Everybody seemed excited, and I can see why. Today MS opened up pre-orders, but I normally don't bite this early -- there's the same range of release versions as previously, with an additional 'Aviator' top level. I did check the MS Store, and the prices are the same as previously?
I will probably go for the standard version again, as there are plenty of aircraft to keep me happy for a long time, and nothing worth the extra $50 -- $100. Some great footage of the 737 Max, one of the new defaults. I can see me using this a lot.
I have been thinking that my PC may not be up to this, so I looked at a new graphics card, but I need to think long and hard about this. It will work on my current system, and it would probably cost at least $1500 for a worthwhile upgrade, but I have also been thinking of getting an Xbox. So I could use my old PC to work on scenery, and use my own airports, but switch to the Xbox just to fly using the 4K TV. After all, I am retired now.
I've really intrigued with the new biomes etc, but I do wonder how NZ will be depicted. I can't see them working on a specific biome for us, so it really comes down to how they depict out native bush etc. With MSFS 2020, it's generic enough to work, I just hope with 2024 we don't end up with something lovely, but not representative of NZ at all. I actually liked the early release version in 2020, until they changed the vegetation early on.
I love the new 3D ground, with grass/rocks/plants etc, and I can see how this would work well around NZ. And I can't wait to do some Alps flying, normally my first flight in any new sim.
