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Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024: A New Horizon in Virtual Aviation

As we approach the release of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 (MSFS 2024), excitement within the flight simulation community continues to grow. With an anticipated release date of November 19, 2024, this new iteration promises to set a new benchmark in aviation simulation. Building on the immense success of MSFS 2020, the upcoming simulator introduces a range of new features, improvements to the flight model, and enhanced graphical capabilities.

In this blog post, we’ll delve into what we know so far about MSFS 2024, focusing on its new features, flight model improvements, graphical upgrades, pricing expectations, and how it handles compatibility with existing MSFS 2020 add-ons.

Release Date and Pricing Expectations

As per the most recent announcements, MSFS 2024 is scheduled for release on November 19, 2024. While no official pricing details have been released yet, we can anticipate that the base price will likely be similar to MSFS 2020, which was around $60 USD for the Standard Edition and upwards of $120 USD for the Premium Deluxe Edition. Given the substantial updates and new features, it wouldn’t be surprising if pricing aligns with these figures, or potentially slightly higher, especially for premium versions.

New Features in MSFS 2024

A True Career Mode

One of the most highly anticipated features of MSFS 2024 is the introduction of a Career Mode. This mode allows players to engage in a variety of aviation-related professions, from commercial airliner captain to search and rescue pilot, aerial firefighting, and even agricultural aviation. This will not only add depth to the game but also provide a structured progression path that appeals to both seasoned flight sim enthusiasts and new players alike.

Career Mode includes a reputation and certification system, where players will need to pass certain qualifications and maintain their reputation. If you crash or damage your aircraft, it can have real consequences, especially when you begin to own your planes. Additionally, certain third-party aircraft may be integrated into Career Mode, allowing players to expand their fleet and tackle specialized missions.

New Aircraft and Mission Types

MSFS 2024 introduces helicopters, gliders, and a variety of new fixed-wing aircraft, each with distinct handling characteristics. The mission system is also vastly expanded, allowing players to undertake more diverse activities, such as aerial firefighting, cargo hauling, disaster relief, and air ambulance operations. Each mission type is designed to simulate real-world scenarios, adding new layers of realism and challenge.

Improved Flight Model and Realism

The flight model in MSFS 2024 is undergoing significant enhancements, with an aim to improve aerodynamic accuracy and realism. Leveraging advancements in physics simulation, this new version promises to make flying even more realistic by incorporating more sophisticated wind models, terrain effects, and aircraft behavior in extreme conditions. Players will experience improved damage systems, meaning that crashes or hard landings will result in more accurate damage physics, affecting your aircraft’s performance.

The camera system has also been reworked. Notably, a walk-around mode is included, which allows players to step out of their aircraft and perform pre-flight inspections—an immersive feature that brings even more realism to the simulation.

Enhanced Visuals and a New Graphics Engine

While MSFS 2024 builds upon the technological base of MSFS 2020, it incorporates a significantly evolved engine designed by Asobo Studio. This upgrade is set to leverage next-gen cloud computing, machine learning, and advanced graphics technologies, aiming to deliver the most immersive and awe-inspiring flight simulation experience to date.

Graphically, the game will push the boundaries of what current-generation hardware can deliver, improving upon MSFS 2020’s already stunning visuals. Expect sharper textures, more realistic lighting, and greater environmental detail, especially at airports and in cities. Additionally, more attention has been given to airport ground vehicles, which are now more accurately programmed to avoid interfering with takeoffs and landings.

Compatibility with MSFS 2020 Add-ons

A key concern for many existing players is whether their MSFS 2020 content—such as aircraft, scenery, and airports—will be compatible with the new simulator. Fortunately, Microsoft has confirmed that virtually all add-ons from MSFS 2020 will work in MSFS 2024, without needing to be repurchased. This includes both Marketplace content and third-party add-ons.

For content purchased via the in-game Marketplace, it will automatically show up in your MSFS 2024 library. For add-ons from external sources, users will be able to manually transfer them into the new simulator by copying them to the MSFS 2024 community folder. However, certain add-ons might require updates or modifications by their developers to take full advantage of the new features and optimizations offered by MSFS 2024.

Focus on Multiplayer and Community Interaction

MSFS 2024 also improves upon its multiplayer system, introducing new tools for managing group flights, which makes it easier to organize and participate in multiplayer missions. Enhancements in model matching ensure that aircraft flown by other players appear correctly, with more accurate liveries and models.

Additionally, Microsoft has hinted at further community engagement, allowing for expanded modding capabilities. This includes the potential for modding specific airports, though no formal commitment has been made yet on this front.

Purchase Options and Prices.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 — available for pre-order today on the Microsoft Store — will launch in a variety of editions on November 19, 2024, and the Standard Edition will be available day one with Game Pass. All pre-orders will receive the De Havilland Canada CL-415 firefighting aircraft to use instantly in Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020). The Standard Edition comes with 70 aircraft and 150 upgraded airports; Deluxe Edition will include 10 additional aircraft and five extra airports; the Premium Deluxe will have another 15 aircraft (total of 95); Aviator Edition includes everything from the Premium Deluxe Edition plus the entire fleet of 30 Microsoft-published Marketplace aircraft developed for Microsoft Flight Simulator between 2021 and 2024.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 – Aviator Edition

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆ 141

★★★★★

$199.99

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 – Premium Deluxe Edition

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆ 141

★★★★★

$129.99

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 – Deluxe Edition

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆ 141

★★★★★

$99.99

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 – Standard Edition

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆ 141

★★★★★

$69.99

If you own Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) Deluxe Edition or Premium Deluxe Edition the additional aircraft and airports unique to these editions will automatically work in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.(Direct from Microsoft Website)

PC SPECIFICATIONS – RECOMMENDED

In the graphic below from Microsoft Flight Simulators website, they give us the specs for our PC’s to run MSFS 2024. Honestly, if you believe your MSFS 2020 is going to run on a potato, then believe these suggestions. It would be incredibly impressive to see MSFS 2024 run on either the Min or Recommended Spec system. I recommend you have the very best and reallistically you need to be near the IDEAL SPEC to get anywhere near a great experience I’d suggest.

No one has talked about VR as yet! If you fly in VR exclusively, as I do, then these min and recommended specs are truly laughable! Again you better be closer to the top end than the recommended spec to be safe and get the experience your dreaming of.

Just to be clear, I’m not running MSFS 2024 down before its even dropped! No, far from it, but if you have been flying flight sims since the 1980’s as I have then you know flight simulators have and always are the hardest, most demanding programs you can find in gaming. You just have to have the best to really have an incredible experience! That’s just the truth!

Where has the MSFS 2024 Engine Been Improved for Performance? 

• THe following are areas where the Microsoft Team says the new MSFS 2024 had be improved.
  • Improved multithreading to improve performance 
  • Faster download, load, and installation speeds 
  • Improved aerodynamics and physics simulation 
  • Improved aircraft systems including electrical, pneumatic, fuel, and hydraulics 
  • New failure and wear & tear system 
  • Deeper and wider avionics systems
  • Cockpit tablet available by default 
  • Worldwide Vertical Obstacles
  • Worldwide Oil Rigs
  • Worldwide Glider Airports
  • Worldwide Heliports

Release is due very soon as I write so should you be reading this and have already downloaded MSFS 2024 please leave me a reply below and let me know your thoughts.

Conclusion: A New Era in Flight Simulation

With its planned release in November 2024, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 promises to be a groundbreaking evolution of the MSFS franchise. Its new Career Mode, enhanced flight model, and graphical upgrades make it an exciting prospect for both veteran simmers and newcomers alike. The continued support for MSFS 2020 content ensures that players’ investments in aircraft, airports, and other add-ons remain valuable in the new simulator.

While pricing and other details are still to be fully revealed, one thing is clear—MSFS 2024 is shaping up to be the most immersive, realistic, and expansive flight simulator yet. Whether you’re a casual virtual aviator or a hardcore sim enthusiast, there’s something in this new edition that will elevate your flight sim experience to new heights.

As we await its release, stay tuned for more updates and get ready to embark on a new chapter in virtual aviation!

Author

Brendon McAliece (Aka Gunnie) is a a military veteran with 23 years working on Jet Fighters, their weapons systems and ejection seat/module systems as well as munitions and R&D. Involved with flight simulation since the 1980s, he has flown all the major flight simulators over the years.

He is an Australian expat who has lived in Malaysia, UK, Saudi Arabia and more recently Thailand. He is a multi-lingual blogger who loves to share his life experiences here on LetsFlyVFR.com and DreamingGuitar.com, with his lifestyle and Travel experiences Blog plus his Dreaming Coffee website.

Learn More @ DreamingGuitar.com – DreamingCoffee.com – LetsFlyVFR.com

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