Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is getting ready for release. If nothing unexpected happens, we should see it on November 19. The legendary flight simulator will offer the opportunity to explore the world from above in incredible detail. But watch out! Although the new version will take significantly less storage space, it will have one major drawback for some players – huge data consumption.
One of the biggest changes from the previous 2020 release is the reduction in installation size. While Flight Simulator 2020 with free DLCs took up to 500 GB of disk space without any problems, the new title got by with only 9 GB during tests, and the full version of the game is supposed to be around 30 GB. Result? Players will be able to launch the game faster and do not need as much storage space. But this reduction in size comes at the cost of an increased load on the Internet connection.
The game needs at least 50 Mbps
The new version of MFSF 2024 moves a large part of the graphics data to the cloud, which means that all the details of the landscape, cities and mountains will be downloaded in real time. And that has considerable consequences. When flying over densely populated areas the game can download data at speeds up to 180 Mb/swhich corresponds to approximately 81 GB for one hour of play.
High bandwidth requirements can be a big problem for players who don’t have a fast enough or unlimited connection. Fortunately, in the Czech Republic, most providers of a fixed Internet connection offer an unlimited limit on transferred data, but when connecting via mobile data, players can easily find themselves in a situation where the data package will not be enough for them.
Even if you will have unlimited internet, the connection speed can be another problem. The game recommends a minimum speed of 100 Mbpsbut once you start approaching large cities with a lot of detail or other densely mapped areas, speeds up to 180 Mbps may be needed. If your connection does not support this speed, you may experience slowdowns or dropouts in data loading. Conversely, in some less demanding areas, data consumption can drop to 10 Mb/s.
On the other hand, reducing the size of the installation file has its advantages. It allows the game to start faster and eliminates the need to have a hard disk with a large capacity. In practice, this means that even players with smaller drives will be able to play without worrying about the game not fitting into their storage.
Moving to the cloud is a trend
The shift to a greater reliance on cloud streaming is likely a harbinger of things to come in the gaming world. Instead of players having to download tens or hundreds of gigabytes of data at once, games will switch to a system where content is downloaded gradually, as needed. This will ease the hardware requirements, but on the other hand it will shift the load to the internet connection.
Even before the official release of Flight Simulator 2024, the Asobo Studio development team performs optimizations with the aim of reducing data transfer requirements. It will be possible to adjust the quality of graphics and landscape details in the game, which could reduce the amount of downloaded data. However, we assume that even at the lowest settings, the game will not be very gentle on the Internet connection.
With the rise of cloud gaming and streaming data gaming environments, we can expect that the demands on internet connection will increase in the coming years. The developers are trying to balance the load on the hardware and data connection, but for players who live in areas with slower or limited connectivity options, this change can be annoying.
Resources: winbuzzer.com, techspot.com, pcgamesn.com.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024: A Beautiful, Data-Hungry Sky!
So, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is fluttering its wings and getting ready for take-off on November 19. It promises to let you explore the entire world from the comfort of your own home. Brilliant, isn’t it? Just make sure your Wi-Fi isn’t on life support, or you might find the only thing taking off is your data plan!
Size Matters… But Not Just Storage!
Let’s cut straight to the chase. The past version—Flight Simulator 2020—was a bit like a clingy girlfriend: it took up all your space, hogging a whopping 500 GB of your hard drive. The new version, however? Just 30 GB! That’s less than some people’s hoarding habits on their phones. But hold your horses; while it might seem like a dream, there’s a catch, or as I like to call it, the “cloud clause.”
This Ain’t Your Grandma’s Internet Connection!
The skies may be less crowded in terms of storage, but get ready to watch your data consumption skyrocket! The game will need a minimum Internet speed of 100 Mbps, but as you swoop and soar over cities, speeds could peak at 180 Mbps. This translates to around 81 GB of data for just an hour of gameplay. Yikes! That’s enough data to stream a season of your favorite show… or three.
And if you’re not blessed with a high-speed connection? Well, you might as well grab a book, because lagging will become your new in-flight entertainment!
The Bandwidth Balancing Act
Czech players might be in luck—most providers there have unlimited plans. However, if you’re playing on mobile data, it’s like trying to put a giraffe in a Mini Cooper—good luck fitting that data plan into a tiny package!
And let’s talk about graphics. Sure, you can adjust those settings, but even at the lowest quality, you’ll still be stretching your Internet like a rubber band. So, prepare for either a pixelated paradise or a ballet of buffering. Both have their merits, but one will keep you more on your toes—especially if you find yourself diving into a detailed cityscape!
Cloud Gaming: Here to Stay
Microsoft isn’t just flying blind here—the shift to cloud reliance is the new trend, much like how everyone suddenly became obsessed with kale. Instead of downloading an entire game at once, content will trickle in, much like your new weekly obsession of watching *Love Is Blind*—it’s just never-ending!
This will lighten the load on your hardware, but brace yourself for what’s about to land on your data plan. The developers are trying their best to optimize and reduce data transfer, but let’s face it: you won’t be out of the woods just yet, especially when you decide to fly across new landscapes.
Conclusion: A Flight for the Brave
In conclusion, while Flight Simulator 2024 may allow you to soar high and experience the world, your internet connection may very well turn it into a turbulent affair. So, stock up on that Wi-Fi, and if you find yourself downing cans of energy drinks next to your router, just remember – this is the future of gaming. What could possibly go wrong?
Sources: WinBuzzer, TechSpot, PCGamesN.