They show how they've managed to get the thousands upon thousands of airports working -
They've got a tool that allows them to trace out the runways and various objects around it, then there's a bunch of automation that generates proper close-up textures and models. Probably the only way to get 37,000 airports done in a reasonable amount of time. Then there's many others that have had more bespoke care given to them.
I was looking around the world in Bing Maps, which is the source for much of the world map data for this. You really start to notice the environmental devastation we've caused, just unimaginably vast areas of forest torn down for plantations or grazing land, like these palm plantations in Indonesia.
I think when people fly across these places for hours on end in a light aircraft it could give it all a real sense of scale, might just bring it home for them just a little bit.
MS really should have shown some Flight Simulator footage at that show IMO, as that features some proper next gen visuals, real power of the cloud stuff. It should look fantastic on the Series X too.
You know - this might make me buy their next console. I'm still at 360 and haven't felt the urge to move on. But this. It's a relaxation device more than anything. I presume there's an idiot mode that lets you fly about without having too much skill?
Yeah one of the vids I watched talked about a beginner mode where the plane is already running and it's easy to take off and go. I need that mode too, can't be stuffed flicking all the switches. Maybe in VR where I can actually reach over and do it
Yep there's a variety of difficulty and realism settings, should accommodate most people I think. Definitely going to be an ideal chill game to listen to music or podcasts while flying and exploring.
I actually think this could be one of the biggest draws to the new console honestly, as by most accounts that I've seen and heard it's going to be rather demanding on hardware and the Series X will likely be the most cost effective way to play it and have it look like the trailers.
It should accommodate those who want to fly very realistically, and also allow for some glorious chaos and nonsense.
Looking forward to touring about with folks, quite fancy going storm chasing