Last week, Microsoft unveiled more details about their upcoming project to model the whole world in one simulation, using AI, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 introduces significant advancements in virtual world simulation, marking a notable step forward in the series. The latest version of the game enhances the level of environmental detail and expands the scope of aviation experiences available to players.
One of the most significant updates in this release is the enhancement of the “digital twin” of Earth. Using cloud-based map data, photogrammetry, and machine learning, the simulator now offers more detailed ground features, including 3D-modeled terrain elements such as rocks, gravel, and grass. These additions influence the physics of aircraft takeoffs and landings.
The environmental updates extend to improved atmospheric lighting, especially at sunrise and sunset, and the introduction of new cloud formations like cirrus clouds. Weather simulations have also been upgraded, allowing for more realistic depictions of weather patterns, including storms.
Another addition is real-time ship tracking, which mirrors the movement of cargo ships across the world’s oceans, contributing to a more dynamic environment. Animals, both wild and domesticated, have been introduced using data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and other sources, ensuring their placement in realistic habitats. This feature includes interactions such as herding animals with helicopters.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 also introduces a new Career System, offering a structured pathway for players to develop aviation skills, from beginner to expert. Players can begin their career at any airport globally and progress through a certification system that covers various types of aviation, such as firefighting, search and rescue, and commercial flights. The system includes mission objectives, pre-flight procedures, and logging flight paths. Players can eventually manage their own fleet of aircraft, with each flight affecting the maintenance and performance of their planes.
To address the previous version’s large installation size, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 uses cloud-streaming technology to reduce the game’s initial download to approximately 30 GB. The game will stream detailed map data as needed, depending on the flight path, improving the efficiency of data usage.
Additional features include soft-body simulation for hot air balloons and new avionics systems, including those for commercial aircraft such as the Boeing 737 Max 8. The game will launch with a wide range of aircraft options, with various editions offering additional planes and content.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is scheduled for release on November 19, 2024.
