Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024: A Digital Twin You Can Explore, From the Sky to the Ground
Microsoft Flight Simulator has always aimed to be a realistic representation of our planet, but the upcoming 2024 release takes it to a whole new level. The game, currently in development, promises a truly immersive experience, allowing players not only to fly but to walk around and explore the world's digital twin, from the highest peaks to the deepest valleys.
Speaking to Jorge Neumann, Head of Microsoft Flight Simulator, we learned about the remarkable technological advancements that are driving this ambitious project. One key change is the shift towards a "thin client" architecture, dramatically reducing the game's install size. Despite this, the detail and scale of the virtual world are increasing, with Neumann promising a "50 GB or less" install, yet containing "tons more data".
This incredible level of detail is possible thanks to the integration of real-world data. Bing Maps provides the foundation for the game's visuals, with frequent updates ensuring the virtual world remains accurate. Furthermore, LiDAR scans, used to map terrain elevation, offer precise representations of the Earth's surface.
Neumann highlights the game's commitment to realism, detailing how it now simulates individual trees, even identifying their species. "We plant trees, literally trillions of trees, and it's all done in run time," he explains, highlighting the game's extraordinary capacity.
The ambition extends beyond just the landscape. MSFS 2024 boasts a "living world" featuring hundreds of animal species, each moving and interacting within the environment. This level of detail extends to the world's waterways, with every vessel tracked by transponders, allowing players to land on them, creating a first-person shooter-like experience.
But the most significant change is the introduction of ground-based exploration. Neumann reveals that players can now "exit the plane, walk around" and explore the world on foot, experiencing the detailed environment from a different perspective.
Neumann's passion for the project is evident throughout the interview, and his vision for the future of flight simulation is truly captivating. He believes that MSFS 2024 will "break new ground, from a scale and complexity perspective", surpassing anything previously achieved in the gaming world.
While the question of whether the team can successfully realise this ambitious vision remains to be seen, one thing is certain: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 promises a truly groundbreaking experience. It is no longer just a flight simulator but a platform for exploring a meticulously crafted, interactive digital world.
