Microsoft brings Dune to life with new ‘floating controller’ and flight simulation

Fans are preparing to revisit the world of Arrakis next month as Warner Bros releases Dune 2, Microsoft and Xbox are getting in on the fun with new bespoke hardware and a free game expansion.

Microsoft and Warner Bros have come together to give fans of the Dune universe a new gaming experience with a free expansion pack for Microsoft Flight Simulator that puts them in the cockpit of a Royal Atreides Ornithopter. As the Xbox team describes in a press release, the new expansion has three tutorials that include take-off, landing, and freefall exercises that lead into further timed trials and rescue missions.

For the hardcore fans that happen to live near the only two Microsoft retail stores left in New York and London, a full-sized Royal Atreides Ornithopter will be outfitted for a life-like simulation of the new Dune expansion for Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Fans can visit the London Microsoft Experience Center on Oxford Circus as early as February 16, 2024, and the New York Microsoft Experience Center on Fifth Avenue on February 26, 2024, to hop into a life-sized Ornithopter and try their hand at navigating an Arrakis sandstorm.

As for everyone else, the Xbox team created an Xbox Series S theme-designed controller to pair with this new Dune experience that ‘floats’ above a custom controller stand.

The official Xbox brand on Twitter posted about a sweepstakes event that runs from February 13, 2024, through March 25, 2024, that will award winners the new Ornithopter-inspired controller and stand.

HOW TO ENTER

No Purchase Necessary. To enter you must:

1. Create a new account or use an existing account on Twitter (“Twitter”);
2. Follow @xbox at https://www.twitter.com/xbox/; and
3. Re-tweet the promotional post and include the sweepstakes hashtag #XboxDunePartTwoSweepstakes.

For doing this you will receive one (1) Sweepstakes entry.

PRIZES

One (1) First Prize. The first-place winner selected will receive a prize package consisting of the following items:

• An Xbox Series S Custom Console with artwork inspired by Dune: Part Two. Approximate Retail Value (ARV) $240.00 USD.
• A Standard White Xbox Wireless Controller. Approximate Retail Value (ARV) $59.99 USD.
• A Custom Dune: Part Two Inspired Storefront Xbox Series S Console Stand and Display. Approximate Retail Value (ARV) $100.00 USD.
• A Custom Dune: Part Two Inspired Xbox Wireless Controller. Approximate Retail Value (ARV) $69.99 USD.
• A Custom Xbox Wireless Controller Holder with Dune: Part Two Inspired artwork. Approximate Retail Value (ARV) $100.00 USD.
• A three (3)-Month subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Approximate Retail Value (ARV) $29.99 USD.