MSFS Update Addresses Launch Struggles

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024: Addressing a Turbulent Launch

Following a challenging launch for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 (MSFS 2024), the development team has acknowledged and addressed the significant server and connectivity issues experienced by players. This article details the problems and the steps taken to mitigate them.

Unexpected Demand Overwhelms Servers

The game's launch was met with unexpectedly high player numbers, overwhelming the MSFS 2024 servers and databases. In a YouTube video update, Jorg Neumann (MSFS head) and Sebastian Wloch (Asobo Studio CEO) explained that while they anticipated strong interest, the sheer volume of players exceeded their infrastructure's capacity. "It really has overwhelmed our infrastructure," Neumann stated.

Wloch elaborated on the technical challenges, explaining that the initial login process involves retrieving data from a server-side database. While the system was tested with 200,000 simulated users, the actual player count far surpassed this, leading to database cache failures. Attempts to resolve this by increasing server capacity and queue size proved temporary, with the cache repeatedly collapsing under the strain.

Login Queues, Missing Content, and Negative Steam Reviews

The server issues manifested in several ways: extended login queues, incomplete downloads resulting in missing aircraft and other content (often pausing at 97% loading), and generally unstable gameplay.

These problems resulted in a wave of negative player feedback on Steam, with the game receiving a "Mostly Negative" rating. The missing aircraft issue, specifically, stemmed from the server's inability to deliver all necessary game assets due to the overloaded cache.

Ongoing Efforts and Apology

The development team has since implemented solutions to stabilize the servers and improve the player experience. The Steam page now indicates that the immediate issues have been addressed, and players are now being admitted at a more manageable rate. A formal apology was issued, acknowledging the inconvenience caused and expressing gratitude for player patience and feedback. The team continues to monitor and address any remaining issues.