Time Machine Designs, a new development team whose members have previously collaborated on the creation of “Arrows Across America,” one of our favorite freeware add-ons for Microsoft Flight Simulator, is currently developing an exciting new project.
“Hadrian’s Wall 180AD” is the name of this new project, which aims to provide a flyable historical experience by reconstructing the iconic Roman fortification as it stood in the year 180AD. Based on a collaboration with game design students and history experts, the project brings the nearly 80 miles of the historic wall into Microsoft Flight Simulator for exploration from the skies. An absolutely epic undertaking!
Hadrian’s Wall was constructed beginning in 122AD under the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Originally stretching close to 80 Roman miles across the north of England, the wall marked the northern boundary of the Roman Empire in Britannia. The wall was more than a defensive barrier; it also facilitated trade regulation and movement between the Roman territories and the lands beyond.
The “Hadrian’s Wall 180AD” project by Time Machine Designs leverages extensive historical research and modern technology to recreate this ancient marvel in unprecedented detail, exclusively for Microsoft Flight Simulator. This includes accurately placing milecastles, forts, and watchtowers along the wall’s original path.
This ambitious project is a collaborative effort involving Time Machine Designs and Boomsatsuma, an educational provider in Bristol, UK, that specializes in creative technology courses. The collaboration aims to offer students real-world experience in game design and digital media, directly contributing to the development of the scenery add-on.
The contributions of these talented individuals span various aspects of digital art, from 3D modeling based on accurate historical data and concept artwork to texturing that brings these models to life within the simulator. Their work transforms ancient Roman architectural feats into digital models that simmers can explore.
The project seeks to offer an educational and engaging experience for anyone interested in Roman history or the ancient landscapes of England. It will be particularly appealing to those who wish to see and understand how England looked hundreds of years ago, but it will also appeal to everyone looking to fly in VFR between the eastern and western coasts of Great Britain!
This project also brings together the expertise of historians like Dr. Rob Collins from Newcastle University and Bill Griffiths from Tyne & Wear Museums, ensuring that every fort, milecastle, and turret along the wall is recreated with historical accuracy and detail in the simulator.
“Hadrian’s Wall 180AD” for Microsoft Flight Simulator will feature detailed reconstructions of various segments of the wall, including both well-preserved ruins and those known only from archaeological findings. Notable features of the add-on will include:
- 73 miles of wall
- 140 miles of earthworks and obstacles
- 152 turrets
- 78 Milecastles (small forts)
- 18 complete legionary forts with villages
- 4 bridges
- The complete Roman town of Coria (Corbridge)
- Each structure accurately placed according to the available data
- Retextured landscapes to remove modern towns, roads, buildings, and quarries
The developers hope that by bringing a detailed and historically accurate representation of Hadrian’s Wall to a global audience via Microsoft Flight Simulator, the add-on will encourage a deeper appreciation and understanding of Roman history. How cool is that?
With “Hadrian’s Wall 180AD,” MSFS simmers can anticipate not just a unique scenery that will open exciting flying opportunities, but also a time-travel adventure to one of the most important historic landmarks in the UK.
Time Machine Designs is targeting a release for “Hadrian’s Wall 180AD” this coming September, bringing an exciting close to the summer for history and flight simulation enthusiasts. As this very cool project progresses, we’ll keep a keen eye on developments and provide you with all the latest updates as soon as they become available. Stay tuned!
