With the launch of Microsoft’s latest Flight Simulator, there is quite a lot to be hyped about considering what is in store. Microsoft has partnered with Asobo Studio on this one and promises to provide one of the best possible simulator experiences, humiliating rivals like Laminar Research’s Xplane 11. If you are waiting to get strapped into the pilots’ seat and fly a plane in the detailed world of Flight Simulator 2020, read on to know more about what is in store.
Graphics and Mechanics
What is perhaps the best feature of MFS 2020 is the stunning amount of detail present in the world you fly your plane. According to Microsoft, the rendered world will supposedly contain over 37 thousand airports, 2 trillion trees, 1.5 billion buildings, mountains, roads, rivers, and more, making it virtually indistinguishable from the real world. Chance is you can also notice your house from the sky.
Add to this the real-world traffic patterns, weather, and even animals made possible through Bing satellite data and Microsoft’s Azure AI technology, making it feel more like the real world. Aircraft are also well detailed with realistic and accurate cockpits and interiors.
Microsoft has ensured over 1000 control surfaces per plane, which will allow the physics engine to simulate flight, as realistic as possible. The weather engine can also use real-time weather data to portray the conditions where you are flying your aircraft accurately. You can also switch between any time of the day and follow different flight rules.
Gameplay
In terms of gameplay, MSF 2020 comes with a wide range of difficulty scales from a fully hand-on to a fully assisted control of the aircraft, which is excellent considering those who do not have any prior experience. A checklist option will also allow you to get used to the control systems of different aircraft types and let you get into the air in no time.
Microsoft also announced a partnership with VATISM, a non-profit organization that provides a network of real-time aircraft positions, for those looking for an accurate piloting and ATC experience.
Pricing
Microsoft Flight simulator comes in three versions: Standard, Deluxe, and Premium Deluxe. The difference between the editions involves the number of planes and airports involved. Unlike the procedurally generated ones, the airports included are highly detailed and handcrafted to resemble as much to their real-world counterparts. The versions cost $59.99, $89.99, and $119.99 respectively (INR 3999, 5999 and 7999 ). It is also available on the Xbox Gamepass for PC.
PC Requirements
Making the flight simulator as realistic as possible comes at a cost, though. The official spec list requires a minimum of 150 GB of storage for downloading, which is quite a significant amount. You will also need a PC with a beefy graphics card as the amount of detail in the game needs a lot of power to render. You can refer to this link to find the exact requirements. Also, you will need a network bandwidth between 20–50 Mbps to load the terrain for maps not included in the main download.
The Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 is most certainly a dream come true for those who yearn for the experience of experiencing the world through the pilot’s seat, though you will need to have a good enough computer to run the game. With the upcoming VR and more plans, we are excited to see what’s more in store for what is one of the best flight simulators ever.
Author: Paul Jacob
Poster Credits: Ishan Neogi
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