Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 faced significant challenges upon its release on November 19, following the series’ successful return in 2020. Players experienced frustrating technical issues, including long loading times that rendered the game nearly unplayable, leading to a backlash on Steam with a dismal 16% recommendation rating. Despite initial turbulence, Microsoft and Asobo worked to resolve these problems, eventually allowing players to enjoy their flight experience.
Microsoft Flight Simulator Faces Turbulence on Its Journey
In August 2020, the Flight Simulator series made a triumphant return after a lengthy hiatus of fourteen years, thanks to the outstanding efforts of the French studio Asobo. While critics praised this revival, player reactions were somewhat mixed. This successful comeback undoubtedly fueled Microsoft’s ambitions, leading to an announcement during the Xbox Game Showcase conference last June, where a new installment of Flight Simulator was unveiled with much fanfare.
For aviation enthusiasts, the countdown began for a scheduled launch on November 19. However, rather than a smooth ascent, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 encountered significant turbulence right at the start. Despite a promising launch plan, which included availability on Xbox Series X/S and PC, as well as through Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, the title struggled to lift off properly. Players, eager to experience the skies, quickly voiced their frustrations.
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Launch Day Disruptions on Steam
Much like a real-life flight gone awry, many players faced a daunting experience. For some, the journey with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 was abruptly halted due to significant technical issues. Players encountered “unusually long” loading times, as indicated by the frustrating messages displayed on their screens. This rendered the game virtually unplayable, leading to mounting dissatisfaction as gamers were left staring at a progress bar stuck at 97%. Frustration quickly bubbled over, prompting players to share their grievances on Steam.
In response to the launch troubles, both Microsoft and Asobo took to social media, assuring the community they were actively addressing the issues and offered some tips to help alleviate the situation. However, the damage was done, as players had already begun voicing their displeasure. Currently, there are over 2,600 reviews on Valve’s platform, with players expressing their discontent. This backlash resulted in the latest installment of Flight Simulator receiving a dismal recommendation rating of just 16%, categorizing it as “extremely negative” based on user feedback.
Fortunately, the wait for a smooth flight experience in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 didn’t last long. After a rocky start, the technical issues that plagued the game appear to have been resolved, allowing players to finally take to the skies!