Flight Simulator 2024: Flight simulation at its peak

© Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020/Presse-citron.net

Since 1982, Microsoft Flight Simulatoraccompanies aviation enthusiasts in their first steps towards the virtual skies. This legendary saga, which began on the modest monochrome screens of the first IBM PCs, has spanned four decades constantly pushing technological boundaries.

In 2020, after fourteen years of absence, the franchise made a spectacular comeback by offering, for the first time, a complete modeling of our planet thanks to cloud computing and artificial intelligence. This triumphant renaissance, which had seduced more than ten million virtual pilots, is about to experience a new lease of life with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, expected on November 19. Beyond a simple technical update, this new version represents a profound overhaul of the flight experience, the result of four years of intensive development by the teams at Asobo Studio, a French studio based in Bordeaux.

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Cutting-edge technologies at the service of a virtual earth that is more real than nature

The game, like its predecessor, is based on an innovative hybrid architecture, where the locally installed game is in constant dialogue with Microsoft's Azure servers. This synergy between local power and cloud computing allows to transcend the usual limitations of video games.

The landscapes are dynamically generated during the flight, downloading on the fly the necessary data to offer a fluid and detailed experience, without compromising the visual quality. The game is much lighter than the 2020 edition, since it will only require 50 GB of storage; On the other hand, a very high-speed connection will be necessary to enjoy it in good conditions.

The graphics engine, completely redesigned, uses a technology called photogrammetry. This complex technique, based on data from Bing Maps, mobilizes an armada of drones, planes and satellites to capture millions of shots from different angles. Artificial intelligence algorithms then analyze these images to identify points of correspondence and reconstruct the exact geometry of the places.

The process first generates a dense cloud of three-dimensional points, then transformed into a polygonal mesh to which ultra-high definition textures are applied. More than 500 metropolisesnow benefit from irregular triangulation (TIN) modeling, which gives them an architectural rendering of absolute precision. The result: the entire planet is offered to you in every nook and cranny, transcribed almost perfectly. The ultimate open-world, in short!

The game will also welcome ray tracing, capable of calculating the real physical diffusion of light rays through the atmosphere. The subtle variations of natural light throughout the day, the complex reflections on water surfaces, and even the spectacular aurora borealis are reproduced with stunning fidelity.

Atmospheric modeling has reached such a level of sophistication that the simulator now reproduces cloud formations, weather systems, and their interactions with terrain with even greater accuracy. Real-time weather data from a global network of weather stations is continuously integrated to ensure perfect consistency with real atmospheric conditions. As you can see in the video below, the differences with the previous game are very visible, even if the 2020 edition is still a reference from a graphic point of view.

A vastly improved flight model

Another, equally spectacular development is hidden under the hood of the simulator. Where its predecessor was lacking in aircraft flight models that were sometimes too simplistic (be careful though, it's still a simulator, but it doesn't reach the realism of a certain X-Plane), this new version is a big step forward.

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The new simulation engine integrates more than 10,000 rigid-body surfaces – ten times more than the previous version – allowing the behavior of each part of an aircraft to be reproduced with exceptional fidelity. Wings deform under stress, landing gear absorbs shocks with precision, and control surfaces react to turbulence with astonishing realism.

For the first time in the history of consumer simulation, embedded systems are modeled in their entirety. Each electrical circuit, each pneumatic valve, each hydraulic component is simulated individually, creating a complex network of interactions that faithfully reflects the operation of a real aircraft. Failures are no longer simple scripted events, but the logical consequence of cascading failures in these interconnected systems. A faulty electrical generator can thus progressively affect the navigation instruments, forcing the pilot to adapt his flight strategy as in reality.

This quest for authenticity extends even to ground procedures. Pre-flight checks, once limited to a few checkboxes on a menu, are becoming an integral part of the experience. Pilots can now step out of the cockpit, perform a complete visual inspection of their aircraft, physically check the condition of the control surfaces, and monitor fluid levels. This attention to detail is accompanied by advanced modeling of interactions with the environment: ground effect is precisely calculated, rolling resistance varies depending on the runway surface, and even the behavior of seaplanes on the water benefits from dedicated physics.

The arrival of career mode (finally)!

Even if Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 was very complete, we quickly went through the challenges of landings, bush flights and other pre-designed flights that the game offered. The 2024 version finally has a real career mode, a new system that puts players in the shoes of a real professional pilot, allowing them to climb the ladder of the aeronautical world one by one. The course begins with obtaining a private pilot license, supervised by virtual instructors who provide advice and assessments in accordance with civil aviation standards.

As they progress, pilots gain access to increasingly complex missions: VIP or cargo transport, firefighting, emergency medical evacuations, etc. Many missions will be randomly generated across the entire planet, a big plus for replayability.

Of course, to fully enjoy the game, you will need a fairly muscular configuration, as you can see below. While the minimum recommendations remain fairly modest, to run the game in ideal conditions, the game will require a configuration costing several thousand euros. This technological excess has a cost, and this is also confirmed in the different editions of the game.

The difference between the minimum and ideal recommendations is quite wide. © Microsoft

Available of course on PC, but also for Xbox Series X|S (it is also compatible with Game Pass), The game comes in four main versions. The Standard Edition (65 hand-modeled planes and 150 airports) is priced at €79.89. The Deluxe Edition (70 planes and 155 airports) is priced at €109.99. The Premium Deluxe (90 planes and 160 airports) will be priced at €140.09. Finally, the ultimate edition, the ‘Aviator Edition (content of the Premium Deluxe version, plus 30 additional planes normally sold on the Microsoft marketplace) will cost 219.99 euros.

A game that already promises to be a success, but which is not for all budgets. Finally, for true aviation enthusiasts, it will always be cheaperthan earning your private pilot license (PPL) and maintaining a Cessna 172 Skyhawk year-round.

• Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 arrives on November 19 with photorealistic graphics, ultra-realistic physics, and a much more accurate simulation engine.
• An immersive career mode lets players experience the life of a professional pilot, with the opportunity to embark on a wide variety of missions.
• The game does, however, require an expensive configuration, with editions ranging up to $219.99 euros.

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