As suggested in the presentation for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, the project being developed by Asobo Studio is not merely an updated version of the existing flight simulator. It stands as a standalone release packed with fresh features that touch on both technical and content aspects. Looking at the insights shared during Flight Sim Expo 2023, an event hosted by Xbox Game Studios Publishing to provide official updates on the next installment of the long-running series, this release will bring expanded modules and new capabilities that elevate the overall experience.
graphics and optimization
The topics discussed by Asobo cover a wide range of production concerns, beginning with technical optimization and the visual fidelity of the sim. The French team explains their goal to minimize the footprint of the project on storage while maximizing performance. A notable goal is rewriting the core client from the ground up to ensure smoother updates and a more orderly cadence for future releases. The result should be a lighter, faster, and more responsive installation that respects the user’s drive space while delivering consistent quality.
In parallel, the current Flight Simulator will continue to receive support as the codebase is rewritten to boost performance across multi-threaded environments, shorten load times, and remove bottlenecks between the GPU and CPU. This approach extends to compatibility with mods and official third‑party packages, ensuring a robust ecosystem alongside the new engine improvements.
A much more advanced physics engine
The next chapter in the series is expected to feature a significantly more capable physics simulation. This includes both solid and soft body dynamics such as the texture behavior of hot air balloons, moving components on wings, and rotor blade dynamics on helicopters. The update will also enable access to flight instrumentation within the cabin, allowing pilots to manage electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and fuel systems with greater realism. It even opens the possibility of passenger dynamics and the presence of an experienced co-pilot to assist during tense moments.
Graphics improvements are also on the table, with a richer palette of trees and architectural elements, more believable terrain contours, and mountains. Dynamic weather and atmospheric effects will be enhanced, including phenomena like the northern lights, storms, and hurricanes, all reacting to seasonal changes to provide a more immersive world.
There’s still Flight Simulator for a while
Asobo Studios has stated that the simulator has been rebuilt around a graphics engine capable of delivering precision levels never reached before, accompanied by more detailed visuals and new simulation technologies. The question remains, what about the current simulator version?
Microsoft plans to preserve the update policy that has guided the current release. Flight Simulator 2020 will continue to receive new airplanes, airports, cities, and additional content in the near term without requiring users to upgrade to a complete new platform. With no formal release date yet set, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is not expected to launch before 2024. The title will be available on PC and Xbox Series X|S, with instant access through the Xbox and PC Game Pass catalog. [Attribution: Asobo Studio, Flight Sim Expo 2023]