Microsoft Flight Sim 2020, Oculus vs. Facebook & RTX 3090 Leaks

The Return of a Legend: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020

The episode kicks off with an in-depth look at Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, the first installment in the series since 2006. The hosts discuss the game's revolutionary technological achievements and the hardware demands required to run it effectively.

Key Concepts

• Groundbreaking Tech: The game utilizes a 1-to-1 scale Earth powered by Bing Maps data and real-time weather integration.
• Performance Reality: Contrary to the pedestrian minimum specifications, playing the game at higher settings requires significant hardware. A 2080 Ti struggles to maintain high frame rates at 4K resolution.
• Parent-Friendly Aspect: The hosts argue that Flight Sim serves as a great, non-violent, educational opportunity for kids to request hardware upgrades from parents.

The Facebook Connection in Oculus

There is a heated discussion regarding the "Facebookening of Oculus," wherein Facebook will require all headset users to link a personal Facebook account to their hardware.

"Gone are the days of making a private unidentifiable username, pretending to be anyone isn't allowed."

• Broken Promises: The hosts reference Palmer Luckey's past guarantees that users would never need a Facebook account to use Oculus headsets.
• Privacy Concerns: Concerns are raised about data collection, potential account bans affecting hardware usability, and the consolidation of social platforms.

Tech News and Industry Updates

Apple Independent Repair Program

Apple is expanding its repair program for Macs, but critics like Louis Rossman argue that the conditions are onerous and impractical for most small businesses, effectively keeping them dependent on Apple.

The Epic vs. Apple Feud

The hosts analyze the ongoing legal battle between Epic Games and Apple. They question Epic’s motives, highlighting that while it's framed as a pro-consumer move, it likely aims to establish an alternative mobile game store and bypass percentage-based platform fees.

Xbox Series X and RTX 3090

• Xbox Series X: Discussion centers on the Velocity Architecture and the use of fast SSDs to compensate for DRAM limitations.
• RTX 3090: Leaked images of the new RTX 3090 reveal a massive triple-slot cooler design and a high-end price point, expected to sit around $1,400.