MSFS 2024 Tech Alpha

[TSR2]

Hi guys, did anyone else get accepted? What are your thoughts so far?

The user interface is quite different, and I had to map all of the controls as nothing was configured out of the box. It's not very intuitive, but i think there is more in the way of controller / aircraft specific options.

I really dislike having to walk round the aircraft removing covers and chocks before i can get in and fly it (in free flight mode) - don't mind this in career mode, but i'll never use that.

Trees are more autumnal

Just flew in Belfast and Newcastle and the buildings are more generic, stock FSX with no PG and look a bit rubbish tbh.

Performance seemed good (but stock Cessna with stock scenery so it should be)

Intel i9 12 series, 32GB Ram, RTX3080 12GB, 500mB internet connection.

[DaveG]

Haven't applied for the alpha. Not sure yet whether I'll even get 2024, as I rarely use 2020 these days. Probably will though!

[TSR2]

I know the feeling

[Paul K]

I never applied, as I steer clear of testing out anything in MSFS. From what I've seen on YouTube, from people like TwoTone Murphy and Obsidian Ant, it looks pretty good, though there is some work still to do in the next five weeks or so. What was scenery streaming like ?

I've pre-ordered it on Steam, so no backing out, but I'm confident they will iron out any wrinkles. How I'd love Dave B to be here now, looking at these sims with his wit and wisdom.

[blanston12]

I got accepted, I am also suffering because the controls are all different and many controllers do not have default settings.
Also there are only three aircraft available, the C172, XCub and F/A-18E. I did do a couple flights, along the California coast and around my home, the scenery is impressive. An example, my home here in Fremont, California

What FS2020 looks like

Basic, there is a building in the right location and the roads turn the right way

But here is 2024:

This could be a photograph, you can see our solar panels, pool even the stepping stones in the back lawn.

Edit: Sorry it took me a bit to get the image links right.

[TSR2]

Hi Paul, streaming seems pretty good to be fair. I've a 500mB connection so probably should be ok, given this is a very cut down build, purely to test their server infrastructure at the back end. Most features are limited, there are only 3 aircraft, so it should be pretty good performance wise on PC. The PG stuff is limited to a couple of areas for this test, Joe must be one of the lucky ones
Its not representative of where the sim is at in its development phase, its purely a relatively light version they can use for telemetry data on the servers.Even so, loads of folk not reading the notes complaining of this and that.
What does seem to be consistant is the elevation at coastlines is much more accurate. Previously the local beaches would have the coastal road at sea level, but now the road is at the right level and theres a drop down the dunes to the beach. As i mentioned earlier, quite a bit of setting up of mappings for controllers and keyboard, but how representative it is of the finished product, who knows.

[DaveG]

The amount of data streaming is what is worrying me most. I've only got a 40mB (FTC) connection, which is ok for most things, but if SWMBO is downstairs watching Netflix I could run into trouble. Can't get a faster connection where I am unfortunately. The whole pc could do with an upgrade as well, but that's not going to happen for a while.
Have you tried porting in any other aircraft, or is that not allowed?

[TSR2]

I’ve read a couple of people have tried porting aircraft in, but i haven’t tried it. Data streaming looks ok in flight, from what I can see on my router its no more than about 8mb, but theres a spike at the beginning when in loads the airport that you are starting from.

[Paul K]

Thanks for those comparison shots, Joe. It looks very good. I was surprised to see my old Renault Laguna in MSFS2020 - a green blob outside my house in Cambridge.
Ben, thanks for the streaming info. I have a feeling this is going to be the aspect of FS24 that causes the most complaints. I've got a 270Mb connection, so hopefully all will be well.

[Paul K]

I've just been reading the kerfuffle at Avsim. Something I didn't fully understand is that this tech alpha is a cut-down version of the sim to test the servers. Sounds like a wise move, since so much is going to depend on data streaming. Here's the link, if you can bear the place:

https://www.avsim.com/forums/topic/6511 ... -released/