Microsoft Cancels Flight And Project Columbia Development

Earlier this year, Microsoft released Microsoft Flight, a reinvention of its Flight Simulator games of the past. Now the company has reportedly cancelled further development of the game and laid off around 35 staff members involved in the production. Microsoft says that the game will still be available for download for free via its website and on Steam, but that any future content for the game has been scrapped.

In addition, Microsoft has also cancelled development of Project Columbia, an unannounced game that would have made use of the Kinect sensor for the Xbox 360. In a statement regarding the cancellations, Microsoft says, "Many factors were considered in the difficult decision to stop development on Microsoft Flight and Project Columbia, but we feel it will help us better align with our long-term goals and development plans. For Microsoft Flight,we will continue to support the community that has embraced the title and the game will still be available to download for free."

As a result, 35 staff at Microsoft Vancouver have been laid off, but Microsoft claims its still committed to the area: "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." Posts on Facebook and via employees on Twitter confirm that that layoffs have occurred.

[via Polygon]