It’s time to holiday – yay! First, there were vacations. Then came the staycation. At Overclockers UK, we’d like to introduce you to the idea of the Playcation.
When looked up in the Overclockers Dictionary of Everything, here is how Playcation is defined:
The act of taking time off work, specifically to play video games.
We’re taking a closer look at the OG game that inspired the concept of playcations and some of the great hardware you can use to enhance immersion.
Summer Holiday with Microsoft Flight Simulator
Sure, why not escape on holiday to somewhere sunny abroad or any of the beautiful areas the UK has to offer? We think spending some quality relaxing time gaming is even better!
Microsoft Flight Simulator is our number one playcation game. This game takes you around the world with stunning visuals and realism that you might even forget that you aren’t flying several thousand feet above the ground. You have your choice of thirty-seven aircraft to fly, including aeroplanes, gliders, and helicopters, which can take you to airports across the globe.
The whole planet has been lovingly rendered, detailed with over 1.5 billion buildings and 2 trillion trees. No wonder this game takes some graphical power! Plus, with live weather, day and night cycles, and a state-of-the-art physics engine for aerodynamic modelling, you won’t get a truer to life experience than MFS.
It’s why we love to spend our playcations honing our skills and earning our wings.
Enhance the Experience
To take your flight experience even higher, you can add flight simulation peripherals to your gaming set-up. Emulating the controls you see in planes, these give you better control of your virtual vehicle as well as creating a true-to-life experience. If you’re serious about virtual flight, then you can’t do without them! We’re going to showcase some of our favourite instruments and, as always, you can explore our full range to find your perfect set-up.
Flight Sticks
The flight stick is the core of your controls when it comes to flying your virtual plane. The multidirectional axes grant you superior control of your vessel, with many brands boasting no dead zones and great resolution with thousands of readable values.
Plenty of action buttons to go around, you can enjoy realistic tension when using replicas of genuine US Air Force equipment. Plus, many feature multi-directional hat switches, often for switching into point of view modes. Sit back and relax, take in those glorious panoramas. It’s definitely a better view than the tiny port window you look through on a plane.
Thrustmaster Hotas Warthog Joystick & Throttle
- Flight stick and throttle
- Based on U.S. Air Force A-10C aircraft
- 3D magnetic Hall Effect sensors
- 14-bit resolution
- USB connectivity
Logitech G Saitek X52 Pro Flight Controller And Throttle Joystick
- Flight stick and throttle
- Advanced Multi-Function Display (MFD)
- Real-time game information displayed
- 3D twist rudder controls
- No contact tech on X and Y axes
Flight Simulator Yokes
As an alternative to the flight stick, you can opt to control your plane with a yoke. Resting somewhere between a flight stick and a steering wheel, these yokes are replicated from controls used in commercial planes like the Boeing 787. They offer enhanced control, durable components, and plenty of action buttons to keep your flight smooth.
Thrustmaster TCA Yoke Boeing Edition
- Realistic flight yoke
- Officially licenced Boeing design
- 18 virtual action buttons
- Magnet technology for enhanced durability
- Compatible with PC and Xbox
Logitech G Saitek Pro Flight Yoke System
- Flight yoke system with throttle quadrant
- Durable stainless steel construction
- Configure with Saitek Smart Technology
- Unique, two-position desk clamp
- Ergonomic controls
Pedals
Next in elevating the realism, there are pedal sets. Not to be confused with pedal sets for driving titles, these dual pedals are used for rudder control. Plus, they will make you feel like an absolute boss as you barrel roll your plane over the Caribbean seas. Typically using a USB interface, you can either plug the pedal sets directly into your gaming PC or take advantage of some flight sticks sporting a USB hub.
Thrustmaster T.Flight Rudder Pedals
- Flight rudder pedals
- Extensive flight stick compatibility
- S.M.A.R.T. slide rail system
- Self-centring rudder axis
- Compatible with PC and PS4
Logitech G Saitek Pro Flight Rudder Pedals
- Pro flight rudder pedals
- Self-centring pedals
- Adjustable dampening
- Advanced SST programming
- Toe brakes
Ecosystem Ready
More than just your flight controls, there are add-on devices, simulation seats, and stands to complete the experience. Add-on devices like flight switch and radio panels offer fine-tuned control and can even display real-time information from your game – freeing up precious screen real estate for those panoramic views.
Logitech G Saitek Pro Flight Switch Panel
- Flight switch panel
- Realistic landing gear
- LED indicators
- Control landing gear, engine power, and other important functions
- Compatible with Microsoft Flight Simulator X
Logitech G Saitek Pro Flight Radio Panel
- Flight radio panel
- Switches and LED displays
- Controls various aspects of flight simulators
- Real-time in-game information
- Compatible with Microsoft Flight Simulator X and 2004
By integrating a dedicated simulation seat, you can enhance your comfort as much as the true-to-life experience. They can be purchased individually or as part of a frame, depending on your space limitations and general requirements.
Next Level Racing Flight Simulator Seat
- Flight simulator seat
- Double recliner levers
- Ergonomic design
- Suitable to emulating commercial and military flights
- Compatible with Next Level Racing simulator rigs
Next Level Racing Boeing Flight Simulator
- Aircraft cockpit – includes frame, seat, keyboard/mouse mount, and accessories
- Military design
- PU leather and suede upholstery
- Metal structure for enhanced durability
- Compatible with Next Level Racing simulator rigs
Lastly, you need somewhere to put all this hardware. You can just stick them on your gaming desk, but we’re aiming for realism here! Flight simulation stands offer ergonomic set-ups whilst positioning your hardware they would be in a cockpit. Plus, they often have mounts for your mouse and keyboard, so you can seamlessly get flight ready.
Next Level Racing Flight Stand Pro
- Flight stand
- Suitable for commercial, general aviation, space, helicopter, and miltary configs
- Includes keyboard and mouse tray
- Height, angle, and lateral adjustments
- Compatible with a range of products
Next Level Racing F-GT Elite Aluminium Simulator Cockpit
- Simulator cockpit
- Front and side mount edition
- 5mm carbon steel
- All-in-one multi-position cockpit
- Extensive Next Level Racing product compatibility
Prepare For Take-Off
That is how we take a playcation at Overclockers UK. Naturally, there are plenty more games that span the globe or are set in distinctly more tropical settings than your back garden. Perhaps you have a need for speed or want to get the blood pumping in the high stakes world of espionage. We have plenty of playcation gaming inspiration for you to explore!
Will You be Playcationing?
Let us know in the comments where your playcation will take you this summer!
- 6 min read
Emily Haylock
Author
Emily is a board and cosy gamer, keyboard obsessive, and content copywriter for Overclockers UK. She has been with Overclockers UK since 2020, writing about everything from noblechairs to 8Pack PCs. She writes from within her desk nest with a foster pup at her feet. (What, a desk duvet is a totally normal thing!) In her downtime, she likes to play board games, farming sims, and old-school Final Fantasy. IX to be specific. It is the best, and that is a hill she will die on.
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