Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

A Turbulent Takeoff

Published November 23, 2024 by @Roz

I preordered the highly anticipated Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, developed by Asobo Studio and published by Xbox Game Studios, which took to the virtual skies on November 19, 2024. However, the launch was far from smooth, with players—including me—experiencing significant turbulence in the form of server issues and bugs. Let's take a closer look at the bumpy ride and the efforts to stabilize this ambitious flight sim.

Server Overload and Access Issues

The moment Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 went live, it became clear that the developers had underestimated the game's popularity. Asobo Studio's pre-launch simulations anticipated around 200,000 concurrent players, but the actual numbers far exceeded this estimate. As a result, the game's servers were quickly overwhelmed, leading to a host of problems for eager pilots:

• Extended Loading Times: Many players reported loading times ranging from 30 minutes to over two hours.
• Login Problems: A significant number of players were unable to log in to the game at all. This is what happened to me on launch day.
• Missing Aircraft: Some players found that default planes were missing from their libraries.
• Mission Inaccessibility: The mission service database was maxed out, preventing players from accessing in-game missions.

Technical Turbulence

Beyond server-related issues, players encountered various technical problems that further hampered their experience:

• High GPU Utilization: PC gamers reported unusually high GPU usage during loading screens, potentially leading to overheating issues.
• Game Crashes: Multiple instances of the game crashing were reported across different scenarios.
• UI Glitches: Some players experienced issues such as missing cursors on the Xbox Live sign-in popup.

Emergency Patch: Update 1.1.9.0

In response to the rocky launch, Asobo Studio quickly deployed Patch 1.1.9.0 on November 23, addressing some of the most pressing issues. The update included:

• Crash Fixes: Several specific crash scenarios were resolved, including one related to the "As Arrival" selection in the EFB.
• UI Improvements: The patch fixed issues like the missing cursor problem and focus loss when creating new input profiles.
• General Stability Enhancements: Various other crashes across the title were addressed to improve overall stability.

Ongoing Efforts and Community Response

Despite the patch, Microsoft acknowledged that access issues were still persisting for some players. The development team has been working around the clock to increase server capacity and improve the player experience.

For PC players experiencing continued stability issues or long loading times, Asobo Studio recommended moving community packages to another folder before relaunching the game, as outdated packages may impact performance.

The Runway Ahead

While the launch of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 has been turbulent, the history of the franchise suggests that long-term support and updates will likely improve the game over time. The development team has apologized for the launch experience and remains committed to resolving the ongoing issues.

As the dust settles on this rocky takeoff, aviation enthusiasts and gamers alike are hopeful that Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 will soon reach cruising altitude, delivering the immersive and stable flight experience we've been eagerly anticipating.

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