[18] Consequently, the network has been described as bringing immersion to what was historically a solitary exercise[3] and credited with playing a key role in the commodification of flight-simulation software.

[19][20] Spearheaded by Harvey Stein, the founding of VATSIM was announced on July 12, 2001, following the dissolution of the Simulated Air Traffic Controllers Organization (SATCO).

In 1997, SquawkBox[25] was created by Jason Grooms as an add-on for Microsoft Flight Simulator 95, enhancing the built-in multiplayer features to allow large numbers of players to connect to the game.

The FSD Server was created by Marty Bochane to provide the signaling infrastructure and logic required to integrate ProController and Squawkbox, enabling users to fly in real-world weather conditions.

[27][28]Sometime in 2002,[29] ProController was slowly being phased out in favour of ASRC (Advanced Simulated Radar Client),[30][31] created by Mike Evans and David Hendleman, and was released to the public in early 2003.

[37] Created by Ross Carlson, it was mainly used in the American and Oceanic regions, due to its easy setup, but comes with a lack of customizability.

[47] As of October 9, 2023, VRC, vSTARS, and vERAM are being deprecated and replaced by the Virtual National Airspace System (vNAS) suite of products.

The system realistically simulates signal degradation, audio quality, transceiver operation, frequency cross-coupling, and altitude effects.

The SquawkBox and FSInn pilot clients were retired for use on the network on April 1, 2021,[35] due to them not being in active development,[57] which made them incompatible with the fast position updates that were brought with VATSIM Velocity.

[58] Preparations for its launch included major updates to pilot clients, as well as the retirement of Squawkbox, which became incompatible with the network.

[60] Considered the largest online flight simulation network in the world,[2] VATSIM has attracted mainstream media attention.

[6][21][4][61] Commentators have praised VATSIM for its realism and quality,[62] describing the network as giving flight simulation an interest and depth it would otherwise lack[63] and lauding its friendly atmosphere.

[61][19] Coverage, although mostly positive, has focused on what is perceived to be the peculiar nature of a hobby so complex that it can closely approximate work and cost thousands of dollars.

[67][6][68] Global Controller Administration Policy[69] defines the requirements for each ATC rating, preceding local division restrictions.

The ratings are as follows: The network creates and sponsors regular events to encourage interaction between pilots and controllers, during which traffic can approximate real-life levels.

The event is meticulously planned and coordinated by all major VATSIM staff members,[75] to make sure that pilots enjoy their service.

Although they don't typically attract record-breaking traffic, these events have been known to draw enough pilots to simulate, (and often surpass) real-world operations at the selected facilities.