Microsoft just shared new details about Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, including plans for future updates and upcoming free content.
During a livestream on Twitch, we heard as usual from Head of Microsoft Flight Simulator Jorg Neumann, Asobo CEO Sebastian Wloch, and Executive Producer Martial Bossard.
Neumann mentioned that there is a steady movement of users from Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 to Microsoft 2024, and there are now more users in the ecosystem than there were last year.
Later in the stream, Neumann also mentioned that the usage percentages in MSFS 2024 are 55% for Free Flight, 35% for the career, and the remaining modes take the leftover 10%.
The developers briefly talked about Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, and we learn that Sim Update 16 is targeting a July 29 release date.
It’ll include the following. Interestingly, we also hear that Microsoft is planning to release a number of aircraft included in MSFS 2024 for MSFS 2020 for those who plan to stick with the older sim.
Sim Update 3 for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 (which is currently in public beta) is also targeting July 29 for a release (but it’s “looking iffy” at the moment, so it may be slightly delatyed a bit fiurther). It’ll include the following from Asobo, including about 2,000 bug fixes.
Working Title has also worked on plenty of improvements for Sim Update 3, as you can see below.
Several aircraft will also get improved.
Gaya Simulations also made improvements to the optimization for several airports, listed below.
Below you can also check out the updated Feedback Snapshot.
The developers are working on finding new tech to address the infamous WASM crashes. At the moment, they’re looking to find a way to restart the system in a good state without having to restart the sim.
The development team is also in the midst of a large effort to review the UI in collaboration with other teams within Microsoft. They’re aware of the feedback on this.
The LOD curve has been tweaked several time depending on feedback from third-party developers. Asobo hopes that the final version coming out with Sim Update 3 will satisfy developers.
Settings for AI Air Traffic and Ship Traffic will be split, as requested by user feedback.
An issue with cloud rendering will be fixed likely in Sim Update 4. Bigger changes to the system might be prioritized via the wishlist and Wloch believes that they’ll come in the future.
A way to sync the cloud clock has been added to the roadmap and will be added.It wil help in multiplayer sessions where shared weather is important.
Microsoft has started updating most of the Famous Flyers and Local Legends to be MSFS 2024 native. It’s going to take some time to go through the list and they will be prioritized depending on user feedback.
Stuttering issues on Xbox are being worked on and should be fixed as soon as possible, hopefully over the next few days.
Crashes to desktop due to SimConnect have been brought back to a frequency at which they were happening before they started being frequent in a beta build of Sim Update 3, or better. They have not been completely eliminated due to reproduction difficulties.
The strange artifacts around the cockpits at night on AMD graphics cards are probably on the driver side, and the intention is to investigate with AMD itself.
The port of the Aviat Aircraft Husky A-1C to MSFS 2024 will come but it’ll take a few months. The delay is due to a conversation with the manufacturers who wanted it to be updated to a completely different aircraft.
The developers are also working hard on optimizing the main thread usage (especially at big airports) so that the sim won’t be CPU constrained as much as it is currently.
Microsoft has been signing agreements with airlines for many liveries for AI traffic and they are currently being painted. They may come with Sim Update 4.
The aircraft from the Premium Deluxe that have visual issues (like the Dreamlifter) or are broken should be fixed over the next month or two. Third party developers are also working on fixing their aircraft, like the Airbus ones.
The ATR 42/72 will be updated with MSFS 2024 native features now that its creator is done with working with version 2 of Aerosoft’s CRJ.
The Pilatus PC-12 has been updated and the PC-24 is also being worked on.
The remaining certifications for the career mode including heavy and super heavy missions, on top of the Airbus aircraft likely won’t make it for Sim Update 3. This is due to an issue with speed settings. The plan is to change this system with a new setting but it’ll take some time.
Asobo’s SDK and plane teams are working on creating “How to” videos for third-party developers on converting older aircraft to the new modular format introduced with MSFS 2024. Incidentally, there will be a new SDK-dedicated livestream in September.
The team is also working on fixing sound popping issues that happen when CPU hits 100% utilization.
Simu update 3 will have improvements to model matching and more will come with Sim Update 4.
Interestingly, the popular virtual ATC network Vatsim is working with Microsoft to help improve ATC and ATC localization.
About Shared Cockpit, a system is already in place to replicate most elements of the simulation and a prototype is working today only on PC, as it works via SimConnect. It’ll take some time to make it work cross-platform.
The larger issue is syncronizing the glass cockpit avionics between the seats. Doing so will require creating a new API from scratch.
That’s why the process will likely be done in stages, starting with implementing it with aircraft without glass cockpit avionics. To get it working on most aircraft will take a lot of work and a schedule has not been decided yet.
Sim Update 4 will still be focusing on optimization, performance, and bug fixes. The developers are working on a plan for features to be added afterward based on user feedback.
After Sim Update 16 for MSFS 2020, the developers will be able to restart development on the World Hub for both simulators.
More missions for the World Photographer will be developed by Asobo and will likely come next year. More work will also be done on Bush Trips, likely next year as well.
Landing analysis parameters missing in MSFS 2024’s Landing Challenges will be brought back,
Next, we hear about the free City Update 12, which will launch on August 20 to celebrate Gamescom. It’s in Europe, but the developers are not ready to announce what it’ll entail exactly.
The 4th “Make Good Aircraft” will also launch for Gamescom on August 20. Like the City Update, it has not been revealed, but it’ll be free for all MSFS 2024 users. The only further detail Neumann mentioned is that it’s a rotorcraft.
The Microsoft Flight Simulator team will be at Gamescom with a cool booth and a few surprises.
Later today or perhaps tomorrow, third-party developers will be able to add rental options on MSFS 2024’s marketplace. They can onption to make the one-day rental option free, basically providing a free trial.
Gifting is still on the roadmap for Sim Update 4. It may feature limits on which currency it’ll be available for to avoid exploits.
Neumann admitted that there are products that he’d rather not see on the official marketplace, so some work will be done in this direction.
Below you can check out the updated roadmap for 2025. Neumann mentioned tyhat the developers have a “great plan for the rest of the year.”
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is available for PC and Xbox Series X|S. If you want to see the massive visual difference against Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, you can enjoy our video and screenshot comparison.
If you’d like to read more flight simulation news, you can find plenty in our latest roundup article from yesterday.
If you want to go further back, we have a handy overview video of the major flight simulation news in the past week. You can watch it below. As usual, leaving a like and a comment and subscribing to our growing YouTube channel is extremely helpful.
