I probably don’t need to tell people that Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 has had a rough start, nor that the community is getting a little anxious for some updates to start tackling some of the sim’s more significant issues. We are starting to see things move thanks to the last couple of developer news updates and the launch of the Sim Update 1 beta. Let’s have a look at what we know.
Beta testing begins now
For the last couple of years, Sim Updates have come with some nice to have fixes but rarely has one been as hotly anticipated as this one. MSFS 2024 has some serious bugs in so many places that it definitely needs a bit of a rescue and we’re all hoping that Sim Update 1 is that rescue. It’s not going to solve all of the problems but it should take a bite out of them and that’s encouraging.
As with MSFS 2020, you can sign up and join the open beta process through Steam or the Xbox Insider Hub app (for both Windows and Xbox users). Microsoft cautions people from jumping into the beta without knowing some of the risks of working with beta software.
There is always a risk that you may have to re-install the sim when joining/leaving a flight, so please keep this in mind before participating.
If that doesn’t bother you, beta test away or wait and see what the final edition offers.
The beta sign-up also contains a change log with what the latest beta test is offering in terms of fixes. Microsoft reports that the change log is not the final Sim Update 1 change log so if a significant item that you’re hoping for isn’t showing there just yet, don’t worry right away as it may well get solved in time for later editions of the beta test and the final Sim Update 1 release.
There is already a lengthy list of fixes and they include fixing the aircraft represented as a dot on G1000 equipped airplanes, fixed helicopter rotor wash issues on edges of platforms, quite a few miscellaneous fixes to career mode, removal of the giant trees in some city areas (if you know, you know!), multiple crash fixes, and some fixes for some of the sim’s tools.
Microsoft capturing feedback
As with MSFS 2020, Microsoft’s weekly updates on the status of the sim has often included a feedback snapshot. This has been captured by posts on the forums and elevated by users voting for the issues that most impact them.
Some items are slated to be tackled in Sim Update 2, some in Sim Update 1, and some remain under investigation. One that affects me often is that ground textures are blurrier than they were in 2020 and that is in the number two spot just after VRAM/FPS issues. Another incredibly annoying one is the freelook mouse axis being overly sensitive coming in at number seven. Its planned for sim update one and I really hope they can get that one sorted!
There are others but here’s what we’ve seen in the January 23rd developer update.
Next developer Q&A coming up
Having Microsoft and Asobo team leaders, Jorg, Seb, and Martial, join in on the monthly Q&A is a good way for us as the community to get a broad overview of what they are working on, what problems they are solving, and what we may need to continue to highlight as issues. The three of them have been at this for a few years now and their Q&A’s have always been useful in my mind.
I think this one will be extra anticipated with nearly everyone anxiously awaiting fixes to one item or another. They have made a web form available with questions that can be asked ahead of time, or you can always join them on Twitch when they stream it live and see if your question gets picked up then.
As a reminder, we are currently accepting questions for our next Developer Livestream. If you have a question for our regular panel of Jorg, Seb, and Martial, you can submit it using this web form. The most frequently-asked questions from the community will be addressed during the broadcast. Follow any of the platforms linked above to be alerted as soon as we post the date for the Developer Livestream.
Hopefully we’ll learn all kinds of useful news about the sim as it continues to develop this year.
The Marketplace is finally coming back
Another piece of content we’ve learned in all of these updates is that the Marketplace is scheduled to arrive with the launch of Sim Update 1. It’s apparently not due in the current batch of beta tests but will become available into the new year.
The Marketplace is not only a great place to buy additional content but also a useful way to help manage the content that you’ve got. Developers rightly asked for time to get their content sorted out for MSFS 2024 as the development process as been a little less smooth than anyone hoped. But it is encouraging to see it finally come back.
It’s arrival will hopefully mark one of a few turning points for the sim. I’m looking forward to seeing that happen!
Stormbirds 
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