With Microsoft Flight Simulator set for a release later this year, the MSFS team is gearing up for an incremental unveiling of the new platform’s features and capabilities. This release will provide people with significant improvements to their virtual flight experience from the comfort of their homes and will improve interaction with an increasingly accurate replica of our world’s “Digital Twins,” which had a great impact when MSFS 2020 was released nearly four years ago.
This year at FlightSimExpo, the MSFS team lifted the veil a bit more on what’s coming with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Here are some of the highlights of their presentation!
Achievements and Sustainable Development
Jorg Neumann, head of Microsoft Flight Simulator, began the session by expressing gratitude to the community, saying, “Thank you for trusting us with the hobby.” He revealed that MSFS 2020 has now passed 15 million unique users and over one billion flight sessions. Neumann also assured the community that support for MSFS 2020 will continue with near-monthly updates scheduled until 2028.
New features and improvements
Jorg described MSFS 2024 as “the largest, most complex flight simulator ever undertaken”, with 800 developers currently 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 up from MSFS 2020, featuring a 2D land “with a texture” on top, according to Asobo’s Sebastian Wloch.
Integration of real-time ray tracing will improve lighting and shadow effects, providing more realistic looks. Seb examined a screenshot from the MSFS 2024 trailer, noting that the shadows from the buttons are “much sharper” than those from the window as a result of ray tracing.
Improved photogrammetry will provide better accuracy in terrain and texture modeling, while comprehensive reprocessing and lighting will further increase visual fidelity. Additionally, dynamic interactions with environmental elements such as grass, vegetation and water will create a more immersive experience.
Expanded aircraft and partnerships
Several new aircraft have been confirmed for MSFS 2024. The A330-200 and -300 from iniBuilds will have both GE and RR engines. Twin Otter by Aerosoft has been almost completely rebuilt with improved systems. At most, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, described as the most complex aircraft developed by Asobo to date, will be included in the basic simulator. Neumann emphasized the importance of community collaboration, saying, “MSFS was created for the community by the community.”
New game mechanics
MSFS 2024 will introduce new mechanics such as outing, a feature that was audibly clapped and cheered in the FsExpo room, with Jorg seen celebrating the reaction. The ability to walk around also means that a pre-flight inspection can be done outside the aircraft, including removing the covers.
A advanced flight planner, accessible across various platforms, will provide detailed route planning. The weather systems have been improved with the addition of cirrus clouds and turbulence effects, providing a more realistic flight experience. Playback functionality has also been improved.
Enhanced realism and interactivity
The new simulator will feature dynamic interactions with environmental elements. Rope physics and moving vegetation have been modeled, while people walking in airports will add to the immersive atmosphere. Water and waves will be rendered in 3D, and the rendering of the sky has been improved for more vivid atmospheric effects. MSFS 2024 will also support new biomes and animals, realistic seasonal changes and the Aurora Borealis.
Vegetation movement will be affected by aircraft, and a new engine will simulate cloth and tissue materials, enhancing objects such as balloons. This new engine also improves Red Bull Air Race package; the jets flying between them are “fully simulated,” according to Seb, adding that you can “fly and they crack.”
Development Partnerships
The MSFS team announced several partnerships to enrich the simulator. iniBuilds will create aircraft for the official Red Bull Air Racing partnership. Global Ship AI Traffic will provide real-time positional data for ships and PuffinFlight will improve visual flight rules (VFR) experiences. Fabio of FlightControlReplay will improve the replay features and Got Friends will develop the Optica and avionics for the gliders, including the Stemme S12G, a project they announced a long time ago that is being directly integrated into MSFS 2024.
CONCLUSION
The FlightSimExpo 2024 presentation showcased the ambitious goal of MSFS 2024, which is set to redefine flight simulation. With a strong roadmap and extensive community involvement, the future of MSFS looks incredibly promising. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is set to release on November 19, promising to deliver an unparalleled virtual flight experience. Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the release date.
