Balsa is a detailed Model Flight Simulator with a powerful editor where you can design, build, fly and battle with model aircraft. Developed by the creator of Kerbal Space Program, Balsa is a virtual flight experience like no other.
All Reviews:
Mostly Positive (242) - 78% of the 242 user reviews for this game are positive.
Release Date:
Sep 14, 2021

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Early Access Game

Get instant access and start playing; get involved with this game as it develops.

Note: This Early Access game is not complete and may or may not change further. If you are not excited to play this game in its current state, then you should wait to see if the game progresses further in development. Learn more

What the developers have to say:

Why Early Access?

“Balsa was planned from the start to be an Early Access project.

We believe Early Access is the best way to develop a project like this one, where input from our players will not only be heard, it will actively influence the ongoing development of the game.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“We don't have an official deadline to end Early Access at this point. We will continually evaluate the state of the game, and reassess its release-worthiness as development progresses.

As a very loose estimate, though, Balsa should be in Early Access for at least a year from our release date, and potentially up to two years or more.”

How is the full version planned to differ from the Early Access version?

“You can expect to see lots of new content, including new parts, sceneries, features and game modes.

Currently planned features include:

  • Additional game modes for both single and multiplayer.
  • Lots of new parts, allowing you to build Helicopters, Rockets, Cars, or anything that moves and/or makes a noise.
  • Additional Pilot Customization options.
  • Additional Maps.
  • Many additions and improvements to the simulation model.

And of course, we are actively listening to player feedback for your ideas and suggestions!”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“Currently Balsa is a fully-playable game, and we have put a lot of focus on making the core experience as stable and polished as possible. There is obviously still a lot of content to add, and many features yet to come, but the essentials are already there.

With most of the game's foundation already in place, our plan is to shift our focus towards new and meaningful additions as we enter Early Access.

In other words, we want to make sure that during Early Access, we will be working as much as possible on features you can get excited about, with all the crucially important but less exciting things already taken care of.”

Will the game be priced differently during and after Early Access?

“Most Likely. As Balsa nears completion, we may adjust the price based on the state of development towards its final retail price.”

How are you planning on involving the Community in your development process?

“Balsa was planned from the start to be an Early Access project, so having an active community, where players, modders and developers can get together is a crucial part of the process.

Much like we did with KSP, we are actively listening to our community's feedback, ideas and suggestions through our community pages, chat servers and issue tracker, to make Balsa into the best game it can possibly be.

The Balsa Community Network:
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Notice: Balsa Model Flight Simulator is no longer available on the Steam store.
 
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Reviews

“My flights got shorter and shorter as my designs got more ambitious. But it was all brilliant -- It was brilliant in the same way it was brilliant when I first played Kerbal Space Program”
Eurogamer

“Balsa Model Flight Simulator is a much smaller-scale game than Kerbal, but carries the same spirit.”
PC Gamer

“After that initial flight ends in inevitable disaster, you can tweak your construction until eventually you have a controllable flying machine. Everything is physically simulated, so even shunting a flap or a twisting a wing a few inches can change the aerodynamics.”
RockPaperShotgun

Kitbash Model Club

About This Game



A Virtual Flight Experience Like No Other


Balsa is a detailed Model Flight Simulator with a powerful editor where you can design, build, fly and battle with model aircraft.



Created by Felipe "HarvesteR" Falanghe, the original Lead Developer of Kerbal Space Program, Balsa takes the next step in player-built flight simulation games, delivering an entirely new, multi-genre experience for virtual pilots of all skill levels.

Main Features:

  • In-game Vehicle Editor - Build anything you can imagine using parts that snap together in a hands-on, intuitive way.
  • Paint and Customize your designs - Balsa’s Vehicle Editor allows you to not only build but also paint and apply decals to your vehicles to make them completely your own.
  • Advanced Physics-Based Flight Model - Every design decision counts, as Balsa's aerodynamics account for even the tiniest changes to your model's geometry.
  • Singleplayer Career mode - Tackle a range of challenges and build up your reputation as the greatest RC pilot ever!
  • Free-Flight Sandbox mode where you can hone your skills, tweak your designs, or just enjoy the experience of flying.
  • Paintball Combat - Create and take your aerial combat machine up against other players and AI in model-scale paintball dogfights.
  • Multiple Game Modes - Test your flying skills across a variety of different game modes including Racing, Combat, Precision Flying, and a lot more.
  • Moddable to Extremes - Balsa was designed from the ground up to support modding. Players are able to add custom content to everything from new planes and parts to maps and modes.
  • Steam Workshop Enabled - Share your designs, missions and mods in the Steam Workshop, and subscribe to an endlessly-expanding collection of player-made creations.
  • Fully supported multiplayer, for up to 16 virtual pilots.
  • A fully featured Scenario Editor - Create your own Missions and Game Modes using a powerful module-based gameplay logic system.



Balsa is an Early Access Game, so it is actively being developed. This means you can expect regular updates in the future that add new content, features, and of course, fixes. It also means you get a chance to actively participate in the development of the game by joining our community. We are always listening to feedback from our players and welcome everyone!

Features planned for the future include:

  • An ever-growing array of new parts, allowing you to create helicopters, VTOL craft, rockets, and anything else you can think of!
  • New Missions and Challenge modes.
  • More Maps, some are already in the works!
  • Plus content from ideas we will come up with together as a community!

System Requirements

    Minimum:
    • OS *: Windows 7 or Above
    • Processor: Quad Core CPU (Intel Core i3 or equivalent)
    • Memory: 8 GB RAM
    • Graphics: Geforce GTX 900 series
    • DirectX: Version 11
    • Storage: 7 GB available space
    • Additional Notes: Please mind that all requirements are estimates, and may change during the course of development
    Recommended:
    • OS: Windows 10
    • Processor: Quad Core CPU (Intel Core i7 or equivalent)
    • Memory: 16 GB RAM
    • Graphics: Geforce GTX 10X0 Series or Above
    • DirectX: Version 11
    • Storage: 7 GB available space
    • Additional Notes: Please mind that all requirements are estimates, and may change during the course of development
* Starting January 1st, 2024, the Steam Client will only support Windows 10 and later versions.

What Curators Say

18 Curators have reviewed this product. Click here to see them.

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