Column: A Sportscar Fan's Automobilista 2 IMSA Wishlist

Automobilista 2 Sportscar wishlist.jpg
Images: Reiza Studios
There is no denying OverTake Contributor Angus' fandom for sportscars, and so Automobilista 2's next update should be up his alley. Here is what he is dreaming of.

With version 1.6 lurking over the horizon, it looks like Automobilista 2 is coming up to its make or break moment. With intense overhauls to physics, AI and the content list, the game with which many have a love-hate relationship is approaching a point at which it is set to become a proper member of the top sims of the moment.

That is if the update ever releases. The end of Summer 2024 seems to be very long if you catch my drift.


Whilst improvements to the tyre physics and greater online functionality are all well and good, I as an endurance sportscar racing fanatic am excited for one thing; the arrival of AMS2's official IMSA licence. In fact, it will pretty much cement my decision to give up my iRacing subscription. As long as the newly updated game meets these key points that is.

Automobilista 2 Sportscar Wishlist​

Now, I know what you are thinking. "Are you not the guy that said sportscars have no place in AMS2?" And yes, I am. But we all make mistakes when we're young, plus that was before I knew of all the amazing content coming our way. At some point.

But it is not just content that Automobilista 2 needs to become my go-to IMSA title. Indeed, there are several functionalities that a top endurance simulator needs - especially for offline racing.


Traffic-dodging AI​

From chat bots to homework-completing mega brains, the current age is truly that of Artificial Intelligence. But sim racing still feels as though it is languishing behind. Thankfully however, Automobilista 2 version 1.6 promises significantly more racy and realistic AI.

But it is not just the race craft that I need improvement on to feel at peace. Endurance racing is all about chucking a collection of different car classes on-track at the same time meaning an ability to bypass traffic effectively is crucial. Right now, AMS2 does not succeed in that point. So alongside greater racecraft, smarter and more aware AI is required, especially of the road ahead. If the AI can plan its route through upcoming cars as a human would, or even as the AI does in Le Mans Ultimate, I would be very happy.

Strategic decisions​

Planning ahead of oneself is not just limited to the act of passing slower traffic. Indeed, longer races with limited tyre sets, fuel stints verging on race completion and reliability all playing their part require a lot of forethought.

Mixed weather and traffic in AMS2.

Mixed weather and traffic in AMS2. All helped with a good strategy.

Currently, few titles feature AI able to plan ahead into a race and determine their own tyre and fuel strategy. Le Mans Ultimate may feature limited tyre sets, but that does not worry the AI whilst what many class as industry leading AI in iRacing cannot even lift and coast.

If what is set to become the official IMSA simulator can incorporate both fuel saving strategies and working tyre allocation factoring warm-up and wear, us endurance racing fans are set to have a field day. All I'll need is "Keep Out" sign on my bedroom door for the next two months until the Daytona 24. That is probably how long it would take to nail the strategy in a longer race against such competent bots.

Offline Teammates​

A key art to sportscar racing strategy is the use of multiple drivers for a single car. Maximising a fast driver's time in the seat whilst ensuring you respect the no four hours in any six rule is a core aspect to IMSA racing. As such, AI teammates with their own characteristics in AMS2 would be a fantastic idea.

Jumping in and out a car is far easier without a roof.

Jumping in and out a car is far easier without a roof.

There are two ways of looking at this. From a first, easier standpoint, opponent cars that switch between a duo, trio or quartet of drivers depending on the race length certainly adds to the immersion. But the more complex, and more satisfying solution would be to allow players to hand their car over to an AI teammate during a pitstop, and said AI teammate to have their own strenghts, weaknesses and driving styles. Both adding to the immersion and allowing you to take a break to think about your strategy, this is something I want in any title focusing on long-distance racing. AMS2 has this capability in offline races already, albeit in a very basic way.

Imagine pushing your 31 Cadillac as hard as you can cosplaying as Jack Aitken to then select Pipo Derani's talents at the pitstop and watch him battle his way to first place. Or send it into the wall at the first opportunity. He really offers an unpredictable teammate experience that I would love to endure - enjoy, sorry.

Race Stoppages​

If there is anything Automobilista 2 already does well, it is implementing Safety Car periods into its races. If you so wish, you can schedule race stoppages at the 25%, 50% or 75% marks, or for the randomness, simply allow safety cars and watch the AI put a damper on your green flag running.

The safety car in AMS2 is already functional.

IMSA's Safety Car rules are rather unique in racing.

As we all know, IMSA is king of the safety car - or Full Course Yellow - in sportscar circles and so this is a key point the title must not forget. Moreover, as an official IMSA game, AMS2 could even simulate the real life rules in which you spend 15-25 minutes at a dawdle behind the pace car whilst the other class gets to pit. And then you pit. And then the pass around happens. And then you finally get going only for an LMP2 to end up in the T1 gravel again.

Dull to many no doubt, the thrill of a frequently bunched up field with the lottery of missed pitstops cycling you to the front or back of the field at any given point sounds like a lot of fun in a game. Maybe not so much with millions of dollars and a Rolex watch on the line.

What are you hoping for alongside the arrival of IMSA licensed content to Automobilista 2? Let us know in the comments below and join the discussion in our AMS2 forum!
About author
Angus Martin
Motorsport gets my blood pumping more than anything else. Be it physical or virtual, I'm down to bang doors.

Comments

Read my initial post, I regret that I paid for the game and its DLCs and I cannot get a refund for it, but I'm going to cut my losses. I'm not convinced that a patch is going to turn AMS2's driving physics better than LMU or AC. If anything 1.6 seems to be a remedy to AMS2's bad physics, not a breakthrough/innovation in sim racing physics.

Wow, you bought the game and decided in advance you will dislike it forever, even if a major upgrade is coming. That's next level simthink.
 
I'm testing 1.6 on the beta and although it's improving (as with every update) there's nothing extraordinary or game-changing as some people would have you believe...but it's making progress!
 
I'm testing 1.6 on the beta and although it's improving (as with every update) there's nothing extraordinary or game-changing as some people would have you believe...but it's making progress!

I am also on the beta and everything I've driven feels very good and there are plenty of improvements in all areas.
Will it revolutionize simracers lives and make them rich quick(tm), nope for sure.
What would be "extraordinary" or "game changing" according to you ?
 
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Is it just me or in every thread on any sim we have always the same people with wild expectations debating on who is the most delusional.
Entertaining? Maybe. Educational? Not one bit.
We will all be able to try the latest iteration of AMS2 in a while and judge for ourself of its value to us.
Some will like it better, some won’t, why would anyone care if someone else like it better or not? I sure don’t know.
 
Is it just me or in every thread on any sim we have always the same people with wild expectations debating on who is the most delusional.
Entertaining? Maybe. Educational? Not one bit.
We will all be able to try the latest iteration of AMS2 in a while and judge for ourself of its value to us.
Some will like it better, some won’t, why would anyone care if someone else like it better or not? I sure don’t know.
This mostly only happens with AMS2 and LMU.
 
Sticking to the topic and evading the usual suspects who wouldn't stand scrutinity if judged:

It's a pretty reasonable wishlist. Regarding AI behaviour, 1.6 is moving closer to what the writer asks. The offline teamie is available both offline and online atm...but it's a feature that Reiza stated they want to flesh out more, and maybe it's a front that still won't meet the expectations stated I think. Bound to be reviewed when it releases (it could be coming out this weekend it seems!).

Where I don't fully agree is on stoppages. Should they be longer? Depending on the situation, yes. Do I want them as long as real life? That mostly happens when there is track safety damage, a thing that is not a problem in sims. Maybe as an optional model for masochist simracers? (I may or may not be one of those).

Finally, as another said before: as much as I appreciate having these cars and series as options on my main sim, I'm not on AMS2 for these cars: I'm in for the loads of historical content featuring machines with more traits and character. I would trade the IMSA license and its contents for more old F1s/Group Cs/Group 5s and tracks to go with them in a heartbeat.
 
1 - Deliver a single player mode (actually it don't even need to be good... zero expectations IMHO)

2 - Finish the multiplayer mode

3 - Finish the physics

I'm not asking too much anymore... after five years I just want a complete functional game. I don't care anymore for saving during races, don't ask for actual released categories to have their grid completed, for a functional replay mode (like most games in the last 30 years, that you can use the time bar), for the AI to become better, more content, mod support... Reiza disappointed me in a way that not even Bethesda did... and Bethesda is Bethesda. I just learned that will only buy AMS3 in the day that AMS4 will be released... and I don't even believe that we will see an AMS3
 
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Premium
1 - Deliver a single player mode (actually it don't even need to be good... zero expectations IMHO)

2 - Finish the multiplayer mode

3 - Finish the physics

I'm not asking too much anymore... after five years I just want a complete functional game. I don't care anymore for saving during races, don't ask for actual released categories to have their grid completed, for a functional replay mode (like most games in the last 30 years, that you can use the time bar), for the AI to become better, more content, mod support... Reiza disappointed me in a way that not even Bethesda did... and Bethesda is Bethesda. I just learned that will only buy AMS3 in the day that AMS4 will be released... and I don't even believe that we will see an AMS3
1-2025
2- lfm taking it on, so maybe it will be good, maybe it won't. But they have made improvements ( significant ones ) to the netcode.
3- Think this will be the last major physics revision. It's in line with the other main sims for me now.

Shame its disappointed you, maybe your expectations were set too high, for me its met and exceeded mine.
 
Is it just me or in every thread on any sim we have always the same people with wild expectations debating on who is the most delusional.
Entertaining? Maybe. Educational? Not one bit.
We will all be able to try the latest iteration of AMS2 in a while and judge for ourself of its value to us.
Some will like it better, some won’t, why would anyone care if someone else like it better or not? I sure don’t know.
The issue with AMS2 discussions is that Reiza have e core fan base (always the same users... and we can recognizes everyone of them as AMS2 apparently don't have a user base huge enough to be envied) that not only cut a lot of slack for this game (what personally I don't care if they do because it's a personal taste and everybody has one to call yours) but get strongly offended (as if it's personal for them) if you just point the obvious (things that are present in simulation since the 90s, or before, as complete series and fully functional replays, as examples).

Se didn't start the fire, sir. Most people that complains about AMS2 are folks (like myself) that spent at least some money on the game (I have almost all DLC) in the hopes that it at least could be better than AMS1 (where Reiza really made their name over) and it's not only the delays (that I really don't care about... better to took the time needed than to make it worst... and Reiza at least never made it wor... oh, they did when rushed it... just not their standard and because of that are forgiven). Most of us still root for Reiza to deliver... not even close to be hatters, just dissatisfied customers. People know how to count... they count how many years have passed since AMS2 release... they count how overpriced DLCs are for how underdeveloped the overall experience is... they count all the kiddish tantrums Renato gave (specially when people politely ask about questionable stuff)... and we know how to count how many members have in "Reiza Defence Force", that are not that much, thank God.

1-2025
2- lfm taking it on, so maybe it will be good, maybe it won't. But they have made improvements ( significant ones ) to the netcode.
3- Think this will be the last major physics revision. It's in line with the other main sims for me now.

Shame its disappointed you, maybe your expectations were set too high, for me its met and exceeded mine.
1 - Don't stop believin'

2 - It's not just the net code... they need to make their way to populate their servers and to keep players engaged

3 - If they stop here or if 1.6 is even close to what they believe is good physics, then Reiza is over for good

Cheers"!
 
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Premium
The issue with AMS2 discussions is that Reiza have e core fan base (always the same users... and we can recognizes everyone of them as AMS2 apparently don't have a user base huge enough to be envied) that not only cut a lot of slack for this game (what personally I don't care if they do because it's a personal taste and everybody has one to call yours) but get strongly offended (as if it's personal for them) if you just point the obvious (things that are present in simulation since the 90s, or before, as complete series and fully functional replays, as examples).

Se didn't start the fire, sir. Most people that complains about AMS2 are folks (like myself) that spent at least some money on the game (I have almost all DLC) in the hopes that it at least could be better than AMS1 (where Reiza really made their name over) and it's not only the delays (that I really don't care about... better to took the time needed than to make it worst... and Reiza at least never made it wor... oh, they did when rushed it... just not their standard and because of that are forgiven). Most of us still root for Reiza to deliver... not even close to be hatters, just dissatisfied customers. People know how to count... they count how many years have passed since AMS2 release... they count how overpriced DLCs are for how underdeveloped the overall experience is... they count all the kiddish tantrums Renato gave (specially when people politely ask about questionable stuff)... and we know how to count how many members have in "Reiza Defence Force", that are not that much, thank God.


1 - Don't stop believin'

2 - It's not just the net code... they need to make their way to populate their servers and to keep players engaged

3 - If they stop here or if 1.6 is even close to what they believe is good physics, then Reiza is over for good

Cheers"!
Ok but why is it always AMS2 where people think it’s OK to tear into it all the time ? If buying the game and the DLC enttles me to go into every thread and just endlessly complain I could do that but its not helpful.

I bought ACC and most of the DLC to support Kunos, for a game that doesn’t go beyond one style of racing I thinks it’s pretty poor. Shall I drop into every ACC thread and say that? I’ve also bought a ton of stuff for Raceroom, some of changes they’ve made to the FFB etc over last few years have made it less enjoyable for me, but Im not on every Raceroom thread saying so. I’m also a big fan of RF2 but a bit disappointed by LMU but I don’t bang on about it endlessly.
 
Ok but why is it always AMS2 where people think it’s OK to tear into it all the time ?
AMS2 is the game that people care less to talk about... by pretty far. The difference is that Reiza, I don't know why, were gifted with a fan armor that I don't see happening with any other simulation Studio. Even if talking about obvious stuff it's like we are a horde of trolls in berserk trying to ravish the prude damsel called Reiza.

And, yes, EVERYTHING posted about AMS2 here in Overtake came to be knew by Reiza. The difference is that when we post it here, Renato don't tantrum... and, believe or not, I am compassionate about the guy and don't want him to humiliate himself. When Reiza assemble a real public relations department, that can deal with their consumers, then I may consider to complain about AMS2 only in their forum
 
Premium
The issue with AMS2 discussions is that Reiza have e core fan base (always the same users... and we can recognizes everyone of them as AMS2 apparently don't have a user base huge enough to be envied) that not only cut a lot of slack for this game (what personally I don't care if they do because it's a personal taste and everybody has one to call yours) but get strongly offended (as if it's personal for them) if you just point the obvious (things that are present in simulation since the 90s, or before, as complete series and fully functional replays, as examples).

Se didn't start the fire, sir. Most people that complains about AMS2 are folks (like myself) that spent at least some money on the game (I have almost all DLC) in the hopes that it at least could be better than AMS1 (where Reiza really made their name over) and it's not only the delays (that I really don't care about... better to took the time needed than to make it worst... and Reiza at least never made it wor... oh, they did when rushed it... just not their standard and because of that are forgiven). Most of us still root for Reiza to deliver... not even close to be hatters, just dissatisfied customers. People know how to count... they count how many years have passed since AMS2 release... they count how overpriced DLCs are for how underdeveloped the overall experience is... they count all the kiddish tantrums Renato gave (specially when people politely ask about questionable stuff)... and we know how to count how many members have in "Reiza Defence Force", that are not that much, thank God.


1 - Don't stop believin'

2 - It's not just the net code... they need to make their way to populate their servers and to keep players engaged

3 - If they stop here or if 1.6 is even close to what they believe is good physics, then Reiza is over for good

Cheers"!
2 - that’s why they have partnered with lfm .
3 - you just revealed yourself as one of the trolls with this statement . And Reiza is doing just fine despite your over the stop frothing about them. They’ve shifted a ton of copies of ams2 and well done to them for making it work . I feel bad for you that you can’t appreciate it .
 
Ok but why is it always AMS2 where people think it’s OK to tear into it all the time ? If buying the game and the DLC enttles me to go into every thread and just endlessly complain I could do that but its not helpful.

I bought ACC and most of the DLC to support Kunos, for a game that doesn’t go beyond one style of racing I thinks it’s pretty poor. Shall I drop into every ACC thread and say that? I’ve also bought a ton of stuff for Raceroom, some of changes they’ve made to the FFB etc over last few years have made it less enjoyable for me, but Im not on every Raceroom thread saying so. I’m also a big fan of RF2 but a bit disappointed by LMU but I don’t bang on about it endlessly.
AMS2 has been the most discussed sim on Overtake for the month of November. No, seriously. Go check the news articles for AC, ACC, iRacing, etc. and you'll see that even the smallest AMS2 threads are more popular. I think a lot of people just like to talk about a game that's controversial. I like AMS2 quite a bit, but if I had to hazard a guess, I'd say it's controversial because of the dev's communication/negative interaction with the community at large.
 
Hopefully, v1.6 will speak for itself. If you do not like it or at the very least enjoy some of it because "reasons", nothing will and you can definitely write AMS2 off your agenda.
 
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