MSFS 2024’s Stunning World Rendering: What’s New?
One of the most astonishing advancements shared by Sebastian Wloch was the remarkable boost in terrain detail. While Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 introduced photogrammetry cities and richly detailed landscapes, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 takes it even further. Jorg Neumann highlighted this terrain update as the “main innovation” in the new version, with Wloch explaining that the terrain in MSFS 2024 now contains 4,000 times more detail than its predecessor!
He illustrated this by showing a side-by-side comparison of terrain wireframes. In MSFS 2020, ground polygons were relatively large and lacked fine detail up close. In contrast, MSFS 2024 uses far more refined polygons, capturing intricate features like rocks, cracks, and individual stones. This resolution upgrade is especially impactful for helicopters, bush planes, and gliders, as it allows for more realistic ground interaction during takeoffs, landings, and low-altitude flying.
Wloch emphasized, “The ground is truly meaningful now when landing or taking off; this level of detail is now accurately represented.”
Improved Textures and Displacement Mapping
Beyond terrain geometry, surface textures have also been significantly upgraded. Wloch demonstrated how displacement mapping adds realistic depth to surfaces like runways, so 3D elements such as rocks and cracks are no longer just flat images but actual physical features. This makes landing and taking off more immersive and challenging, especially on rugged terrains or bush flying routes.
Runway markings, taxi lines, and other airport details are now rendered with remarkable clarity. Wloch contrasted this with MSFS 2020, where close-up views of painted lines often appeared pixelated, while in MSFS 2024, even the smallest textures remain sharp and detailed, improving realism at both small airfields and large international airports.
Dynamic Seasons and Biomes
For the first time in the series, seasons are fully implemented in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Players will now experience dynamic seasonal changes, with landscapes transforming to match real-world climate shifts. Wloch explained that the team has added over 23 distinct biomes, each with unique plant life and environmental features that adapt to seasonal changes, making every flight feel fresh and varied.
- Autumn: Trees shed leaves, and landscapes take on warm hues of orange and yellow.
- Winter: Snow blankets the ground, lakes freeze, and aircraft leave realistic tracks on snow-covered surfaces, affecting flight dynamics in colder environments.
- Spring and Summer: Plants regenerate, flowers bloom, and landscapes become vibrant with greens, showcasing a range of biomes, from rainforests to deserts.
Seasonal changes aren’t just visual; MSFS 2024 also accounts for them in its flight physics. In winter, snow and ice impact takeoff distance and handling, while summer thermals and high temperatures affect the performance of gliders and lighter aircraft.
Advanced Sky and Weather Systems
The sky and weather systems have undergone major enhancements. The cloud technology, already impressive in MSFS 2020, has been further refined to realistically mimic real-world cloud behavior. Wloch explained that atmospheric lighting has been completely overhauled, resulting in more natural color transitions as the sun moves across the sky.
A key improvement is how atmospheric layers impact lighting. For example, during sunset, higher clouds remain bright while lower ones darken as the sun dips below the horizon. This change aligns with real-world physics and adds depth to the flying experience.
Live Weather and Historical Conditions
Weather remains a core feature, with real-time data even more seamlessly integrated in MSFS 2024. Players will encounter live weather conditions, such as thunderstorms, strong winds, and turbulence, based on real-world data. Wloch highlighted that the new weather system enables even greater variation, especially in severe weather conditions like tropical storms or blizzards.
A new feature, 24-hour historical weather, allows players to fly in conditions from earlier in the day, adding flexibility for pilots interested in specific weather patterns.
The enhanced weather engine impacts not only visuals but also flight dynamics. For the first time, windshield wipers are fully functional, improving visibility and adding a new layer of cockpit management during rain. Flying through thunderstorms requires careful navigation of turbulence and fluctuating wind conditions. Wloch demonstrated this with a thunderstorm over JFK Airport, where layered clouds, lighting, and atmosphere created an immersive weather experience.
Water Physics and Interaction
In Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, water surfaces now interact dynamically with aircraft. Wloch showcased how waves impact seaplanes and amphibious planes, meaning pilots must consider wave direction and height during water landings and takeoffs, adding realism to these maneuvers.
Dynamic Ground Interaction and Footprints
A new feature in MSFS 2024 is the way the ground now reacts to aircraft. Whether it’s a jet landing on a runway or a bush plane touching down on rough terrain, the ground dynamically responds to weight and force. Wloch demonstrated how aircraft leave realistic tracks in snow, flatten tall grass, and create skid marks on tarmac, all based on real physics.
This system also introduces real-time terrain deformation. Soft surfaces like snow or sand change shape under the weight of the aircraft, making off-airport landings more challenging. This feature is particularly relevant for bush flying and helicopter missions, where landing sites often lack conventional runways.
Photometric Lighting and Ray Tracing
The lighting in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 has received a major upgrade. Photometric lighting ensures that light sources, from the sun to streetlights, emit accurate intensities and colors. Wloch highlighted how the lighting system handles extreme contrasts, from the intense brightness of midday sun to the faint glow of candlelight, providing natural transitions between light and shadow.
Additionally, ray tracing enhances light interaction with surfaces, both inside and outside the aircraft. Cockpit shadows are now sharper, with edges softening based on distance from the light source. Reflections on glass, metal surfaces, and even scratches on cockpit windows are rendered with high realism, raising the visual quality of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 to new heights.
