Microsoft Flight Simulator will use air traffic data to populate the simulation

Microsoft Flight Simulator will draw from air traffic data to simulate the skies exactly as they are, in real time. That's according to a new video hosted by Asobo CEO Sebastian Wloch, which provides some details on how multiplayer will work.

First of all, that air traffic data will simulate "most if not all" of the aeroplanes charting the world at any given moment, and if the game goes offline, AI will take the reins temporarily. Meanwhile, if players choose to access the Live Players mode, weather will be simulated according to real world data - so in other words, if you're flying through storms over, say, Paris, that'll be because there are actually storms over Paris.

"Live Players" will be the main simulation component of the game, but there's also an "All Players" filter, which lets you control pretty much everything about the simulation including weather. This will be best for folk who just want to fly around and explore the world, rather than get grilled by other players for not being real enough. (On that note, I can't wait for Airforceproud95's take on this newer sim).

There's a lot more to Flight Sim, and frankly, even as someone fairly new to the genre, I'm excited. Here's everything we know about Microsoft Flight Simulator so far.

Shaun Prescott

Shaun Prescott is the Australian editor of PC Gamer. With over ten years experience covering the games industry, his work has appeared on GamesRadar+, TechRadar, The Guardian, PLAY Magazine, the Sydney Morning Herald, and more. Specific interests include indie games, obscure Metroidvanias, speedrunning, experimental games and FPSs. He thinks Lulu by Metallica and Lou Reed is an all-time classic that will receive its due critical reappraisal one day.