Microsoft exited the flight simulator market in 2012, but 8 years later, its back on and we’re eagerly awaiting the launch of the new Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. The flight simulator is being developed on behalf of Microsoft by Asobo Studio based in Bordeaux, France, and will be available on PC and Xbox platforms. It is anticipated that we’ll see the software released this year, but current world affairs may cause the timeframe to slip somewhat.
We’re expecting the simulator to be all encompassing and a real next generation movement compared to the current flight simulators, with fantastic graphics allowing for visual (VFR) navigation, a comprehensive world weather system, real-time air traffic and fully functional and animated aircraft with the latest avionics as well as a multiplayer capability.
Microsoft Flight Simulator will:
- Use Microsoft Bing map data and Azure AI to generate 3D photorealistic models of building, terrain, vegetation and provide accurate high definition approximations where that data is insufficient.
- Make use of a new flight model engine developed by Asobo allowing accurate flight dynamics and control simulation.
- Provide a full simulation of weather and utilise real world weather data, meaning you could look out of the window and see the same weather currently being modelled in the simulator.
- Feature over 2 million cities and towns and over 45,000 real-world airports with accurate modelling.
- Populate the living world, simulating roads with vehicles, water which flows realistically, grass will with individual grass blades and trees with individual leaves – all of which move based on the relative wind direction.
This, you may think, is going to place and incredible strain on many existing PCs? Well yes and no. It’s worth remembering that Microsoft Flight Simulator will also be configured to be played on the Xbox, so the engine room requirements will reflect this. Obviously to achieve the maximum performance, some serious hardware will be required, and Microsoft have handily provided us with their recommendations.
The table above is fairly explanatory, but unless you’re packing some serious computing hardware already or have deep pockets, we would urge caution in splashing out for the top/ideal spec right now. Computing hardware is being developed at lightning speed and we feel that some of the hardware components (such as the GPU) will be quite a bit cheaper nearer to the launch date. Interestingly, the software requires 150GB for the install, meaning that the specification of bandwidth will play a key role in maximising the visual quality outside the windows.
We’ll be keeping an eye on the simulator developments and will report back as and when new information and teasers are released.
