November 21st 2024.
It's been two days since the highly-anticipated release of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, but unfortunately, players are still unable to actually play the game due to server and technical issues. This isn't the first time that publishers have held off on providing review copies until the day of release, leading many to believe that they may be hiding a subpar product. However, there are often valid reasons for this, such as an online-only game or a rush to meet a strict release date.
In the case of Flight Simulator 2024, Microsoft had explained that the online services were not yet ready and a day-one patch was planned for both Xbox and PC. This seemed like a reasonable explanation at the time, but now, two days after the release, the online services are still not functioning properly. It's a familiar scenario, similar to the recent disastrous launch of Cyberpunk 2077, and it's disheartening to see history repeating itself.
Upon attempting to play the game, players are greeted with a static Login Queue screen stating that there are too many users trying to connect at the same time. This is to be expected on launch day for a highly-anticipated title, but it seems that this possibility was not taken into consideration beforehand. Later, the queue changed to a server error and some players were able to download assets, but the download would often freeze at 97%. The few players who were able to actually play the game encountered a multitude of glitches, broken textures, and performance issues.
As a result, the game has been review-bombed on Steam and many players are expressing their disappointment and frustration. One reader, Saints Stickman, pointed out the irony of Microsoft promoting cloud gaming as the future while not being able to handle the influx of players trying to connect to their servers. It also raises concerns about digital ownership and the lack of recourse for gamers when they are unable to play the games they have purchased.
Reader Cassius2K brought up another valid point about the high cost of digital purchases, with the top version of Flight Simulator 2024 priced at £199.99. This serves as a reminder that rules around digital ownership may need to be reevaluated to protect consumers from companies being able to withdraw access to a product at any time.
Despite all of this, we still look forward to reviewing Flight Simulator 2024 once it is in a playable state. However, it's unclear when that will be and for now, players are left frustrated and disappointed. To stay updated on any developments, you can check out our website or follow us on social media. We also encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences with us through email, comments, Twitter, and our newsletter. And for an easier way to submit your own letters and features, you can use our Submit Stuff page.
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