Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024: Addressing a Turbulent Launch
The launch of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 faced significant challenges, prompting an official response from the development team. Jorg Neumann and Sebastian Wloch, heads of the project, addressed player concerns in a YouTube video.
Unexpected Demand Overwhelms Servers
The initial issues stemmed from an unexpectedly high number of players simultaneously accessing the game's servers. The game's data retrieval system, while tested with 200,000 simulated users, was overwhelmed by the actual player count, causing server instability and data access problems. Neumann stated that the infrastructure was "overwhelmed."
Login Queues and Missing Content
Attempts to mitigate the problem by increasing queue capacity and speed proved temporary. The underlying issue was identified as server saturation causing repeated service restarts and retries, resulting in extended loading times and, in some cases, the game freezing at 97% loading. The missing aircraft and other content issues were directly attributed to this server overload and incomplete data delivery.
Negative Steam Reviews
The launch problems have led to a significant number of negative reviews on Steam, reflecting player frustration with long login queues and missing in-game content. The game currently holds a "Mostly Negative" rating on the platform.
Ongoing Resolution Efforts
Despite the negative reception, the development team assures players that they are actively working to resolve the issues. The Steam page now indicates that the problems have been addressed, and player access is being managed to maintain stability. A formal apology has been issued, along with a promise of continued updates through official channels.
