Microsoft Flight Simulator Game of the Year Edition delivers DirectX 12, new content and a Jet Fighter

Microsoft Flight Simulator Game of the Year Edition is launching this November, arriving as a free update to the game with new aircraft, updated photogrammetry, new airports, and more. 

On PC, gamers will be receiving an often requested feature, DirectX 12 support. DirectX 12 will be available as an “early access” add-on, which means that Asobo and Microsoft are working to enhance Microsoft Flight Simulator’s DirectX 12 support further.

Why Does DirectX 12 Matter? 

Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS) is a taxing game on PC, especially with regards to CPU performance. The game’s July 2021 update had delivered significant performance gains over prior versions, but the game remains difficult to run on most modern PC, even those with the latest CPU and GPU hardware. 

MSFS’s DirectX 12 update promises better CPU utilisation and will act as a backbone for future graphics updates for the game. DirectX 12 opens the door to DirectX 12 Ultimate graphics upgrades for Microsoft Flight Simulator, such as ray tracing support, VRS support and more. 

The Game of the Year update to Microsoft Flight Simulator will update Microsoft Flight Simulator’s weather system and add a new “dev mode replay system” to the game. A new Reno Air Races mode is also coming to the game.