I’m sure the most recent question I received from one of my loyal readers of this blog is one that we all have contemplated since we first learned about Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. To be 1000% honest, this had been a question kicking around in my own head for a period of time. Let’s dive into Joel’s question and I’ll provide some guidance.
Dear Jerry, I’m a fairly long-time flight sim enthusiast like yourself. I first played Microsoft Flight Simulator just after the release of FS2004 (FS9) and moved to FSX for a period of time, then migrated to the various iterations of P3D including P3Dv5. I purchased MSFS 2020 on day one and much like you have mentioned, really didn’t get serious with it until the release of both the Fenix A320 and the PMDG 737. My instance of MSFS 2020 runs really well and again much like you, I only fly tubeliners simulating a few real world airlines. While I am excited about what I’ve heard about MSFS 2024, I’ve really been searching deep into my soul to determine if this is truly something I need to upgrade to based on my flying style. While the missions do look sort of cool and the career mode does as well, I probably won’t spend a great deal of time with these features and believe I would mostly carry own with flying much like I do now in 2020. I value your opinions and input, can you shed any light to help me decide on what to do? As our flying styles are very similar I would really be interested in learning what your plans are? Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions and I look forward to hearing back from you. Finally, best of luck with the upcoming move to Texas. Joel
Well Joel, you bring up some very interesting points and yes, it very much sounds like our flying styles and overall interest in flight simulation is the same. It’s always difficult for me to genuinely recommend anyone to reach into their wallet and spend their hard-earned money. That being said, I actually do believe, despite the fact that I also won’t spend a lot of time with the missions and career mode options, that there is significant reasons to upgrade from MSFS 2020 to MSFS 2024.
I know there’s a lot of discussions taking place in various forums and communities regarding why Microsoft and Asobo made the decision to create a brand new sim just four years after 2020 was launched. I’ve talked about these in the past and won’t spend any additional time on this other than to say that Microsoft felt they had reach the full potential of 2020 and much of the things the community was interested in would require a brand new platform. So that is what we have with MSFS 2024.
From my own style of flying which I would classify as 80% tubeliner and 20% GA flying, the advancements we’re learning about in the new sim WILL be beneficial to us. As it’s been announced we should experience far better flight dynamics with MSFS 2024 and the weather engine has also been completely re-worked. I suppose I’m also excited (and nervous) about the “Thin Client” concept of how visual content will be delivered in the sim. As previously stated, 80% of what I do in the sim is airline simulation. I tend to mostly fly in North America. So I suppose not having the rest of the world installed on my PC when I’m not flying there is a good thing. When I do venture cross the pond, that data will be streamed into my PC. But like I said, I’m also nervous about this concept as well. Several times Microsoft has experienced server issues which have had a significant impact on our ability to use MSFS 2020, so these issues certainly need to addressed. But if any company has the resources to make this happen, it’s Microsoft. So I’ll remain optimistic on this concept for now.
There is also something to be said with regards to supporting the further development of our hobby. This is not to say that we have an obligation to sent Microsoft money just to keep our hobby alive, but I certainly remember the dark days after Microsoft announced ending Flight Simulator and not really knowing what the future held. MSFS 2020 has reinvigorated our hobby at never before seen levels and the future of flight simulation is very bright in my opinion.
But like I already stated, I really don’t like to tell anyone what to spend their money on. So with that said, I’m planning on upgrading and plan to purchase the premium deluxe version of MSFS 2024. I believe, as I’ve believed since I first saw MSFS 2020 four years ago, that Microsoft Flight Simulator is the future and is the absolute best home based simulator that you can buy.
Until next time…
Happy Flying!!!
Jerry