As someone who has dabbled in flight simulators but is by no means an expert, my hands-on experience with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 left me absolutely captivated. The Challenge League, with its bite-sized activities and record-setting tasks, had me on the edge of my seat – or rather, the edge of my virtual cockpit! I must admit, I was not as graceful as a seasoned pilot in my F-18 Hornet race over the Grand Canyon, but each crash felt like a learning opportunity.
“Wish fulfillment of the community.”
When I inquired about their objectives for the upcoming Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, Jorg Neumann, head of Microsoft Flight Simulator at Xbox Game Studios Global Publishing, replied as follows:
“We have all kinds of listening systems. What do they want? What is missing? So we listen really carefully and we try to prioritize. They actually prioritize for us,” he says, pointing to the community wishlist. “This is a pursuit that people have in life. We need to listen carefully to what they want, and then we need to give it to them.”
At the heart of what Neumann and others demonstrated during my interactive sneak peek at Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 was the importance of addressing community needs. I had the chance to spend a couple of hours playing the game myself and engaging in discussions with team members from Xbox, Asobo, and other collaborating partners.
Although certain queries persist, I must admit that this game showcases an incredible advancement in technology. It offers a multitude of tailored features catering to both beginners and enthusiasts within the Flight Simulator community.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is a global collaboration
From the outset, it’s apparent that Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is a far more extensive project than its predecessor, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. The 2020 version was developed by approximately 120 individuals, with around 100 working at Asobo and another 20 at Microsoft. According to Neumann, this team did an exceptional job collaborating effectively, as the game surpassed all expectations.
The team understood last year that they’d need an entirely new project (a new client) to move forward and accomplish their goals in flight simulation.
In Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, Asobo Studio has approximately 200 employees, yet they collaborate with hundreds of additional developers from over 30 external partners, each focusing on specific aspects of the simulator. Notably, there’s a partner in every continent except Antarctica. Neumann jokes, “We’re working on that!” He continues by saying, “I’ve met more and more people who work in this industry and community, and I said, ‘We can’t possibly match this number, nor should we. Instead, let’s collaborate.’
The results of their joint work are evident before the upcoming simulator’s debut. Since 2021, Asobo Studio hasn’t produced a single aircraft; instead, they have dedicated all their efforts to enhancing the platform.
Neumann explains that about 20% of his time is spent communicating with Asobo, while the remaining 80% is dedicated to collaborating with the Coast Guard, search and rescue teams, firefighting units, or creators who enrich the simulation. He refers to this work as being “for the community, with the community.” In simpler terms, he’s working closely with Asobo a fifth of the time, while the rest of his efforts are focused on partnerships with various organizations and creators involved in the simulation.
In response to my query about synchronizing multiple individuals, each in different time zones, for a single project, he was straightforward in his answer. He suggested that transparency and trust are crucial. One should view these people not merely as business entities, but as collaborative partners instead.
I strongly feel that humanity is capable of remarkable feats when united, and it seems to me that’s precisely what we’re witnessing here. It might be a gradual process, but make no mistake, barriers are being broken down. Previously competitive companies are starting to view each other as allies, offering assistance where they once saw rivals.
According to Brandon Yaeger, founder and project lead at Got Friends, the experience has been “simply wonderful”. He explains that unlike a traditional project where one party gives instructions and another follows, this collaboration is more interactive. They freely exchange ideas, and both parties are keenly interested in the development process that Got Friends is working on.
Christopher Burnett, co-founder of Working Title Simulations, shares his enthusiasm about gaining deeper insights into the aircraft’s core systems and being able to implement changes previously unattainable from an external perspective. He attributes this new capability to having access to critical source code, which has allowed them to develop avionics systems and collaborate with other developers. Moreover, Burnett highlights the advantage of leveraging Microsoft’s power in certain aspects of their work, such as the ongoing project on the Dreamlifter. In this instance, he can communicate directly with the chief pilot from Boeing who was instrumental in designing that specific aircraft, thereby gaining access to valuable information and performance data required for their endeavors.
In their collaboration on Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, Burnett and Yaeger emphasize that, having previously been part of the community, they bring a distinctive viewpoint when offering feedback. This feedback is consistently valued by Neumann.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is a huge technological leap
2024’s version of Microsoft Flight Simulator boasts several technical advancements compared to its previous iteration. One significant enhancement lies in the reduction of the client size, with an emphasis on maintaining a lean profile and minimizing installation time. In contrast to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, which required more than 150GB of free space before additional content was factored in, the upcoming release is projected to come in at approximately 23GB upon launch.
In the upcoming 2024 version of Microsoft Flight Simulator, there will be significant advancements in the depiction of ground terrains. Unlike its 2020 counterpart that featured only grass, tarmac, and earth, this new simulation will realistically replicate the ground terrain with striking precision. This enhancement enables players to not just land their planes, but also disembark and capture stunning photographs. Asobo Studio’s CEO and co-founder, Sebastian Wloch, mentioned that maintaining good performance was a major hurdle, given the significant increase in detail of the ground terrain the team aimed to achieve.
He explains that they employ machine learning in their approach. By feeding the AI a variety of real and aerial images, they’ve endeavored to teach it to identify different types of terrain – rocks, pebbles, sand, soil, etc. – using additional data such as altitude for better accuracy. The goal is to help the AI make educated guesses about the type of ground it’s examining.
To enhance efficiency, particularly at the airports, there was a need for more refinements, especially on the tarmac and around the runways. Wloch mentioned that initially, it took an excessive amount of time to load, but with improvements, it has been optimized “thousands of times” over, eliminating this issue.
David Dedeine, as the chief creative officer at Asobo, points out that it is impossible to execute a rescue mission in a secluded area unless we enhance the visual representation of the landing site.
I observed that Wloch emphasized the importance of meticulousness when enhancing various features due to the cumulative effect of minor performance costs per aircraft at bustling airports. To alleviate this burden, it was decided to leverage existing technology where feasible. With firefighting introduced as an additional task, they chose a modified cloud system that collaborated effectively with lighting technology for a realistic simulation.
Ensuring backward compatibility is crucial, as our team emphasizes that most current add-ons for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 should function seamlessly with the upcoming client. I wanted to know from Dedeine if there are any specific instances of an add-on that might not operate correctly with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 at its release.
As a researcher, I found myself momentarily at a loss for a specific example, but stressed that this wouldn’t pose an issue for most third-party add-ons. I highlighted that once developers incorporate requested features into their planes, they can seamlessly integrate these aircraft into the Career mode. This flexibility remains even if the plane hasn’t undergone visual enhancements compared to its previous game iteration.
In simpler terms, Dedeine continues by saying that the Career mode was specifically designed with flexibility in mind. This means that the variety of tasks within it can effortlessly accommodate additional airplane models contributed by the community to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 via add-ons.
Players can anticipate a significant boost in the interactive capabilities of the game’s airplane fleet, as compared to its previous version, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. Generally speaking, the expectations are higher for this new edition due to its enhanced features.
As an analyst, I can confidently express that over time, we’ve made substantial enhancements, significantly elevating its quality. Currently, I would venture to say that most elements of our lineup have reached this improved level, and a significant portion has even surpassed it, all thanks to the contributions of Working Title.
Additionally, Burnett mentions that Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 will feature sophisticated systems enabling the development team to create more intricate and authentic avionics.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 initially came out in stages, debuting on PC in 2020 followed by the Xbox Series X|S versions the following year. However, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 deviates from this approach and will simultaneously launch on both Xbox and PC platforms. As stated by Wloch, this simultaneous release hasn’t posed any issues due to the team’s insights gained from the initial game.
He explained that the first release was more challenging due to the 2020 PC version being only moderately optimized for computers at launch. However, they’ve since made numerous improvements after the release. Now, he adds, every decision is made with a console version in mind.
As an analyst, I’d articulate it this way: In my analysis, prioritizing efficiency when designing console versions can actually prove advantageous for PC gamers, because the development team must always consider this efficiency factor throughout the process.
He clarifies, “The level of detail in this image is astonishingly high – it’s equivalent to a 64×64 resolution, but that translates to around 4000 individual details. Here’s the catch: if you double the detail, the cost quadruples.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 introduces big new modes
In Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, one of the exciting features is the career mode, where players will embark on an adventure-like journey. They’ll have the opportunity to design their own pilot character and pick an airport from anywhere around the globe as their starting point. From there, they can complete various tasks and exams, which eventually unlock more challenging missions. The development team at Asobo has ensured that the progression in this mode feels rewarding for players of all skill levels with flight simulators.
According to Dedeine, creating a career system that appeals to a particular audience can be relatively straightforward, but what makes it challenging is ensuring it caters to various levels of dedication – from hardcore enthusiasts to casual visitors – as Jorg often refers to them – this requires a unique approach.
Feel free to show up just as you are; even if you’re new, the career is ready to guide you step by step.
He assures you, “Feel free to attend without any pretense. Even if you’re a novice, this career will guide you gently, and before you know it, you’ll find yourself having learned far beyond what you initially anticipated.” He also notes that the learning process tends to progress more swiftly for those who are already more skilled in their field.
This applies to the variety of choices you have when traveling by airplane. For those who find the initial flight preparation dull or perplexing, they can choose to bypass it. However, it’s designed primarily for seasoned travelers who enjoy setting up their routes and executing their flight plans in a realistic way.
As you progress through the Career mode, you’ll eventually have the opportunity to establish your own business, a responsibility that comes with significant importance. This means you’ll own your very own aircraft, requiring you to manage your costs effectively. In case of any aircraft damage, you’ll be responsible for the repair bills.
In simpler terms, Dedeine says, “When you’re cruising, it’s best not to push the car too hard because doing so can harm the engine, and eventually, you’ll have to cover the repair costs.
A significant aspect of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is the Challenge League, which offers a variety of short missions designed to test your skills. These missions may require you to establish a record time while racing an F-18 over the Grand Canyon, for instance. At launch, there will be a good selection of tasks for players, but this list could expand in the future.
According to Dedeine, there are many samples of various activities we’ve created so far. However, some had to be delayed or put on hold due to the challenges of game development. He mentioned that we have a lot more in store, ready for release at a later time. He added, “We’ll launch them when it’s the right moment.
Lastly, we have the World Photographer setting. This mode emphasizes exploration, enabling players to concentrate on photographing Earth’s stunning landscapes, capturing images of cities and global wonders. The world in this game is beautifully adorned with various animals, a collaboration made possible by Neumann reaching out to the Planet Zoo team.
As a tech enthusiast, I can’t wait for this game to feature realistically distributed animals using actual world data. Neumann is all about authenticity, so it won’t just be swarms of tigers wandering Asia. Instead, the thrill of capturing that one elusive tiger on camera will feel like a genuine rarity, making each sighting special and exciting!
Playing Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 for the first time
For someone new to flight simulators, I initially chose to explore some hands-on flight training modules to familiarize myself with the controls and maintaining aircraft stability. These were paced effectively, providing a comprehensive introduction to all essential concepts within an hour’s time. Following that, I ventured into the offered activities.
Experiencing the thrill of soaring above the Grand Canyon in an F-18 Hornet was breathtaking, but don’t be fooled – it’s much more challenging than it appears. Mastering those tight turns demanded utmost precision and delicate control over the throttle. It took me numerous attempts before I finally managed a successful flight.
Additionally, I had the opportunity to pilot an A-10 Warthog above the Blue Ridge Mountains. Surprisingly, it felt effortless and even calming, despite the time constraint. The breathtaking view of my northern neighbors from such a height was captivating, and I found myself returning for more, repeating the experience again and again.
During my hands-on experience, I came across several glitches, similar to other attendees at the preview. The character creator initially caused the game to freeze when attempted to interact with it. Moreover, starting up in various modes often displayed a red “error” figure on the cockpit screen. Although this was amusing, it wasn’t ideal.
Credit goes to the team for swiftly identifying and resolving the problem. Consequently, during my subsequent tenure, I managed to design a personalized flight simulator and enjoy flying without any ‘error’ message appearing on the screen.
It’s reassuring that the final version won’t resurface the issues. Frankly, I’m still a newbie in flight simulators, but everything I’ve played so far has been enjoyable and demanding. The fact that global collaboration is crucial for this game’s creation is truly inspiring. Without a doubt, I’ll revisit these flights when the game officially launches later this year.
The Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is scheduled to launch on November 19, 2024, for both Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC. Similar to other Xbox-exclusive games, it will be available from day one on the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription service as well as PC Game Pass.
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2024-09-19 16:10