Dune: Part Two’s Ornithopter flies to Microsoft Flight Simulator

Dune: part two, the sequel to Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 sci-fi epic, is almost upon us. Ahead of the film’s highly anticipated release on March 1, Microsoft and Xbox Game Studios announced the arrival of Paul Atreides’ Ornithopter and the desert plains of Arrakis in Microsoft Flight Simulator in a free extension.

The Ornithopter is to the Dune universe what the X-Wing and TIE Fighter are to Star Wars: an iconic work of speculative engineering with a striking silhouette and dazzling mid-flight capabilities. According to a statement from Microsoft Flight Simulator head Jorg Neumannplayers will pilot the Royal Atreides Ornithopter through three tutorials (takeoff, landing and freefall) before taking part in five time trial activities and a rescue mission to save their flight instructor from an oncoming sandstorm.

It’s just the latest in a series of video game tie-ins in the weeks leading up to Dune: part two‘s release. In December, Sledgehammer Games added Paul Atreides and Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3.