Microsoft Flight Simulator News & Announcements
In this week's Development Update blog, we are pleased to share with you new versions of the Feedback Snapshot and SDK Update. You can see them both by reading on below.
On Wednesday, we released a new pre-release test build for Sim Update 1 to volunteer beta testers from the community. In case you missed it, you can read the release notes for SU1 beta build 1.3.19.0 on the forums here. The team remains hard at work resolving issues identified by testers enrolled in the beta, and we aim to have a release quality build available soon. Thanks again to everyone who has joined the beta and shared their feedback and bug reports on the forums. Your contributions are incredibly valuable to us as the dev team continues their work on SU1.
- MSFS Team
Click here to continue reading the Development Update!
Public beta testing for Sim Update 1 (SU1) continues, with a new pre-release test build (1.3.13.0) being released to beta testers yesterday. You can read the release notes on our forums here.
Regarding the final release of SU1, if you saw last week's Developer Livestream, you may recall that the panel mentioned we were tentatively targeting February 18th for the release. After carefully reviewing Sim Update 1 Beta feedback to ensure the best possible experience for all simmers, we have decided to take a bit more time before its release. While it won’t launch on February 18th, we appreciate your patience and look forward to sharing another update in next Thursday’s Development Blog.
- MSFS Team
Click here to continue reading the Development Update!
On Wednesday, we hosted our latest Developer Livestream on our official Twitch channel. In case you missed it, you can watch the VOD on our YouTube channel embedded below. The regular panel of Jorg, Seb, and Martial were also joined by Chris Burnett from Working Title to discuss future development plans for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Among the many topics covered were:
- Insight and introspection regarding the MSFS2024 launch and the current state of the sim
- A thorough status review of many of the top bugs as upvoted by members of the community on our official forums
- Target launch dates for upcoming releases (please note that all of these dates are targets only and could potentially change in the future):
- Sim Update 1 (and the MSFS2024 Marketplace): February 18
- World Update 19: Brazil, Guyana, French Guiana, and Suriname: March
- Sim Update 2: April (with the public beta beginning shortly after SU1 launches)
- Sim Update 3: June
- This plane is the first of four upcoming planes which will be provided FREE to all MSFS 2024 simmers
The livestream lasted more than two hours and covered many topics, so we encourage everyone to watch the the video above if you have time.
- MSFS Team
Click here to continue reading the Development Update!
Thank you to everyone who has downloaded the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Sim Update 1 pre-release beta test build! Since its launch last week, our team has been very carefully reading your feedback and bug reports on the forums. A new pre-release build with more fixes and improvements is coming soon for beta testers. If you would like to enroll in the beta to help test the next major release of MSFS 2024, you can find instructions (for PC-MS Store, PC-Steam, and Xbox Series X|S) here.
We are also pleased this week to share with you an updated Feedback Snapshot, now expanded to show the status of the Top 96 bugs as voted by members of our forums. There is also an updated Wishlist for the Top 24 feature requests for MSFS 2020 and 2024.
Finally, our next Developer Livestream is now confirmed for Wednesday, February 5 at 10:30am PST (1830 UTC). Follow our official Twitch channel to receive a notification when our panel of Jorg, Seb, and Martial go live to discuss the future development plans for Microsoft Flight Simulator and answer the most frequently asked questions the community submitted to our web form over the past few weeks. As always, the panel will also answer live questions from Twitch viewers, so be sure to tune in if you didn't have a chance to pre-submit a question!
- MSFS Team
Click here to continue reading the Development Update!
Earlier today, we released the regular monthly Navdata Update for AIRAC Cycle 2501. This update also included a small number of bug fixes related to navdata and navigation aids. You can find the full notes on our forums here.
The public beta for Sim Update 1 is now live! If you would like to participate in this optional pre-release test, you can read the patch notes and find instructions on how to join here. As always, the beta is available to players on all platforms: PC-MS Store, PC-Steam, and Xbox Series X|S. Please be advised that the public test build 1.3.7.0 release notes do not encompass everything that will be included with the final SU1 release; there will be additional bug fixes coming in future builds. Also, the MSFS2024 Marketplace is not part of this pre-release test but is planned to launch with the full release of SU1.
The dev team greatly appreciates everyone who chooses to take part in the pre-release beta test. Please be sure to log bug reports in the appropriate section of the forums. Specifically, we are looking for confirmation that bugs that were reported to be fixed in the release notes are now working properly and also if there are any regressions (features that were previously working but are now bugged) compared to the current live build.
- MSFS Team
Click here to continue reading the Development Update!
Welcome to the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Sim Update 1 public beta test!
The first Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Beta previewing Sim Update 1 is now available on PC-MS Store, PC-Steam, and Xbox Series X|S.
For those familiar with the previous Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) public tests, the process to join/leave the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Beta is the same and instructions have been provided below. You must own Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 (or have an appropriate Xbox Game Pass subscription) to participate on the platform of your choice.
Please note the in-sim Marketplace is planned to release with Sim Update 1 but will not be accessible during the Beta. You will still be able to access your available owned content via My Library and utilize the same functionality currently present in the sim.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU JOIN
Please remember if you decide to join the Beta and install the build, you will likely have to re-install your sim if you wish to leave the Beta before it ends. If you did not opt out of the last Beta, you will automatically stay in this Beta and receive the next build.
In addition, while in Multiplayer Mode, you will only see users who are in the same build as you.
STEAM
1. Open your Steam Library
2. Right-click Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
3. Click “Properties”
4. Click “Betas”
5. Select “flight_sim_2024_beta – Sim Update 1"
If you would like to exit the pre-release test before it ends and revert back to the live build, follow these instructions:
1. Open your Steam Library
2. Right-click Microsoft Flight Simulator
3. Click “Properties”
4. Click “Betas”
5. Select “None”
Thank you and we look forward to your feedback!
Click here to read the Sim Update 1 Beta Release Notes. You can join the SU1 Beta forums to report issues here.
MSFS Team
The first Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Beta previewing Sim Update 1 is now available on PC-MS Store, PC-Steam, and Xbox Series X|S.
For those familiar with the previous Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) public tests, the process to join/leave the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Beta is the same and instructions have been provided below. You must own Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 (or have an appropriate Xbox Game Pass subscription) to participate on the platform of your choice.
Please note the in-sim Marketplace is planned to release with Sim Update 1 but will not be accessible during the Beta. You will still be able to access your available owned content via My Library and utilize the same functionality currently present in the sim.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU JOIN
Please remember if you decide to join the Beta and install the build, you will likely have to re-install your sim if you wish to leave the Beta before it ends. If you did not opt out of the last Beta, you will automatically stay in this Beta and receive the next build.
In addition, while in Multiplayer Mode, you will only see users who are in the same build as you.
STEAM
1. Open your Steam Library
2. Right-click Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
3. Click “Properties”
4. Click “Betas”
5. Select “flight_sim_2024_beta – Sim Update 1"
If you would like to exit the pre-release test before it ends and revert back to the live build, follow these instructions:
1. Open your Steam Library
2. Right-click Microsoft Flight Simulator
3. Click “Properties”
4. Click “Betas”
5. Select “None”
Thank you and we look forward to your feedback!
Click here to read the Sim Update 1 Beta Release Notes. You can join the SU1 Beta forums to report issues here.
MSFS Team
As announced in the January 9 Development Update Blog, we have an updated Feedback Snapshot for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 to share with you this week. If you aren’t familiar with the Feedback Snapshot from Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020), here are a few important notes:
On the topic of Sim Update 1, we have previously announced that there will be a public beta test for the first SU of MSFS2024 prior to its full release. If you have not joined a past public beta, please be advised that it will be available for players on all platforms: PC-MS Store, PC-Steam, and Xbox Series X|S. We will share more information about how you can manually opt in to receive the pre-release test build once it is available. Be sure to follow the News & Announcements section of our forums or our official social accounts on Facebook, Threads, or Twitter to be notified how you can join the beta once it begins.
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 for more information about the date for the Developer Livestream.
- MSFS Team
Click here to continue reading the Development Update!![]()
- For items listed as Under Investigation, this means that our team is currently identifying the root cause and fix for the reported issue. As they are discovered and addressed, their status will be changed to indicate the update into which they will be incorporated.
- In Progress items indicate that the team is actively working towards a resolution, but it has not yet been assigned to a specific Sim Update.
- The items listed on the Bug Report and Wishlist are the top 24 as voted by members of the community on our official forums. These do not represent everything the dev team is currently working on, and Sim Updates 1 and 2 will include other fixes and improvements not listed among the top 24 on the Feedback Snapshot.
On the topic of Sim Update 1, we have previously announced that there will be a public beta test for the first SU of MSFS2024 prior to its full release. If you have not joined a past public beta, please be advised that it will be available for players on all platforms: PC-MS Store, PC-Steam, and Xbox Series X|S. We will share more information about how you can manually opt in to receive the pre-release test build once it is available. Be sure to follow the News & Announcements section of our forums or our official social accounts on Facebook, Threads, or Twitter to be notified how you can join the beta once it begins.
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 for more information about the date for the Developer Livestream.
- MSFS Team
Click here to continue reading the Development Update!
After a break for the holiday season to recharge, refresh, and spend time with our families, we're back this week and hard at work updating Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024!
As we begin the new year, our teams are focused on delivering the first major updates, including Sim Update 1, while also finalizing preparations for the Marketplace launch in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. We have analyzed all the feedback provided over the past weeks and months and are prioritizing bug fixes and improvements based on community input. Because of this, we are spending this week to working on the Feedback Snapshot and will have an updated version for you in next week's blog. We are also excited to announce that World Update: Brazil is on the horizon! These updates are coming soon, and we will provide more information on the timeline as it becomes available. We appreciate your support as we continue to enhance the simming experience for our community.
On Tuesday, we released a server-side fix for an issue that was preventing certain Career Mode mission types from appearing. These missions should now once again be available. Earlier today, we released a small hotfix patch (1.2.11.0) to resolve an issue that was causing avionics in some aircraft to be non-functional on Xbox and for PC players using Low or Medium graphics settings.
We are currently planning our next Developer Livestream. While we're still coordinating the schedules of our panel members and guests and don't have a date locked in yet, we have activated the web form where you can pre-submit a question. Our team will review all the submissions and ensure the most frequently asked questions from the community are addressed by the panel during the broadcast. As always, you can watch the livestream on our official Twitch channel, so be sure to follow it and enable notifications so you're informed whenever the broadcast starts.
- MSFS Team
Click here to continue reading the Development Update!![]()
As we begin the new year, our teams are focused on delivering the first major updates, including Sim Update 1, while also finalizing preparations for the Marketplace launch in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. We have analyzed all the feedback provided over the past weeks and months and are prioritizing bug fixes and improvements based on community input. Because of this, we are spending this week to working on the Feedback Snapshot and will have an updated version for you in next week's blog. We are also excited to announce that World Update: Brazil is on the horizon! These updates are coming soon, and we will provide more information on the timeline as it becomes available. We appreciate your support as we continue to enhance the simming experience for our community.
On Tuesday, we released a server-side fix for an issue that was preventing certain Career Mode mission types from appearing. These missions should now once again be available. Earlier today, we released a small hotfix patch (1.2.11.0) to resolve an issue that was causing avionics in some aircraft to be non-functional on Xbox and for PC players using Low or Medium graphics settings.
We are currently planning our next Developer Livestream. While we're still coordinating the schedules of our panel members and guests and don't have a date locked in yet, we have activated the web form where you can pre-submit a question. Our team will review all the submissions and ensure the most frequently asked questions from the community are addressed by the panel during the broadcast. As always, you can watch the livestream on our official Twitch channel, so be sure to follow it and enable notifications so you're informed whenever the broadcast starts.
- MSFS Team
Click here to continue reading the Development Update!
If you are playing on PC, outdated packages in your community folder may have an unexpected impact on the title's performance and behavior. If you suffer from stability issues or long loading times, move your community package(s) to another folder before relaunching the title.
General Bug Fixes
- Fixed a scenario in which avionics were not functioning on Xbox Series S and Low/Medium graphics setting on PC
If you are playing on PC, outdated packages in your Community Folder may have an unexpected impact on the title’s performance and behavior.
If you suffer from stability issues or long loading times, move your community package(s) to another folder before relaunching the title.
STABILITY & PERFORMANCE
- Fixed various crashes across the title
- Fixed performance issues at various airports
AIRCRAFT
- Fixed animations and lights on various aircraft
DEVMODE
- Fixed mission which couldn’t be started using the Career Tool
- Fixed DevMode display which could disappear (even if it was enabled) after a mission using the Career Tool or by moving to some menu
SDK
- Fixed NanoVG API issues users encountered on 2020 aircraft avionics
Click here to continue reading Release Notes!
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 update 1.2.7.0 includes the ability to enable/disable Marketplace 2020 ported content on a per-item basis. To ensure that you have full control over your own library, available non-Microsoft ported content is disabled by default so you can choose what to have active in the simulator.
After taking update 1.2.7.0, aircraft that was previously available to select will need to be enabled in My Library to become visible again. More Marketplace 2020 ported content will be made available soon.
Note: Initial loading into Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on Xbox Series X | S may take longer than normal due to the deactivating of Marketplace 2020 ported content.
If you are playing on PC, outdated packages in your Community Folder may have an unexpected impact on the title’s performance and behavior.
If you suffer from stability issues or long loading times, move your community package(s) to another folder before relaunching the title.
STABILITY & PERFORMANCE
- Fixed a crash in audio system occurring sometimes when closing the sim
- Fixed a crash in the FX system
- Fixed a crash that could occur when releasing a lever interaction
- Fixed a crash at the end of scientific research missions
- Reduced memory usage for aircraft gauge textures generated by WASM (reduces amount of out-of-memory crashes on Xbox with WASM-enabled aircraft)
- Fixed a crash which could occur when creating a flight plan in certain airports
- Reduced latency with HTTP requests
- Fixed a potential crash when using the EFB
- Fixed a crash when going to the hardware settings of Tobii Eye Tracker device
- Added a popup to propose launching the sim in Safe Mode in case the title crashed during the previous launch
- Packages from the Community folder, Marketplace, and from MSFS (2020) carry over process are disabled in Safe Mode to allow the sim to boot
- The disabled packages can then be re-enabled manually in My Library
- Fixed a crash on machines with more than 32 logical cores
- Fixed a crash on Xbox in photo mode
- Fixed various other crashes
- Limited the number of passengers inside the plane on Low Settings to limit out-of-memory issues on Xbox Series S
- Added an integrity check on StreamedPackages folder to detect when files are corrupted.
- Changed the CoherentGT frame distribution system and views refresh rate to better match MSFS (2020) behavior
- Reduced the stutter of the game when the panel camera is opened
- Optimized boot time
- Fixed low power mode activating when watching the credits screen
GENERAL BUG FIXES
- Fixed virtual keyboard menu opening twice when backing out of group chat textbox on Xbox
- Fixed windshield effects (backwards compatibility)
- Fixed a camera bug when using the EFB checklist “look at” buttons while being in the menu
- Fixed multiple fade outs when going in/out of aircraft with other players around
- Fixed grey haze at night in very dark environments
- Improved normal textures from MSFS (2020) packages, making them look less flat
- Fixed loading of DDS files used in legacy effects
- Fixed some flow locks when missions restart
- Fixed debug text being displayed on controls screen on first boot
- Fixed an issue where some gamepad icons were present in the photo mode even when using a keyboard
- No modular aircraft (or common part of a modular aircraft) can now have preflight pins
- Fixed generic version of standalone WASM modules trying to be read creating “standalone_generic.wasm failed to access memory” error message
- Props, turbines, and rotors now move on first-party multiplayer aircraft
- Fixed toolbar not being usable in cursor mode while in external view
- Fixed NVIDIA DLSS anti-aliasing noise
- Improved download throttling when a bandwidth limit is set
- Reduced objects popping
- Fixed PartInfo CustomSimvars (Z:) and LocalVars (L:1)
- Fixed mismatched Xbox and PC assistance XML causing G-Effect assist to be off on console
- Fixed missions not showing properly in “Custom Content”
- Fixed Custom Content list not spawning in the right place
- Fixed Custom Content list text displaying on top of scroll mask
- Fixed numbers not displaying correctly with some system formats
- Fixed the scrollbar appearing for a frame when it was not needed before the size of the content was received
- Changed initial trim in Free Flight for MSFS (2020) aircraft - now set back to neutral as was the case in MSFS (2020)
- Fixed integers division in RPN expressions
- Fixed look around step when starting some mission with the mouse
- Added new global var (P:IS CAMERA LOCKED, Bool) to know if the current camera is locked
- Fixed flow being stuck when entering options, market or settings from help page
- Fixed localization bugs
- Fixed intensity of runway lights
- Fixed gliders spawning as passive aircraft
- Fixed long boot times when client time does not match server time
- Fixed Morse sounds being too loud
- Fixed input when running as avatar
- Fixed most detected buildings spawning on parking spots
- Fixed drone camera speed being FPS dependent when it shouldn’t be
- BACKWARDS COMPATIBILITY BUG FIXES
- Fixed Wwise 2019 modulators back-compatibility issue
- The content of the “html_ui” folder is no longer encrypted
- Fixed handling of SimObjects with wrong ATC parking codes (longer than 4 characters)
- Fixed node attachment issue when changing LOD on a model attachment
- Fixed scenery VFX objects not spawning their effect
Click here to continue reading Release Notes!
If you are playing on PC, outdated packages in your community folder may have an unexpected impact on the title's performance and behavior.
If you suffer from stability issues or long loading times, move your community package(s) to another folder before relaunching the title.
Stability & Performance
- Fixed a crash that could occur when navigating fast between the challenges.
- Fixed a crash when trying to adjust Tobii Eye Tracker hardware in the settings menu.
- Fixed various crashes.
General Bug Fixes
- Fixed remaining broken jetways.
- Updated the message asking the player to link the Steam account.
- Fixed unloading/reloading of WASM gauges upon restarting a flight.
SDK
JS API
- Traffic GUID object was broken due to the value being encoded in 64 bits which can not be handled in Javascript. The value is now in 32 bits.
Aircraft
- Fixed impact damage threshold for the contact points of the basket that was causing a back-on-track loop that hardlocked the game for hot air balloon and FlyDOO.
Aircraft Tech
Model behavior
- Fixed a crash when hovering interactions only defining an event_id and a tooltip (backward compatibility with FSX simple interactions).
Flow/Progression
- Fix a bug when leaving flight while in slewmode.
MyLibrary
- Added tags on disabled items to better reflect why they are disabled.
- Added a tag to warn the player if an item has not been verified by the creator.
If you are playing on PC, outdated packages in your community folder may have an unexpected impact on the title's performance and behavior.
If you suffer from stability issues or long loading times, move your community package(s) to another folder before relaunching the title.
Stability & Performance
- Fixed a crash when you selected "As Arrival" in the EFB
- Fixed a crash that could occur when closing and invoking the Camera menu after changing the Drone focus mode option to a value other than undefined
- Fixed various crashes across the title
General Bug Fixes
- Fixed missing cursor on Xbox Live sign-in popup
- Fixed an issue where you could lose focus when creating a new input profile.
- Aircraft selection is accessible via the control menu, but can only be changed from the home page.
- Fixed an issue where you could get stuck when accessing the menu bar from any help page.
We have worked hard with our partners, including Asobo and others, to bring you an amazing sim experience. The excitement for the sim today has been overwhelming, but we encountered an issue with one of our services handling the new systems in the game like career mode and various missions. The server responsible for handling data requests got overloaded, causing delays and errors.
As a result, players are experiencing long loading times and missing content like aircraft. We have solved the issues and are now bringing players in at a steady pace. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience. We will keep you updated on our social channels, forums, and website. Thank you very much for all your feedback and support.