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Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020
- Thread starter jsavvy
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Given that many computers struggle to run the game at decent settings, I am blown away by how smooth it looks on Series X at 4k with ray traced reflections.
If a game has the word simulator in the name then it has to life up to expectations.
Here is a list of peripherals that MS recommends for Flight Simulator. I would expect the Xbox version to support these. Given that some users will have multiple peripherals connected including Keyboard and mouse, I hope that Microsoft will list xbox compatible USB hubs.
Microsoft will likely run a one month closed beta for the game on xbox in late spring or early summer to let the public find the last couple of bugs or peripheral compatability issues.
The sim is generally limited by CPU, and Series X/S both have strong CPUs. I don't see any evidence of ray tracing in the video, though. It's not in the PC version yet, and when it is I expect it to be only for making the cockpit look nicer. The reflections in Sydney at around 44s in the video look similar to what you currently get on PC at ultra settings.
That list is all the controllers that have a built-in preset on PC. So when you plug one of those in, you get a ready mapped setup and a little picture of the controller.
You still have to calibrate all but one of those controllers first, so unless they build a utility for that into the sim then you'd need a PC. Once that's done, they're HID compliant and could technically be used anywhere, since the game would see axis 1, axis 2, button 20, button 43, etc. But they're never allowed to work like that on consoles, for various reasons.
I hope they find a way around it, because a flight sim where you can only use the officially licensed Logitech/Thrustmaster controller would be a bit limiting. There are some amazing flight sim peripherals available.
On the 747, the reflections on the wings and horizontal stabilisers look more generous than what I anticipated.
You are right, with SIM games, the devil is in the details. Mapping and calibrations features/limitations can be deal breaking.
Given that the Series X can run Spotify in the background of games and even allow users to unlock DTS:X and Atmos through apps, a utility app for Flight simulator be possible.
It's not until simulator enthusiasts have throughly tested the games on Xbox, until we will learn where MS will have drawn the line.
It already has some incredible lighting, and the planes and environment all have self-shadowing and reflective surfaces. Lights from some of the brighter instruments already shine on other surfaces in the cockpit. It's hard to imagine how it can look much better with ray tracing (but I'm sure it will).
Here's a couple of shots of a 747 flying dangerously over Sydney at different times of day and weather. You can see that in the one with glassy water it's similar to the Xbox trailer, and the surfaces have some nice shadows and highlights from the sun.
I know that Honeycomb Aeronautical is releasing an updated Alpha yoke that will have xbox buttons in addition to the normal buttons. This will also allow you to attach a bravo (throttle) and charlie (rudder pedals) thru them so everything with work with the xbox. In addition, they have announced a foxtrot (stick/throttle in one) and a foxtrot alpha (Separate throttle/stick in hotas configuration.)
The part that sucks for current alpha owners is that the existing Alpha yoke is not xbox compatible. You have to purchase the updated version, for another $250.....
I wish there was some sort of upgrade program offered for existing alpha owners, but I haven't heard anything about now (nor do I expect to.)
I noticed one more thing. When this was originally announced, it was for both the xbox one/one X and the new xbox series x/s. Now it looks like they are only releasing it for next gen (current gen I guess depending on your point of view) consoles. I may have to upgrade sooner than I was planning on.
That's a nice option to have, the PC versions are selling for a large markup on Ebay. Flight Simulator has created a global HOTAS shortage.
Sounds like controllers will have to be Xbox certified in order to work, so any existing setup or second-hand stuff is off the menu. A shame, but not exactly unexpected.
My word FS2020 really looks amazing... 
I am an avid lover of X-Plane 11... I got a huge, huge number of add-ons, including the whole world in orthophoto, where "interesting areas" are in ZL 16 or higher. U massive number of payware airports, airplanes... pedals, throttle and joystick, and a 49" ultra-wide 3840 x 1080.. all hooked to my 2017 iMac | 32 GB RAM | Radeon 580 8 GB VRAM.
Running on macOS Big Sur, I try to avoid Windows.
I got X-Plane looking as good as it can (which surely is nice!!) but, FS2020 does look better..
BTW, both these SIMs seem CPU-limited when you have a pretty decent card.
I do understand X-Plane will be developing for Apple Silicon... and considering the power of the next gen M-series I am sincerely hoping for X-Plane (12?) to be ahead again, when it can make use of the raw power of M-seriesBMW Apple.
I am an avid lover of X-Plane 11... I got a huge, huge number of add-ons, including the whole world in orthophoto, where "interesting areas" are in ZL 16 or higher. U massive number of payware airports, airplanes... pedals, throttle and joystick, and a 49" ultra-wide 3840 x 1080.. all hooked to my 2017 iMac | 32 GB RAM | Radeon 580 8 GB VRAM.
Running on macOS Big Sur, I try to avoid Windows.
I got X-Plane looking as good as it can (which surely is nice!!) but, FS2020 does look better..
BTW, both these SIMs seem CPU-limited when you have a pretty decent card.
I do understand X-Plane will be developing for Apple Silicon... and considering the power of the next gen M-series I am sincerely hoping for X-Plane (12?) to be ahead again, when it can make use of the raw power of M-series
I wounder if the Xbox version will be as good as the PC version. I really don't want to build or spend the money on a windows box to fly MSFS 2020. I'm a big fan of X-plane but I love the view in MSFS 2020 so I'd like to run both. I ran the beta od MSFS 2020 on my 2019 iMac i9 but the machine would get too hot and shutdown. I not sure if it was overheating because of the beta not being fully finshed.
I’m betting it will be, since the new XBox Series X is essentially as powerful as a mid-range PC.
It's going to depend on how well the dx12 version is optimized. I'm hoping for something special. I mean, I have a pretty beefy pc and it still struggles with the game depending where you are, what you're flying, and altitude.