Alongside the release of Malta International Airport, iniBuilds has shared a substantial scenery development update, with the focus now shifting towards Dubai International Airport V2 (OMDB) and a newly announced Paris Charles de Gaulle (LFPG).
Dubai V2 was first confirmed earlier this year, but the latest update gives us a much better idea of just how extensive the redevelopment will be. Rather than simply updating the existing scenery for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, iniBuilds says almost every part of the airport has been revisited using techniques developed through its more recent scenery projects.
The A, B and C gate areas have been completely overhauled with updated modelling and newly created interiors, whilst the D Gates have also received improvements. The ATC tower has been upgraded, and terminal geometry, materials, glass, roof structures and surrounding service areas have all been revisited.
The wider airport has received plenty of attention too. Ground textures, markings, service roads and apron areas have been updated, alongside new clutter and ground equipment. The surrounding environment now includes an extended Metro line, an animated shuttle train at the D Gates, an animated fountain near the Dubai Airport Freezone, new roads and underpasses, additional buildings and further details around Emirates’ facilities.
Performance is also a major focus. iniBuilds says it has reduced node and vertex counts, draw calls and bounding-box sizes whilst making greater use of LODs and MSFS 2024’s SimProp Containers.
Another significant addition will be multi-jetway support. Compatible stands will allow multiple passenger boarding bridges to connect simultaneously, particularly useful for A380 operations at the Emirates hub. The same technology has already been introduced at iniBuilds’ Hong Kong, Gatwick and Chicago sceneries.
Dubai V2 will be a free update for existing Dubai Enhanced owners, with the product being renamed Dubai Premium when V2 launches. However, the existing discounted upgrade route from the MSFS 2020 edition will disappear once V2 releases, after which new customers will need to purchase Dubai Premium at full price.
Next Stop: Paris
The other big news is confirmation that iniBuilds is now developing Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (LFPG) for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.
The enormous Air France hub will become the developer’s next major European airport project, with research already underway covering its terminals, architecture, airside infrastructure and surrounding environment.
As it did during the development of Manchester, iniBuilds is also asking people with first-hand experience of Charles de Gaulle to help with the project. Flight crews, ground handlers, engineers, airport operations staff and others familiar with LFPG are being encouraged to provide reference material and knowledge that may be difficult to obtain through conventional sources.
There are no release dates for either Dubai V2 or Paris Charles de Gaulle just yet, but iniBuilds says more from both projects will be shared over the coming months.
