The ambition of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Overall Reaction to MSFS 2024

  • Many are surprised there is a new standalone version instead of continuing MSFS 2020 indefinitely, but are generally excited by the announced improvements.
  • Long‑time users describe MSFS as life‑changing or career‑influencing, with some using it to plan real-world flights or even pursue pilot licenses.
  • Some console players found it less “fun” than expected, especially if coming from arcade-style flying like GTA.

VR Experience and Motion Sickness

  • Several users praise MSFS 2020 in VR as “astonishing” and deeply immersive, calling it a killer app for VR.
  • Others report severe motion sickness in any sim where the view moves without matching body motion, including taxiing or slow driving; some note motion sickness pills didn’t help.
  • Control setups vary: HOTAS, yokes, pedals, Xbox controllers, and VR controllers. Cockpit interaction in VR is possible but fiddly, especially with knobs.

Earth as a “Digital Twin” and Scientific Value

  • The Earth model is praised from the air but criticized for incoherence at ground level (odd rivers, solid bridges, weak urban detail vs Google Earth).
  • Some want broader uses (robot training, driving sims, real-world GTA, education), citing historical precedents like Microsoft ESP and GTA-based research.
  • Others argue the “Earth copy” is largely visual/procedural and not suitable for serious science or meteorology.
  • Discussion branches into whether one engine can serve both gaming and scientific modeling, and into skepticism vs optimism about AI/AGI progress.

Gameplay, Career Mode, and Accessibility

  • A recurring complaint about MSFS 2020 is lack of missions or narrative; some see this as a barrier for players not motivated by pure simulation.
  • MSFS 2024 is expected to add a “career mode” with structured missions (e.g., cargo, agriculture, SAR), progressive licenses, and some story framing—compared by some to “Euro Truck Simulator in the air.”
  • Others argue that as a “simulator” its core purpose is realistic sandbox flying, and narrative layers risk diluting that.

Cloud, Streaming, and Platform Concerns

  • There is confusion and concern over how much of 2024 will be cloud-dependent:
    • Some believe it will stream rendered video; others cite statements (not in the linked article) saying only needed textures/meshes/map data are streamed.
  • Users worry about:
    • Game viability on slow/metered connections.
    • Eventual server shutdown making the sim unusable.
    • Possible future shift to a subscription model.
  • Some prefer the large local install model of 2020 despite the disk and setup cost.

ATC and AI Enhancements

  • The built-in ATC is widely criticized as outdated, unrealistic, and sometimes unsafe (bad vectors, altitude calls).
  • Several point to third-party, LLM-based ATC projects as promising, and find it surprising Microsoft hasn’t integrated similar tech given its AI investments.

Comparisons to Other Sims and Spin-Off Wishes

  • Users compare MSFS with X-Plane, DCS, Falcon BMS, Euro/American Truck Simulator, BeamNG, etc., each seen as excelling in different niches (GA, airliners, military, driving, campaign systems).
  • Some wish for:
    • A true real-world driving sim over MSFS’s Earth.
    • A revival of Microsoft Space Simulator or deeper space/atmospheric physics like in certain X-Plane scenarios.