PMDG recently published a statement on their Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 plans, including potential upgrade fees, the upcoming 777F, and future products.

They claim to have been given access to the new platform, stating it’s a “spectacular platform” with a visual quality never seen before, which gets them excited about what is to come. While singing high praises for MSFS 2024, they are unsure how long it will take to convert their product lineup, let alone gauge the amount of work required.

Hiccups with the new platform are expected, as they have faced with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, and they will be “forgotten in no time once the fixes roll out.” “The team at Asobo has incredible depth of skill and energy and they will come through”, concluded Randazzo.

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Most of their development team is already running the new simulator. However, they have been unable to prove cross-compatibility with their MSFS2020 lineup, which is said not to be a surprise to them, nor unexpected. In other words, they do not yet have a clear picture of the state of their products against the new platform.

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Compatibility-wise, Microsoft has been contacting PMDG to address minor issues with their 737 lineup, which Randazzo assumes has to do with their testing effort to ensure near-flawless cross-compatibility between the two platforms.

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From the release of MSFS 2024 onwards, their products will fall into three categories: MSFS2020 only, MSFS2020/24, and MSFS 2024 only. The former means the product won’t function in 2024, the middle will mean it will load in the new simulator, albeit without any 2024-specific features, and the latter means it will only work in the new platform (747-400 and 747 Classic Whale, for example).

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On whether their current product lineup will be updated to include MSFS 2024 features, Randazzo has said they plan on it, but they are still evaluating the SDK and how much work will need to be carried on for that to happen reasonably. 

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Their provided list sheds some light on which of their add-ons will get special treatment: the 737, 77W, and all future products. The DC-6, on the other hand, might not get upgraded at all. 

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While the 77W feature upgrade will be charged, Randazzo promises a small fee or none at all. The 737 lineup will get a modest upgrade charge, as it’s said to be receiving a significant upgrade.

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The 777F, rumored to be released in late October, is waiting on MSFS 2024 for compatibility testing. Their current plan is to release it for both platforms at no extra charge, but the “option is on the table” to not release it for 2020 at all in exchange for greater features—and increased development time—and platform singularity.

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They will continue to support their MSFS 2020 product lineup, but their long-term strategy is to move all new development to the new simulator, meaning MSFS 2020 might not see any new releases.

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PMDG’s product lineup is available on PMDG.com, ranging from $34.99 to $74.99.
Stay tuned to Threshold for more flight simulation news!

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