MSFS2024: ADDITIONAL* simplified aircraft controls inspired by Grand Theft Auto (GTA)

Official Microsoft Flight Simulator Wishlist
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Hello, Microsoft, Asobo, and all the individuals involved in the development of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.

I hope this message finds you all well.

Before I formally express my wish on this wishlist page, I would like to take a moment to say how eternally grateful I am for your work. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 was a revolution in the entertainment industry, and I am certain that the 2024 version will be as well. The best part is being able to enjoy these products on Xbox consoles (without the need to build a 5000 USD computer).

Now that I have formally shared my accolades, let me get to the request. I will present it directly:

I — and I am absolutely certain that many others feel the same way — would love to see in MFS2024 a “simplified” version of the aircraft controls, similar to the way we pilot aircraft (both planes and helicopters) in the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) franchise.

Reason for the request:
When Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 was announced, I was ecstatic (a home flight simulator with the entire planet available, amazing graphics, and photorealistic visuals? If that’s not extremely revolutionary, I don’t know what is). I was even more excited when it was announced that it would be coming to Xbox consoles.

However, when I first entered MFS2020, I was met with great disappointment/frustration: even in the “easiest” mode, the controls were not user-friendly for those who just wanted to enjoy the game in a simple/arcade way.
I tried configuring the controls in every possible way to make the experience easier and more relaxing, but unfortunately, I was unsuccessful. After researching extensively, I discovered that the “problem” was not with my control settings but was, in fact, a native limitation of the game.

This disappointment/frustration became a massive barrier between me and MFS2020, and unfortunately, I could barely enjoy it — because every time it felt like a battle between me and the aircraft controls (regardless of the size or type of the aircraft).
If it weren’t for this issue with the “overly serious” controls, MFS2020 would have been absolutely perfect, and I’m sure I would have spent countless hours flying.

I would like to make it clear that I understand that ‘Microsoft Flight Simulator’ has “simulator” in its name for a reason; however, I am not requesting that the simulation aspect be “removed.”
What I am asking for is that the “game” aspect be democratized (through the controls) so that more people have access to the product.
I feel it’s important to make this clear, so that no “purist” misinterprets this request.

MFS2024 introduces many new aspects of a “game”, without altering in any way the purist simulation experience. And that, by the way, is one of my main reasons for being here: as the developers are clearly trying to bring more people into the MFS experience (democratizing access), I am confident that my request is both suitable and relevant.
I can say with authority that — unfortunately — I was not the only one who felt “shut out” from MFS2020 because of the controls (even in its “easiest” mode with maximum assists).

An important note: I mention the aircraft/flight controls from the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) franchise because they are easy and have become almost a “standard” in games involving aircraft nowadays; as such, most people are already familiar with these controls.

Considering that MFS2024 will feature new types of aircraft (such as hot air balloons), it’s possible that this “simplified” control scheme might already be present at the game’s launch (tomorrow, November 19th). However, as I haven’t found precise information on this, I felt the need to bring this request forward formally here.

I strongly believe that this kind of “democratization” would be highly beneficial to the product (game/simulator), the developers/publishers, and also the consumers. A good example of this is the wonderful remastering of the first three Tomb Raider games (PS1): there is the option to play with the old controls (tank controls) or with modern controls, as well as the ability to switch between the old (PS1) graphics and the remastered ones. In this way, everyone is happy, and there is no “segregation”. Each person can decide how they wish to enjoy the product.
I know these are different products, but I’m sure you can understand the logic behind what I mean.

To reiterate:
I am not here trying to “affect” how the simulation “purists” enjoy MFS. Those who wish to play in 100% simulation mode, with their specific hardware for that, and press 700,000 buttons on the ground and in the air, are welcome to do so. All I want is to be able to grab my Xbox controller and fly a Boeing 747 in a simple manner, just like in GTA 5 (by the way, the Boeing 747 example in GTA 5 is the perfect example, as it’s very smooth and easy to taxi, take off, fly and land in GTA, despite being an extremely heavy aircraft).

I hope you consider this request with care (not only mine but from part of the community).

I know I am not alone in this, and I urge other users/players to comment and support the idea in front of the developers, so that we can make this wish a reality.

I hope MFS2024 will be a resounding success among all: the “purists” (100% simulation), those in the “middle ground,” and those who just want to do missions and/or have a relaxing time (as in an actual game).

Best regards,
ArthurBRx6

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I would say it’s hard to make the planes in msfs fly like gta ones do, the flight models are very different. Microsobo has already implemented many methods to help reduce the players’ work. you can grab a controller and fly without struggle just after a few tutorials. in easy mode, i think the only difference is just keybindings.

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It already is if you turn on assists and use an Xbox controller.

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Unfortunately, it’s not the same thing, @JohnsonEric81 @JollyGreen8206 — which is why I decided to make this suggestion here.

I am infinitely grateful that there is an “easy mode” in MSFS; however, this “easy mode” is still not user-friendly enough for a specific group of people.

For anyone doubting my point, I invite you to taxi, take off, fly and land a Boeing 747 in GTA 5 (or even that airliner in GTA San Andreas), and then try to fly a Boeing 747 or any other airliner in MSFS 2020 (in “easy mode”). The conclusion is universal: it’s significantly harder in MSFS, even in “easy mode”, using a controller with all assists enabled.

Sometimes, people just enjoy aviation and want to virtually fly planes in a simple way without the need and/or the feeling of becoming a pilot, you know?

I know several people who launched the game (MSFS 2020, in this case) only once, got frustrated with the aircraft controls (even in “easy mode”), and never returned. Some of them even completed all the tutorials but still found the experience tedious and ultimately abandoned the game, which is unfortunate.

As for me, I went through the tutorials, always played using an Xbox controller, and always enabled “easy mode”, yet I also ended up quitting the game. And honestly
 I would be the kind of player willing to spend a fortune on this game if the aircraft controls were more user-friendly and easier as I’ve suggested. I have no doubt about that.

As I mentioned in my original post, I’m not asking for them to alter or remove any simulation aspects. My request is merely for the implementation of an even more simplified and streamlined mode (similar to GTA), allowing me and others to have the option of using a more intuitive piloting system. This way, everyone could enjoy the game in the manner they prefer. Anyone who is “bothered” by this would only be so out of selfishness.

I am a busy man, and while I enjoy aviation, I have neither the time nor the interest to learn certain details required to have a smooth experience in MSFS (even in “easy mode”). Just as I have no interest in attending flight school in real life, I simply want the option to pick up a controller and pilot virtually in an intuitive and hassle-free way.

For those who are already accustomed to the more advanced modes (the simulation itself), the current “easy mode” might seem overly simplistic. However, for some players, it still isn’t user-friendly enough.

To reiterate:
What I am suggesting in this post is merely an additional option to all the existing ones, to be used only by those who wish to. What I’m proposing here would not affect anything already present in the game.

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@ArthurBRx6
I was going to suggest Xbox controller with easy mode, or if that’s too hard then what @GlennyPlays wrote about using the drone.

The drone is not a workaround if you really just want to see the sights and it has gta like flying control i believe. On the other hand, if you want to have the feel of flying a helicopter / airplane, i would think the easy mode is enough. But apparently it’s still difficult for you. In that case you have to be more specific about what you are finding difficult and how that can be made easy.. if it’s just a matter of control bindings, which I suspect it’s not, then those can be changed with little effort.

And then there is another can of worms in flight model, systems complexity etc. if you really want simplified flying experience, you have to stick to simplified aircraft, I believe there were already a few in MSFS 2020 and even more in MSFS 2024. If you expect to handle a complex aircraft like say the a310 gta style, I don’t think that’s going to be very trivial to do from developer’s side.

As a software developer myself, in my experience trying to fit a single solution for all use cases is never a good idea. It goes nowhere and stays mediocre in every respect. I know you are not asking the existing complexities and depth to be removed, but want a shallower simpler version, if you want that for every aircraft of the game, I can only imagine the code complexity that will create if one tries to implement that. But I am sure there will be aircraft which should fit the bill for you.

But please be more specific about what you find difficult in msfs 2020 easy mode.

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Been there
 done that
 Not only with the 747 but also with the PMDGs, Bae 146 and so on and without “easy mode”, mouse or keyboard. Nothing gets simpler and easier than using a controller.

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I know me and atleast another person is just interested to find out exactly what aspects seems difficult to op even with Xbox controller and all assists set to on. Then only we can understand whether the request has true merit or there are some workarounds already. And sometimes even if a request has true merit, it doesn’t get addressed. But that’s a problem for later.

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Folks, this is a wishlist, and not a discussion category.
Participation in this should be done through the voting system.
Please keep all other posts in the appropriate discussion category.
Several posts have been removed.

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Disable crash&fault and you can still fly, why bother the physics?
I know it is harder to drive a plane in msfs than in gta, so i mentioned the flight model at the very beginning. It’s ok if you are busy and dont have time to learn how to fly, taking off in bumps is also acceptable.
And you say “merely an additional option”. The truth is, what you are asking for is a rework for the whole physic system, and it is not an easy task.

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I play both games quite a bit, have experience in Direct3D game development, and am also a pilot, so this would be a fun topic to geek out about. But let’s talk about how this would realistically work.

I don’t think this is just a matter of modifying how the controllers work, and tweaking the flight model a bit. If you want these aircraft to truly behave mostly like they do in Grand Theft Auto, you are talking about a complete rewrite of several parts of the game. And you could do that, I’m just saying that’s what it’s gonna take. The big one I see is the flight model. It has to be completely scrapped and redone, probably like some third-party aircraft that are extremely unusual types and have to basically run their own external flight models like an airship or fictional spaceship. These games use entirely different physics models, and approaches to interacting with the world.

Once you have the “GTA flight model” you could start adding different types that use it. But every aircraft will have to be redone in this manner. I don’t see a way to make a mod that applies this to existing aircraft, other than by completely bypassing their flight models and taking control of the aircraft, which again will require custom attention for every different plane. There’s probably going to be several gotchas in how the controllers work and interact with the game too. Like pressing “forward” on your controller, a function that doesn’t really exist in Flight Simulator, needs to:

  • Configure the aircraft to a ready state
  • Turn the engines on
  • Apply power in a controlled and measured way
  • Do this all in about one second

That’ll require bypassing all the systems and control handling in the sim. I think the only plausible way you’re going to see this in the sim is if a third party developer makes it, and it’ll be a huge investment, so convincing them it’s worth the time and effort is the next challenge.

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Well put. In other words, it’s possible. But is it probable in a flight SIMULATOR? I don’t know.

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Hello, @SkipTalbot

How are you today?

Thank you for your explanation. I truly appreciate it.

Certainly, my suggestion/wish would be something that would require further study by the developers. I understand that.

I believe that, even with any potential “obstacles” that may exist, if there is a perspective that this additional mode/option (as suggested here) would indeed attract more users to MSFS, I am confident they would implement it.

In other words, if after all necessary studies and analyses, it is concluded that such an implementation would be beneficial for the MSFS franchise, for Asobo, and for Microsoft, I am certain they would proceed with it. The question of when they would implement it is a different matter altogether.

I will remain hopeful and optimistic.

Once again, thank you for your explanation/comment.

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As has already been requested here, let us keep this thread clean and free of (unnecessary) conflicts.

There is no need to repeatedly emphasize that it is a “simulator”, especially when Asobo/Microsoft have explicitly stated their plans to attract a broader audience to enjoy the software (and, personally, I believe that if we must label it with a single term, ‘software’ would be the most fitting).
Simply look at MSFS2024 and its promotional materials since its announcement: it contains too many gaming elements, far more than MSFS2020. This is not a “coincidence”, nor is it an “accident”; it is something carefully planned.

Why create segregation when everyone can equally enjoy and have fun with it, each in their own way, according to their preferences?

I truly see no sensible human reason to be selfish in a case where everyone can win.

Let us keep the peace around here. This is just a suggestion/wish. I have no intention of harming anyone with it.

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The fact they never did this is
mind-blowing. It’s like they’ve once again made a game that’s advertised for use on Xbox which is a NIGHTMARE. It’s like selling a car with 1 wheel missing and half a steering wheel with an engine that works now and then.