Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 has quickly earned a reputation as one of the most talked-about game launches of the year, though not for the reasons developer Asobo Studio might have hoped. Since its debut earlier this week, the game has been plagued by bugs, server meltdowns, and loading times long enough to make real-life flight delays look efficient.
Steam reviews for the game currently sit somewhere between “Overwhelmingly Negative” and “Spontaneous Combustion,” as frustrated players unload their grievances about a simulator that simulates everything except actually functioning.
Server Woes: A Turbulent Takeoff
Asobo Studio’s servers have been struggling under the weight of too many eager virtual pilots, causing widespread login failures and turning the game’s community into an angry mob of grounded travelers. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the studio reassured players that server capacity had been increased but admitted that “access issues continue.”
Translation: they’ve added a few more chairs to the waiting room, but the flight’s still delayed indefinitely.
The CEO Speaks: “We Tried, Okay?”
In a YouTube video that has already inspired countless memes, Asobo CEO Sebastian Wloch explained how the servers crumbled despite rigorous testing. “We simulated 200,000 players at once,” said Wloch. “It worked great—until we launched the game and everything went to hell.”
The studio’s temporary solution involved limiting the number of players who could log in, which Wloch admitted “worked well for maybe half an hour or so,” before the system imploded like a poorly built Minecraft tower.
“Now we’re restarting,” Wloch added, visibly exhausted. “We’re investigating. We’re trying to figure out why the servers are behaving like a toddler that missed its nap.”
A Simulator That Simulates Waiting
Players have been quick to share their experiences online, describing Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 as the most realistic waiting simulator ever created. “The loading screen even makes my GPU overheat,” joked one user on Reddit. “It’s like the game is simulating real airline customer service. Next, I’m expecting a $50 microtransaction to unlock the fast lane.”
Others have pointed out the irony of a flight simulator that can’t even get off the ground. “At least now I know how passengers feel when the airline tells them their flight is delayed because ‘the system is down,’” quipped another frustrated player.
Asobo’s Apology: “We’re Sorry for the Turbulence”
In their statement, Asobo promised players that the team is “working around the clock” to resolve the issues. However, no specific timeline was given for when the game will be fully operational. “It’s been a bumpy ride so far,” the studio admitted, “but we’re doing everything we can to stick the landing.”
Gamers, however, aren’t convinced. “Around the clock? Are they using a sundial?” one Twitter user replied.
Will Flight Simulator 2024 Recover?
Despite the rough launch, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 still holds promise. Once the server issues are fixed (and that’s a big “if”), the game offers unparalleled realism for aviation enthusiasts. In the meantime, players can enjoy the most authentic feature the game has to offer: the sheer frustration of waiting.
So if you’re a fan of long queues, endless delays, and apologetic announcements, congratulations—you’re already halfway to becoming a virtual pilot. Safe travels, everyone. Or, you know, eventually.