Hello, what is the difference between the simulation PC and Xbox? I want to buy a PC but it is expensive. That’s why I want to buy Xbox series x. What are the differences in simulation PC and Xbox??
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Hello, I’ve moved this into #community:general-discussion-feedback since a general question is being asked. The #sdk-discussion:sdk category is more for general discussion regarding the software development kit.
No real difference in terms of software.
The main differences are 1/ no mods (only marketplace content), 2/ no graphics settings (pre-selected for you in accordance to Xbox specs), 3/ less choice in peripherals.
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I honestly couldn’t see myself ever playing this on Xbox.
1 - I have a PC that far exceeds the specs of an Xbox
2 - Mod / addon support is severely reduced
3 - After 20 years of flight simulation on a PC I simply couldn’t see myself doing it on a console
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Ignore the people who only want to join every thread and bash MSFS.
To answer your question:
PC and Xbox are running the exact same game, however on PC you have the ability to add many kinds of mods and community addons. On XBox, the only way to do that is via the in game marketplace, and that’s far more limited.
If you get really deep into MSFS, at some point the limitations of the platform start to get to you - for example, you cannot use Navigraph on the Xbox, and Navigraph is a very nice third party charts program on PC.
But if you aren’t that hardcore a player, the Xbox is perfectly fine to get started with. And in even better news, if you buy the game on Xbox, or get it cia gamepass, you can play on PC for no extra charge. So you can always buy a PC in a couple years if you really start to get into flying and want to expand beyond Xbox.
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OP do you have a budget by any chance when it comes to a PC?
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Please don’t listen to @monkeytennis245 as their comments are not helpful to your situation and they are regularly seen in the forums knocking MSFS any chance they get.
I would take the advice of @StarlessLion50 and also weigh up the costs of both options for you and see if a PC would be more beneficial even outside of MSFS. A lot of it will depend how involved you want to be with the simulation as PC can offer mods and serious flying networks that simulate atc environments with real world players. As I mentioned before thinking about the bigger picture and how valuable a PC in general will be outside of flight simulation and that could also be a deciding factor.
It’s interesting how perspectives vary.
I honestly couldn’t see myself ever playing this on a PC.
1 - The Series X delivers a solid MSFS experience for a cheaper price.
2 - You don’t have to worry about the faff of configurations, drivers and outside add-ons.
3 - 30 years after enjoying flight simulation on a PC I get to do it again on a console.
To the OP, the sim is basically the same, but PC and Xbox each have their advantages and disadvantages.
And you can get moderately hardcore on Xbox, I have a HOTAS, Pedals and chat pad connected, for example.
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The core, vanilla sim experience is identical on both platforms. There’s no difference at all in that respect. The vast majority of add-ons in the Marketplace will be available for both platforms, although conceivably some won’t be ported over to Xbox.
However, there are difference is the POTENTIAL experience you will have, and there are 2 main categories.
Controllers:
Currently you’re pretty limited. Outside of the Xbox controller, you have the choice of the Thrustmaster T.Flight One HOTAS and I believe 1 other option for HOTAS (don’t remember the name atm). There will be some upcoming Xbox compatible flight peripherals from Honeycomb, Turtle Beach, and others in the coming months.
Even though stuff is coming, the space will offer a lot fewer options than what you can get on PC.
Expandability:
This is the sticking point for many. With PC, we have unlimited options for 3rd party mods, planes, tools, digital accessories, etc.
Want some free liveries, scenery, airports and other add-ons? No problem. Sites like flightim.to and many others host a plethora of them.
In many cases, the stock planes in the sim are a bit “lacking” in one way or another. There are mods out there for the more popular ones that basically bring their stats up to real world levels, add in a lot of the INOP cockpit features, or just correct long standing issues with the planes that Asobo never addressed.
At some point, a not insiginificant number of simmers start using external tools, be they mapping tools, planners, live maps, live ATC, career mode programs, etc. All of these require the presense of SimConnect, the interface which which external tools connect to and communicate with the sim. Due to hardware security limitations on Xbox, it doesn’t have SimConnect, so there’s no way for these external tools to talk to the sim.
This is the basic difference between the 2 platforms. There are other details, but this is the jist of it. In the end, it’s up to you to decide what’s important to you in a simulator experience. If you’re ok with the limitations of the Xbox, there’s no reason you shouldn’t go that route.
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For XBOX, it is perfect for an introduction … absolutely incredible to have this as an introduction. You can hook up a mouse, and keyboard (wireless USB) also to the console. However,
for the quintessential flight simulation experience, you need a proper desk and a second screen …
The lack of VATSIM makes Xbox a no-no for me from the get-go. I respect your opinion but quite frankly if one is really going to dig their teeth into it I do recommended they go with PC.
Some people are happy with the vanilla experience. I couldn’t do it myself. Not after having it on PC.
Some people may enjoy riding the swing. But I can’t see myself enjoying a swing once I’ve already been to the amusement park and rode the roller coasters and other high-intensity rides.