World Update 22 for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 was first revealed during the Xbox Showcase at Summer Game Fest, due for release on July 4, aka America's 250th birthday.

It made total sense since it's a very American update, but even better is that it's already live in advance of the holiday weekend.

World Update 22: US National Parks is a free update to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 for all players on Xbox, PC, and PS5. To get it, simply make sure you've got the latest version of the simulator and grab the World Update 22 package from the marketplace.

World Update 22 brings with it 30 new locations focused on national parks across the United States, from the Grand Canyon to the Rocky Mountains, Yellowstone to Mount Rushmore, and many, many more.

There are also three new guided tours to take in, at Bryce Canyon, Grand Teton, and the Grand Canyon. Not only do we get the stunning new locations, but the Goodyear Blimp is also added as a new free aircraft to fly.

This is probably one of the most visually impressive updates to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 to date, showing off some of the most stunning parts of the United States.

Personally, I can't wait to check out the Grand Canyon Guided Tour. It's been a long time since I saw it in person (it's not exactly local for someone living in the UK) but to date it's one of the most awe-inspiring things I've ever seen. Cliche, perhaps, but I remember being actually speechless walking up to it for the first time.

Exploration like this is one of the things I enjoy the most about Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 as well. Flying planes is a lot of fun, but so is where you fly them. Thanks to the detailed recreations in the simulator, it's as close as many of us may ever get to the real deal.

As for the Goodyear Blimp, it'd be rude not to fly it over a stadium, right?!

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American Truck Simulator's map keeps getting bigger, and one of the next confirmed DLC packs takes things north of the border into Canada.

It's the first time American Truck Simulator has officially left the United States, and the new British Columbia DLC will tag onto the upper-left side of the map.

There's still no confirmed release date, and it's unlikely to be soon since Illinois hasn't even been here a month. But some new information has been released by SCS Software, and it details locations that will be part of British Columbia.

American Truck Simulator: British Columbia cities listed (so far)

I'll admit the only location I expected to see was Vancouver because my geography is awful, and, well, that's not on the list. At least right now, anyway, but it more than likely will be.

Instead, based on the locations we have been given, there's a spread right across the southern part of British Columbia, from Vancouver Island in the west, all the way across close to the border with Alberta.

Here are all of the confirmed cities for American Truck Simulator's British Columbia DLC.

• Grand Forks
• Creston
• Sparwood
• Invermere
• Golden
• Princeton
• Campbell River

SCS teases on its blog post that there's more to come:

"These are just a few of the many cities and communities you'll be able to discover throughout British Columbia. Our teams are working hard to capture the unique character, industries, and landscapes that make this province such an exciting destination for truckers."

The initial selection does give us an idea of the scale, though, and how it'll integrate with the existing map. It looks like routes will be drivable into Washington, Idaho, and Montana.

Following British Columbia, the next two DLCs are already public, with South Dakota and the recently revealed Indiana.

All this comes just days after the first gameplay was shown off for "Project Road Trip," adding regular vehicles into American Truck Simulator.

In the video above you can see the work-in-progress on the Ford F150 pickup, which will be part of the upcoming, but as yet undated, Ford Car Pack DLC.

I'm a recent convert to American Truck Simulator, but right now it's one of my favorite games to play. Nothing beats hitching the trailer and hitting the open road at the end of a long, tiring day in the real world.

I'm just wondering if there will be accurate border controls when the British Columbia DLC drops. I sure hope so.

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Earlier this week I wrote about the marketplace scandal rearing its head in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Fast forward a few days and we have action.

It's all centered around a single vendor, Mscenery, who is – there's no other word for it – scamming people. Poor quality work riddled with issues, AI imagery, and highly suspicious ratings are all on the table.

After the issue was receiving significant attention online, Microsoft has provided an update, and it's good news; Mscenery is being given the old heave-ho. The Microsoft Flight Simulator Community Manager has posted the following message on the official forums.

We want to share an important update regarding content available in the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024 in-game Marketplaces.

Over time, we have received a significant amount of feedback from the community regarding products developed by Mscenery. After receiving a large number of complaints about the 1) low quality of Mscenery content, 2) lacking information in product descriptions and misleading images and 3) validity of high user scores, we have made the decision to stop offering Mscenery content for sale in the Marketplace, effective immediately.

For customers who have already purchased Mscenery products, please be assured that your existing purchases will remain accessible and usable as usual. This change only affects new sales of their content within the Marketplace.

We greatly value the feedback and engagement from the flight simulation community, and decisions like this are not made lightly. Your input continues to play a critical role in helping us maintain a high-quality and trusted Marketplace experience for all simmers.

Thank you for your continued support and for helping us improve Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Sincerely,
The Microsoft Flight Simulator Team

In this instance, it's a win for the community, and the marketplace will look immediately a little better. What we need to see going forward, though, are processes to ensure it doesn't happen again.

This message, while one Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 fans will be ecstatic to hear, doesn't talk about what may or may not happen on this front. But one step at a time – the scammer is gone.

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Forza Horizon 6 is not a serious sim. It's the best example of an arcade racer you can play right now, but that doesn't mean it isn't worth playing with a racing wheel. In fact, it becomes a whole new experience ditching the controller. Drifting is more fun; cruising is more fun. Everything is just more fun!

Racing wheels can be pricey, though, but if you're not seriously getting into sim racing and want a cheap but still good-quality wheel for Forza Horizon 6, look no further than this. Right now on Amazon Prime Day you can pick up a Thrustmaster TMX for just $89.99, and at that money, this really is a no-brainer.

Does it have all the bells and whistles on? No, not at all. But for a beginner, or a casual player, this is plenty of wheel at a price you just don't normally see outside of the used market.

It has the full 900-degree rotation and is plug-and-play with both Xbox consoles and PC. The included pedals are basic but serviceable, and you always have the option to upgrade to a better set of Thrustmaster pedals down the line.

The only thing really missing is a clutch, so you can't pair this wheel with an H-pattern shifter, but the paddles are all you really need to get going in Forza Horizon 6, anyway.

You don't need a proper wheel stand or rig, either; this entry-level wheel will be perfectly OK mounted to a regular desk.

As an additional bonus, this is also a pretty solid starter wheel for American Truck Simulator and Euro Truck Simulator 2, as highlighted by my colleague, Ben Wilson. Though you will need to upgrade the pedals if you want to indulge in manual shifting.

For $90 this is an incredible value package, and it won't be around for long. Prime Day ends at close of play on June 26, and this is one you don't want to miss out on.

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