PMDG’s Robert Randazzo has released a status update just in time for the weekend regarding the developments surrounding the PMDG 777 for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 (MSFS 2024). PMDG has finally handed over the first beta versions of the 777-300ER, 777-200ER, and 777F to the beta team.
According to Randazzo, this is a significant step, as it is the first time that PMDG has enough confidence in the stability of the products in MSFS 2024 to task the testing team with examining them without fear of wasting their time.
Porting the PMDG products to MSFS 2024 is not a simple task. It involves a complete overhaul of the existing MSFS 2020 products, created in accordance with the new MSFS 2024 SDK guidelines. The goal is to run the products as efficiently as possible on the new simulation platform and to utilize the intentions of the simulator developer so that the product looks good, works well, and is stable.
Randazzo emphasized that the road to get there was rocky. The initial version of MSFS 2024 was not compatible with their own WASM functionality, similar to MSFS 2020 a few years prior. This forced PMDG to wait until the release of the first SU1 beta in January.
Since then, the team has been working tirelessly to rebuild the 777 using the documented methods and practices for MSFS 2024. PMDG decided against a simple “drag-and-drop” port, which would have been unstable and unsatisfactory, and instead opted for a comprehensive rebuild to ensure a stable and high-performance product for PC and Xbox.
In addition to adapting to MSFS 2024, PMDG has also improved the entire 777 platform. This update includes hundreds of small fixes, optimizations, and changes to improve handling characteristics, fix bugs, and improve performance. The sound team has revised the entire sound environment with new recording equipment and processes, and in collaboration with the coding team, further improved the sound fidelity of the 777, including variations in the engine type of the 777-200ER.
Although it would be tempting to name a concrete release date, Randazzo is sticking to tradition and avoiding speculation until he is absolutely certain that the product meets PMDG’s high quality standards.
PMDG thanks customers for their patience and promises that the wait will be worth it. A future update with more details on other projects is planned as soon as the initial tests of the 777 are completed.
