Development Update – Feb 6, 2020

POSTED BY: MICROSOFT FLIGHT SIMULATOR TEAM

We are going to keep this update brief, big update coming on 02.13.

Screenshot credit – ChicoMick

 “The only thing I hope is that people are serious about bug reports and suggestions/feedback”

  • Reddit User

There are two important tasks the team is currently working on:

  1. ALPHA ACCESS – For those that have not received Alpha build access (press F to pay respects), we are actively working to increase the number of participants. Expect an updated timeline on 02.13.
  2. TARGETED TESTING – For those users that have received Alpha build access, next week we kickoff our Targeted Testing phase. In the Alpha section of our forums we will post weekly challenges for users to test specific areas/features and provide their feedback.

To date, the feedback we’ve received from both Tech Alpha and Alpha users has been incredibly valuable to the team. Every piece of feedback, every suggestion is another opportunity for us to improve the experience. So thank you, and keep it coming!

FEATURE DISCOVERY SERIES

  • EPISODE 6 IS COMING SOON!

We are putting the finishing touches on our next episode in the Feature Discovery Series! Episode 6 will provide an in-depth look at the airports we are building in the next generation of Microsoft Flight Simulator. You should expect an update on the official date for release in our next update (02.13).

DR PREVIEW MOVED TO 02.13

The DR preview is still in the process of being finalized and we expect to have it ready for Insiders to preview in our next update on 02.13.

FEEDBACK SNAPSHOT MOVED TO 02.13

We’ve been working hard to update the FS Snapshot to incorporate the early feedback from Alpha. Unfortunately, we had to bump this update back to 02.13 in order to ensure the most recent information was included.

MORE GREAT SCREENSHOTS FROM ALPHA PARTICIPANTS!

Screenshot credit – Shwarz2381

Screenshot credit – Dawu777

Screenshot credit – SteffoHD

Screenshot credit – simtom 112

Screenshot credit – SM4RTN117

Screenshot credit – PundaPC

Screenshot credit – EntwindedCloth37

Next update – 02.13!

Sincerely,

Microsoft Flight Simulator Team

FS2020 January 23 Development Update

Devs, please let us update our DX DIAG files.”

  • Reddit User r/Flightsim

You got it!

Starting 01.23 – 01.27 you will be able to update your machine spec information. To do so, please do the following:

  • Log into www.FlightSimulator.com.
  • Select your avatar/name in the upper right corner.
  • Select “My Profile”.
  • Here you can edit your machine specs and press enter.
  • That’s it!

Need to register?

For those that missed out on registering for preview build testing, now is your chance!

Simply sign-up to be an Insider, head into the Insider Area and select the “Alpha Registration” link along the top menu bar.

ALPHA (formerly known as TECH ALPHA 2)  – PREPARING FOR RELEASE

We are still on schedule for Alpha release next week!

  • 01.20 – Begin sending Alpha  invitations.
  • 01.27 – All Alpha invitations sent.
  • 01.27 – Alpha ready for download, begin sending build access emails.
  • 01.31 – All wave 1 Alpha emails sent.

PARTNERSHIP SERIES/FEEDBACK SNAPSHOT V2 UPDATES

We have moved both updates back to the next update on February 6th to give the team time to prep Alpha for release.  

MORE GREAT SCREENSHOTS FROM TECH ALPHA PARTICIPANTS!

Submitted by tomlaut1980
Submitted by LookedUnicorn95
Submitted by dhswampash
Submitted by SkintErmine4112
Submitted by SkintErmine4112

Sincerely,

Microsoft Flight Simulator Team

FS2020 January 16th Development Update

FEATURE DISCOVERY SERIES

  • EPISODE 5 IS HERE!

Episode 5 features an in-depth look at how we approach audio for the next iteration of Microsoft Flight Simulator. 

TECH ALPHA 1 – WAVE 2 INVITES

We are still in the process of sending out wave 2 invites for Tech Alpha 1. This process will be completed by the end of day (PST time) on 01.17.

UPDATE – TECH ALPHA 2 name change to ALPHA

Please note that we have made a name change from “TECH ALPHA 2” to “ALPHA”. This will help avoid any naming confusion with Tech Alpha 1 AND is more accurately aligned with the state of the build.

ALPHA (formerly known as TECH ALPHA 2)  – PREPARING FOR RELEASE

  • 01.20 – Begin sending Alpha  invitations.
  • 01.27 – All Alpha invitations sent.
  • 01.27 – Alpha ready for download, begin sending build access emails.
  • 01.31 – All wave 1 Alpha emails sent.

As a reminder, if you are already participating in Tech Alpha 1 testing, you will automatically be granted access to Tech Alpha 2.

SDK UPDATE

After a ton of hard work over the past few months we are happy to announce that an alpha version of the SDK will be available in the upcoming ALPHA release!

Only 3rd party development partners will have access to the SDK in which they will be able to create and edit airports, sceneries, planes and missions.

The SDK makes available the same in-game tools used internally for the development of the core simulator. We can’t wait to see what our 3rd parties and Content Creators create based on the samples we’re providing!

We still have plenty of work ahead and we are looking forward to the feedback we receive over the next few weeks.

If you are a 3rd party developer and have not been in contact with the team, please send an email to msfsim@microsoft.com for more information.

DR UPDATE FOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY

Sincerely,

Microsoft Flight Simulator Team

Search

FS2020 Development Update – December 19th, 2019

SDK UPDATE

  • SDK – Preview Version release moved back to mid-January.
  • SDK – Official V1 release expected March 2020.

We’ve made great progress on the SDK in recent weeks and are confident that an initial preview version will be ready as early as mid-January. The preview version will allow interested 3rd party developers to have a first look at the SDK, provide feedback and send requests / wishes to help us prioritize the work moving forward (similar to the Tech Alpha process).This is by no means an official V1 release – we expect that to be ready March 2020.

FEEDBACK SNAPSHOT

We’ve posted the first draft of the Feedback Snapshot in the Insider Area! This document is still being worked on so expect another update in a few weeks that contains additional information regarding the progress being made on each entry.

Next update – 01.09!

Sincerely,

Microsoft Flight Simulator Team

MEDIA UPDATE

This week we’d like to spotlight a few user submitted screenshots from Tech Alpha!

Screenshot credit – U/z32ands30
Screenshot credit – U/rwflush
Screenshot credit – U/NotoriousBPG
Screenshot credit – U/SebastianShain
Screenshot credit – U/rwflush
Screenshot credit – U/NotoriousBPG