MSFS 2020 - Botswana Ready?
Microsoft Flight Simulator - Ready for Botswana?
Extra at Matsieng.
Launched with much fanfare in 2020, the latest edition of MSFS is now reaching a level of maturity that makes it worth looking at again. With numerous updates and thousands of third party add-ons is it fair to say that it is the ultimate home simulator? And can you use it in Botswana?
FS 1.0, back in 1982. Basic instruments, basic graphics, but still a simulator at home!
The History
This simulator is the latest in a long line of Microsoft Flight Simulators going all the way back to 1982. It was an ambitious program that allowed the user to pilot a Cessna 182 from four US airports, though an add-on allowed a Sopwith Camel to be flown in the UK.
The simulator went through many editions, culminating in the tenth (FSX) in 2006. By this time the graphics and gameplay had matured, although flight models were not always the most realistic available.
A Jabiru in the Magaliesburgs
MSFS 2020 - The Graphical Miracle
When FSX was launched Facebook had just hired its first intern, Netflix was still sending movies by post, Internet Explorer was the dominant browser, and Google had just purchased YouTube. It is safe to say that much has changed.
MSFS makes the most of the technological developments by using a cloud based model of the world, based on Bing maps, matched with very clever AI that places buildings of a roughly correct type in exactly the right place.
Maru-a-Pula School - and my house!
This means for the first time a simulator has a ‘world’ that includes every building on the planet. So, yes, you can find your house there! The price for this ultra-realistic illusion is the need to constantly stream data to update the world around you - a long flight that covers built up areas can lead to several GB’s of data (you can cache this, if you fly in the same area a lot).
Gaborone Golf Course!
To say the graphics are unrivaled is an understatement. The fact that you can pick out every house, every junction (with traffic!), every hill, basically everything, leads to a sense of real immersement. This is incredibly useful for real pilots even as you can pick your normal references with ease or practice cross country flights before the real thing. When I had a recent flight with NGAP out of Sir Seretse, I already had a good idea of the surroundings and landmarks because of the simulator experience.
The TF-104 is an utra-realistic model, making it challenging to say the least. Its approach speed is a shade over 200kts, or five times that of my Bantam!
Flight Models
The flight model is realistic, if not perfect. It is being constantly updated and many aircraft do have the feel of their real equivalents. Undoubtedly, some offerings are much more accurate than others. Many of the microlights feel like my Bantam, and the BAe Hawk has been widely praised for flying like the real thing. The models are certainly good enough to improve your flying skills, especially in a range of conditions. They also can teach you a surprising amount about the use of instruments. Like any home simulator you lack some of the sensation of flying, but the amazing graphics engine makes the flight feel ‘realer’ than any simulator I have experienced.
My sister's house in Tasmania. Hobart was one of the cities to be given photogrammetry data in the Australia Update.
Support and Updates
The good thing is that the simulator is constantly being updated by the developer, both the physics engine and the content. The downside to this is that it can be a clucky procedure. I originally bought the DVD version, but got sick of trying to reinstall it after failed updates and went through the MS Store where I have more success. When things work it is great, but be prepared to work hard when they dont - installing Xbox app, removing Xbox apps, resetting the Store, reinstalling Xbox apps, etc!
‘World Updates’ regularly add updated and improved content for various regions. This often includes hand-built airports and landmarks, along with photogrammetry cities. These are true 3D models that uses Bing’s equivalent to Street View to provide incredibly accurate detail. This means buildings look exactly as they do in the real world, rather than being an AI generated best guess. The cost again comes in data!
Lets go microlighting! Fast jets are fun, but for a good look at the amazing scenery something slower is better!
Add-ons
Two years in and there are thousands of add-ons with more being released each week. These can be purchased through the in-game store or through 3rd parties. There are some amazingly high quality aircraft available at a range of prices (usually you pay for what you get!), hundreds of hand crafted airports, and some unusual things - such as a birds package that adds, well birds!
With regular sales, the store is my usual choice for purchases but for military aircraft it is often better to get them through other sites as the MSFS store blocks weapon options.
Botswana Ready?
When it was released in August 2020, at the height of the first Covid wave - nearly two years ago, it would have been a challenge not only to download the 130+ GB of required game data but also to have a fast enough connection to maintain decent gameplay.
One of the few benefits Covid brought was the massive increase in data use in Botswana and a lowering of prices. I now have a reliable 7mbs connection for under P500 a month with Nashua and this has made a huge difference.
So it is definitely now a realistic prospect for Botswana gamers.
Parked on the flightline after my solo display at Duxford. This freeware airport mod is truly a work of art, with every detail of Imperial War Museum faithfully recreated.
Xbox, PC, Cloud
The game is available on the ubiquitous Xbox as well as on PC. The versions are effectively identical as far as gameplay goes, but the PC gives a wider range of add-ons - including some amazing freeware such as the Duxford scenery pack (https://flightsim.to/file/28581/egsu-duxford-airfield-complete-edition). The downside is that you need a decent PC to get the best out of the game, one that will cost you the equivalent of five or six Xbox’s!
There is a cloud version available in some parts of the world, but obviously the gameplay needs instant feedback and the streaming of HD requires ultrafast internet, something Botswana is still a few years from.
Summary
In two words - Highly Recommended (Even in Botswana!)