Is Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) better now?

Hi folks -

When MS Flight Simulator (2020) was first released to the public, I thought it was basically unplayable.
Frighteningly slow and buggy at best.

Any *real* improvement without using a supercomputer?

Thanks.

I don't understand how Microsoft can release a product like that.

It boggles my mind.

It needs a lot of powerful hardware and a fast connection as you get realtime actual gps and imagery from the 'game'.

swarfega said:

It needs a lot of powerful hardware and a fast connection as you get realtime actual gps and imagery from the 'game'.

I recently purchased an Alienware Aurora R11 to play Warzone and it plays FS2020 with no issues.

Nice looking machine.

@Compumind MFS2020 runs on an older DX11 API right now. There will most likely be significant improvements in performance later (next year maybe?) when they move over to a low-level DX12 version. Currently the game is heldback by a limited game engine that doesn't utilize proper c/t's, PCIe/NVMe drives etc. It's also very demanding, but even the best-of-the-best machines today doesn't even fully utilize this game. It's practically the same performance on hardware 2 years ago because the cards are being held back by the game.

MS Flight Simulator 2020, as of today has had a number of updates. It isn't the same as it was when released (3 months ago?). One was a people driven update of Japan..... It's a beautiful country and MSFS wasn't doing it justice

My system, although I originally hadn't MSFS in mind when I bought it, does Okay running it.... Usually running a High graphics setting unless I'm doing something fast & crazy like buzzing downtown Vegas, where just knocking the Graphics back to Medium does the trick. Normally I get framerates around 28FPS or so, even with a marginal Graphics Card

Big issues would be not having an SSD.... loading times are extremely slow. Time enough to cook dinner or take a shower. No, NOT exaggerating and speaking from experience

It's a HUGE simulation so the recommended 16 GB of RAM is really more a minimum, 32 GB or more really is noticably better

Memory Rule for games: You can never have too much

Disk space is critical..... They aren't exaggerating 150 GB.... I have the minimum (Basic) package and it runs at slightly over 100 GB

A good Flight Control System is a must (Fancy-schmancy joystick with many buttons).... especially if you want to buzz Downlown Vegas or the St Louise Arch. The demand for FCS sticks has gone way up, I bought my Thrustmaster used at $66 and latest I saw they are running at over $140 used, only 2 months later

Overall, MSFS has ran well for me. Would suggest getting on Microsoft Flight Simulator Forums if you are having difficulties

Here's the system specs from the MSFS Website

Thanks to all for the comments!