Automobilista: Version 1.4.5 Released Along with New Car & Track!

[Paul Jeffrey]

Build 1.4.5 of Automobilista has been released, introducing Stock Car Brazil 2017, Curvello and a whole host of new fixes...

Now coming with some dramatic improvements to the artificial intelligence as they react with the other computer generated cars and player, plus a rule update to match the 2017 Stock Car Brazil regulations, the new update adds plenty of interesting changes to the core game code.

Alongside updates and fixes, new content in the form of the 2017 Stock Car Brazil season and the Curvello track are added to the sim for free.

Check out the trailer and changelog below:

CONTENT

• Added Curvelo circuit ("A" & "B" layouts)
• Added Stock Car Brasil 2017 series

UPDATES & FIXES

• Revised AI overtaking risk calculations - AI now constantly looks for a way past a slower car ahead (no longer backs off overtakes) *
• Revised & Expanded Push-to-Pass functionality, simulating Stock Car 2017 season (including windshield lights indicating activation / availability)
• AI now also uses P2P to overtake / defend from opponents
• Added new car-specific AI risk calculation parameters for overtaking - AI now factors corner radius ahead to decide whether to try switch lines to overtake
• Added new AI function to prevent AI car from trying to rejoin the track after a spin until there is no oncoming traffic
• AI now affected by grass / gravel grip levels & dirt on tires (it will lift a bit until tires are clean again)
• Added new controller damping sliders & presets for better keyboard & gamepad control **
• Moved camera settings to DISPLAY UI screen, & added a "Lock to Horizon" slider (where 0% is pre-v1.4 setting, and 100% is latest setting)
• Added Garage UI warning message for series in which race refuelling is not allowed, & disabled HUD pit menu fuel adjustment for those series ***
• Several minor UI fixes & adjustments
• Adjusted audio occlusion, low pass & wind filters
• Adjusted AI drafting, slip reaction, aggression levels
• Changed default cockpit FOV from 50 to 45 degrees
• Adjusted traction control functionality (as a driving aid)
• Added PLR file setting to disable track scoreboards (known to cause some issues in live streaming)
• Track state regression between sessions & overnight reduced from 2% & 10% respectively to 1% & 5%
• Corrected excessive fuel consumption in Caterhams, MCR, Marcas, Lancers
• Updated sunrise/sunset lighting values for all tracks
  
• Updated Cadwell, Brands, Imola, VIR, Curitiba. Cascavel, Kansai, Velocittá, Taruma, Goiania, Spielberg, Santa Cruz, Guaporé, Londrina, Interlagos terrain & road textures to latest quality standard
• Minor road & curb updates at Curitiba, Tarumã, Goiania, Santa Cruz, Londrina, Interlagos to match their 2017 layouts
• Fixed F-Ultimate tire options for Interlagos, Kansai
• Karts: Fixed handling-breaking suspension bug from last hotfix
• MCR: Fixed RPM LEDs not working in left-hand driver side
• Camaro: Added 2017 Stock Car Safety Car skin

* For this build Medium aggression is generally recommended for best AI racing; higher settings may be suitable for tin tops in which more bumping & rubbing is acceptable; Low aggression disables all new risk bypassing functions and effectively reverts to their pre v1.4.5 behavior with regards to overtaking.

** Users of digital inputs should review their settings for steering, throttle and brake rates.

*** All cars / tracks still allows race refuelling for all classes, so users looking to get around series refuelling rules should use that for both single & multiplayer races (be advised that AI fuel strategy for longer races may not be ideal).


Important note for Logitech G29 / G920 users: Support for auto rotation is still on a dedicated Beta Branch labeled v1.4.5_G29. Further instructions as to how to switch to a beta branch here.

GENERAL NOTES:

If you have an online race tonight, you may stick to or revert to the previous v1.4.32 by selecting that branch from the Steam Beta tab. Further instructions as to how to do that here.

If you have a bug to report please use the new bug report thread (make sure to check the opening post first).

If you experience any issues running the game following the update, it´s worth running a Steam Integrity Check to make sure all files have been added / updated correctly.


Automobilista is a PC exclusive racing simulation from Reiza Studios, available via the Steam network.

Don't forget to check out the Automobilista sub forum here at RaceDepartment to keep abreast of the latest news and discussions with regards to the simulation. We have a massive mod database where you can check out and download a selection of cars, tracks, skins, apps and other such third party content, plus of course we host some incredible club racing events on a regular weekly basis. If you want to become involved in the action yourself, check out the Automobilista Racing Clubs and Leagues sub forum and sign yourself up to a race today!

Have you tried the new update yet? What do you think of the new AI? Like Stock Car 2017? How does the new track rank against existing locations? Let us know in the comments section below!

 

[CC]

I checked my emails 3 times yesterday ,
still nothing from AMS to make any cars

 

[randMracer]

I checked my emails 3 times yesterday ,
still nothing from AMS to make any cars

Downloading 2.5gb right now. Guess I'll check out the new stuff in a few. I'll have to force myself to do some non-VR racing.

 

[CMGARAGE]

There's a club race this Friday with the new content. All premium members welcome.

http://www.racedepartment.com/threads/stock-car-curvelo-friday-4th-august-2017-19-00-gmt.138885/

 

[Nevini]

Still no VR, shame on you ;-)

 

[randMracer]

OK wow that was hard. I haven't raced on a flat monitor in about a year. I couldn't get the right view in the cockpit to see my apex correctly. "A" post was always in the way. Might have to dust off the old TrackIR and try again.

In VR you don't realize how much you can see until you go back to flat monitors. In VR I can slightly tilt my head and see the apex, I can see all my mirrors by just looking like I would IRL. Don't get me wrong, I love AMS. It still feels awesome and glad they're still making improvements, but every race title has VR now. What is Reiza waiting for? At least add it to the beta and let people test it.

It's like they're set in their ways and don't want to give in. Like someone that doesn't want to switch from their flip phone to a smart phone. We don't need that new fangled technology!

 

[zi99y]

Maybe they're saving it for reiza 2017? Probably a lot of work to undertake on the old rfactor engine that they would then need to do again on the new game.

 

[ShredatorFIN]

Nice update, AI really improved their behavior. Track pretty cool too

 

[randMracer]

Maybe they're saving it for reiza 2017? Probably a lot of work to undertake on the old rfactor engine that they would then need to do again on the new game.

It's a possibility, or they simply don't have someone on the team that can do it.

 

[phang76]

While not specifically mentioned, to me the FFB feels even better now (G27), feel far more weight to most cars, and hardly any dead zone.

 

[MarcG]

OK wow that was hard. I haven't raced on a flat monitor in about a year. I couldn't get the right view in the cockpit to see my apex correctly. "A" post was always in the way. Might have to dust off the old TrackIR and try again.

In VR you don't realize how much you can see until you go back to flat monitors. In VR I can slightly tilt my head and see the apex, I can see all my mirrors by just looking like I would IRL. Don't get me wrong, I love AMS. It still feels awesome and glad they're still making improvements, but every race title has VR now. What is Reiza waiting for? At least add it to the beta and let people test it.

It's like they're set in their ways and don't want to give in. Like someone that doesn't want to switch from their flip phone to a smart phone. We don't need that new fangled technology!

Renato has mentioned that they know how good VR is but they neither had the staff nor the time to do it for AMS, I'm almost certain if they would've had a chance to do it they would've done so by now, personally I (some weeks ago) accepted that it wont happen and life goes on.
Whilst that is a shame for us VR users it has been great for Monitor users, the progress of AMS has been great watching from the sidelines, sure they are just polishing the engine as best they can but for me they are also learning what they need to do for AMS2. With that in mind I would bet my house on them including VR from the start, as you say most other Sims have it now, so they'd be pretty stupid not to add it for their next title.

But all is not lost, the program Vorpx apparently works very well with AMS, I'm currently considering whether to purchase it myself (there's a couple of other games I could use it for to justify the purchase) and if I do I'll report back.

 

[Hash_V8]

Not very realistic Brazil series, Didnt see a single off duty cop.....

Ai in AMS has been improving nicely, looking forward to trying.

 

[randMracer]

But all is not lost, the program Vorpx apparently works very well with AMS

I'm aware of VorpX and considered buying also, but heard it works ok on some games but others not so much. Seems like a PITA to setup and get right from what I've seen. Maybe they've improved it since the last time I looked at it. I'll have to do more research on how well it works with AMS now days. Thanks for bringing it up....cheers.

 

[sutioc]

Have tested the new AI. I think it's definitely better than AC now.

 

[ShredatorFIN]

Have tested the new AI. I think it's definitely better than AC now.

In which ways? Not saying you're wrong, just curious so I can pay attention while racing. Imo Assetto AI is damn good too now, with quick test AMS new AI felt quite similar.

Good thing to also remember that AMS (and rF2) uses simplified physics for AI. Tire model complexity is reduced and suspension is eased to allow the AI to manage. AC uses full physics (+ some stability control). While it doesn't make necessarily difference from gameplay perspective.

Also don't know if everyone is aware (probably most), but AMS ai cheats when you put it over 100%, so in "true sense" 100% is the cap in both sims

 

[David Ignjatovic]

While not specifically mentioned, to me the FFB feels even better now (G27), feel far more weight to most cars, and hardly any dead zone.

Wait till u get a t300

 

[Thomas O'Leary]

Have the steam achievements been fixed? Just wondered as I may do a few championships if so!

 

[M D Gourley]

While not specifically mentioned, to me the FFB feels even better now (G27), feel far more weight to most cars, and hardly any dead zone

Wait till u get a t300

Absolutely agree...I upgraded from a G27 to a T300RS and the difference is night and day...the T300 is just at a whole new level of feel from my old G27 which makes Automobilista my number 1 Sim for FFB wheel feel ....well worth the upgrade.

 

[Alex72]

That car was great! Good update from the 2015 version.

BTW did anyone else notice that when choosing track version it doesnt say 2017 GP anymore on the updated tracks they gave us the big update before this one? They added that to the track version on all tracks that had a modern GP version and now its gone. Montreal have for example "Montreal 1988 GP" and then "Montreal", but no "Montreal 2017 GP" (or 2016 GP... I cant remember since its gone now lol). Some tracks i even forgot if they had a modern GP version or not so i find it weird that they removed the specific version names. Maybe my installation got borked or is it the same for you?

 

[2stains]

Still no cockpit shadows
For me thats the only thing AMS is missing , really do love the feeling it gives through the wheel .