Less than two months after the launch of the game, the team behind Microsoft Flight Simulator has revealed a major free update. This is the first in a series of staggered free and for-pay upgrades. The World Update focuses on Japan and will be releasing on 29th September 2020. The announcement came from Microsoft on Thursday, 24th September 2020 during the Tokyo Game Show Online.
The game uses satellite, photographic, and other publicly and privately available data sets to recreate the entire planet for players to fly over. Prior to the game’s launch on 18th August 2020, developers at Asobo Studio and Xbox Game Studios explained their post-launch roadmap to the media in a private briefing. After buttoning up the game’s virtual reality systems, the next step will be to release the first World Update. These updates would allow the developers to revisit a discrete portion of the globe and clear the place up a bit. But it was not clear at that time as to on what scale or how regularly those updates would be made.
With the announcement of World Update 1: Japan, we now know that it is possible for the developers to update the look and feel of an entire country.
What All Features Will The Microsoft Flight Simulator’s World Update Include?
Jeremy Hinton, Head of Xbox Asia said that the update includes an upgraded digital elevation map across the entire country, high-resolution 3D photogrammetry for six prominent Japanese cities namely Sendai, Takamatsu, Tokushima, Tokyo, Utsunomiya, and Yokohama. It also features six handcrafted local airports namely Hachijojima, Kerama, Kushiro, Nagasaki, Shimojishima, and Suwanosejima. It will also introduce new Landing Challenges set at airports across Japan.
These changes will not only adjust the look and feel of the built-up areas of Japan but will smooth out any inappropriateness in the countryside as well. As a result, realistic terrain at all altitudes can be expected. The trailer for the first World Update shows dozens of new buildings, locations, and points of interest throughout Japan. The list includes cultural sites, such as Himeji Castle and the famous floating torii gate. It also includes airports and urban centers. It will be great for players who are eager for some virtual travel.
The team will announce its first paid downloadable content after the sim update. Nothing beyond the Japan update has been announced as of yet. But the developers have a lot in mind. As they are treating Microsoft Flight Simulator as a platform for the next decade.
The game at present is available only on Windows PC. Players can purchase it or access it through the Xbox Game Pass for PC subscription service.
