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Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is being released on November 19 this year, and it will have a drastically smaller install size than the previous game in the series.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 will have an installation size of just 30GB. This is a significant drop in size, as the current version of the game, released in 2020, requires more than 130GB of storage for just the base version. If a player chooses to download additional aircraft or install world updates, the installation size can sometimes exceed 200GB.
The developers have used cloud streaming technology to reduce the game’s file size. With this technology, the content that appears in the game will be accessed remotely, which will minimize the storage used on the player’s PC or console. Highly detailed areas, which typically consume the most storage, will no longer be directly installed on the player’s device. Instead, only the details relevant to the player’s current flight path will be streamed to their device. This eliminates the need for devices to store detailed data about parts of the world the player isn’t interacting with.
The reduction in file size will especially benefit players using the Xbox Series S, which has only 364GB of storage. They will now be able to install other games on the device instead of seeing one game take up most of the storage.
While the reduction in installation size is highly anticipated, the RAM requirements for the upcoming game might pose a challenge for some players. The minimum RAM requirement to run Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is 16GB, which is reasonable. However, the recommended requirement is 32GB, and the ideal RAM availability for optimal performance is set at 64GB. This is a big number, as most gamers don’t typically have a PC equipped with 64GB of RAM.
New Aircraft in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 will feature a variety of new aircraft, including the Boeing 747-400 LCF Dreamlifter, the 737 Max 8, 787, 747-8i, and many more. The game will also introduce hot air balloons powered by realistic soft-body simulations. Players will need to use the burner to inflate the balloon and gain altitude.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is available for pre-order on the Microsoft Store, with prices ranging from $69.99 to $199.99, depending on the number of planes and airports. The standard edition of the game will also be available through Xbox Game Pass on the game’s launch day—November 19.
