Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024: How AI Revolutionized Game Development

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024: AI’s Crucial Role

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 wouldn’t exist without artificial intelligence. Senior developer Jorg Neumann revealed that creating the game’s vast map data manually was impossible. Machine learning was essential, acting as a powerful tool to accelerate development.

AI: Job Creator, Not Destroyer

Contrary to fears of AI-driven job losses, Neumann reported that the development team actually expanded. The 2020 version involved 100 people; Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 boasts a team of 800, including 200 at Asobo and 600 at support studios.

How AI Built the World

The AI process involved marking 28,000 representative “tiles” of Earth, including various terrains like forests and deserts. This data trained a machine learning platform to generate assets, which were then reviewed and refined by humans in a four-stage process.

This isn’t unique to Microsoft. EA Sports also relied heavily on AI for EA Sports College Football 25, stating it was crucial for timely and high-quality release.

Launch Challenges

Despite AI’s success, the game’s launch faced server issues and other problems due to underestimated demand.

Availability

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is available now on Xbox and PC, and included in Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.