September 30th, 2021 - Development Update

[ChaoticBeauty 6,692]

SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2021 DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

Posted by: Microsoft Flight Simulator Team

Screenshot by bsbrunacci

 

We are kicking off our next flighting opportunity (Pre-release Testing) for Sim Update 6! This will be on a first-come-first-served basis and sign-ups will open tomorrow, October 1st at 5 am PT/8am ET (1200Z). We are looking for simmers to test on all three platforms: PC, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X. Limited space is available on each platform. This opportunity is open to Microsoft Store sim users only.

Sim Update 6 will mostly include bug fixes and our goal is to test the performance and stability of the sim across all platforms. Feedback will be gathered using Windows Feedback Hub (PC) and the “Report a Problem” feature on Xbox. This flight will be under NDA and any reports should be through the apps above and not through the forums, social media, and other avenues.

Reporting with Windows Feedback Hub (PC):

• Be sure you are logged in with your flight associated GamerTag
• For the category select “Apps” and then “Microsoft Flight Simulator”

Reporting with Windows Feedback Hub (PC):

•  If the bundle is not installed, you may need to manually install the “Report a Problem” app if you are not seeing the “Report a Problem” button when pressing and holding guide.
• Select Category “Games” and Sub-Category “Microsoft Flight Simulator”

When registration is open to sign up on October 1st, please follow these directions:

1. On your Windows 10 device, launch the Xbox Insider Hub.
2. Navigate to Previews > Microsoft Flight Simulator.
3. Select Join.
4. You will receive a notification letting you know that the test is full and there are no more available spots for this test if all spots have been filled. If you DO NOT receive the above message then you are in the test! An update for Microsoft Flight Simulator will become available for you on October 6th and can be downloaded through the Store app. This update must be installed to access the test. Please keep in mind that you may have to re-install the sim on your PC if you do not have your sim content located on a custom path.
5. Be sure to review the NDA here.

After sign ups are complete tomorrow, testing will begin October 6th. Thank you for helping us improve our sim, and we look forward to Sim Update 6!

– The MSFS team

 

DEVELOPMENT ROADMAP

Click here for the web-friendly version.

 

FEEDBACK SNAPSHOT

Click here for the web-friendly version. To learn more about Accessibility in Microsoft Flight Simulator, click here.

KEY
SU = Sim Update (6, 7, etc.)	WU = World Update
ASAP = As Soon as Possible	TBD =To Be Determined
Several Releases = Fixes will come over a series of updates
Ongoing Fixes = An item we will continually be working on
Planned = Scheduled to be worked on
Under Investigation = The team is currently looking into this issue
Not Planned = We will likely not work on this
Not Started = We have not begun investigation on this yet
Started = Development work as started on this item

 

 

COMMUNITY TRIAGE UPDATE

Click here to see our Known Issues list.

• Avionics turning black during flight – Our QA team has been investigating this issue and we are looking at multiple root causes. We will reach out in the this forum post if we need any further information.
• Multiplayer aircraft disappearing/reappearing during flight – Under investigation. We may reach out on this thread if we need further info while investigating.

 

SDK UPDATE

• General
  • You may recall it from our last SDK live Q&A, we promised a new feature to exclude more items with the Exclusion Polygons. It’s ready now! You will soon be able to exclude roads, power poles, and street lights using polygons.

• Dev Mode
  • We added a new set of options to display the DevMode windows. You can now select “Default” (all windows are opaque when docked and transparent when floating), “Always opaque” or “Always transparent”.
  • We added a new DevMode option to switch the XML gauge rendering mode between GDI and NanoVG at runtime. As a reminder, right now the PC version of MSFS uses GDI but the Xbox version uses NanoVG – both will use the latter in the future.
  • We created a new SoundAircraft sample to demonstrate how sounds can be triggered in WASM through the Panels API using L-Vars.
  • Package Editor
    • We fixed the dev mode icons usage in Package Editor.
  • Project Editor
    • We improved the export window interface.
    • We improved the package validation results window’s sizing.
    • We added a constraint on name when creating or renaming a visual effect.
  • Scenery Editor
    • We added road, street light and power lines exclusions to polygons.
    • We improved the interface of the Objects list windows. It now has two columns: one for package and one for objects, with separate filters.
    • We fixed the gltf reloading with multiple LODs.
    • We fixed an issue on polygons with material loading.
    • We fixed the copy/paste apron UV offset.
    • Gizmo window can’t be edited anymore if no object is selected OR all selected objects are locked.
    • We added a New “has 3D object” checkbox in FUEL TaxiwayParking properties to allow the removal of any 3D object attached to it.
    • Generate Taxiway Signs no longer crashes when the package is not built.
  • Script Editor
    • We fixed the SimObject window.
    • We fixed the fact that the editor wouldn’t close when modifications hadn’t been saved
  • Visual Effects Editor
    • We added a “GroundDirection” node.
    • We fixed the bounding volume calculation.
    • We fixed a crash when connecting a GraphParameter node to an empty parameter name.
    • We fixed the links creation from input to output.
    • We fixed the links and node deletion “undo”.
    • We fixed the node outputs displayed as ‘undefined’ most of the time.

 

3RD PARTY UPDATE

• As of 09/26, we have now approved 219 (+0) third parties into the in-sim marketplace and – so far 117 (+0) have released 538 products on PC (+1) and 125 on Xbox (+10).
• In total, 1,356 products (+26) have already been released in 3rd party stores and the in-sim marketplace. Beyond that, another 377 products (+5) from 3rd party developers are in production (235 announced, 142 unannounced). In total, over 1,733 3rd party products (+32) are either released or are in development.
• Airports:
  • 1,094 airports (+22) are either released or are in various stages of development.
    • 866 airports (+18) have been released on the platform so far in various stores.
    • 437 airports (+1) have been released in the in-sim marketplace.
    • 109 airports (-2) beyond the released airports have been announced.
    • 119 airports (+6) are not announced, but the dev let us know that an airport is in production.
• Aircraft:
  • 207 aircraft (+5) are either released or are in various stages of development.
    • 72 aircraft (+3) have been released on the platform so far in various stores.
    • 42 aircraft (+0) have been released in the in-sim marketplace.
    • 112 aircraft (+2) beyond the released aircraft have been announced.
    • 23 aircraft (+0) are not announced, but the dev let us know that an aircraft is in production.
• Scenery:
  • 390 sceneries (+5) are either released or are in various stages of development.
    • 376 sceneries (+5) have been released on the platform so far in various stores.
    • 37 sceneries (+0) have been released in the in-sim marketplace.
    • 14 sceneries (+0) beyond the released scenery have been announced.
• Mission Packs:
  • 42 mission packs (+0) are either released or are in various stages of development.
    • 42 mission packs (+0) have been released on the platform so far in various stores.
    • 4 mission packs (+0) have been released in the in-sim marketplace.
    • 0 mission packs (+0) beyond the released missions have been announced.

 

MARKETPLACE UPDATES

There are 38 new products (7 on PC, 31 on Xbox), and  22 updated products (21 on PC, 1 on Xbox) in the Marketplace today.

 

38 NEW PRODUCTS: 7 ON PC, 31 ON XBOX
New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC	New on PC and Xbox ✅	New on PC and Xbox ✅
New on PC and Xbox ✅	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC	New on PC and Xbox ✅
New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC
New on PC and Xbox ✅	New on PC and Xbox ✅	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC
New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC
New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC	New on PC ✅
New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC
New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC
New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC
New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC	New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC
New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC		New on Xbox ✅ Already on PC

22 UPDATED PRODUCTS: 21 ON PC, 1 ON XBOX
Updated on PC and Xbox ✅	Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC ✅
Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC ✅
Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC ✅
Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC ✅
Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC ✅
Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC ✅
Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC ✅

 

TWITCH UPDATE

We stream weekly on Twitch.tv/MSFSOfficial! This week we will fly in Germany from Munich to Zurich. If you have the new Junkers Ju-52, feel free to use it for this flight! More details can be read here.

If you missed the Dev Q&A, you can re-watch it on Youtube here:

 

COMMUNITY VIDEO

Singapore is unquestionably one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and its airport, Changi International, is consistently voted the world’s best. YouTuber Ausflight 360 recently put together a stunning video of “The Little Red Dot” using the Orbx Landmarks Singapore City Pack. Points of interest showcased in this video include the Marina Bay Sands, the ArtScience Museum, Gardens by the Bay, the Singapore Flyer, and more! The Orbx Singapore addon used in this video is available from the Marketplace.

 

FEATURED FREEWARE MOD

Want to track your flights in real-time and review your telemetry data to evaluate your performance? Look no further than SimAir, a free tool from MSFS community member Null. When using SimAir, you can log not only your flightpath but also your altitude, ground speed, fuel consumption, and more.

 

https://simair.io

 

 

 

SCREENSHOT CHALLENGE

You can now submit your screenshot via Twitter with #MSFSchallenge or the Weekly Forum Post! This week’s screenshot challenge: No Time to Fly.

This past week our Screenshot Challenge was Germany, Austria, Switzerland! Here are our runner ups this week:

Screenshot by CinematicFlight

 

Screenshot by JGMONEY17

 

Screenshot by mustermann1629

 

Screenshot by ValTrust

 

Screenshot by tomlaut1980

 

Screenshot by MartinFromCH

 

Screenshot by Quaarli

 

Screenshot by FogoWar

 

Screenshot by isaiahnparadise

 

Screenshot by Hugothester

 

NEXT DEVELOPMENT UPDATE BLOG – September 30th, 2021

Sincerely,

Microsoft Flight Simulator Team

Edited September 30, 2021 by ChaoticBeauty

[ChaoticBeauty 6,692]

Quite a few dates have been updated on the Feedback Snapshot, here's what I've found so far:

• Multiple screen functionality coming in 2022
• Replay system could slip to 2022
• Logbook popping up during shutdown fixed with Sim Update 7
• Improved AI traffic by AIG coming in 2022
• Improved pushback system coming in 2022
• FlyBy and Tower views delayed to 2022
• Visibility slider coming in 2022
• Vegetation draw distance slider coming with Sim Update 7
• Thermals realism update planned for 2022
• Third-party online network setting coming in 2022
• Spawning on runways in multiplayer mode fix coming in 2022
• Legacy events list coming with Sim Update 7
• Runway lighting during daytime fix delayed to 2022
• Excessive lightning is being investigated
• Camera breaking the "VR golden rule" cannot be reproduced

[mikeymike 360]

word not allowed shame that opening up weather systems to 3rd party devs is not planned.

mike

[scotchegg 4,186]

11 minutes ago, mikeymike said:

word not allowed shame that opening up weather systems to 3rd party devs is not planned.

mike

If they can successfully integrate metars with global weather from Meteoblue, I’m really not sure many users would need a 3rd party system.

[Jeff Nielsen 1,386]

26 minutes ago, mikeymike said:

word not allowed shame that opening up weather systems to 3rd party devs is not planned.

mike

They're investigating on how to do an API according to yesterday's Q&A.  They should update that one or delete it.  I think the API is listed in another line item.

What people are actually wanting is the ability to make a WX and Terrain radar based on the WX in the sim and the terrain that 'actually' used.  That's the main point of that request.

3rd party devs may want or need more, but I would think they could maybe get what they need through an enhancement or addition via the SDK somehow?

What MS is saying there is, 'we' can't just cart blanche open the WX/sim side, if that makes sense.  It would create security issues and an enormous load on the servers if all those million users were now sending and receiving new requests through the sim to Meteo Blue and back again, etc.  They're looking at way to do it through an API somehow.

Edited September 30, 2021 by Jeff Nielsen

[fppilot 4,360]

25 minutes ago, mikeymike said:

word not allowed shame that opening up weather systems to 3rd party devs is not planned.

mike

And now all references to 3rd party avionics developers is not just not planned. It is no longer mentioned.  Garmin GNS/GTN/Avidyne IFD....  This is certainly not a product suitable for training.

[ark 1,290]

I see that Implementation of weather APIs is under investigation, and the Ability to set visibility and RVR has started. Will this make it possible for the user to define the weather in a given area -- that is, to be able to set the wind, ceiling and visibility? This is very useful for practicing IFR procedures at an airport of choice.

 

Al

Edited September 30, 2021 by ark

[steve 86 287]

• Improved AI traffic by AIG coming in 2022. Cant wait 

[fppilot 4,360]

19 minutes ago, FSUK_86 said:

• Improved AI traffic by AIG coming in 2022. Cant wait 

I have no way today to validate this, but have some of these goalposts not moved?  And multiple times?

[GeoSkyman 59]

……….This update must be installed to access the test. Please keep in mind that you may have to re-install the sim on your PC if you do not have your sim content located on a custom path.

Please explain what they mean with this?

thanks

[fppilot 4,360]

29 minutes ago, georgiosgiannoukos said:

……….This update must be installed to access the test. Please keep in mind that you may have to re-install the sim on your PC if you do not have your sim content located on a custom path.

Wow! Good catch! It would seem it would be the other way around.  That a custom install path might present an issue with a a test update.  Seems they would instead want a default install location to standardize the test.  Very befuddling.

[GeoSkyman 59]

37 minutes ago, fppilot said:

Wow! Good catch! It would seem it would be the other way around.  That a custom install path might present an issue with a a test update.  Seems they would instead want a default install location to standardize the test.  Very befuddling.

Wow, not possible to take the risk then, wasn’t this demand in previous tests.

thank you

[Greazer 1,320]

-Scenery Gateway System - prototype was developed, but then developer went AWOL. Looking for a new developer.

-Directx 12 - coming soon - development done, now in Test. Will be a UI choice to switch between 11/12. Directx 11 will be phased out once Directx 12 stable on all hardware.

-Default 747, 787 & ATC - in future, Working Title will be improving.

Edited October 1, 2021 by Greazer

[cmpbellsjc 2,960]

@ChaoticBeauty Late to pine it, was traveling.

🌲🌲

[spacedyemeerkat 421]

8 hours ago, ChaoticBeauty said:

Quite a few dates have been updated on the Feedback Snapshot, here's what I've found so far:

• Multiple screen functionality coming in 2022

Now is this going to make G Salden (I think that's his username!) 😁 or 😢?