Bruce A. Artwick

Bruce A. Artwick
Artwick, Bruce A.
Born	January 1, 1953 Norridge, Illinois
Occupation	Founder, Software Developer

Career

Bruce Arthur Artwick (b. January 1, 1953) is a visionary electrical engineer, software developer, and entrepreneur best known as the creator of the first widely available consumer flight simulator and founder of Sublogic Corporation, the originator of what would become the globally successful Microsoft Flight Simulator franchise.

Educational Background and Early Innovation

Artwick earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). While at UIUC’s Aviation Research Lab and Digital Computer Laboratory (DCL), he wrote a pioneering master’s thesis on real-time 3D graphics for flight simulation using PDP-11 computers—laying the technical groundwork for interactive, visual flight modeling on personal computers.

Founding Sublogic and Launching the Flight Simulation Genre

In 1977, Artwick co-founded Sublogic Corporation, initially offering 3D graphics toolkits and simulation software. His breakthrough came in January 1980 with the release of FS1 Flight Simulator for the Apple II— widely regarded as the first serious real-time consumer flight simulator. FS1 delivered a vector-based cockpit view and instrument panel, utilizing the Apple II’s limited resources to recreate basic flight physics and controls.

Sublogic continued development with Flight Simulator II in 1983, ported to multiple platforms including Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit, Amiga, and TRS-80. These versions introduced advanced scenery, enhanced instrumentation, and more realistic flight mechanics. Importantly, Flight Simulator 2 featured a custom-built high-resolution geographic coordinate system, allowing detailed terrain modeling and navigation accuracy unmatched at the time.

Partnership with Microsoft and Expanding Reach

In 1982, Microsoft licensed Sublogic’s flight simulation software, releasing Microsoft Flight Simulator 1.0 for IBM PCs— the first high-fidelity simulator for the emerging PC market. This marked the beginning of a long-term partnership, with Artwick leading technological innovation while Microsoft expanded distribution.

Subsequent releases— Microsoft Flight Simulator 2.0 (1984), Flight Simulator 3.0 (1988), and Flight Simulator 4.0 (1989)— integrated improved graphics (including EGA support), dynamic weather, external camera views, and user customization. Flight Simulator 4, developed by Artwick’s newly formed Bruce Artwick Organization (BAO), also supported plug-ins for scenery and aircraft design, further advancing simulation realism and user engagement.

Founding BAO and Later Ventures

In 1988, Artwick established BAO Ltd. in Champaign, Illinois, to focus on high-end simulation tools and professional-grade aviation products. BAO developed Microsoft Space Simulator (1994) and Tower (1995), a real-time air traffic control simulator used for both entertainment and training.

Microsoft acquired BAO in 1995, and Artwick remained on as a consultant during a transitional period. By that time, his coordinate system and terrain modeling had become foundational components in global flight simulation design.

Other Projects and Personal Interests

During the 1980s, Artwick also developed the popular game Night Mission Pinball in response to competition from Bill Budge's Raster Blaster. Released in the early 1980s, Night Mission Pinball achieved top chart status and demonstrated his versatility in interactive simulation and physics modeling. Budge himself acknowledged it as a technical step forward for the genre.

After selling BAO, Artwick worked as a consultant for both Microsoft and DreamWorks Interactive, while later turning to private investment and technology startup advising. He has also continued to travel extensively and maintains an active interest in aviation.

Artwick held a pilot’s license and owned a Piper Dakota, which he used for personal travel between Illinois and Wisconsin. Though he eventually sold the aircraft, he continues to fly occasionally—most recently piloting a Cessna 172 during a trip through the Colorado Rockies.

In 2023, he traveled to Antarctica on an expedition cruise, where he coincidentally encountered Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, who gave talks onboard. Artwick noted the experience as both nostalgic and inspiring, remarking on the industry’s early pioneers and shared history.

Legacy and Influence

Bruce Artwick is widely credited with transforming computer graphics and simulation from academic concepts into immersive, consumer-facing experiences. His work laid the groundwork for decades of flight simulation, with his coordinate system, rendering models, and aerodynamic algorithms still influencing simulators today. Whether as a technologist, entrepreneur, or aviator, Artwick’s legacy stands as a testament to the intersection of engineering precision and creative vision.

List of major works

External links