artwork of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2014. While we can't find much information on this new simulator as of yet, we have been given early leaked box artwork.

The above image shows the box artwork of what is appearing to be Microsoft Flight Simulator 2014. The box artwork shows a Boeing 747 landing at an airport with the original Microsoft Flight Simulator logo and "2014" placed above the logo. The artwork is also encased in an "Xbox Games for Windows" frame - perhaps indicating that this release will be available on Xbox as well as Windows 8.

The 747 in the image appears to have been painted in a PMDG house color scheme - from what I can see - I could be wrong. If PMDG aircraft were included in the simulator release, perhaps they will announce something themselves shortly - if they are under a Non-Disclosure agreement with Microsoft; perhaps not.

The artwork also reveals it's going to be released under "Windows 8", however we can't confirm or deny that it will also run under Windows 7 and lower.

We have no other information as of yet regarding this release and no official announcement from Microsoft themselves.

What can we expect?

Hopefully we can expect some great things from this simulator release. With the date of "2014" on the box artwork, we can hopefully expect it to be released this year. Usually, they release the series a year earlier than the year in the product title - however it doesn't seem to be the case with this version. We can also expect this version to be a fully digital downloadable product with no CDs or DVDs being issued or manufactured. Hopefully, all of your FSX addons will also work with this version.

...wait, what's the date today? Let's hear your comments below!

Update June 2019:

Jokes aside, Microsoft has officially announced a new flight sim - read all of the details here.