MARCH 31ST, 2022 DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

Posted by: Microsoft Flight Simulator Team

Screenshot by CaptainBibic (Forum)

We are excited to announce our next testing opportunity will be available soon for Sim Update 9. Our main focus for this beta is:

• Checking stability and performance
• Testing against the release notes to confirm accuracy
• Identify any regressions that may have taken place due to code changes
• Providing an opportunity for 3rd party developers to test their products in a beta environment

Please remember this opportunity is for those who wish to provide feedback on the current state of the build, not for a sneak preview of the final build to be released at the end of April. Our goal is to fix any regressions you report as quickly as possible but note that some bugs may be prioritized for a later update as we will not be able to fix every report found during the beta window.

The Sim Update 9 Beta will be available to join in the next few hours, and the build will be available to download at some point during the day on April 1st. To join this public test, please see the instructions below for your preferred platform.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU JOIN 

MS Store PC Users: There is always a risk that you may have to re-install the sim when joining/leaving a flight, so please keep this in mind before participating. When the flight ends, we ask that you manually remove yourself from the Preview. By doing so, you will get an update to MSFS with the latest public build. If you do not remove yourself from the group, we plan on automatically removing everyone on May 3rd. At that point, you will get an update to MSFS with the latest public build.

If you have MSFS content installed completely on a custom path, you will have a much lower chance that a full re-install will be necessary when the update is officially released. However, if your sim content is installed in the default path selected by the in-game content manager, you may have to reinstall the whole sim when moving from the test build to the public build. We recommend that those who wish to test with us ensure your sim content is located in a custom path before joining the flight to avoid full reinstallations in the future (Details on how to do this can be found here.) The best set up would be for your store app to live on the default C drive and sim content on a custom drive.

Please remember if you decide to join the Beta and install the build, you will likely have to re-install your sim if you wish to leave the Beta before it ends.

There will be a public forum area to submit feedback and test the release notes on Friday, April 1st, so please stay tuned until then.

MICROSOFT STORE OR XBOX 

1. Open the ‘Xbox Insider Hub’ on your PC or Xbox (or install it via the Microsoft Store if you do not have it yet)
2. On the left side, click ‘Previews’
3. Look for ‘‘Microsoft Flight Simulator – Sim Update 9’’ and click ‘Join’ to confirm your participation.
4. Open the MS Store to Microsoft Flight Simulator to receive an update to your build.

If you would like to leave the pre-release test before it ends and re-install the live build, follow these instructions:

1. Open the ‘Xbox Insider Hub’ app
2. Navigate to ‘Insider Content’ > ‘Microsoft Flight Simulator – Sim Update 9’
3. Select ‘Manage’
4. Use the radio button to select ‘Unenroll (Leave this preview)’, then select ‘Done’
5. Wait an additional 30-60 minutes after unenrollment completes (Pending no longer appears in the Xbox Insider Hub). If not on a Custom path, you will have to reinstall the sim to restore the prior build.

STEAM 

1. Open your Steam Library
2. Right-click Microsoft Flight Simulator
3. Click “Properties”
4. Click “Betas”
5. Select “flight_sim_beta – Sim Update 9”

If you would like to exit the pre-release test before it ends and revert back to the live build, follow these instructions:

1. Open your Steam Library
2. Right-click Microsoft Flight Simulator
3. Click “Properties”
4. Click “Betas”
5. Select “None”

Thank you and we look forward to your feedback!

MSFS Team

 

DEVELOPMENT ROADMAP

The Development roadmap has been updated for Q2 2022. Please see the new roadmap below. 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.

 

SDK UPDATE

• General:
  • A new version of the Aircraft Editor with documentation & a video tutorial should be made available soon.

• DevMode:
  • Visual Effects Editor:
    • We fixed the node graph’s update that was not reflected when Stopping/Respawning an effect.
    • We fixed a crash that could happen when opening a VFX after deleting one.
    • We made UX improvements to Create, Delete, Rename & Clone pop-ups.
    • Enter & Escape keys are now functional to validate and cancel. The focus is automatically set on input text fields.
    • We fixed the SetScale node input that was always displaying the wrong input type.
    • We also fixed GetParticleAttribute & GetGroundAttribute that wouldn’t display the right output type.
  • Project Editor:
    • We made some fixes on the package cleaning process.
  • Aircraft Editor:
    • We keep polishing the new version of the Aircraft Editor. It no longer alters your .cfg files so you’ll keep your comments, line breaks, etc. Only the values are edited now.
    • Next step, we will focus on the resync function to make it more reliable.

• •  
• SimConnect:
  • It is now possible to remove Waypoint flags.

 

THIRD PARTY UPDATE

• As of 03/28, we have now approved 246 (+5) third parties into the in-sim marketplace and – so far 139 (+3) have released 993 products on PC (+13) and 697 on Xbox (+13).
• In total, 1,990 products (+39) have already been released in 3rd party stores and the in-sim marketplace. Beyond that, another 496 products (-70) from 3rd party developers are in production (256 announced, 240 unannounced). In total, over 2,486 3rd party products (-1) are either released or are in development.
• Airports:
  • 1404 airports (-10) are either released or are in various stages of development (removed duplicates).
    • 1209 airports (+19) have been released on the platform so far in various stores.
    • 676 airports (+11) have been released in the in-sim marketplace.
    • 83 airports (-36) beyond the released airports have been announced.
    • 112 airports (-14) are not announced, but the dev let us know that an airport is in production.
• Aircraft:
  • 346 aircraft (+0) are either released or are in various stages of development.
    • 114 aircraft (+5) have been released on the platform so far in various stores.
    • 78 aircraft (+2) have been released in the in-sim PC marketplace.
    • 53 aircraft (+2) have been released in the in-sim Xbox marketplace.
    • 158 aircraft (-1) beyond the released aircraft have been announced.
    • 74 aircraft (-4) are not announced, but the dev let us know that an aircraft is in production.
• Scenery:
  • 656 sceneries (+10) are either released or are in various stages of development.
    • 589 sceneries (+15) have been released on the platform so far in various stores.
    • 146 sceneries (+6) have been released in the in-sim marketplace.
    • 15 sceneries (+0) beyond the released scenery have been announced.
    • 52 sceneries (-5) are not announced, but the dev let us know that scenery is in production.
• Mission Packs:
  • 80 mission packs (+0) are either released or are in various stages of development.
    • 78 mission packs (+0) have been released on the platform so far in various stores.
    • 9 mission packs (+1) have been released in the in-sim marketplace.
    • 0 mission packs (+0) beyond the released missions have been announced.
    • 2 mission packs (+0) are not announced, but the dev let us know that they are in production.

 

MARKETPLACE UPDATE

Click here for a web-friendly version.

• Today is the last day of the World Update 8: Iberia Sale! Click here to learn more about the 35 items currently on sale.
• On Tuesday, we launched the Dornier Do J in the Marketplace for USD $14.99. You can learn more about this aircraft here.

There are 33 new and 24 updated products in the Marketplace today. Marketplace updates generally go live on Thursdays between the release of this blog post and 5pm PT.

24 NEW PRODUCTS: 16 ON PC, 17 ON XBOX
New on PC ✅	New on PC ✅	New on PC and Xbox ✅
New on PC and Xbox ✅	New on PC and Xbox ✅	New on PC and Xbox ✅
New on PC and Xbox ✅	New on PC and Xbox ✅	New on PC ✅
New on Xbox ✅	New on PC and Xbox ✅	New on PC and Xbox ✅
New on PC and Xbox ✅	New on Xbox ✅	New on Xbox ✅
New on PC and Xbox ✅		New on Xbox ✅

24 UPDATED PRODUCTS: 15 ON PC, 9 ON XBOX
Updated on PC and Xbox ✅	Updated on PC and Xbox ✅	Updated on PC and Xbox ✅
Updated on PC and Xbox ✅	Updated on PC and Xbox ✅	Updated on PC and Xbox ✅
Updated on PC and Xbox ✅	Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC and Xbox ✅
Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC and Xbox ✅	Updated on PC ✅
Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC ✅	Updated on PC and Xbox ✅

TWITCH UPDATE

We stream weekly on Twitch.tv/MSFSOfficial! Following up last week’s Community Fly-In through Spain, tomorrow we’re visiting Portugal to explore more of World Update VIII: Iberia! Our flight plan will take us from Porto to Lisbon. Click here for details on Friday’s flight. All are welcome to participate!

We are also currently holding a vote to determine where to visit for next week’s Community Fly-in! So far through the community’s help, we have decided that next week we will be flying in South America. We still have a country and then later a flight plan to determine, so head over to vote on our forum post and on our Twitter!

 

COMMUNITY VIDEO

YouTuber Cinematic Flight has created a beautiful 4K video showcasing all the famous landmarks and points of interest in Madrid, Spain post-World Update VIII: Iberia. Check it out!

 

SCREENSHOT CHALLENGE

You can submit your screenshot via Twitter with #MSFSchallenge or the Weekly Forum Post! This week’s screenshot challenge: Portugal

This past week our Screenshot Challenge was “Spain“. Here are our runner ups this week:

Screenshot by ZILLNIAZI17 (Forum)

Screenshot by YusufWardana (Forum)

Screenshot by VTHornbill (Forum)

Screenshot by UnspokenKhan355 (Forum)

Screenshot by tsujiKa_air (Twitter)

Screenshot by DaveBGaming (Forum)

Screenshot by MihamaBlend (Twitter)

Screenshot by isaiahnparadise (Twitter)

Screenshot by dyno64 (Twitter)

Screenshot by Delta2k5 (Forum)

NEXT DEVELOPMENT BLOG UPDATE – April 7th, 2022

Sincerely,

Microsoft Flight Simulator Team

Edited March 31, 20224 yr by ChaoticBeauty

I really like the update for #1 and #8 on the Top Wishes list. Seems to be some progress now. 

The Feedback Snapshot has been significantly updated, here is a quick summary:

• WASM support for weather and terrain APIs coming in Sim Update 10, JavaScript shortly after.
• Basic multiple screen functionality could come with Sim Update 10, currently under review.
• Chinese localisation delayed to Sim Update 10.
• DirectX 12 optimisation and stability improvements coming with Sim Update 10.
• Initial scenery gateway version is ready, and Orbx will use it to provide feedback.
• Improvements to AI traffic are being evaluated by the lead gameplay programmer.
• Enhanced API to access all aircraft states requires a massive input system overhaul, planned for 2023.
• South Korea World Update set for 2023.
• Brazil World Update set for 2023.
• Seasons coming in 2023.
• Keybinds for G1000 soft keys and knobs not planned anymore.
• Powerlines, antennas, masts, cable cars and gondolas now coming in 2023.
• Separate controls for each aircraft planned for 2023.
• Aurora borealis delayed to 2023.
• TCAS/ACAS for live players planned to be supported partially.

"open up weather system to 3rd party devs -not planned"

 

In think the best compromise going forward would be to do what they did for World Updates. The same way they got Orbx, Gaya etc involved in these in House packs, maybe Asobo could consider asking the Hifi and Rex teams to contribute towards making the engine better and adding extensive features. It would be a win for Asobo, The devs and us consumers. 

2 minutes ago, FrankSalo said:

"open up weather system to 3rd party devs -not planned"

 

In think the best compromise going forward would be to do what they did for World Updates. The same way they got Orbx, Gaya etc involved in these in House packs, maybe Asobo could consider asking the Hifi and Rex teams to contribute towards making the engine better and adding extensive features. It would be a win for Asobo, The devs and us consumers. 

They already said they are working on big improvements coming this or next year 

Edited March 31, 20224 yr by omarsmak30

I'm going to snap if they haven't fixed the distant sounds volume bug they introduced in SU8.

https://devsupport.flightsimulator.com/questions/5584/su8-beta-sound-volume-bug.html

Quote

Actually, this is the result of a bug fix where the legacy sounds were never played in cockpit view.
Now they're played but you seem to be right and there is an issue with sound not being attenuated over distance.
Developers are looking at it. The time for us to identify and fix it, I doubt it'll make it into SU8 final build. SU9 is the realistic target.

This is also why we strongly encourage using Wwise. We barely have any content using the legacy workflow and it's way more prone to bugs and errors from our part.

Thank you for reporting the problem and our apologies for the inconvenience it's causing

Few things destroy immersion like flying at 30,000 feet in an F18 cockpit and still hearing AI piston engines taxi on the ground at full volume.    Or hearing jet aircraft that are 3km and 20,000 away.

I had to set other aircraft engine sound to zero to stop it.

But aircraft like the D17 Staggerwing don't even honor that setting.  Even with volume set to zero I can still hear the D17  from 2.5 km away.

 

I'm Prepared for the beta. I'm on Steam and took all betas so far and never had something terribly happen. Will closely look upon @Waldo Pepper's bug which I'd been hunting initially. I still feel guilty I didn't report it early on (but others did and it didn't help either...)

On the weather thingy. There will we a WASM module for READING weather for, say, weather radar but they do not intend to open the interface for INJECTING weather -  right? 

Kind regards, Michael

10 minutes ago, pmb said:

On the weather thingy. There will we a WASM module for READING weather for, say, weather radar but they do not intend to open the interface for INJECTING weather -  right? 

Yes. WASM only for reading so things like weather radar could be implemented 

I am going to snap if they dont fix the mouse freelook frozen controls issue. 

What's coming in SU9, anyway?

Pined!!

Just an innocent question. Where got the VR Feedback Snapshot lost...? 

Kind regards, Michael

1 hour ago, Alcides Segovia said:

I am going to snap if they dont fix the mouse freelook frozen controls issue. 

I thought they said something about that in the last Q&A...like it was already fixed for SU9 or 10.  Could have been another similar issue though, not entirely sure.

2 hours ago, FrankSalo said:

"open up weather system to 3rd party devs -not planned"

 

In think the best compromise going forward would be to do what they did for World Updates. The same way they got Orbx, Gaya etc involved in these in House packs, maybe Asobo could consider asking the Hifi and Rex teams to contribute towards making the engine better and adding extensive features. It would be a win for Asobo, The devs and us consumers. 

This is actually a very old, if not one of the first requests for the sim.  I thought they were going to update or combine this one at some point.  It's kind of several issues at the same time and is now misleading because they are planning on the WX and Terrain API which will allow for the WX and terrain radar.  

ASOBO reads this request literally, so that's why it's in 'not planned' status.  There are numerous replies in this forum as to why.  Basically it's a security nightmare.  You'd also have a million users pinging through MS And METEOs servers god knows how many times a second and then all the way back again.  Probably couldn't support that bandwidth to begin with on top of the security issues.

ASOBO and MS have stated they are going to make the WX system work the way it should.  This includes most, if not all the things we want.  This will come across several updates.  I think cloud layers might be next?  Can't remember right off what they said in the last Q&A.  Actual visibility, as well as fog, etc. is also planned.  They believe it is a core feature of the sim and should be correct out of the box.  Now maybe they could hire those devs like they did Working Title to make things go faster, but that's another issue.  However, it sounds like they may already have a handle on the solution and it's just a matter of adding in it with the rest of the stuff.

Hope I remembered all this stuff correctly.  Feel free to chime in if I got anything wrong.

Edited April 1, 20224 yr by Jeff Nielsen

3 hours ago, ChaoticBeauty said:

 

• Improvements to AI traffic are being evaluated by the lead gameplay programmer.

That's sounds like we are moving forward on AI but then you might have added the rest of what goes with that line:

" Effort for debug/improvement is not clear and not planned at this point." 

So, that doesn't sound very positive at all. I suppose the results of the evaluation will decide what effort is required but that still doesn't say what is happening to improve AI and it can only be inferred that regardless of the results of any evaluation, 'debug and improvement is not planned at this point'.  

I also note at 1567 votes for multi screen functionality simply gets a review on whether some basic capability should be implemented in SU10 or the whole thing just put in the holding pattern. Meanwhile, the scenery gateway system with just 50 more votes than AI at 990, is full steam ahead. I guess that's because the SGS is likely to improve bottom lines whereas the other two only enhance the user experience including some reasonable expectations made about AI which is why I bought MSFS. I could go on. I know effort and focus on products and improvements that make more sales is understandable but sheesh, there needs to be some balance and appreciation to those of us who have already sunk funds into the franchise. I know, Asobo have given us lots of things so I'm not unthankful, but its just that AI is in the top 10 and so surely Asobo should show some commitment on that basis? Certainly more than just 'not planned at this point'. Otherwise, what value do these votes have?  Indeed, I strongly suspect they have no value at all but just reflect a user view on things, which is interesting but hardly a basis to be part of the development program if no notice is taken of them. Meanwhile at #52 with 342 votes, Realistic Propeller Effects, is considered a top priority. 🤷‍♀️ 

   

Cheers

Terry

 

  

Edited April 1, 20224 yr by Lord Farringdon
W10 changed to SU10