rF2: Circuit de la Sarthe (Le Mans) Released & rF2 Updated

[Paul Jeffrey]

Studio 397 have released their beautiful laser scanned Circuit de la Sarthe for rFactor 2.

One of the most iconic tracks in world motorsport, this weekend has seen the 87th running of the Le Mans 24 Hour race in France - the centrepiece event of the sportscar racing calendar and the season finale of the 2018/19 FIA World Endurance Championship season.

To mark the big event in style, Studio 397 have released their latest DLC for rFactor 2 - the laser scanned 2018 version of the famous Le Mans circuit!

Available to purchase now from the rFactor 2 Steam Store page for 10.99 eu, the new track is once again an impressive creation from Studio 397 - continuing the recent very high quality track standards achieved by the Dutch development studio.

rF2 Le Mans: Check out our test drive and Marcel Offermans interview HERE.

Alongside the new track comes a brand new update for rFactor 2, one that brings a number of fixes and improvements to the simulation as Studio 397 continue work towards refining and updating this highly regarded simulation. To catch up on the latest changes, check out the new build update notes below...

rF2 Update Notes:

With the track release comes a new build too. As always we advise people to update their dedicated servers and game clients. In fact, Le Mans requires this new build.

rFactor 2 version: 1.1112
Steam Build IDs: 3921932 (client), 3921933 (dedicated server)

Changes:

• Improved performance logging to be faster and give more information.
  
• Fixed skewed driver labels on triple screen multi-view (cockpit and track-side full-screen cams).
  
• Removed aggressive threading as it’s not that helpful.
  
• Improved timing to help avoid stutters and real-time freezes.
  
• Improvements on materials and lighting.
  
• Implemented all new ‘digital flags’ – for ‘Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans’.

Here's what Studio 397 have to say about the new release:

Just a few weeks ago, in our latest roadmap, we announced that Le Mans was coming to rFactor 2. Now, on the weekend that the 2019 edition of this famous 24h race is held, as the real cars pass the checkered flag after yet another memorable race, the racing won’t stop! We are proud to announce the release of the Le Mans 24h track, available immediately!

For those of you who can’t wait, here’s the link to the store, where you can buy your copy of the track right now and start driving!

Background
The story of the creation of this iconic track goes all the way back to the days when Studio 397 was founded, almost three years ago now. I guess, when we chose the name of our company we already showed our intention.

Being new to the game obviously meant that we had to first introduce ourselves to the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) and build a relationship with them. Such things always take time. Over the first two years, we met regularly, explained our ideas and plans, and listened to their feedback. In that same time period, we also entered into discussions with various other tracks and car manufacturers and showed that we were serious about making rFactor 2 the most realistic racing simulation for everybody who enjoys the experience of driving race cars. All these things led to a licensing agreement, roughly a year ago, that all parties were happy with.

Just in time too for doing a laser scan of the 2018 track, as obviously Le Mans only exists in this configuration for a couple of weeks a year. With the license in place and the scan in our possession, production work started a little over half a year ago, with us balancing our track team resources at the time between three big tracks, the Nürburgring, already in production at that time after we announced it at SimRacing Expo last year, Monaco and Le Mans.

As with Sebring, our goal was to create the most realistic model of Le Mans possible for any consumer-oriented racing simulation available. By pairing our highly accurate physics with a very detailed road mesh, we have recreated the track in a way that makes you feel every bump and curb out there.

Graphically, we have used our latest shaders on this track. Improvements to our lighting model and materials are still in full swing. So whilst you will find this track already looks gorgeous, it is safe to say we will do an update once everything is finalized later in the year, and we will provide a more in-depth update on this process in one of our upcoming roadmaps.

For more from the world of rFactor 2, head over to the RaceDepartment rFactor 2 sub forum and connect with your fellow rF2 fans today!

Like what we do at RaceDepartment? Follow us on Social Media!


 ​

 

[Jach]

what's the matter with you, we are only arguing about this kind of marketing, is healthy... maybe if they put 30€ of prize for track you will pay again, is the difference between a fanboy and a normal gamer. The game is good, but you must pay the prize according the logical prize of the competitors and the market, and this is not logical. you have AC ultimate edition for very less prize than all the content of RF2 and AC has a lot of more content, mods, licenses, laser scanned tracks, multiplayer... ok, FFB of RF2 is better, but, guy, compare in global terms... i like so much RF2 and i bought all the DLC's except karting an formula E, but is enough.

Fanboys think you cannot complain anything about it when they know themselves it's far from perfect. In fact in most cases people who complain about something about rf2 just want it to be better or closer to perfect and fanboys just want them to leave the game and shut up maybe fanboys think they hate the game out of nothing I don't know who have the right of stopping us playing rf2 and leaving some comments at the same time, AS A CONSUMER who paid money for a product. funny

 

[falster]

Fanboys think you cannot complain anything about it when they know themselves it's far from perfect. In fact in most cases people who complain about something about rf2 just want it to be better or closer to perfect and fanboys just want them to leave the game and shut up maybe fanboys think they hate the game out of nothing I don't know who have the right of stopping us playing rf2 and leaving some comments at the same time, AS A CONSUMER who paid money for a product. funny

no one is stopping anybody commenting, in fact I encourage it and note that everyone is entitled to their opinion.
its just the Mod Edit:insult removed. than cant cope with any other opinion that doesn't match theirs and start throwing labels around and nonsense points to try and add credence to their weak argument of "im….im allowed to say what I want...and and...you cant stop me...and and everyones entitled to their opinion....." but of course only if they agree with theirs.....

also, not one person here has said this is perfect. not a single one.

its just a lot of us seem to manage to be more positive, more constructive and a little less entitled than others.

Bring your little red crosses though, im already ignoring you.

EDIT oh carl...you didnt disappoint. And i love you for that. Have a lollipop

 

[EIREXE]

You guys also have to realise le mans is 3x as big as a normal track, so pricing makes sense if you think of it that way

 

[General_RIMT]

You know why this track is awesome? (Besides what everyone else said)

You can actually have a proper grid of 60 with day/night cycle + weather Pcars 2 is great but my only gripe is the small field sizes. Plus, on rfactor 2, it’s nice to be able to save mid-race.

 

[Slowdive]

I would like to politely reply sir, that there is in fact a UI for rFactor2 and a new one has been promised and the release of it updated. The people suffering from 'freezes' might be related to their computer not being up to the standards of today's needs for a higher end computer system. I have been sim racing for 19 years since the birth of Papyrus, and have purchased numerous upgrading computers, wheels, pedals, stands, motion rigs, VR, and Lord knows what else.

Jack

Right. Every single sim I own works perfectly fine except for RF2, but the problem is with my hardware, huh? Also, RF2 is an old game. So it's not demanding, but rather it's bad code with poor exception handling. Please stop making excuses for them. You are enabling a studio that does not care about quality.

I'm glad that you are enjoying the title, but there are many of us who have all but given up due to freezes and lack of support.

 

[BP]

You can actually have a proper grid of 60 with day/night cycle + weather Pcars 2 is great but my only gripe is the small field sizes. Plus, on rfactor 2, it’s nice to be able to save mid-race.

Did I miss something here? You can save a race in RF2 in the middle of it?

 

[billyblaze13]

Did I miss something here? You can save a race in RF2 in the middle of it?

Rf2 has resume from replay...

 

[2stains]

Do gravel traps work or are they still ice?

 

[2stains]

What will be in it?

Who knows but it will be $35 for 5 cars, lol. Pass and wait for AMS 2 for me.

 

[Jach]

An rF2 track is more expensive than Assetto Corsa or is half the price of Assetto Corsa Ultimate Edition with much more laser scanned tracks

Just posting an easy calculation a truth that everyone can see on the game platform with no comments or even complaints. Those who gave disagree, what the **** is wrong with your mathematics?

 

[General_RIMT]

Did I miss something here? You can save a race in RF2 in the middle of it?

Everytime you leave a session, a replay is saved. You can jump back into that replay in the main menu, and resume from wherever you would like.

 

[EIREXE]

Just posting an easy calculation a truth that everyone can see on the game platform with no comments or even complaints. Those who gave disagree, what the **** is wrong with your mathematics?

Because you are making a bad comparison, you have to compare the cost of new content vs new content, assetto corsa isn't a new game, it didn't cost 10€ when it came out, you can only get it at that price on sale now, but you could not back in the day. Games get cheaper as time goes by.

 

[dreamer al]

Because you are making a bad comparison, you have to compare the cost of new content vs new content, assetto corsa isn't a new game, it didn't cost 10€ when it came out, you can only get it at that price on sale now, but you could not back in the day. Games get cheaper as time goes by.

I don't disagree with your comment. But how about we look at the "older" games, when they issued a DLC; they came with either quite a number of cars and some also included track (s). If you do not "get" what I am alluding to, nevermind.

 

[Shovas]

I feel for the people who are talking about how much it's starting to cost to get less than a complete package rF2 experience now. I want rF2 to succeed but the pricing has bothered me ever since the DLC started.

The problem: rF2 doesn't feel like an actual package without the DLC but you have to pay for rF2 to begin with and then you have to pay more for the DLC.

From what I've seen, since they started releasing their GT3 cars, Sebring, etc., S397 is being very intentional with their high pricing. They don't participate in common sales that often, either. I can't imagine they're attracting new users with their pricing strategy, which leads me to...

If I had to guess, I'd say they're funding development right now by squeezing money out of their existing userbase, who are very devoted, until they can get the sim into a nice, polished, somewhat complete(*) endurancing racing package at which point they may try to start attracting new users by selling a shiny, complete package at a reasonable, all-in-one price. Think New UI timeframe.

I'd be very confused about what they're thinking, otherwise. It feels to many users like S397 is in no position to be charging what they do for their content. If they can get away with it, however, then maybe the long-term strategy makes sense until they have that complete package they can sell for a reasonable price and attract a new audience and bring in that new new money.

I bought Sebring on the hype and while it's a really great track, I admit probably the best Sebring we have, it's not exactly so great that it can demand its price, especially considering its place within rF2 where you have to buy the product, CAD $36.99 for me, and you still don't get the proper official DLC content, you have to pay for that, too.

I bought the GT3 DLC but have held off on GTE and Challenger packs, as well as the tracks, as the pricing just doesn't quite make sense right now. I've held off for a long time. Sounds like others have, too. That's money on the table that S397 could have. It must be hurting them. And that's why they must have a longer-term strategy where this all makes sense.

*By complete/somewhat complete I mean the bare minimum structure, like a barebones Assetto Corsa Competizione, but it is still a fully functioning product with fleshed out content at 1.0.

 

[Slowdive]

Because you are making a bad comparison, you have to compare the cost of new content vs new content, assetto corsa isn't a new game, it didn't cost 10€ when it came out, you can only get it at that price on sale now, but you could not back in the day. Games get cheaper as time goes by.

Kunos released laser scanned Laguna Seca for the whopping price of zero dollars.

 

[Jason Mullin]

I have never bashed a product on any forum.

I hate Gran Turismo and openly bash it regularly. Sometimes I wake covered in sweat with Kazunori Yamauchi laughing at me with the sounds of polyphony digitals terrible tire squealing, then suddenly crave bacon as it sounds like someone is killing a pig.

Before I become wrote off as a madman, I'd like to comment on this track.
It is wonderful, wonderful, wonderful and I thank the sim racing gods that we have outfits like S397 and Reiza putting out realistic simulations to save us all from Gran Turismo.

 

[Slowdive]

I hate Gran Turismo and openly bash it regularly. Sometimes I wake covered in sweat with Kazunori Yamauchi laughing at me with the sounds of polyphony digitals terrible tire squealing, then suddenly crave bacon as it sounds like someone is killing a pig.

Before I become wrote off as a madman, I'd like to comment on this track.
It is wonderful, wonderful, wonderful and I thank the sim racing gods that we have outfits like S397 and Reiza putting out realistic simulations to save us all from Gran Turismo.

Have you tested whether LMP cars will pass GTE cars on their in laps yet?

 

[Jason Mullin]

Have you tested whether LMP cars will pass GTE cars on their in laps yet?

Have not but will check it out. Somehow I doubt they will but will get some replay footage posted.

 

[Gevatter]

Just out of interest, im seeing a few people mentioning a "proper simulation" of a drivetrain.

This is something thats not really crossed my mind before or wondered at the lack of and i was wondering what other sims possess this that i may have unwittingly used as i dont seem to have noticed anything radically different across sims

AMS does it quite well IMO, as do Raceroom, ACC and, to a lesser extent, AC. It includes things like engine inertia, which makes your chassis twist in regard to engine position and influences handling when accelerating and letting off the throttle; Misshifts in manual cars, maybe even the need for correct shift timing, like that in some cars you need to shift slower than eg in cars with dogboxes and transmission damage as a result; drivetrain wobble on shifts with sequential gearboxes and downshift protection; Stuff like that, maybe more. RF2 may have some of those, but is generally lacking in this area.

 

[Ace King]

rF2 released Zandvoort for "Free" and a few car mods for "Free". Lets face it that rF2 is on another level in the physics and ffb dept. Even with the few ai problems they are still one of the best in a sim.

Marcel recently stated they are aware of the slip-streaming and the faster ai cars not passing slower ai cars when returning for a pitstop and will look into the code for tweaking/fixing these issues in the future after UI and other commitments are finished so i believe we should give S397 the benefit of doubt and support them instead of this constant bashing and bitching in this forum.