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Microsoft held its April developer live stream via their YouTube channel this past week. During this live stream, more details about the much anticipated Sim Update 15 were shared. This update brings performance and stability changes for both Xbox and PC users and much more. The G3X avionics and IniBuilds A320neo were also given new details, launching with SU15 at the beginning of May. The panel also revealed the upcoming Cities Update VII with overhauls to some European cities and the new Local Legend XVI by IniBuilds.
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Sim Update 15 Overview
Sim Update 15 was initially scheduled to be released in March, but it got postponed to April. The developers have confirmed that they need one more week of development before it can be released in the coming weeks. The delays for this update are due to the amount of changes coming to MSFS. Over 200 changes are included in the change list according to Sebastian Wloch, CEO of Asobo. This will be the last Sim Update before the launch of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. However, it won’t be the final Sim Update for MSFS. Sim Update 16 is the next one, coming in early 2025.
The upcoming SU15 brings several important changes, including fixes to stability and performance issues. This update will include bug and crash fixes that will enhance the overall stability of the simulator. Additionally, the GDK will be updated to allow for more memory usage for Xbox Series S users, which will help prevent issues like black avionics and crashes. For PC users, the memory system will be changed to improve the simulator’s performance. Debug mode will now feature enhanced visualization of memory usage, allowing users to monitor memory usage more effectively.
Other features to help improve the experience in the simulator are:
- Snow coverage fixes
- ATC bug fixes
- Live traffic and his livery system improved
- Helicopter improvements
- Gear ground physics improved
G3X Avionics from Working Title
Charles Wang from Working Title gave during the live stream more details about the features coming with the updated G3X avionics. Some PFD features were showcased like the Standard Rate Turn Pointers to help when hand-flying the aircraft. Also, navigation data can be displayed in the PFD like your flight plan and nearest airports.
Other displays available in the G3X are the lean assist and fuel calculator to help the pilot have better fuel economy and manage the amount of fuel remaining in the aircraft. The airport information display will provide weather and runway information in the selected airport to help choose a runway for arrival. For flight planning, you can load a VFR version of an approach procedure to follow. This VFR version limits the amount of information compared to an IFR approach. However, the G3X can be fed IFR approaches with an external navigator.
These were all the features presented in the live stream for the G3X. No videos in the actual simulator were shared of these new avionics. Charles Wang confirmed that three aircraft will have these upgrades and hopes third-party developers will include the updated G3X.
City Update VII: European Cities II
During the live stream, the developers confirmed that this was originally going to be World Update XVII: Brazil. Due to issues, they pushed back to July this World Update according to the roadmap. Instead, they announced Cities Update VII, focusing on European cities with a larger photogrammetry coverage. All cities coming with this update were shown in screenshots taken from the simulator. The cities receiving an overhaul this time are:
- Barcelona
- Madrid
- Nice
- Monte Carlo
- Porto
- Stockholm
Local Legend XVI: Short SC.7 Skyvan
A new entry in the Local Legends was revealed during the presentation. This time we are introduced to the “Flying Shoebox”. The Short SC.7 Skyvan is a British-manufactured plane that debuted in 1963. Only 143 planes were manufactured by Short Brothers and it was mainly used by military operators worldwide.
IniBuilds is in charge of developing the aircraft. Michael Standen from IniBuilds gave a demonstration of this aircraft during the presentation. Showcasing the aircraft’s model and cockpit inside the simulator. This aircraft will be released alongside Cities Update VII on May 28th.
Extra Features From the Presentation and Closing Notes
During the presentation, multiple questions were answered regarding issues like technology from users, world and weather, and much more… A new update to shallow water in the simulator will arrive in SU15. These new textures will be high-fidelity to have more realistic-looking shallow waters. On the marketplace side, new partners are being accepted into the store with multiple applications waiting to be approved. At the end of the presentation, it was revealed that the Top Gun: Maverik add-on will be leaving the store on May 25th.
To conclude the development update, two new aircraft were revealed for MSFS 2024. The Airbus Beluga and A400M previously shown in the reveal trailer for the new simulator are being developed by IniBuilds according to the presentation.
This was the April development update for MSFS. You can check all the changes in the live stream and on the MSFS web page. You can also learn more about SU15 from previous developer updates in Jean and Mustafa’s articles.
