rFactor 2 Q3 2022 Update and Content Release! Surprise New Car!

btccford-4.png
Not only has the new build and content just dropped but, S397 have added yet another surprise car to their ever growing roster of automotive treats.

Along with the free Caterham, paid DLC Austin Mini Cooper S & Hyundai i30 there is now a fourth touring car on offer with this content drop, the Ford Focus ST NGTC!

This should certainly keep touring car fans happy, especially with S397's previous announcement stating that they intend to include the full grid of current BTCC cars in the simulation in future releases!

New track updates

There is also a new track in the form of the Worldwide Technology Raceway available as paid DLC, which offers a great mix of banked kerbs and challenging infield section with both road course and oval configurations inculded.

Aswell as the new track there are updates to many of the existing tracks such as Donnington, Le Mans, Indianapolis, Zandvoort and Nordschleife!

New features

Probably the biggest and most long awaited new feature to Rfactor 2 is Real Road 2.0.
This brings fully dynamic working track temperatures to the build which will in turn affect heating of your tyres and also change the way rubbered in sections of the track behave in wet conditions, forcing drivers to change their lines to account for the way in which grip changes on these sections in different conditions!

There are many other improvements such as updated ABS & TC systems, new tires for some of the cars like the GTE's & Oreca's, track limits calculations, sounds and much more!

For a full list of improvements check the update list below!

Let us know what you think of this new build and content in the comments

Client: 9261937
Dedicated Server: 9261942

General
  • Updated Track Limits System taking into account many factors to award warning points for infringements with drivers given a short amount of time post cut to give up any gained time or positions in race.
  • Ability to set Track Limits to None/Default/Strict
  • Ability to configure number of Track Limit Points before a Drive Through during race sessions.
  • Improved calculation of infringement during time off track, taking into account, time gained, distance travelled, throttle application, time off track, speed differentials, positions gained during race, wall riding and more.
  • During all sessions invalidate current lap and sometimes next lap, based on how close to the end of the lap and the size of the infringement.
  • During race sessions earn warning points, if 3 points are acquired in one go or you pass the cumulative point limit threshold (5 by default) a drive through is given. The size of penalty increases for extreme cuts.
  • Pit Lane Exit violations are now logged and penalized accordingly (May require content updates)
  • Disabled Pit Exit violations by default on Ovals in none race sessions and added ability to customize which sessions have Pit Exit limits enforced via GDB or RFM.
  • Wrong Way Driving calculations have been tweaked to be more lenient when far from the track.
  • Strict mode intended for eSports, has harsher thresholds and invalidates all off track laps in non race sessions.
  • Improved logging options and ModDev options for analysing cuts.
  • Support for up to 16 input devices
  • Added chat message indicating when there are latency issues and collision is turned off.

HUD
  • Added current Track Limits points to Penalties MFD Page in Race Sessions.
Graphics
  • Driver labels now correctly depth buffer regardless of display mode
  • Added Light Dust Particle Profile
  • Expanded Decal Features on IBL Road Shader
  • Fixed orange ambient bug
UI
  • The first launch wizard controls configuration can now be re-run from the “Calibrate controls” page
  • Moved “Electronics” setup settings (TC and ABS) under the “Engine” heading, which has been renamed to “Engine & electronics”
  • Fixed damage multiplier setting description in singleplayer session settings
  • Moved damper setup settings to their own tab
  • Fixed sporadic empty car list on server join
  • Added “Track Limits Rules” singleplayer setting
  • Added “Track Limits Points Allowed” singleplayer race setting
  • Added Tender Springs to suspension setup page
  • Added description/tooltip to Tender Springs setup
  • Improved description/tooltip for Traction Control and ABS
  • Fixed alphabetical sorting of opponent filters and opponents list
  • Fixed race countdown timer format for duration longer than one minute
  • Updated Aston Martin logo
  • Added a button to refresh the setup list
  • Added two settings into the “Visuals” column in graphics settings to adjust the vertical and horizontal position of the Track Limits Info (TLI) screen
  • Fixed alphabetical sorting of car selection list
Physics
  • Dynamic track temperatures based on weather conditions and cars driving on track
  • Added a toggle to load temperatures from real road files on main game/moddev/dedi
  • Added improved anti-lock braking and traction control systems. (Only available on the TEST version of the McLaren Senna GTR)
  • Added Traction Control Power Cut map to control the amount of TC to apply. (Only available for the new TC)
  • Added Traction Control Slip Angle map to control the target (maximum) slip angle before TC activates. (Only available for the new TC)
  • Added ABS/TC dash LEDs which show the amount of slip and show when the systems activate
  • Added Tender Springs functionality (Only available on the TEST version of the Porsche 991 GT3 Cup)
  • Fixed ABS/TC aid through settings
Networking
  • Cars that lag too much or teleport will have collision disabled for 5 seconds.
  • Network speeds now enforce the player limit to max out at the highest acceptable number the connection can support
Sound
  • Fixed loops not restarting correctly
  • Fixed loud audio spike when loading into multiplayer sessions
  • Fixed random shift sounds in the garage
  • Separated TC and Pit Limiter events
  • Fixed audio loop points
  • Fixed spotter and start lights not playing or being delayed
  • Fixed game startup without audio device or with +nosound enabled
  • Performance: Sound system now uses another thread, eliminating random frame time spikes and improving game performance
  • Fixed tracks with lots of ambient sounds not playing any sound at all in some conditions
  • Fixed other cars crashing online playing crash sounds on the player car
  • Fixed HRTF selection
  • Fixed a rare crash when crashing sounds play
Live Stream Overlay
  • Updated broadcast overlay live timing page
    • Fixed live timing page not loading
    • You can now customize the styling with custom CSS (custom_livetiming.css)
      • Added CSS classes: car class for each row and last sticky row
    • Added car class and team name columns
    • Added car livery images
    • Added tire icon
    • Added configurable scrolling and multiclass mode
Modding
  • Batched loading warning pop up messages together for fewer popups (Dev Mode/Scene Viewer)
  • Added warning popup for assets exported with default LOD Out for optimization debugging (Dev Mode/Scene Viewer)
  • Added cancel button to show no more messages that session (Dev Mode/Scene Viewer)
  • Fixed various content issues with Showrooms and Joesville (Dev Mode/Scene Viewer)
  • Added Sideview_UI showroom to ModDev for UI screenshots of cars.
  • Fixed an issue in MapConverter where it would crash with textures named *_M_<type>.TGA
  • Added “FarLight” parameter to IBL Shaders in Material Adjust section. This allows us to set materials to be in shadow beyond shadow cascades.
  • Fixed crash when no AIW file present
Known Issues
  • UI – Steering lock second bracket is cut off
About author
Tarmac Terrorist
If I can drive it, I'm Rocking it!!! Besides writing sim racing articles I am running my own YouTube channel called Tarmac Terrorist

Comments

I just did a fresh install since I don't play this "sim", I have a Fanatec CSL Elite wheel which feels just amazing on AC/ACC and AMS2
I tried the Caterham AND the ffb on rf2 Is just non existent, doesn't make any sense, the wheel rattles like crazy all the time. I searched for the recommended settings but didn't change a bit. I wonder how the hell people enjoy this game. I uninstalled inmediately .
The only thing good with this game Is the new UI
Wrong car for testing,and RF2.....play 1 car and inistall.....tipical hater,have you ever drive a car IRL?A real car,not the scrap sold in Brazil.....
 
Premium
I just did a fresh install since I don't play this "sim", I have a Fanatec CSL Elite wheel which feels just amazing on AC/ACC and AMS2
I tried the Caterham AND the ffb on rf2 Is just non existent, doesn't make any sense, the wheel rattles like crazy all the time. I searched for the recommended settings but didn't change a bit. I wonder how the hell people enjoy this game. I uninstalled inmediately .
The only thing good with this game Is the new UI
I used extensively a CSL Elite with rFactor 2 until one month ago and it felt great.
The Caterham does have a very soft FFB, but this is far from being the norm in rF2.
Odd the trouble that people get to - installing a game - to then not properly test it and immediately uninstalling... lolol...
 
Premium
If the slipstreaming hasn't been fixed then the AI still isn't as good as AMS1 or Raceroom.
That's the fix I'm waiting for, if I get a slow exit and the AI doesn't punish me, or I can pass three brake-tapping AI on the same straight because they don't slipstream each other, then it's not really racing...
The AI in RR does not feel real at all with bizarre speed differentials while taking turns and depending if they are in your line of sight or not.
AMS1 does have good AI, but it's not like it is tremendously different to rF2 with some of its "bad" behaviour nullifying some of its good.
Same happens with rF2's AI which, in its tweaked form, is pretty racy and definitely punishes you when you have a slow exit if the AIW file is properly done.
 
Premium
I have 72 hours of play in rF2 in the last 2 weeks alone so please...
Answering the rest of your comment, sorry but no. Tired of both the fanboys and the haters who lack common sense and critical thinking skills.
Why don't you answer?
Common sense and critical thinking skills are not involved in your rant about rFactor 2's business model.
What critical thinking will lead anyone to conclude that DLC should be cheaper and S397 should provide modders with ALL the tools to make the sales of that DLC even more difficult?
I sure hope that you don't run a business because your views on economics are quite odd to say the least.
 
Just a thought, I’d be willing to bet people who like Rf2 are very few who go to great lengths to go to other game forums to talk trash about game whatever. Truly incredible that game a b c and or d isn’t perfect. I know of no such game. Those of us who do like Rf2 are willing to put in the time to make it better. Just a thought
 
I just did a fresh install since I don't play this "sim", I have a Fanatec CSL Elite wheel which feels just amazing on AC/ACC and AMS2
I tried the Caterham AND the ffb on rf2 Is just non existent, doesn't make any sense, the wheel rattles like crazy all the time. I searched for the recommended settings but didn't change a bit. I wonder how the hell people enjoy this game. I uninstalled inmediately .
The only thing good with this game Is the new UI
off topic but …
the catherham ffb is quite vague at the moment tbh… on a simucube 2 pro (with 80% strength since this is the sweet spot) and i had to crank the catherham ffb to 60% (from 35%).
would advise you to fine tunig your controller jason file mainly the jolt and rumble strip pull factor magnitude and save before launch RF2!!
Take the Aston or M8 GTE to sebring and test.
Good luck.
 
Wrong car for testing,and RF2.....play 1 car and inistall.....tipical hater,have you ever drive a car IRL?A real car,not the scrap sold in Brazil.....
Yeah I do track days. It should be fine just out of the first install, like Assetto Corsa. You don't need to dial anything to feel it properly fine. I probably don't like the game and did the uninstall rant. Doesn't have much to dial on the ffb other than the "smoothing"
 
Can the mods clarify how many hours we have to have on rF2 to be allowed to voice our (positive or negative) experiences about the game here as customers who bought the DLC? Or how many hundred posts we need to have on the S397 forums? How many superlatives must be contained in each post? How many pieces of flair are we expected to wear?
 
Why don't you answer?
Common sense and critical thinking skills are not involved in your rant about rFactor 2's business model.
What critical thinking will lead anyone to conclude that DLC should be cheaper and S397 should provide modders with ALL the tools to make the sales of that DLC even more difficult?
I sure hope that you don't run a business because your views on economics are quite odd to say the least.
I thought one of the selling points of rF2 was that it's a modding platform.
 
Moderator
Premium
Can the mods clarify how many hours we have to have on rF2 to be allowed to voice our (positive or negative) experiences about the game here
It's the fact that the same things are repeated in almost every thread.
Then the supporters of the game need to reply and round it goes.
There's a difference between a customer who's bought the content and comments and the people who feel the need to jump into threads because they don't like the game and unfortunately rF2 and AMS2 seem be the worse effected by this.
So I'm trying to not let their threads go to far off topic.
 
It's the fact that the same things are repeated in almost every thread.
Then the supporters of the game need to reply and round it goes.
There's a difference between a customer who's bought the content and comments and the people who feel the need to jump into threads because they don't like the game and unfortunately rF2 and AMS2 seem be the worse effected by this.
In my opinion one of the wrong things with the modern world is that if there is a problem with something, people just stop talking about it after some time and that problem becomes normalized.
 
Although I agree that the new Caterham may need some FFB tweaking, also was not sure about the Ford, this is normal territory for an update - things may have to be refined.

Overall I had good fun doing some laps against the AI on Donington National in the new Hyundai.

I am not an alien, I am pretty slow and not too picky, but I enjoy all of these games, AC, ACC, RF2, AMS, AMS2 (even SCE), Raceroom, PC2 - even iRacing (although I dislike the business model). To me this was a good update for s397, with some interesting new content.

I’m curious what the Caterham experts say about this one.
BTW the Mini is a lot of fun, have not tried the new track though, will do some laps later today with the Indycar and NASCAR.
 
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Premium
I thought one of the selling points of rF2 was that it's a modding platform.
It is and continues to be, as plenty of high quality mods are produced.
But it does not make commercial/financial sense to expect that a studio selling its game at €26,00 will not - within very reasonable terms - keep some of its IP closed to allow its DLC content (which costs thousands of Euros to license and to develop) to be the most desirable in comparison with mods.
 
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I tried the Caterham AND the ffb on rf2 Is just non existent

the catherham ffb is quite vague at the moment tbh…
Like you guys, I tried the Caterham, that S397 so generously added for free in the game, plus the game just received, for free, quite an extensive update, since the Caterham, in other titles, is quite an exquisite car to drive and race, I had to give it a spin.
Like you, to be politicly correct, since critic seem to be unwelcomed, let just say that I was not very impressed. Apparently, how this car drives and feel does not match my expectations.
So all the best to those who can enjoy it.
 
Why don't you answer?
Common sense and critical thinking skills are not involved in your rant about rFactor 2's business model.
What critical thinking will lead anyone to conclude that DLC should be cheaper and S397 should provide modders with ALL the tools to make the sales of that DLC even more difficult?
I sure hope that you don't run a business because your views on economics are quite odd to say the least.
I didn't say anything about DLC prices. I didn't say that S397 should do any DLC for free. It was not a rant but a comment but you took it personally (you realise you're defending a product sold to you, don't you? it's silly). And now you put words into my mouth to justify your view.
Missing documentation: I was referring to the new sound system (which was introduced months ago) and now the new track limits system and realroad 2.0. Maybe there is more missing, I'm not familiar with car modding.
So I don't have problems with DLCs.
My main problem is that they (S397) I guess consciously avoid fixing/improving anything related to continuosly brought up issues (if you read a few forum threads, youtube comments, etc. you get the idea what are these) instead they make new features that not many customer asked for or even thought about before.
For example I know the AI is not unusable or broken like many think it is. But it has serious deficiencies and problems yet S397 is suspiciously silent about it basically for years now.
The hourly races in CS are ghost towns because of many problems, again people let them know many times what are these problems but they resist to change it.
Other things like offline custom championships, opponent selection in the UI, gearbox system upgrade, etc. It's in the comments. Mostly offline racing related stuff so I think that's why they're low priority.
 
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