MSFS 2024: Disappointment on Launch or a Misstep in Progress?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 (MSFS 2024) has landed, and the reception has been anything but smooth. Praised in its pre-release hype as the next evolution of flight simulation, the simulator’s launch has instead been marred by technical failures, unresolved issues, and an overall perception that it has veered too far into “game” territory, alienating serious flight sim enthusiasts.
From disappointing performance and over-reliance on internet streaming to lacking fundamental technologies like AMD FSR, MSFS 2024’s release has sparked frustration across the community. Despite the undeniable potential of the platform, Microsoft’s execution raises serious questions about whether the franchise is losing sight of its core audience.
MSFS 2024 – A GAME, Not a Simulator?
One of the most stinging critiques of MSFS 2024 is that it doesn’t feel like a true flight simulator anymore. Many YouTubers and seasoned simmers argue that the focus has shifted away from realism and toward gamified experiences. Unlike X-Plane 12, which is often praised for its physics-driven approach and fidelity to real-world aerodynamics and registered to be utilized as a commercial simulator platform, MSFS 2024 continues to rely on simplified flight models in many areas.
This disconnect has led purists to argue that the title is more of a scenic adventure game than a serious training tool. Yes MSFS 2020 & 2024 look amazing but as a real-world pilot with limited experience the pretty graphics don’t help me practice crosswind landings and emergencies as X Plane 12 does in my opinion. Your very welcome to disagree.
Microsoft’s cinematic trailers promised a deeply immersive experience, but many users report it falling short of delivering realism where it matters most—flight dynamics. While MSFS remains visually stunning, the focus on aesthetics seems to have come at the cost of physics and functionality.
Poor Performance: CPU, GPU, and the Server Chaos
Performance complaints dominate the post-launch conversation. MSFS 2024 struggles to efficiently utilize modern hardware, particularly CPUs and GPUs. Despite featuring visually demanding environments, the simulator appears to fail in capitalizing on the full power of high-end gaming rigs. GPU utilization often hovers around frustratingly low percentages, leaving powerful hardware sitting idle while frame rates suffer.
Furthermore, the lack of support for AMD’s FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) and its frame-generation capabilities is a glaring oversight. By focusing exclusively on NVIDIA technologies like DLSS, Microsoft has sidelined AMD users, frustrating a significant portion of its customer base. This lack of inclusivity not only hurts performance optimization but also diminishes the simulator’s appeal in a market that thrives on versatility.
To compound matters, MSFS 2024 relies heavily on streaming terrain and texture data from the cloud, requiring a super-fast, stable internet connection. Without one, users face issues like blurry textures, slow loading regions, and stuttering during flights. Even with gigabit connections, many users report poor textures loading mid-flight—a testament to either overloaded servers or inefficient streaming systems.
At launch, these streaming demands proved disastrous. Microsoft’s servers were overwhelmed, leaving users unable to even start the game or download essential content. Given Microsoft’s vast resources, the inability to manage server load effectively is inexcusable and further tarnishes the brand’s reputation in the flight simulation community.
MSFS 2024 – The Cache Conundrum
MSFS 2024 stores only a minimal amount of data locally, relying on cloud-based assets for nearly everything. While this allows the simulator to maintain its massive global coverage, it also introduces significant challenges.
For instance, the default 16GB rolling cache can be increased to store more data locally, but doing so comes with trade-offs. Download times increase dramatically, and the simulator becomes frustratingly sluggish when pulling in new regions for the first time. Users flying repeatedly in the same area can enjoy a more optimized experience, as the simulator caches recently flown regions. However, this approach penalizes those who enjoy globe-hopping, forcing them to endure lengthy loading times or degraded textures.
A Rocky Start: Add-ons and the Flight Sim Store
Third-party add-ons have always been a cornerstone of the MSFS ecosystem, allowing users to expand and enhance their experience with high-quality aircraft, airports, and scenery packs. Unfortunately, MSFS 2024 has stumbled here too.
The Flight Sim Store—the primary hub for acquiring and managing add-ons—was non-functional at launch, leaving users unable to access or update their purchased content. This situation is particularly frustrating for those who invested heavily in third-party expansions, many of which require compatibility updates for the new simulator. Without access to the store, these users are left stranded, unable to enjoy the full breadth of content they’ve paid for.
MSFS 2024 – Internet Dependency: A Double-Edged Sword
One of the most significant criticisms of MSFS 2024 is its near-total dependency on an active internet connection. While this approach enables breathtakingly realistic scenery streamed directly from Microsoft’s servers, it also comes with severe limitations.
Offline play is almost non-existent. Even in single-player missions, users must remain connected to the internet to access critical data. For those in areas with unreliable or expensive internet connections, this requirement is a dealbreaker. The idea of being tethered to Microsoft’s servers at all times feels restrictive, especially in a genre where freedom and exploration are key pillars.
MSFS 2024 – A Lack of Value for Money
Given these issues, many simmers are questioning whether MSFS 2024 offers genuine value for money. At its core, flight simulation is a niche hobby that demands a significant investment—not just in the software itself, but also in hardware and peripherals. For many, the promise of MSFS 2024 as the next-generation flight sim justified the price tag.
However, the reality of its launch—a broken store, underwhelming performance, and server outages—has left users feeling shortchanged. The lack of meaningful upgrades to flight physics and the overemphasis on visuals further amplify the sense of disappointment. First Impressions videos have all displayed a disappointing point of view even when trying to stay positive.
We all understand trying to qualify a purchase that turns out to be a lot less than we expected for our hard earnt cash. This was evident in many of the YT first impressions videos I have watched today and sparked me to put this blog post together. Graphics no better and some items like dust and smoke looking more 2d than 3d as expected. Items not working and VR issues! Loading of new scenarios seemed an issue taking time to complete. The need for a supper fast internet connection still showed issues when a gigabit quality service was available with textures still taking excessive time to load. Optimization I’m sure will help over time but it leaves many with a sour taste in their mouths Microsoft is going to have to repair for their very valued customers.
Lessons from the Competition
Microsoft’s missteps highlight the strengths of its competitors, particularly X-Plane 12. Developed by Laminar Research, X-Plane 12 emphasizes accuracy and realism in flight physics, making it a favorite among professional pilots and serious enthusiasts. Its weather engine, aerodynamic modeling, and offline functionality showcase a deep understanding of what the flight sim community values most.
Meanwhile, Microsoft’s approach—prioritizing accessibility and visual spectacle—risks alienating its core audience. While MSFS undeniably appeals to casual users and gamers, its failure to satisfy die-hard simmers could ultimately hinder its long-term success.
A Hope for Redemption
Despite its rough launch, MSFS 2024 is not without hope. Microsoft has a track record of improving its simulators over time, as demonstrated by the evolution of MSFS 2020. Key areas for improvement include:
- Enhanced Performance
Microsoft must prioritize better utilization of CPU and GPU resources, including support for AMD technologies like FSR. Optimizing performance across a range of hardware configurations is essential for retaining a diverse user base. - Improved Offline Functionality
Introducing a more robust offline mode would address one of the simulator’s most significant limitations. Allowing users to pre-download regions without performance penalties would go a long way in alleviating frustrations. - Better Add-on Integration
Fixing the Flight Sim Store and streamlining the process for updating third-party content is critical. Without a functional add-on ecosystem, the simulator’s longevity is at risk. - Focus on Flight Physics
Returning to the roots of flight simulation by improving aerodynamics and flight modeling would help win back the trust of serious simmers. Borrowing lessons from X-Plane’s physics engine could be a game-changer.
Final Thoughts – YT Creators Frustrated!
MSFS 2024’s launch has undoubtedly been a disappointment for many. From underwhelming performance and server issues to its controversial emphasis on visuals over realism, the simulator has failed to meet the expectations set by its ambitious marketing.
However, it’s important to remember that flight simulation is a marathon, not a sprint. Microsoft has the resources and expertise to address these issues, and the community’s vocal feedback will likely drive future updates.
As a passionate flight simmer and X-Plane 12 advocate, I hope MSFS 2024 can turn things around. Competition fosters innovation, and a healthy rivalry between platforms benefits everyone in the flight sim community. Here’s to hoping Microsoft listens, learns, and delivers on the promise of a truly next-generation flight simulator.
Since Creating this post, I have ventured into the world of YouTube only to find more MSFS advocates struggling to sound positive with major issues in getting the sim running and making it enjoyable. Questionable Smoke and sand effects to Mouse Cursor not working in VR. Some positives with the VR menu being much more flexible but the world scale appeared all wrong to one YouTube who had to adjust what seems a very basic setting to make the world even look correct.
I have MSFS 2020, and it’s not been installed for probably 9 months or more to be honest. Yes, correct I’m not a fan! I don’t wish to hide this perspective out of fairness. I found it rigid in flight with the cockpits looking like flat screen representations, a hard joint between cockpit and the outside world making the experience poor. It was like looking at one flat screen world with another poorly placed behind! It looked like one image over another as opposed to a smooth 3D transition in VR.
Additional Personal Thoughts – YT Creators Points of View.
My recommendation is to be very cautious about diving in when MSFS 2020 and 2024. All reports on YT say that visually there are no significant differences between 2020 and 2024. The GAME PLAY with its missions was suggested that it could have been simply ADDON packs for MSFS 2020. Visually they say the difference is minimal.
I’d take my time to consider your options in November of 2024. At this point, I would certainly CAUTION you about buying MSFS 2024 until we get more positive reports, again which I hope come sooner than later! It’s amazing that the YouTubers reports say that MSFS 2024 appears from all current reports to be not greatly visually different from MSFS 2020.
It was also said that the new features in MSFS 2024 such as mission could simply have been added to MSFS 2020 addon missions and not a whole new sim. This was suggested in a “YT Video ” today in a first impressions video. You simply have to make up your own mind on the path you decide to take. I just hope it grows quickly into what the prerelease hype forecast it would be, which seems far from where it is right now!
I hope my next post will be massively more positive than this one because as I’ve said, more competition means all developers push harder to make platform better!
What are your thoughts on MSFS 2024? Have you had similar experiences, or do you think the criticisms are overblown? Let’s discuss in the comments below!
Author
Brendon McAliece (Aka Gunnie) is 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.
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2 responses to “MSFS 2024: Disappointment on Launch or a Misstep in Progress?”
Very fair assessment Brendan. I have a high end machine but in the UK despite me living in a popular area nont far from London we do not yet have access to any internet faster than 78mb/s. Thhis means that on the 19th I wasted £199 expecting something useable. As yet on the 21st I have got the game to load and can start a free flight but all I am getting is flat earth with little or no detail , its worse than going back to MSFS first launches. From all the youtube and brilliant views during intallation it is like chalk and cheese. For such an organisation I would have expected so much more and am bitterly dissapointed. I have 3Tb of NVMe storage available + Plenty of free SSD Storage why cant I as a user decide how much data ?
Yes its proven to be quite the disappointment for many it seems. I have 2020 as I mentioned but really didnt feel at home with it. X Plane 12 is my goto GA sim. WHat I find incredible is that most of Australia as well as the UK as you mention it has appalling internet speeds. I live in the country in north Thailand and I get fibre to the home internet with 1GB speeds for about 10 pounds a month. I hope MS sorth the whole package out as fast as possible for their valued customers. Great to hear from you!
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