MSFS 2024: Walk, Explore, and Land on Any Ship

MSFS 2024: Walk, Explore, and Land on Any Ship

Microsoft Flight Simulator’s Jorg Neumann recently shared some fascinating insights into the technology behind MSFS 2020 and teased some impressive features coming in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.

If you’re looking for a game that truly operates on a global scale, Microsoft Flight Simulator is hard to beat. Since its release in 2020, the simulator has been celebrated for its incredibly detailed recreation of the planet, made possible through topographical data primarily sourced from Bing Maps and processed by Microsoft Azure’s AI.

I had the opportunity to speak with Jorg Neumann, the Head of Microsoft Flight Simulator, following the release of World Update XVII. While the update’s enhanced photogrammetry for the UK and Ireland is noteworthy, what really intrigued me was the chance to discuss the underlying technology and the future of flight simulation in MSFS 2024. What Neumann revealed was nothing short of astonishing.

One of my first questions was about dealing with bugs in a game that essentially maps the entire Earth. How does the team manage to fix issues on such a massive scale?

Neumann explained that MSFS 2020 is built in layers, starting with aerial and satellite imagery that covers the whole planet. This data, refreshed every three years, forms the base layer, enhanced by a digital elevation map created using LIDAR scans. The result is a highly accurate representation of the Earth’s surface, which the team continually fine-tunes.

But MSFS 2024 is taking this to an entirely new level of detail. According to Neumann, the upcoming version will feature every tree on Earth, identified down to the species level using machine learning. This vast array of data is processed in real-time, resulting in an incredibly accurate digital world. Of course, there are occasional bugs, like the time a forest appeared in Iceland, but these are addressed as they arise.

Given the enormous amount of data involved, I asked Neumann if there were any plans to reduce the install size in future versions. MSFS 2020, after all, starts at 130 GB and can grow to 500 GB with all updates. Neumann responded that MSFS 2024 will feature a “thin client architecture,” significantly reducing the install size to around 50 GB by offloading more data to the cloud. This approach not only saves storage space but also allows for a more expansive and detailed game world.

Neumann also mentioned that MSFS 2024 would include even more detailed airports, glider airports, oil rigs, and lighthouses. The development team is focused on leveraging cloud technology to push the boundaries of what’s possible in a simulation game. For instance, they’ve added hundreds of species of animals and every ship on Earth, which players can now land on, creating environments that feel more like first-person shooter landscapes.

But the enhancements don’t stop at the skies. In MSFS 2024, players will be able to exit their planes and explore the world on foot. Whether it’s walking along a mountain path, sitting by a lake, or watching the sunset, the game aims to offer a fully immersive experience of the Earth’s “digital twin.”

Neumann reflected on the emotional connection players have with the game, recalling how many people flew to their childhood homes or places significant to them when MSFS 2020 was released. With the improvements in MSFS 2024, he’s curious to see where players will explore next, hinting at even more features that haven’t been revealed yet.

During our conversation, two things stood out: Neumann’s unwavering passion for the project and the ambitious scope of MSFS 2024. The goal seems to be creating a simulation that parallels the real world more closely than ever before, pushing the limits of what we expect from gaming technology.

Whether the team can fully realize this vision remains to be seen, but if they do, MSFS 2024 could be a groundbreaking achievement in the world of simulation games. Whatever the outcome, you can bet I’ll be there on launch day, exploring the vast digital landscapes and perhaps causing a little mischief along the way.