Microsoft has ended development of free-to-play flight simulation Microsoft Flight, incurring a number of job losses in the process.

Project Columbia, an unannounced Kinect game, also got the chop.

Development of both was centred at Microsoft's Vancouver studio. Numerous employees spilled news of the lay-offs last night via social media (as spotted by Kotaku.

"Microsoft Studios has decided to end development on Microsoft Flight and Project Columbia," a company spokesperson confirmed to GameSpot. "As a result of this action, some positions within the development teams have been eliminated. Microsoft human resources is working with the affected individuals to find new roles within the company."

"Microsoft Studios is invested in British Columbia and still has several teams, both in Vancouver and Victoria, which will continue to produce the best entertainment and gaming experiences possible."

Microsoft Flight was released for free in February this year. Subsequent paid-for content packs have added numerous aircraft and extra locations.

Alaskan Wilderness, the latest - and now presumably last - add-on, launched just three weeks ago.