Xbox Account Needed for Steam Edition?

Hello Earl,

Your question about the necessity of an Xbox account while using the Steam version of Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) is quite common, and it's understandable why you'd be a bit perplexed. To clear the fog, let's do a deep dive into the heart of the matter.

The Role of Xbox Live

The Xbox Live account is not about an additional fee or extra cost, but rather the mechanism Microsoft uses for their cross-platform services. Microsoft Flight Simulator is a product of Microsoft and the use of an Xbox Live account (also Microsoft owned) allows them to synchronize your progress, achievements, and other in-game elements across different platforms.

When you play Microsoft Flight Simulator, your Xbox Live account is like your passport, enabling you to access all the features and services, like multiplayer functions, achievement tracking, and more. It's an integral part of the infrastructure, even though it might seem a little counterintuitive for a PC-based game like the Steam version.

The Cost Aspect

Now, about the $9.99 fee you mentioned, it seems there might be a slight misunderstanding here. Setting up an Xbox Live account is generally free. The $9.99 per month fee is most likely related to Xbox Game Pass subscription, which is an entirely different service, offering access to a library of games on Xbox and PC. You don't need a Game Pass subscription to play Microsoft Flight Simulator on Steam, only the basic (and free) Xbox Live account.

Using Steam Version Without Xbox Account

To use the Steam version of Microsoft Flight Simulator without an Xbox account is possible but with limited functionality. You could fly solo and enjoy the physics and beauty of the game. However, without an Xbox Live account, certain features like the multiplayer functions, live weather updates, and achievement tracking are inaccessible.

In a nutshell, the Xbox account is more of a 'gateway' rather than an additional cost. It's a way of unifying your gaming experience across Microsoft's gaming ecosystem.

I hope this clears up your query. Enjoy the skies, and happy landings!