As the release date for FS24 approaches, let’s look back at the quality of add-ons FS2020 has received since its release 4 years ago. The base simulator offered a gateway into the latest level of detail and quality. However, developers soon began working to improve the quality of the base aircraft and scenery. In addition, plugins followed to improve many aspects of the simulator. 

Moving forward to FS24, recently we have seen trailers of what we can expect from the simulator. Nothing too in-depth but the overall simulator quality was showcased and it looks to be a major upgrade from 2020. In addition, the level of base-aircraft quality could be improved with the help of the InIBuilds developments team. 

On the topic of aircraft, let's look back at what developments we have seen since the release of MSFS 2020. Soon after MSFS 2020 was released, a development team called FlyByWire started to build an improved version of base A320 NEO. The freeware aircraft modification began to grow and soon included a custom EFB, CPDLC and retextured flight deck. Although the base A320 NEO held a good level of quality, the community soon appreciated the increased quality (and realism) the modification brought. WorkingTitle was another aircraft modification developer that transformed the base CJ4 as well as the GTN 750. Aerosoft followed along around a year after release with their CRJ entering the sim. Having previously been in P3D and FSX, the team brought one of the first aftermarket airliners to the sim. This may have set the path for other developers to move aircraft across from other simulators. The popular developer PMDG began development in the sim with their first aircraft being the DC6. This acted as a base for development in the sim and the announcement of the 737 series followed on.

Arguably one of the biggest aircraft to reach the sim was the Fenix Simulations A320. It brought game changing features and quality to the Sim, setting the bar high in terms of price to quality ratio. This level of quality in a add-on may act as a positive for the community going into FS24 as it forces other developers to increase quality to keep up with competition. 

It is fair to say that aircraft modifications will follow soon after release of FS24. However, the quality-level has never been set so high, I expect to see fully-functional VNAV, FMS and potentially CPDLC for some stock aircraft and most aftermarket aircraft.

X-Plane 11 was the first sim to receive high-quality freeware sceneries, Developers released sceneries for the community for free, breaking the price barrier that comes with detailed sceneries. However, it is reasonable to say that MSFS 2020 wiped the floor by developing good-quality, third-party freeware scenery. 

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Users can find many sceneries that are comparable with payware quality online. The sim also came with some upgraded sceneries, providing Custom 3D modelling and textures, upgraded ground lighting and more. However, developers began to bring top-notch scenery. Pyreegue’s Edinburgh rendition was one of the first to bring custom-modelled people into the terminal interior as well as a custom-lit ATC tower.

Another scenery addition was the third-party mesh, Orbx released international mesh packages to improve the landscape definition and detail. This is something that MSFS built over time with their World Updates, but from the previews seen, FS24 may include a more refined landscape mesh.

Weather plugins were something that didn’t strike the market in MSFS2020 as well as in previous sims. The default atmosphere and clouds were enough to please a lot of users and it offered a real-time weather sync that worked on Networks e.g. Vatsim. We did however see REX Weather Force enter the sim, bringing new clouds and sky textures. This helped improve the overall appearance of the sim. I am sure moving forward into FS24, Microsoft will have developed a more advanced weather engine for the sim as it plays such a vital role in the sim. 

Simmers were soon pleased when Navigraph integration became available, we first started to see a full implementation into WorkingTitle CJ4 and GTN750; Allowing full emersion in chart operation. A simple pushback tool soon became available for the sim, allowing ease when leaving the apron. This is something that could be improved moving into FS24. However, users were happy when GSX announced the development and brought the fully animated ground handing to the sim. Although the default sim offered a ground handling service, 3D-animated passengers and crew were something that could only be found with GSX. Maybe a full overhaul of the Groundservices is something FS24 could bring or simulators following onwards.

Overall, MSFS 2020 has opened the door to many new developments in the flight sim community. As we close a chapter on MSFS 2020, I can see many developers transferring products across the FS24 as well as utilising new tools that the sim will bring. In terms of aircraft, the quality of base aircraft will see an improvement with the partnership with InIbuilds. As well as third-party developers bringing aircraft across soon after release. It is fair to say that MSFS2020 was a game changer in terms of the quality of a flight sim, I think it paved a perfect path for FS24 and has allowed devs to see what works and what doesn’t going forward. 

That's a wrap on MSFS2020, We thank you for staying tuned to Threshold during the MSFS2020 era. It is not over just yet and we will make sure to keep you in the loop with all things FS24 when it is released! In the meantime, make sure to join our Discord.