MSFS 2024 Tech Alpha: 11 Things We Learned

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is shaping up to be the ultimate sim experience, and the Tech Alpha has revealed some exciting new features! From dynamic seasons to space travel, here are the 11 most important things we’ve learned so far. Whether you're excited for faster loading times or the new Career Mode, this video covers it all. Watch to the end to see how you can challenge top pilots like Airstud99 in the new Challenge League!
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @sizzlingpopcorn
✨The Tobii Eye Tracker 5 is the next generation of head and eye tracking, engineered for PC gamers. Currently supporting 160+ games, including Microsoft Flight Simulator, The Hunter: Call Of The Wild, Star Citizen, American Truck Simulator, Euro Truck Simulator 2, Far Cry 6, and AC: Valhalla.
✨Get 5% off with the code SP on tobii.gg/SP.
Join this channel to get access to perks 👉 bit.ly/SPJoin
Subscribe to the channel here 👉 bit.ly/subSizz...
Join the Discord: 👉 bit.ly/Sizzlin...
Buy me a cup of coffee ☕👉 www.buymeacoff...
#MicrosoftFlightSimulator​ #MSFS2024​ #flightsimulator
GRAPHIC SETTINGS:
DirectX 12
Ultra
SPECS:
Quad Monitors (3 across and 1 tilted above)
AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
Nvidia RTX 4090
64GB RAM
Elgato Stream Deck
Thrustmaster TCA Boeing Yoke & Throttle
PS4 Controller (for camera)
Logitech X-Pro Headset
If you enjoyed the video, let me know by hitting LIKE and SUBSCRIBE!

[@SizzlingPopcorn]

If you’ve tried the Tech Alpha or watched other streams, let me know in the comments what you’ve learned so far!

[@derekcoaker6579]

@@SizzlingPopcorn The DEMs are incredible in some cases. Flying in the Mountains now feels like it. The adjustments they made to vertical cliffs really has a fantastic impact. Sure the Airliner guys won't find much use for that but I'm more a GA/ Bush "Pilot"

[@TheSkyHawkMT]

They need to fix the clearly milky way visible from literally anywhere in the world even at the most light polluted places, looks like we're looking through the hubble space telescope xD

[@juanwhick1691]

I’m ok with it… I even purposely have it in RDR 2. I wish I could see them where I live… but yea honestly I would prefer the realism.

[@TheSkyHawkMT]

@@juanwhick1691 for artistic screenshots MAYBE... but general flying...no.

[@MrStrosty]

I agree

[@SizzlingPopcorn]

It’s a Tech Alpha. Same happened with 2020 and was fixed.

[@derekcoaker6579]

@@TheSkyHawkMT Betting it's just a temp thing. The Moon is pretty lousy right now too.

[@30DegreesBank]

One major potential issue I saw in the Alpha is that if you change the time of day, the historical weather is auto-tied to the hour of the day. Which means that you log in on Vatsim in the evening, but you don’t want to fly in the night, if you switch your time, your live weather changes automatically - your winds will be off, your QNH… this would bind you to real time, unless Asobo decides to make the historical weather a feature with On/Off button…

[@SizzlingPopcorn]

Should be able to get around that with Custom Weather and add Live preset.

[@grantr5417]

@@30DegreesBank But wasn't the demand for this feature based on the fact that in 2020 people complained that changing the time of day did Not correctly provide the accurate weather for the time of day chosen? So those who flew in the evening at home and wanted a daytime flight would not get the complex air currents normally available when the sun was heating the ground.

[@30DegreesBank]

@@grantr5417 there are two groups of simmers here distinctively. Vatsimmers and people, who want to experiment stuff offline(or in multi) on their own. If there is no option to detach the historical weather, MSFS2024 would cater to only one group of the simmers, but seriously hinder the other.

[@SizzlingPopcorn]

Read my comment above. There’s live weather and live weather preset in custom. Should solve it.

[@markm75]

At least in the alpha, load times linked to existing community folder of 885 gb took 4min, the same set takes about 3min 45 in msfs 2020, that was my experience with local files anyway. The cloud provided files will load much faster that is true, but doesnt seem likely barring a miracle that local load times (to main menu) will be much better.

[@SizzlingPopcorn]

That's true because your PC is the same from MSFS 2020 to MSFS 2024.

[@JDVVV378]

can’t say that much, because this was a stress test for the server in the cloud. The end product will be much better then this stripped out version. The lightning and weather looks great! Curious about the next month what the final sim looks like with al the options and PG on. The waking feature is great!!

[@dennisafowler]

Very cool to see Halifax airport modelled so well in the sim

[@jesseblue1442]

Thank God that it's on a game pass. So, I will definitely give it a try before I buy it and based on tech Alpha reviewer like you guys it's been good so far. Much better than FS2020. I can't wait.

[@SizzlingPopcorn]

Yes, much better! Even with the bugs in the alpha. What’s your specs? I have another 3 videos from the alpha releasing over the next 3 days.

[@jesseblue1442]

@@SizzlingPopcorn I will be running on a 2080 Super. There is this one Tech Alpha who have similar setup like me and so far it is good. I can’t believe it lol

[@Elwaves2925]

@@jesseblue1442 I have become more tempted to buy it straight away after watching recent videos but I think I'll give it one month on GamePass first. Like I did with 2020 as trying it yourself is the only way to be sure.

[@pacmantravel2158]

While X-Plane 12 is the most realistic flight sim out there, they really need to hit the throttle to live up to MSFS 24. MSFS 24 is winning me over. Like, you can walk around anywhere in the world and take photos of the beautiful scenery, just as you would being on vacation. Imagine going to your favorite real world destinations right at your home!

[@kevindavis8175]

Have the buildings been updated? For example, in FS2020, a stadium that no longer exists in my hometown is still displayed in 2020.

[@denziiey]

That more has to do with Bing data

[@rafael-tango-tango]

@@kevindavis8175 the autogen stays the same, but interprets a more recent satellite imagery

[@SizzlingPopcorn]

We’ll have to wait and see. In the Tech Alpha, photogrammetry and vegetation (grass, cactuses, etc) were missing. For a specific building, it would be based on Bing data.

[@kevindavis8175]

@@SizzlingPopcorn I figured it had to do with Bing. I would think they would update it after four years.

[@SizzlingPopcorn]

They had updated about 2 years ago. My house was a sand pit and now it shows up.

[@SN57ONE]

I learned that a GTX 1650 could not handle it like it did Flight Simulator 2020, even when I used my settings in 2020. I've only managed to run it smoother when I switched to AMD FSR 2 and Balanced. I hope it's just because it's an Alpha build, until then, I'll stick by 2020 until I upgrade to a newer GPU. I am happy though that at least I learnt it the hard way, not fall to those "Couch Pilots" or "PC Elitists". Y'know? Those pretentious soil shoppers that think they're an IT expert when the only GPU they know is an RTX 4090. Also, this is where I learned how to fly a proper take-off and landing pattern in a Cessna 172. I'm going to use those techniques I've learned in Flight Simulator 2024 in Flight Simulator 2020 order to fly an aircraft properly and probably help me land my plane smoothly.

[@trechavez7987]

Will tech alpha progression roll over to the actual game?

[@derekcoaker6579]

It will not. From what I've read.

[@jean-francoisdesjardins9201]

@@derekcoaker6579 I guess I will remain no.1 in the world.....Just for the tech alpha then for the challenges lol

[@Jerogimo123]

​​​​@SizzlingPopcorn so you can just pick a car in the official flight simulators aircraft library and just drive around with it? And also something else i wonder can you walk as far as you want in flight simulator 2024? Because barly anyone makes it clear as in how far you can walk around? Like for instance i want to walk around new york on foot from end to end just as example is it possible? I love flying but walking and driving would be heaven

[@SizzlingPopcorn]

Well, if you want to lose digital weight, you can walk around the whole Earth and even be like Jesus, walking on water! Might take you to the next version of MSFS to walk around everything, including the poles! The ATV is the Juice Goose by //42 for MSFS 2020. There are no default vehicles outside of aircraft. There are 3rd party addons for cars, ATVs, boats, ships, and even spaceships! 👩‍🚀🚀🌕 Only thing about roads is that they're not always smooth or good looking, but that's where it becomes fun! It's weird how in the real world, everybody is trying to build self-driving cars....but then people turn to a flight sim to actually drive cars! 🤷‍♂🤣

[@fussyfez]

​@@SizzlingPopcornyou managed to open msfs 2020 mods on the 2024 tech alpha?

[@Jerogimo123]

@@SizzlingPopcorn nice!! good to know that you can walk as far as you like 👌 Ah okej you can't drive but walking as far as you want on foot in the sim 2024 is the same fun for me. So driving is not needed for me 😁 as long as i can fly and exit a helicopter or airplane and walk my way everywhere as long as i can choose how far there is no need for me to drive a car hehe 😁👌😊 thanks for the kind reply appreciated

[@Jerogimo123]

@@SizzlingPopcorn true 😂😂

[@SizzlingPopcorn]

@@Jerogimo123 Yes, you can still drive. It just depends on the area and the roads. Out in the countryside, it's nice! Actually, the Juice Goose comes with some scenes that you can teleport to via the ATV's console, where you can do jumps and stunts. Check out this stream - the whole thing is good, but I've timestamped it to when I get into the ATV...this is MSFS 2020 in that stream, but also works in MSFS 2024 👉 kzbin.infomh0hDEpBS-I?si=aiqb48KRdF3jmzTY&t=2923

[@Runway_Models1987]

Do you feel that the aircraft and cockpits look any better in 2024?

[@SizzlingPopcorn]

Only saw 3 aircraft and I'd say yes, but I'll do a couple of videos this week to show a comparison between 2020 and 2024.

[@justplayalready6056]

Flight simulator ranked before GTA6 💀

[@ClintonBacon]

Great, as soon as I am able to get my Logitech Extreme 3D Pro joystick to work in MSFS2024. It works great in MSFS2020, but 2024 it does not register at all. Even trying to manually setup is not working.

[@SizzlingPopcorn]

I've got mine to work, but the Alpha kept "forgetting" my controls almost every time I switched planes or started the sim. I wouldn't expect that on release and hopefully some basic button mapping, just like when you connect a new device to MSFS 2020.

[@alexeypopov3903]

what is the name of this 3d party app with ATC AI? and where to download or how to add it in sim?

[@reboot5598]

@@alexeypopov3903 it’s called “say again”

[@SizzlingPopcorn]

@alexeypopov3903 @reboot5598 It’s SayIntentions. You can start a free trial here 👉 bit.ly/SayIntentions

[@StrGzr101]

I can't wait for backcountry flight. Holy moly.

[@SizzlingPopcorn]

It's going to be awesome! 😎

[@derekcoaker6579]

​@@SizzlingPopcorn It really is. Even in the Alpha, the Mountains and Terrain mixed with the new Lighting is enough to sway me.

[@SavageGunFighter21]

I learned it runs good on my PC. It's has problems saving control bindings. And night lighting is terrible.

[@SizzlingPopcorn]

Yes. It is a tech alpha built a while ago.

[@briancrawley8440]

Thank you for the video. It’s looking great.

[@SizzlingPopcorn]

Yes, it's looking great, even if this was just alpha! I kept a few more videos in my back pocket for when the Alpha is over in a few hours. 😎

[@jean-francoisdesjardins9201]

Thanks for the mention! I encourage everyone to beat my top scores in Msfs 2024! I always liked to be challenged and will always be as competitive as I can!

[@SizzlingPopcorn]

Now you're looking for your next challengers! 😎🏆

[@jean-francoisdesjardins9201]

@SizzlingPopcorn just need some challengers and let the fun begin

[@MichaelJustGreat]

*SizzlingPopcorn, when it is fully released, if you want ideas for new videos on MSFS2024, do a video only focused on the career mode. Especially explain if it will be fully free or not?* I add more information to make it clearer what I mean by "Will it be fully free or not?". I am not a gamer at all even though I am an advanced user of computers meaning I know nothing about any game at all. When I say: will it be free or not? I mean as an example that when you do the private pilot license, you have to do modules to get it. Do you have to pay in real money to be allowed to do these modules? Or do you get free credits from MSFS2024 (that you do not pay for) that you can use to do these modules?

[@Kiwiaviatornz]

Its not fully free

[@derekcoaker6579]

Fully Free? The Career mode?

[@wout123100]

what do you mean free, no, you have to go to exams, ofcourse, thats why its called career, they are not difficult.

[@SizzlingPopcorn]

@MichaelJustGreat Thanks! I did a whole stream on career mode and starting from scratch. No, it’s not free. But if you’re think if it’s free roam like GTA V, no. You’d have to go into Free Flight.

[@derekcoaker6579]

@@wout123100 All of the ones I managed to do in the Alpha were VERY easy. And short, if you wanted them to be. Looking forward to Release.

[@ahmedfathy-y8t]

Do anyone tried this simulator with GTX1660ti ?

[@tonyhorn2954]

I have some "test" scenery to check out how good 2024 will be. Pyongyang, North Korea. It has some of the worst scenery in MSFS 2020, obviously because there is bugger all data available for the area. I will be interested to see what MSFS 2024 does with it.

[@wout123100]

same , because data is the same.

[@briancrawley8440]

Have the something lower than bronze for me 😂😂

[@cenkcdemir]

what is this lol? 02:04

[@SizzlingPopcorn]

Check the full video here 👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHnboKGZbc2eaJI

[@3KPK3]

You can drive vehicles on the ground? Hell yeah!

[@wout123100]

you can already in 2020

[@SizzlingPopcorn]

You can pretty much do anything

[@paulsimon7771]

The Sim is great concerning the flight physics, but graphically it's a nightmare. I have a 7800xt and with fsr2 upscaling I have tons of light smearing and blurriness so nighttime is almost unplayable. Additionally there are graphical bugs like black and white stripes during nighttime, mostly because dx12 isn't optimised for rdna GPUs. If asobo doesn't fix it game is unplayable for me. (And the career was broken, as I couldn't take any lessons, could only take the exam and during the first mission game just crashes. Like every single time I play the first mission.

[@wout123100]

maybe read what this test is about, it is not about stuff working properly.

[@SizzlingPopcorn]

It’s a TECH ALPHA!

[@jamesm568]

I'm getting ready to spend my $200 on this and probably another $3,000 to upgrade the PC so I can get away from AMD.

[@SizzlingPopcorn]

What's wrong with AMD? I'm using AMD mobo and Nvidia GPU (shareholder benefits 🤣)

[@jamesm568]

@@SizzlingPopcorn This simulator just favors Intel and Nvidia hardware better as AMD hardware doesn't get as much love. Even Microsoft doesn't even demo their simulator with AMD hardware.

[@clivedamagedgoods]

Wait wait wait. It has ground vehicles?

[@EstTideSeamen]

@@clivedamagedgoods definitely a addon but how did he get it in 2024

[@freedivert]

@@EstTideSeamen There is community folder, but hidden in files. People used some addons in test version.

[@wout123100]

@@freedivert this is easy, always amased how people do not know this.

[@SizzlingPopcorn]

Yep! It was quite easy and wasn’t locked. Stuff didn’t always work, like the Aerosoft Twin Otter.

[@EstTideSeamen]

@@wout123100 its an alpha test shouldn't be able to use addons yet 🤡 he literally said its hidden in the files obviously not everyone gonna know how to

[@ahmedfathy-y8t]

Do anyone tried this simulator with GTX1660ti ?