“Load simulator”: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 was not ready for takeoff

The launch of the flight simulator Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 (MSFS 2024) from Xbox Game Studios and Asobo Studio, which took place yesterday, November 19, did not go well: the game launched on Steam with “extremely negative” reviews.

Image source: X (LordMomos4)

Problems began even at the stage of downloading the client – for many users, the download stopped at 97% (see the meme born from this above). Those who made it into the game itself faced long queues for authorization.

As if this were not enough, customers of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 were faced with long loading times and game errors such as content completely refusing to load.

Image source: Steam (karolos13)

As a result of problems at launch, users brought down the rating of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on Steam: the game collected 3.4 thousand “extremely negative” reviews – the share of positive reviews is only 19%.

In negative reviews, Steam users criticized the technical condition of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, calling it unacceptable and simultaneously dubbing the game a “loading simulator.”

Microsoft and Asobo acknowledged the problems (see video above) and explained them by the servers being insufficiently prepared for the influx of players – the system was overloaded. The team has already taken action to correct the situation and encourages you to stay tuned for updates.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is out on PC (Steam, Microsoft Store), Xbox Series X and S, as well as Game Pass. The game features a new career mode, improved aerodynamics and physics simulation, and the most detailed recreation of planet Earth yet.