Microsoft has shut down ACES Studios, axing in the process the entire development team for its long-running Flight Simulator franchise.

The news comes following the announcement that Microsoft will be cutting 5,000 jobs across its divisions.

"We can confirm the closing of ACES Studios, which was responsible for the Flight Simulator franchise," Microsoft spokeswoman Kelda Rericha told Appscout. "Following our annual strategy review process, IEB [Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business unit] is making adjustments within our business to align our people against our highest priorities. The closure of ACES Studios was one of those specific changes."

With the future of the franchise in doubt, speculation amongst fans of the flight sim has been gathering pace across the net. Microsoft has been quick to come forward to assure fans that despite the news it won't be the end of the franchise.

"We are committed to the Flight Simulator franchise, which has proven to be a successful PC-based game for the last 27 years," said Rericha. "You should expect us to continue to invest in enabling great Live experiences on Windows, including flying games, but we have nothing specific to announce at this time."

Without a development team though, we'd guess there won't be another Flight Simulator for a long time.

Source : Appscout