Automobilista - July Development Update

Discussion in 'Automobilista - News & Announcements' started by Renato Simioni, Jul 27, 2016.

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  1. Renato Simioni

    Renato Simioni Administrator Staff Member

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    This month´s dev update is coming out a bit late - we have indeed been running a bit later than planned, and as a result v1.0 release isn´t quite behind us yet as we´d hoped for in our June Development update.

    The good news is that the extra time has been put to good use, as even though a couple features have demanded a bit more time than we had anticipated, we have also used it to throw in some extra goodies into the v1.0 mix. Overall we have made some great progress again this month as you´ll hopefully notice as you read through this update, bringing us very close to v1.0 release and also to what´s coming beyond :)

    Here are the main highlights from this past month:

    V0.9.8 Release

    A couple of weeks back we released AMS EA v0.9.8, which introduced some very nice FFB updates, along with the cool new indoor / outdoor Speedland kart circuit:
    AMS_kart_Speedland2.jpg

    We are very pleased with these recent FFB developments, and believe they have provided a significant all-around step forward to the sim. If you haven´t tried AMS lately we strongly recommend you give it a go - your old favorites should feel better than ever, and it might even be worth checking out the cars you were not too fond of before, as the latest developments might help change that perception :)

    V1.0 release coming up

    We´ll be dropping out of our usual EA release schedule by not releasing a new EA update this friday, as all efforts are now concentrated towards wrapping v1.0 for an early august release. In the changelog attatched to this post you can see the latest developments in the v0.9.9 build which is due to be hitting Beta this friday. We are pushing to add to this list by introducing a couple of extra features along with some further polishing before wrap-up time.

    On the content side, our biggest addition will be the F-Vintage, our own "GPL" tribute and celebration of that heroic era in motorsports.
    AMS_F_Vintage_Kya2.jpg

    As it had been outlined in our AMS dev roadmap, the original plan was to do a single car based off a 1967 spec, V12 powered GP car, however we couldn´t resist spicing things up a bit by adding some diversity to the field, so we created an alternative version of the car by bolting a DFV V8 engine in place of the V12. @Sandro Kholodkevich has put together a couple of renders so you can check both variants in all its glorious details:
    ^D71412861C1043E44E9180EC80CFBD49491095D79B5018D5BD^pimgpsh_fullsize_distr.jpg
    ^97D1B660DA166DDB261AFF01DDDB57E9B27C091A94A382E8E3^pimgpsh_fullsize_distr.jpg

    The late 1960s was of course also a very significant time in racing due to the "discovery" of downforce - we decided to explore that too by creating a low-winged, "1969" season of F-Vintages:
    AMS_F_Vintage_Jaca.jpg

    We are specially pleased with how the F-Vintage is turning out and fully expect the free addition of these beasts to be one of the main highlights in the upcoming v1.0 release. As usual campaign backers and Reiza members will be able to enjoy an advance peek of the Vintages along with the other developments set to hit AMS Beta this friday.

    On the track front, the biggest additions in v1.0 will be the inclusion of several extra layouts to existing tracks, the biggest one being the "long" 7km version of Mendig by @ilka , which exits the airport to travel through the nearby village roads:
    AMS_Mendig.jpg

    On the physics front, we´re working on the development of a brand new ECU model as conceived by @Niels Heusinkveld and developed by @Luis Miguel , which should provide a lot of important enhancements. So far, we've made considerable improvements to the way engine torque is generated as you 'roll on' the throttle, simulating the more advanced "throttle mapping" techniques from modern ECUs. Most noticeable in modern high powered cars, basically this will translate into more control when powering out of turns, as it will be easier to find the throttle position where you get the best acceleration without lighting up the tires in wheelspin. Your throttle 'technique' may need some adjusting though as the engine responds more directly at smaller throttle inputs.

    The new model also allows us to do a few modern computerized engine control tricks such as changing power levels and engine braking for each gear. With the Formula Extreme up to v0.9.8 for example it is very tricky putting 900hp to the ground in 1st and 2nd gear, as you can very easily be turning half of that into white smoke. By limiting the engine power, it will be easier to optimize power delivery.

    Engine braking can also have quite a disturbing effect on the balance of the car - this is specially so as you go down the gears, because the gearing amplifies the engine braking the more you downshift. The new model allows us to reduce engine braking in low gears so the rear end is less likely to lock as you're downshifting and entering a turn.

    This is all 'passive', not traction control so naturally you´ll still spin the tires by giving it too much throttle, but it may only happen at 70% throttle instead of 35% throttle which should be a big driveability improvement for the more powerful cars - a case of the sim becoming easier as models are developed to be more realistic.

    We are pushing to have at least the throttle mapping side of the new ECU mode ready in time for v1.0 release.

    There has also been some solid development to the VX Portal, and we´re hoping @Dave Stephenson will manage to deploy a new build for it this friday, including multiplayer Lobby integration, which beyond the ease of use of being able to launch multiplayer sessions from your browser should open some interesting possibilities moving forward.

    DLC Development

    Things continue to progress nicely in the DLC front - Brands Hatch is now nearly complete and the team is well advanced with Cadwell Park.

    During our Cadwell recon trip @Alex Sawczuk trialed a new method of surveying race tracks for increased accuracy. We use a digital level to take camber and elevation measurements at set points around the trace track and then use that data calculate the elevation changes. This allows us to get an accurate profile for the track, as well as its camber changes. We have also been using a laser measure along with good old basic tape to make all the key measurements, which coupled with Alex´s usual meticulous precision have led to some pretty hard to fault road modelling:
    IMG_27072016_171338.png

    @Joradson Rodrigues has also been doing some quality work in texture development for Cadwell as you can see in the preview below:

    CURBS at CADWELL PARK 3.jpg

    The cars are also coming along nicely - our audio man @Domagoj Lovric has added the soul to the Ultima GTR with yet another lovely sound set of its throaty Chevy LS7 V8 - check out an in-game preview:


    Along with the road version of the Ultima GTR, we are also developing its race-prepped version, here is a preview of its cockpit (will feature both right and left-hand options):
    Ultima_Race_Cockpit_Texture_WIP.jpg

    The MCR Sports 2000 is also well on its way, with modelling now nearly complete:
    MCR-2000_WIP.jpg

    Both Ultima GTR and MCR Sports 2000 will soon be joined by a variety of Caterham models which had also been previously confirmed to be part of the Brit Pack - unlike previously announced though the Brit Pack won´t be restricted to these 3 new classes of vehicles, as another bonus car has been added to the list - watch this space!

    We´re pushing to have these initial items of the Brit Pack available before the end of august, with beta a couple of weeks earlier.

    Imola confirmed!
    [​IMG]

    We´re very happy to confirm official licensing of the legendary Enzo & Dino Ferrari race track , which will be coming as its own premium DLC pack for Automobilista.

    Legendary tracks become such after decades of rich racing heritage - we believe that in order for a sim to capture the history of corners such as Tosa, Tamburello and Rivazza it´s fundamental to reproduce those famous bits of terrain through the times, and race them with machines that belong to those eras.

    Hence Imola will be the first of our "Legendary Race Tracks" line of DLCs, and will feature no less than four unique versions of the track: from early 70s, late 80s and early 00s, along of course the modern version of the track. This pack is estimated to sell for US$ 6.99, with release expected to be towards the end of october.

    Worth remembering that those who took part in our crowdfunding campaign last year or bought into our membership pack have already secured all these upcoming DLCs at no extra charge. Those interested in securing all this content and also a chance to give the new stuff an early go should look into our membership packs from our forum store.

    Automobilista base and the membership pack (both all-inclusive and ugprade options) remain with their promotional Early Access pricing in our forum store, selling for US$ 29.99 / US$ 54.99 / US$ 24.99 respectively - upon v1.0 release these prices will be upgraded to US$ 39.99 for AMS Base, US$ 59.99 for all-inclusive and US$ 29.99 for membership upgrade, so if you´re interested in AMS or in the DLCs at all you won´t want to miss out on these current offerings.

    We´ll be offering a similar "Season Pass" for all DLCs through Steam upon v1.0 release along with options for the individual items and packs as they become available - the best deal however still is to acquire the membership packs which not only includes the Season Pass for all DLCs, it also grants a key to AMS Beta and access to Reiza51.

    This covers it for our July Dev update. We´ll catch up again in august, this time most definitely with AMS v1.0 release already behind us :)
     
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2016
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  2. Msportdan

    Msportdan Well-Known Member AMS2 Club Member

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    Damn you renato u always know how to pull out the stops !! Been busy lol. Well done and imola modern brilliant !!

    Again and I speak on behalf of us all in sure. .... Thank you reiza!!
     
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  3. Renato Simioni

    Renato Simioni Administrator Staff Member

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    Here is the changelog for the currrent version.
     

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  4. Msportdan

    Msportdan Well-Known Member AMS2 Club Member

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    New menus wow great update
     
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  5. Uff

    Uff New Member

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    Imola, my favourite track ever: insta-buy. :D
     
  6. Will Mazeo

    Will Mazeo Active Member AMS2 Club Member

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    The F****** Vintange looks too damn cool :D
    Great update guys :) :) :)

    Can we expect the comments to be back on the hdv and tbc files of mods like CART once the new ECU is ready? Please, it's important.
     
  7. hex

    hex Damage, Inc. AMS2 Club Member

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    If this means the old "Kansai" with tighter R130 (before they changed it after McNish's crash) and alternative (short pre-2003) chicane I think I'm gonna burst into tears! Always wanted to finally have PROPER track of Senna and Prost epic clash-battle.
     
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  8. PATR10T

    PATR10T Boss from european endurance center :) AMS2 Club Member

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    "here is a preview of tits cockpit" just saw a cockpit with steering wheel, no tits :(

    :D:D:D

    looking forward to the v1.0 :cool:
     
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  9. alexSchmurtz

    alexSchmurtz Active Member AMS2 Club Member

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    Waouh! Every single announcement gets my attention! Very nice job, you've been hard at work. You're adding many items to the previous list so it seems worth waiting an extra week… It seems a lot more than an extra week of work with all these goodies! Thanks a lot to the whole team! :)
    Good that I have the beta: I'm leaving in the middle of next week for 2 weeks of holidays… At least I will have a few days to try all those new elements! Still no week-end planned after the v1 release, Renato? That would seem well deserved imho! :p
     
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  10. gongo

    gongo Well-Known Member AMS2 Club Member

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    Formula Vintage is looking very nice! :)
     
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  11. FeltHat

    FeltHat Active Member AMS2 Club Member

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    holy moly a lot of great stuff, cant wait


    would be nice to get any news on VR :oops:
     
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  12. mister dog

    mister dog Well-Known Member AMS2 Club Member

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    Don't know what to get excited about first!
    Classic tracks, classic F1's, supercars, caterhams, improved physics... [​IMG]
     
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  13. kimbo

    kimbo Member AMS2 Club Member

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    great news!, if i upgrade to a membreship pack, i will have two AMS instalations, or one?
     
  14. Jan Mikuž

    Jan Mikuž Active Member AMS2 Club Member

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    Renato, is it safe to assume the Steam price for the all-inclusive DLC pack will be 30€/$ ?
     
  15. DaVeX

    DaVeX AMSUnofficial Staff AMS2 Club Member

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    Yes!!!Great news guys!!!I love your work!!!Thanks to be so awesome!
     
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  16. Greyn

    Greyn New Member AMS2 Club Member

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    Two, kimbo — so it's possible to only install one if you don't have the drive space (e.g. install and run only AMS Beta).
     
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  17. DaVeX

    DaVeX AMSUnofficial Staff AMS2 Club Member

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    A Ginetta?
    Something with a left seat?
    Can we have the option to drive MCR or Ultima from the left side?
    (But only if possible on real life too)
     
  18. CCKaren

    CCKaren Active Member AMS2 Club Member

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    HMMM. A Ginetta Jr would be cool, maybe a British F4 car? Of course the real slam dunk in my mind would be something to race with the Ultima.

    About the Kansai classic layout mentioned in the 0.99 changelog, are we talking early 80s or 60s classic here? I'd assume with the F-Vintage being added we'd be looking at the pre-chicane 60s layout.
     
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2016
  19. jkn87

    jkn87 BANNED BANNED AMS2 Club Member

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    Maybe i am a dreamer but reaching v1.0 i was hoping for VR... i will keep AMS uninstalled and keep palying other VR available sims.... So sad...
     
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  20. Renato Simioni

    Renato Simioni Administrator Staff Member

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    I actually meant to include a mention about VR in the dev update as we have been getting quite a few enquiries about it. The straight answer is that we really want and intend to add some level of VR support to AMS, however we´re missing the manpower to do it. Hopefully that will change in the near future.

    It should be around US$ 30, yes.

    No wings *hint hint*.
     
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