Hello Captain,
We want to share an important update regarding SimFX, A320 Immersion, 737 Immersion, and 777 Immersion.
We previously shared our intent to bring these products into MSFS 2024 as native rebuilds, free for existing owners. That was our plan, and we held that position while waiting for clarity from the platform.
With the release of SU2 and a deeper understanding of MSFS 2024's predicted path, it's now clear that we cannot bring these products forward as we had hoped. Despite our best efforts, the technical limitations currently make it unable to meet our requirements.
The SimFX framework relies on pretty deep modifications to what's called "Model Behaviors" in the sim. In MSFS, those deep modifications are needed to achieve the level of customizability SimFX and Immersion Package effects require.
MSFS 2024 introduces optimizations to core simulation components, including Model Behaviors. Although these improvements benefit users and developers in many ways, they prevent us from inserting the correct effects in the proper locations for each aircraft.
When we learned about this change, we rapidly opened a thread on devsupport where we were promised an update on the situation ASAP. Unfortunately, as of the time of this post, no update has be provided. * a reply has since been received. For the past few months, our quest has been to find an alternative route to this issue. Our findings so far point to the fact that most of our effects cannot be transferred to the new platform and that SimFX and Immersion Packages as we know them today cannot exist on the new platform.
This isn't a decision we wanted to make. These products mean a lot to us, and we know they've meant a lot to many of you in 2020, where none of these effects existed. It's not about losing interest or shifting priorities; it's about what is and isn't possible within the current sim environment.
We understand some users may have purchased recently, expecting a future in 2024. However, it's important to note that these are 2020 products. They remain fully supported and continue to deliver their intended experience in MSFS 2020, where they were originally designed to deliver maximum value.
Our creations often operate at the very limits of what the SDK allows. MSFS 2024 introduced sweeping architectural changes, and that level of change impacts us far more than it would most conventional aircraft or scenery developers.
This situation is also a reminder of the frustration that can come from broad statements made by Microsoft on behalf of third-party developers. When it was said that "virtually everything" would work in MSFS 2024, that set an expectation, a bar many of us, including our team, took seriously. Unfortunately, that expectation turned out to be far from reality. These kinds of statements can create confusion, disappointment, and difficult conversations like the one we're having today. Our VFX line isn't the first to get negatively impacted, and it's not likely to be the last.
This status change to "🚫 2024 NOT SUPPORTED. 2020 Only." is now officially reflected on our 2024 Compatibility Dashboard. If the platform evolves in a way that opens the door again, we'll be ready to strike with another attempt. But for now, we're focused on building what IS possible.
All other products not mentioned above, including ChasePlane and Flow, continue moving forward with MSFS 2024 compatible and/or native builds.
Thank you for trusting us and our work, and understanding that transparency sometimes means delivering hard news.
