While Microsoft Flight Simulator has always been a big hit with flying enthusiasts, its giant install size has always been something that gamers have had issues with. Now, considering how ultra realistic the game’s aerial maps are, the file size is justified, but when you have to delete multiple games from your drive just to feed your addiction to taking flight…it hurts.
Thankfully, this might not be as big of a problem anymore as the simulator’s latest update has optimized the game’s over 170 GB install size, and brought it down to a more reasonable 83 GB.
The update’s patch notes reveal no details on how Microsoft achieved this except for, “we performed some optimization for the initial full download of the title.”
However, the overall language of the patch notes suggests the codebase has been made more efficient, which shows in the lengthy patch notes’ mention of fixes and tweaks like “reduced weather data bandwidth.”
Additionally, a couple of minor features like a visual effects editor have also made their way to the game through this update.
This reduction of install size is timely as an Xbox Series X/S port for the game is on the way. So, for console players who wish to keep Flight Simulator and games like Call of Duty: Warzone, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Gears 5 installed together, this is good news.
Speaking of the Xbox port, the update also adds new documentation that relates to the upcoming console version.
The Software Development Kit now lists some best practices that devs can undertake to help adapt their add-ons for use on Xbox, along with some samples to illustrate model optimization. However, there is still no official update on when the port itself will be released.
While players should be rightfully pleased with this much needed reduction, there are also some issues born from the patch that they should be wary of.
Firstly, community folder packages that haven’t been updated could adversely affect the game’s stability and load times, and Microsoft recommends moving them to another folder if that’s the case.
Secondly, Flight Simulator is crashing when exiting VR and, according to the patch notes, OpenXR preview runtime (v106) may be involved. So, players who experience this problem have to revert to the official public runtime (v105) to resolve it.
About Microsoft Flight Simulator
Developed by Asobo Studio, Microsoft Flight Simulator is an Amateur Flight Simulation game available for Microsoft Windows. It will also be launched later for platforms like Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.
By utilizing intricate topographic data from Bing Maps along with real time weather forecasts, one will surely be flummoxed by setting eyes upon the game’s phenomenal optic spectacle. Its almost unjustified to call this masterpiece a simulator when its life-like realistic. From incorporating snow-bested mountain range to clamoring towns and cities, almost every little detail of this gem is breathtaking.
Not only are the graphics authentic, its gameplay too is hair-splitting and diligent. From take off and landing to engine inspection; Everything should be looked into with perfection. One will have to get used to the physics of the game along with figuring out how to travel by utilizing VFR navigation.
Innumerable challenges, dares and missions are also incorporated in order to further spice things up along with a worldwide leaderboard to see and compare the progress of countless other pilots.
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