Microsoft has released World Update 22 for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 ahead of schedule. Originally slated for July 4 to coincide with America’s 250th birthday, the update is now live for players on Xbox, PC, and PS5.
This free content drop focuses heavily on American landscapes, bringing high-fidelity recreations of iconic national parks directly into your cockpit. If you have the latest version of the simulator installed, you can download the World Update 22 package from the marketplace immediately.
30 new National Park locations
The core of this update is a collection of 30 new locations centered on United States national parks. Microsoft has prioritized visual fidelity for these areas, allowing you to fly over some of the country’s most recognizable terrain.
- Grand Canyon: A detailed recreation of the massive geological feature in Arizona.
- Yellowstone: Explore the geothermal wonders and mountainous landscape of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.
- Rocky Mountains: High-altitude flying opportunities across the rugged peaks.
- Mount Rushmore: A precise model of the famous presidential memorial in South Dakota.
These locations are designed to showcase the simulator’s rendering capabilities, offering a virtual tour of American heritage sites that many users may never visit in person.
New guided tours and aircraft
Beyond static scenery, World Update 22 introduces three new guided tours. These structured flights help you navigate the complex terrain of specific parks without getting lost. The available tours cover:
- Bryce Canyon: Navigate through the unique hoodoo formations.
- Grand Teton: Fly along the dramatic mountain range in Wyoming.
- Grand Canyon: A comprehensive tour of the canyon’s vastness and depth.
The update also adds a new free aircraft: the Goodyear Blimp. This iconic airship is particularly fitting given the American theme of the update. While it lacks the speed of jetliners, it offers a unique perspective for low-altitude exploration over stadiums and landmarks.
What this means for you
If you enjoy the exploration aspect of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, this update provides immediate value. The early release means you don’t have to wait for the holiday weekend to start flying. Whether you are on PC, Xbox, or PS5, the content is free and available now.
For users interested in photorealistic scenery, the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone additions represent some of the most visually demanding environments in the game. Ensure your system settings are optimized if you plan to fly these areas at high graphical fidelity.
Source: Windows Central
Over to you: Which national park location are you most excited to fly over first?
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