MSFS May Dev Recap: Praetor 600 Update & Rentals Available
The May livestream for MSFS shared development insights, answered community questions, and previewed upcoming releases for MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024
The May developer livestream for Microsoft Flight Simulator, hosted by Senior Community Manager Jane, featured Jorg Neumann (Head of Microsoft Flight Simulator), Sebastien Wloch (CEO, Asobo Studio), and Matt Nischan (Co-founder, Working Title). The stream offered several development insights, addressed community questions, and previewed upcoming features and releases.
Table Of Contents:
Community Q&A: General Topics
MSFS2020 SU16 Changes
Community Q&A: Aircraft and ATC
MSFS 2024 Rentals
Future Development Plans
Conclusion
Community Q&A: General Topics
Multiplayer Liveries (MSFS 2024)
Chris Burnett from Working Title confirmed that multiplayer liveries are returning in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Already implemented in the Sim Update 3 (SU3) beta, this feature mirrors the functionality found in MSFS 2020. He mentioned that community feedback during the beta phase will guide final adjustments.
Improvements to the Control Settings Menu (MSFS 2024)
Sebastien Wloch noted that further refinements to peripheral setup are planned as part of Sim Update 3 (SU3). While some, such as device presets and detection, have been implemented in SU3, the team is particularly interested in feedback from SU3 beta testers to guide improvements.
Since the simulator’s launch in November, excessive VRAM usage has been a major topic of discussion in the MSFS Forums. The Asobo team acknowledged these issues in the stream and assured the community that further optimisations are planned for SU3.
Local content management (MSFS 2024)
A new system for downloading cloud-streamed content, such as scenery and aircraft, is planned for SU3. However, you already have a chance to try it in the current Sim Update 3 Beta. You can read more about the SU3 beta, including details on how to apply to be a tester on FSNews, here.
Focus areas for Sim Update 3 (MSFS 2024)
Jorg Neumann stated that SU3 is focused on stability, bug fixing, and optimisation, while at the moment, work continues on model matching and multiplayer liveries. Compatibility for IniBuilds career mode content is also planned, along with improvements to VR support.
When asked whether the Microsoft Flight Simulator team would come to Flight SimExpo in Rhode Island this year, despite the team’s attendance last year, Jorg replied:
“It’s really wonderful. But this year we are really 100% committed to pushing as hard as we can to address all your feedback in 2024. So we are skipping the show…”
Jorg emphasized that while in-person events like FSExpo are valuable for community engagement, the development team’s current priority is delivering meaningful updates and improvements based on player feedback. He reassured viewers that the absence from FSExpo doesn’t reflect a lack of interest, but rather a focused effort to meet the ambitious goals set for MSFS 2024 this year.
Lionel Fuentes from Asobo confirmed that Sim Update 16 will include significant memory handling improvements on Xbox, preventing certain instances where the game may crash.
World Data & Photogrammetry in MSFS 2020
Lionel went over some of the major changes made to the photogrammetry and Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) in MSFS 2020. It involved a backport of some of the tree masking features seen in MSFS 2024. The team’s overall goal is to unify as many of the features as possible between the 2 simulators to streamline how future updates are implemented across the platforms.
The photos above show how the tree cover masks have been adjusted in SU16 to prevent trees from appearing on cliffs, steep ridges and other places they don’t usually belong.
Based on community feedback, the team has decided to officially change the name of the Microsoft Flight Simulator platform. To avoid confusion, MSFS2020 will now officially be known as ‘Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020)’. The addition of parentheses results from users encountering difficulties in identifying the difference between the sister games. Within the coming weeks, this change will take effect across all MSFS 2020 vendors.
Community Q&A: Aircraft and ATC
ATC & Model Matching
Significant progress has been made in SU2 regarding the ATC model of MSFS 2024, and there is more to come in SU3. The Working Title team is primarily focused on refining the phraseology and language model, with some of these improvements already present in the SU3 Beta and available for community testing. More information on the Sim Update 3 Beta is also available on FSNews.
Chris Burnett mentioned that there will be adjustments made to the model-matching mechanics within MSFS2024. At a glance, this will further refine the system to employ more region-based livery model matching, i.e. you won’t find an Air New Zealand aircraft in Europe when an appropriate substitute livery hasn’t been found. He promises that we should see definite improvements in model matching with the coming of SU3.
With the coming of SU3, the team have decided that all new MSFS 2024 Marketplace aircraft that are uploaded will be individually audited for eligibility to be used in the MSFS 2024 career mode. Chris outlined many of the requirements for aircraft developers, all of which are available in the MSFS 2024 SDK Documentation.
Additionally, the team has been actively working with IniBuilds to implement career mode functionality to all of their MSFS 2024 product line, bringing the much-anticipated heavy-cargo aircraft, such as the Airbus Beluga, to MSFS 2024 career mode.
Rentals Now available (MSFS 2024 Marketplace Only)
Aircraft rentals are now available in the MSFS 2024 Marketplace. This feature allows users to try out an aircraft for a set period for a small fee, enabling them to test it on their own device. Once the trial period ends, users will receive a discount valid for up to 7 days to purchase the aircraft in full.
While not mentioned in the stream, it’s important to note that during the trial period, the aircraft can only be used for missions when playing as an employee. This means you cannot purchase an aircraft for your in-sim company during the trial; it must be bought in full on the marketplace.
Future Development Plans
The Embraer 600 Praetor
The Embraer 600 Praetor, part of the Expert Series, was announced in March 2025 and mentioned by Chris during the stream. He provided the following updates:
“We’re super excited about this aircraft. While the announcement came in March, work with Embaer actually started earlier, and the model is already looking amazing. The Asobo team, led by Benjamin and others, is doing fantastic work on the visuals. There’s tons of detail, from the landing gear to LED lighting and a really well-crafted interior with interactive features…”
“…Another new highlight for 2024 is our custom EFB app built using the MSFS 2024 SDK. This is tailored for the aircraft, offering real-time system monitoring, sensor data, and even the ability to toggle systems, sensors, valves, and more, providing a real Expert Series experience
Gifting
Jorg expressed deep enthusiasm with regard to implementing the ability to gift marketplace items between users. Though this feature is not planned for release in the upcoming Sim Update 3. Jorg said the team will be fully committed to implementing it in the future as they resolve current difficulties and concerns on the backend.
City Update 11
Releasing on the 27th of June, City Update 11 will bring Providence Rhode island into both simulators. The team scanned Rhode Island which is hosting FSExpo in 2025 along with many other cities across North-East USA. This is the 11th city update brought to the platform, and will release for both simulators simultaneously.
The May 2025 developer livestream gave a comprehensive look at what’s next for both MSFS 2020 in SU16 and MSFS 2024. With Sim Update 3 on the horizon, the team is focused on community feedback from the beta testers.
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