With Microsoft Flight Simulator releasing later this year, the MSFS team is gearing up for an increasing unveiling of the new platform’s features and capabilities. This release provides major improvements to their virtual flying experience from the comfort of their home and enhances interplay with an increasingly accurate replica of our world’s “Digital Twin,” which had a huge impact when MSFS 2020 was released nearly four years ago. .
This year at FlightSimExpo, the MSFS team lifted the veil a little more on what’s to come with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Here are some highlights from their presentation!
Performance and sustainable development
Jorg Neumann, head of Microsoft Flight Simulator, started the session by expressing gratitude to the community, saying, “Thank you for entrusting us with this hobby.” He revealed that MSFS 2020 now has over 15 million unique users and over a billion flying sessions. Neumann also assured the community that support for MSFS 2020 would continue with almost monthly updates planned until 2028.
New features and improvements
Jorg described MSFS 2024 as “the largest and most complex flight simulator ever created,” which currently has 800 developers working on it. The new simulator will feature a fully 3D ground environment, using Azure AI to create detailed landscapes with trees, rocks and grass. This is a significant step forward from MSFS 2020, which featured a 2D ground “with a texture” on it, according to Asobo’s Sebastian Wloch.
The integration of real-time ray tracing improves light and shadow effects and provides more realistic images. Seb looked at a screenshot of the MSFS 2024 trailer and noticed that the shadows of the buttons are “much sharper” than those of the window due to the ray tracing.
Enhanced photogrammetry provides better accuracy when modeling terrain and structure, while extensive rendering and lighting adjustments will further improve visual fidelity. Additionally, dynamic interactions with environmental elements such as grass, vegetation and water will create a more immersive experience.
Extensive aircraft and partnerships
Several new aircraft have been confirmed for MSFS 2024. The iniBuilds A330-200 and -300 will feature both the GE and RR engines. Aerosoft’s Twin Otter has been almost completely rebuilt with improved systems. Most notable is one Boeing 737 MAX8, described as the most complex aircraft Asobo has developed to date, will be included in the base simulator. Neumann emphasized the importance of community collaboration, saying, “MSFS was created for the community with the community.”
New gameplay mechanics
MSFS 2024 introduces new mechanisms such as tours, a program that was audibly cheered and applauded in the FsExpo venue, with Jorg seen celebrating the response. The ability to walk around also means a pre-flight inspection can be carried out outside the aircraft, including removing the covers.
A advanced flight planner, accessible via various platforms, provides detailed route planning. The weather systems have been improved with the addition of cirrus clouds and wake turbulence effects, providing a more realistic flying experience. Replay functionality has also been improved.
Improved realism and interactivity
The new simulator will provide dynamic interactions with environmental elements. Rope physics and moving vegetation have been modeled, while people walking through airports will add to the immersive atmosphere. Water and waves are rendered in 3D and the sky rendering has been improved for more lifelike atmospheric effects. MSFS 2024 will also support new biomes and animals, realistic seasonal changes, and Aurora Borealis.
The movement of vegetation will be influenced by aircraft, and a new engine will simulate fabrics and fabric materials, enhancing objects such as balloons. This new engine also improves the Red Bull air race package; the pylons that planes fly between are “completely simulated,” Seb said, adding that you can “fly through them and tear them apart.”
Development partnerships
The MSFS team has announced several partnerships to enrich the simulator. iniBuilds will make aircraft for the official Red Bull Air Racing partnership. Global Ship AI Traffic will provide real-time position data for ships, and PuffinFlight will improve visual flight rules (VFR) experiences. Fabio from FlightControlReplay will improve the replay features, and Got Friends will develop the Optics and avionics for gliders, including the Stemme S12G, a project they had announced a while ago and which will be integrated directly into MSFS 2024.
Conclusion
The FlightSimExpo 2024 presentation showcased the ambitious scope of MSFS 2024, which will redefine flight simulation. With a robust roadmap and extensive community involvement, the future of MSFS looks incredibly promising. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 will be released on November 19 and promises to deliver an unparalleled virtual flying experience. Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the release date.
