MSFS 2024 Cloud Architecture: What It Means for Gamers
At the core of these updates is a transformative shift in the simulator’s functionality. By moving much of the data to the cloud, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 enables more dynamic content, improved performance on lower-end systems, and a greatly reduced need for local storage.
One of the most notable advancements is the adoption of a cloud-based streaming model. Sebastian Wloch highlighted how in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, the game’s install size had expanded significantly as world updates and third-party add-ons accumulated, forcing users to manage hundreds of gigabytes on their local drives.
Now, with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, most content will be stored and streamed directly from the cloud. As Wloch explained, “We only download what is actually seen at the moment,” minimizing the need for a large local footprint. This streaming approach allows the simulator to download only what is immediately relevant – such as airports, aircraft, and scenery in the player’s current area.
This shift offers several key advantages:
- Faster Loading Times: Players can start their sessions more quickly, reducing the long loading times seen in Flight Simulator 2020.
- Reduced Install Size: The local install will stay manageable, as only essential files are stored locally.
- Enhanced Performance on Lower-Spec Machines: With most of the content managed in the cloud, even lower-end systems can run the simulator more effectively.
