Seasons have always been a highly anticipated feature in Microsoft Flight Simulator, and while the MSFS team is working to introduce this natively in MSFS 2024, third-party developers continue to fill the gap with exceptional solutions for the current 2020 edition.
Bijan Habashi, one of the very first developers to introduce us to seasonal scenery in MSFS, has just launched the latest version of his popular Seasons Pack, and this time, it’s more immersive than ever. The new Earth FX Edition promises to bring the natural world alive in MSFS with animated waterfalls, volcanoes, wildfires, and enhanced vegetation!
The V8-Earth FX Edition introduces major updates, bringing not only seasonal vegetation changes but also a variety of dynamic environmental effects:
- Animated Waterfalls: Two iconic waterfalls—Yosemite Falls in the USA and Angel Falls in Venezuela—are now animated with this mod. Bijan says that the size, height, and flow of each waterfall are designed to reflect the unique geographical features of its surrounding cliffs, and he plans to introduce more waterfalls in future updates.
- Active Volcanoes: Volcanoes now erupt in the simulator, with lava explosions, flowing molten lava, and swirling ash clouds. Stromboli (Italy), Merapi (Indonesia), Etna (Italy), Kanlaon (Philippines), and Karymsky (Russia) are among the first volcanoes to receive this transformation. Expect to see glowing lava flows and ash cloud lightning in real-time.
- Wildfires: Animated wildfires with flames and smoke now appear in the sim. The Thunder Mountain Wildfires bring the devastating yet striking effects of wildfires to the virtual scenery in MSFS.
- Spring Terrain Mask for Los Angeles: This new feature turns the dry, brown hills surrounding Los Angeles into lush, green spring landscapes. Currently covering the area from Oxnard to the Santa Monica Mountains, Bijan also plans to expand this in future updates.
Enhanced Areas and Vegetation Updates
The Earth FX Edition continues to refine and expand its coverage with each update:
- Yosemite Valley: Five animated waterfalls, 3D trees, and animated fog create a dramatically different experience for virtual pilots.
- Zhangjiajie Cliffs, China: The next update will feature a massive expansion of these famous cliffs.
- Kegon Waterfalls, Japan and Plitvice Lakes, Croatia: These waterfalls will soon receive new dynamic water effects and updates in future releases.
- Iceland: Vegetation updates have been applied, with older terrain masks replaced to improve overall scenery quality.
What’s Included in the 4-Season Pack?
The V8-Earth FX Edition includes over 70 new multi-ecosystems with over 45 types of trees, shrubs, and bushes, all placed according to their real-world native habitats. This expanded variety allows for realistic seasonal transitions across both hemispheres. Some standout features include:
- Joshua Trees in Joshua National Park, California.
- Blood Dragon Trees in Socotra Island, Yemen.
- Spring Flower Blossoms in cities worldwide.
- New 3D trees, such as Pinus Sylvestris in Norway and Rhododendrons in Nepal.
- Customized vegetation for areas such as Madagascar, Hawaii, and Amsterdam.
Future Updates
As with previous versions, Bijan continues to improve the mod through regular updates and even welcomes suggestions for specific POIs to cover. As mentioned before, upcoming updates include expanded vegetation coverage and enhanced features for Plitvice Lakes, Kegon Waterfalls, and more iconic locations around the world.
Pricing and Availability
The Earth FX Edition is now available exclusively through Simmarket for around €20 + tax. For existing customers of Bijan’s previous Season Packs, a 50% discount is available for this one-time paid upgrade.
