Because of its algorithm-based map creation system, glitches inMicrosoft Flight Simulatorare resulting in some hilariously surreal results, ranging from water that defies the laws of physics to skyscrapers becoming so tall that they are hazards to plane traffic.
Fourteen years since the lastMicrosoft Flight Simulatorcomes the most recent installment in the amateur flight program. The game’s premise is as simple as it sounds: flying different kinds of planes around a realistic depiction of Earth. And it graces the gaming community at arguably a perfect opportunity: during a nearly worldwide lockdown. In lieu of getting on a plane to fly to a dream destination, players can at least simulate flying the fullsixteen-hour distance between Los Angeles and Dubai, if they want to. Now, in the 2020 version ofFlight Simulator, it’s the most graphically realistic and physically accurate addition yet—or, at least, it’s supposed to be.
RELATED:Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 Review
To create such an accurate virtual depiction of the globe,Flight Simulatorutilizes an algorithm to create the world. It’s a graphical marvel, shaping up to be one of the most astonishingly beautiful games of 2020. But by generating a projection of reality through AI software, it results in a nearly flawless version of the world, with the keyword being ‘nearly,’ making the errors in the AI-generated universe stand out all the more.
Currently, the subreddit forMicrosoft Flight Simulatoris flocked with the mistakes found in the algorithm. The intuitive AI is meant to replicate any real-world monuments or locations within the game for players to visit. But one of many bugs that pilots have found in the early hoursFlight Simulator’s release is a strange-looking Buckingham Palacethat’s a little less than accurate. Instead of a gorgeously crafted piece of architecture, the entire palace has been replaced with a generic 90s-style office building, which is far less appealing.
But the game offers a unique opportunity to virtually travel the globe and admire its scenery from the comfort of players' own homes. While they fly around, comparing the artistic beauty of Australia to its virtual in-game depiction, gamers might come across a skyscraper in their plane’s path. A bug in the code caused thisMelbourne tower to stretch 212 stories tall inFlight Simulator. Other bizarre landmarks include a strange hump in River Thames and the wonder of Stonehenge that only protrudes a mere inches from the ground, at least until Microsoft fixes the game’s code.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020is available for PC and Xbox One.
