Many developers are now formalising their plans in preparation for their transition to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. As we fast approach the release, developers are now giving us more information on what products will be compatible with the new simulator and what they plan on do to enhance their products with new features.
iniBuilds, having had access to the simulator for a while thanks to their first-party involvement, have been now able to share their strategy and plans for MSFS 2024 content. Their strategy is to have three distinct definitions attached to their releases. These are as follows: Compatible, Enhanced, and Premium.
- Compatible releases are a ‘straight port’ of the original but with outstanding bugs from MSFS 2020 fixed. These products feature all existing textures and models. This will be free for existing customers of said products.
- Enhanced will see products re-exported with new LOD systems and materials, ground polygon textures upgraded and additional features taking advantage of the new tech found in MSFS 2024. This will see an upgrade cost applied.
- Premium will be either a new product, a complete rebuild, or a significant update depending on the product itself. Using the latest MSFS 2024 technology, including brand-new or fully upgraded polygons, and full implementation of the new LOD model and texture system.
These new product types will be defined across all stores (pending the Marketplace which is yet to be finalised). iniBuilds then detailed what initial releases will see this new strategy applied to.
Scenery Products
iniBuilds confirmed that they will release a new international airport on or a few days after the initial release of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. A sneak peek was shared, but the exact location hasn’t yet been shared. In addition, they confirmed that Innsbruck (LOWI) will see a ‘Premium’ edition released, which will be free of charge for customers who own the MSFS 2020 release that came just a few weeks ago.
Within the ‘Enhanced’ range, both Ibiza (LEIB) and Palm Springs (KPSP) will see improvements. In addition to bug fixes, both airports will have all models re-exported with new LOD systems and materials, upgraded ground polygons, and new additional features. Both airports can be upgraded from MSFS 2020 to MSFS 2024 for £4.99. Individually to purchase for MSFS 2024, they will cost £15.99.
Finally, there will be a number of ‘Compatible’ releases. These are ‘straight ports’ of their original products with any outstanding bugs resolved. They work as everything should in the new simulator and have been full performance and functional testing. Just don’t expect any new features or functionality with the releases. These airports will include Southampton(EGHI), Ponta Delgada (LPPD), London Luton (EGGW) and London Stansted (EGSS).
Aircraft Products
iniBuilds will be bringing both its T-33 Jet Trainer and the A300-600R Airliner to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on or shortly after the release of Microsoft Flight Simulator. The T-33 Jet Trainer will be released as a ‘Premium’ edition as a free update to existing customers of the MSFS 2020 version.
As for the A300-600R Airlienr, there will be two versions; Compatible and Premium. As the edition suggests, the compatible version will be a straight port from the MSFS 2020 version and will “simply work” as-is. For the premium edition, iniBuilds said that they have included a host of new features including exterior interactions, career mode capability, a new flight model for MSFS 2024, wear and tear effects, and much more. If you wish to upgrade from MSFS 2020, you will be able to do so for £9.99, otherwise, the Premium Edition will cost you £44.99.
It should be noted that this is not the EPIC mod expansion that has been discussed in the past. That mod is still under consideration and once more details emerge, it will be shared accordingly.
As for the A350 Airliner, you can read more about how that is progressing in our past post.
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That summarises the information we have so far. For a concise version, you can use the infographic below.
