Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020

The update including massive performance improvements is out now. Several QoL improvements were also made, along with more intuitive controls when using an Xbox controller coinciding with the Series X|S release.

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1250410/view/3004448577843735408
Update through gamepass was only 760 megs!
Then I got in game and the update was 46 gigs. Guess i'll let it sit for a while.

Update: I really hate the Flight Simulator installation manager. Took me over 1.5 hours to download that 45.99 gigs, and this is with a 1GB ethernet connection (it was only going at about 150Mb) and directly to an SSD.
 
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I'm not sure if this is old news or not (been a while since I played) but the world map is actually a satellite view now. This is huge!
 
Finally finished updating, then getting the free world updates, then getting the optional free updates, totalling another 68GB, then finally got a chance to play it.

Way, way smoother now. Instead of hammering 1-2 cores at 100% i'm getting about 15-20% across all 24 threads, I was able to crank up the game quality and it even looks like VRAM usage has gone down quite a bit. Way, way smoother. My FPS counter wasn't likeing the game so I'm not sure of exact FPS, but i'd be shocked if it wasn't 60+ at 1440p.
 
Following serious bugs found in the recently released Sim Update V, Asobo Studios has quickly rolled out a second hotfix for Microsoft Flight Simulator...this second hotfix (version 1.18.15.0) addresses issues such as poor levels of detail on the ground at high altitudes, the visual quality of clouds, the sim’s volumetric lighting system, and incorrect data in the weather system...

https://www.flightsimulator.com/release-notes-for-hotfix-version-1-18-15-0/
 
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Is this worth downloading if I only have a controller?
It depends what you enjoy. It's not gonna be much of a sim with a controller, but it's a fun game to fly around in and explore. Nothing else out quite like it. Might be worth signing up for game pass for a month to see if you like it. That's what I did, then I ended up buying the game. I don't play it every week, but a couple times a month I drop in for a few hours and it's pretty fun. Kinda zen 😎
 
I use a combination of controller and keyboard. There's enough buttons that using both really helps.

I also play at a very, very, very unsimlike level at the moment. Like, AI is still controlling 90% of the stuff. I mostly just fly around and sight see. 😅
 
Is this worth downloading if I only have a controller?
If you like flying yes. The flight model in the game gives some liberties I wish it didnt so while you can get a joy stick or HOTAS flying on a controller is a good experience. In fact I stopped using my Joystick back in FSX days as it just was not as comfortable as the 360 controller. I only have the AI handling my ATC comms just because it can be a bit of a hassle to be moving around the cockpit with the mouse to toggle controls and whatnot and then have to flip back to the comms multiple times while flying with the left thumb but I really enjoy it and can be very comfortable. I do mixed play of goofing off having fun and some Sim flights starting at a gate, powering up, pushing and flying all proper like. I have 3 screens and VR which makes it very immersive for me. I'm sure I would enjoy a yolk, throttle, pedals and such but do not have the time to bother with that mess. If you do great enjoy it but thankfully this game can be equally enjoyable with a simple controller.
 
Anyone besides the you tuber above using Rift S on this sim? I'm trying to decide if it's worth the time and effort right now. The tuber above has ants in his pants and can't sit still long enough to get a real feel for how well it actually renders. There also remains the question as to why MS didn't make this a DX12 title and will it ever be?
 
Anyone besides the you tuber above using Rift S on this sim? I'm trying to decide if it's worth the time and effort right now. The tuber above has ants in his pants and can't sit still long enough to get a real feel for how well it actually renders. There also remains the question as to why MS didn't make this a DX12 title and will it ever be?
DX12 is on the Asobo roadmap.
 
Anyone besides the you tuber above using Rift S on this sim? I'm trying to decide if it's worth the time and effort right now. The tuber above has ants in his pants and can't sit still long enough to get a real feel for how well it actually renders. There also remains the question as to why MS didn't make this a DX12 title and will it ever be?
Microsoft didn't make the game, Asobo Studio did. They are a private developer not owned by Microsoft.
 
Anyone besides the you tuber above using Rift S on this sim? I'm trying to decide if it's worth the time and effort right now. The tuber above has ants in his pants and can't sit still long enough to get a real feel for how well it actually renders. There also remains the question as to why MS didn't make this a DX12 title and will it ever be?
I've played a few times with my HP Reverb G2. I have not again since the performance patch due to time (hoping to soon) but a few months back performance tanked in VR for me so I had to stop. But prior to that I loved it in VR and it was a lot of fun.
 
World Update 6 will release on September 7th...the update will improve Germany, Austria, and Switzerland with new imagery, high-res elevation maps, and 3D cities including Frankfurt and Wuppertal in Germany, Basel in Switzerland, and Graz and Vienna in Austria...

 
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Competitive multiplayer is coming to Microsoft Flight Simulator

Microsoft Flight Simulator is partnering with the Reno Air Racing Association to bring the famous STIHL National Championship Air Races, the world’s fastest motorsport, to the sim!..The Reno Air Races represent the first major expansion for Microsoft Flight Simulator...simmers will be able to race against their friends and pilots from around the world with the addition of competitive multiplayer to the sim

The Reno Air Races expansion pack will be available this Fall...

 
Microsoft Flight Simulator is getting DirectX 12 support and its first official military jet

The Game of the Year Edition is coming on November 18th, and will be free for existing owners...the move to DirectX 12 will also open the door to ray tracing in the future

-Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet: Our first military jet and a highly requested feature from the community. The Top Gun: Maverick expansion will release with the movie next Spring, but we wanted simmers to have the opportunity to test their need for speed this holiday

https://www.flightsimulator.com/coming-soon-microsoft-flight-simulator-game-of-the-year-edition/

 
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Military jet ha. Hmmn, I would prefer they not introduce any military aircraft. Don't want MFS turning into a quasi DCS.
 
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I'm exactly the other way- I'd love MSF to take over the high end military sim stuff. Competition is good!
 
I enjoy the military craft for a different style of flying from time to time. I don't need the combat stuff. Though the old wwii mode in old FS was a humorous blast lol.

If only they would get the server side issues fixed so my game will update :( Last update resulted in nothing but CTD's and now it wont patch.
 
Microsoft in partnership with Turtle Beach have announced an official yoke control for MSFS 2020. The VelocityOne integrates rudder and brake controls into the handles, and includes separate throttle and trim controls. The package includes a full-color Flight Management Display on the yoke and customizable indicator lights on the shell. The whole thing includes steering wheel-like clamps to secure to a table or desk. Preorders start November 11 and it's priced at $380 USD. Seems like a good price if you're not looking to spend the kind of money to get a full sim cockpit going.

https://www.turtlebeach.com/products/velocity-one-flight

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The amount of quality aircraft coming to MSFS in the near term is impressive, while some are relatively inexpensive, others can dwarf what you paid for the simulator program itself - The one that I'm interested in is the study level Boeing 737 NextGen that will be on the other side of a Benjamin when it comes out later this year. The types of aircraft are as varied as the prices. from golden age Waco WYMF5, Junkers JU-62, Lockheed L10, to one-off specialty builds based on Mike Patay's designs Scrappy, Turbulence, and now Draco, (look them all up on Youtube)

I think Asobo and MS are realizing the effect VR is having on the simulator genre. They are making serious strides in improving visuals and frame rates. VR puts the controls in your hands, although they released the simulator on XBOX, I'm thinking that it will be a gateway app, leading users into deeper investments to move from pancake mode to VR.
 
Flight simulator fans looking for a more authentic experience will want to check out these new peripherals from Thrustmaster and Boeing...one of the major products in this line-up is Thrustmaster’s first yoke system...the TCA yoke Boeing Edition has been designed to feel as much like the real yoke in a Boeing Dreamliner as possible...it’s a 1.1 scale replica with all-metal internals that uses a pendular system to mimic an actual Boeing at a regular desk or table...

to complete the kit is the TCA Quadrant Boeing Edition...this is the throttle portion of the controls and again, is designed to be as close a replica as possible to the one in an actual Dreamliner...it boasts progressive resistance that feels like it does on real aircraft...two TCA Quadrant units can also be paired together for 6-axis piloting, or you can use it in conjunction with other Thrustmaster Pedals...

https://www.thrustmaster.com/en_UK/products/tca-yoke-pack-boeing-edition
 
Flight simulator fans looking for a more authentic experience will want to check out these new peripherals from Thrustmaster and Boeing...one of the major products in this line-up is Thrustmaster’s first yoke system...the TCA yoke Boeing Edition has been designed to feel as much like the real yoke in a Boeing Dreamliner as possible...it’s a 1.1 scale replica with all-metal internals that uses a pendular system to mimic an actual Boeing at a regular desk or table...

to complete the kit is the TCA Quadrant Boeing Edition...this is the throttle portion of the controls and again, is designed to be as close a replica as possible to the one in an actual Dreamliner...it boasts progressive resistance that feels like it does on real aircraft...two TCA Quadrant units can also be paired together for 6-axis piloting, or you can use it in conjunction with other Thrustmaster Pedals...

https://www.thrustmaster.com/en_UK/products/tca-yoke-pack-boeing-edition
Looks like you need to add rudder pedals. Thrustmaster's basic rudder pedals are $160. The fancy pendular ones are $600.

The yoke itself is up for preorder for $500.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1671276-REG/thrustmaster_4460210_tca_yoke_pack_boeing.html
https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16874719035

Pendular Rudder pedals
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1419739-REG/thrustmaster_2960809_tpr_pedals.html
https://www.newegg.com/black-silver...r-rudder-flight-sim-rudders/p/N82E16826280122

T.Flight Rudder Pedals
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1250384-REG/thrustmaster_2960764_t_flight_rudder_pedals.html
https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16826280072
 
In MSFS I am only in pancake mode for screenies or videos, in VR I use FSKneeboard, https://fskneeboard.com/ it is a wondeful little app that provides access to detailed GPS like maps and imports your flight plan into the map. I always have it running - it's maps are far more useful than the built in. plus it provides real-time wind info which is pretty usefull in and of itself.
 
I need to give this game a go again, I got my 3080 so I'm interested to see how the performance has increased.
 
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