Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024’s Massive Bandwidth Drain Has Us Wondering If Game Streaming Is Really The Future

As anticipation builds for the upcoming release of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on November 19, 2024, gamers and flight sim enthusiasts are preparing themselves to take to the skies. The game promises to provide players with an incredibly immersive experience. However, recently few testers have revealed that the game requires an astonishing amount of internet bandwidth.

Players are excited about the game but are worried that their internet connection will be able to keep up. | Image Credit: Asobo Studio

This could be a significant concern for many players and has the potential to ruin their enjoyment. Testers reported that the alpha version of the game requires a high amount of bandwidth, in some cases as high as 180Mbps. This roughly translates to approximately usage of 81GB of data per hour. This revelation raises concerns for players and also raises a question of whether or not game streaming is truly the future of gaming.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024‘s Absurdly High Bandwidth Usage

The storage requirement for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is only around 50Gb but it requires a constant internet connection. This means that players will be streaming the game world (from the servers) in real time. This streaming model offers impressive levels of visual detail and graphics that adapt based on player settings as well as the specific location they are flying over.

However, this also presents one major flaw, if players have less robust internet connections, they may find themselves struggling to keep up with the data requirement, especially during peak usage moments. While the game’s minimum recommendation states it only needs a 50Mbps connection, the testing says otherwise. So to fully enjoy the game, many players might need to reconsider their internet connections.

One positive aspect of the game is that in less detailed areas, bandwidth consumption can drop to around 10Mbps. However, with peaks of 180Mbps consumption (around the usage of 81Gb per hour), players with data caps could face unexpected over-usage of data and additional costs (from the data provider).

From all the discussions about the game in the gaming community, it is clear that the excitement for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is high but the recent revelation now also poses a significant hurdle. Before enjoying the game, players will need to ensure that their internet connections are up to the task, leading them to reconsider their options.

Is Game Streaming Sustainable for the Future?

After the recent testing of the game, it appears the game needs an absurd amount of bandwidth in some demanding areas. | Image Credit: Asobo Studio

Since the recent reveal of the bandwidth requirement for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, an important question has arisen: Is game streaming truly the future of gaming? While game streaming offers the potential for stunning graphics and vast open worlds (without the need for high storage), the requirements for high-speed internet could alienate a significant portion of the gaming community.

The main issue is that not everyone has access to fast, reliable internet, and the expected variance in internet connection quality means that not all players will experience the game similarly. As the gaming industry evolves, the games are pushing the boundaries of graphic fidelity.

This rapid improvement also means the data requirements are likely going to increase as well. If games like Microsoft’s Flight Simulator are any indication for the future, the gap between those who can easily access high-quality games through streaming (with high-speed internet) and those who cannot will continue to widen.

Ultimately, the success of game streaming in the future largely depends on the ability of internet service providers to deliver faster, more reliable connections to a wider audience. Until the providers achieve that, the high bandwidth requirement from Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 will serve as a reminder that while the skies may be limitless, reaching them will be a huge challenge for many.

In the end, as players prepare themselves for the ultimate experience of flying an airplane, they are hoping that the bandwidth will not be the limiting factor between them and the skies.

What is the first place you going to fly over when you get the game? Tell us in the comment section below.