Google unveils a Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 competitor... kind of?

Simulation games are quite niche and very impressive in their own right, especially when it comes to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, which took simulation to a whole new level.

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In its category, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 warrants for some gamers an entire dedicated system with additional joysticks, controllers, or even a cockpit setup for full immersion. Surprisingly, Microsoft hasn't seen any competition in this niche from other major players in the "Earth mapping" business, such as Google. You would have thought by now, with Google holding Google Maps data, they would have created a game for people to access. But the company hasn't, until now, as Google has released an experimental flight simulator mode for Google Earth, specifically the web app version.

Google writes in its documentation that the mode is designed for "casual exploration rather than high-fidelity aerodynamic training," which is a corporate way of saying, "this new mode isn't intended to be a competitor to Microsoft Flight Simulator or any other flying sim". Unlike Microsoft Flight Simulator, Google Earth is free to use, and since it's a web application, there isn't anything to install, either.

If you are interested in checking out the new mode for yourself to see a flyover of your house, or your friend's house, check out Google Earth here.

Flight simulator requirements

While the flight simulator is designed to provide an immersive flying experience, the following limitations apply:

• Web only: The flight simulator is only available on Google Earth on web.
• Simplified flight physics: The flight simulator is designed for casual exploration rather than high-fidelity aerodynamic training.
• Dynamic loading: As you fly, 3D buildings and high-resolution imagery stream in dynamically. Flying at extreme speeds or over low-bandwidth connections may result in temporary loading delays.

Start a flight

To launch the flight simulator, do the following:

• On your computer, open Google Earth.
• At the top of the home screen, click Explore Earth icon Explore Earth.
• Open the Tools menu in the top menu bar.
• Select flight Flight simulator from the menu.