Everyone loves Microsoft Flight Simulator, right? Fond memories of the 2020 version being released during COVID-19 and people going out to see the world from home. It’s a series that has persisted and has been much loved for decades at this point.
Flight Simulator 2024 was released on 19th November 2024, and as of writing (21st November 2024) it’s still largely unplayable. Not a massive shock in the age of broken releases, I suppose (still, not acceptable). But what’s worse, is that the game itself relies really heavily on constantly streaming data, it’s all running in Microsoft’s own Azure cloud servers.
So the flight simulator relies heavily on the cloud…..seems apt, at least.
Flight Sim 2024 launch day disasters
The lack of pre-release review copies fueled scepticism, which unfortunately proved justified. Sites and journalists haven’t been able to review, not only in advance but post-launch. Which is a disaster no matter which way you spin it.
We always get nervous when there are no review codes pre-release. It’s never a good sign, and Flight Simulator 2024 has been a shining example. Likely to be held as the poster child for this for several years now.
Players eager to take to the skies in flight sim 2024 were met with “login queue” screens and server errors. Even those who managed to get past the initial hurdles encountered frustrating glitches, broken textures, and performance issues.
The cloud gaming conundrum
This disastrous launch raises concerns about the viability of cloud gaming, a technology Microsoft is heavily invested in. If their servers can’t handle players downloading and installing a game, how can they cope with streaming entire games?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is a flagship PC title for Microsoft anyway. How does a company that sells Azure hosting services at an enterprise level to the biggest businesses in the world? Essentially contributing to keeping world economies running. End up not being able to launch their own game?
Yes, Azure data centres are separate from Microsoft Game Studios etc. But surely, this would be the one to land and show the world how it’s done.
The digital ownership debate
Flight Sim 2024 also reignites the debate about digital ownership. When a game requires a constant internet connection and those servers fail, do you truly own the game you purchased?
This stresses me out the most. People are paying for Deluxe editions. But of what? What does anyone get to show for it? No more pre-order steel cases, merch etc. You’re getting digital goods for a game you don’t actually own because it’s all stored online.
Lose your account access. Lose your game. Honestly, this is when Game Pass becomes valuable because there’s no change I’m paying hundreds of pounds for a game I don’t own in any way.
A rocky start
The situation is reminiscent of Cyberpunk 2077‘s troubled launch. While some PC players have managed to play, the widespread issues and negative reviews paint a grim picture. Microsoft needs to address these problems quickly to restore confidence in both Flight Simulator 2024 and its cloud gaming ambitions.
Reminder — if you don’t feel like dropping your hard-earned money on a game you might not be able to play, worry not. Those of you with Xbox Game Pass can play the game through there, without needing to purchase it separately.
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