Honestly, Studio 397 are a joke. Particularly Marcel as well, who I believe is responsible for calling the shots (or at least was prior to the acquisition). It has been, what, 5 years since Studio 397 took over? During that time we have seen significant changes, but everything relating to the AI has been completely untouched, and in some areas broken 'unintentionally'. Here are just some of the issues that have been acknowledged and on a "to do list" for what appears to be an eternity:
- Full Course Yellows completely and utterly broken (acknowledged back in 2018 and were confident that a fix would be available but this never materialised).
- AI Cars that intend to pit do not overtake other cars, even if they're a much faster class. The logic does simply not allow for this, and it has been reported countless times.
- AI Cars during wet weather repeatedly pit each lap (the bug was introduced by Studio 397 - which they acknowledged - but have since refused to fix, despite it being raised multiple times and reported over the years.
- Erratic Throttle & Breaking for AI Cars that was introduced in Build: 1110 in 2018. Interestingly, the patch notes state, and I quote "Fixed an issue with the AI throttle and brake application, which would cause poor acceleration at very low AI strengths." This particular change is a perfect example of Marcels incompetence. It caused every single car (regardless of skill or track) to erratically throttle and break, resulting in slower lap times, speed and produce the most obnoxious earbleed. Even though I reported this issue on the very same day it was released, it has never been fixed, despite all of my attempts. Here are just some of the excuses for this particular issue as well:
Logically this doesn't make any sense, at all. He acknowledged this issue back in 2018 alongside Christopher, who is another developer at Studio 397. Despite all of my attempts at asking for an update prior to this date, I am simply met with "it's on our to do list" - even though they caused this issue!. Also shows that there is absolutely zero urgency with this, even though it is a significant change.
I would argue that this isn't the case at all. They have clearly demonstrated leading up to 2021 that they are unable to revert simple changes (which were clearly not tested). This is another post effectively telling me the same thing as before.
Again, already provided the data as to when this changed back in 2018. It was Build: 1110 in 2018. Bare in mind these replies are from 2020 as well, so at this stage they have had nearly 2 years to fix the issue that they caused.
Requested another update. Still on our "to do list"
Priorities have 'shifted' despite them introducing this behaviour in 2018. And yes, at this stage they have done nothing to attempt to fix it.
Again, makes absolutely zero sense at all. Build: 1110 specifically states ""Fixed an issue with the AI throttle and brake application, which would cause poor acceleration at very low AI strengths." The way I interpret this reply is... a bug (that I, or probably most other people were completely unaware of) has been described as fixed, is not actually fixed, and instead it is now happening to all cars - on all tracks - at all skill levels. Yet they do not warrant a reversal of the change because it would impact the 'fixes' they have made, which have actually made the game worse.
At last, I have confirmation that Q1 will include changes to erratic throttle and breaking, slip streaming, and other related AI issues.
You guessed it correctly. Radio silence for months and no signs of any of those changes which were confirmed in Q1.
Back on the "to do list" again.
Advising that the acquisition has kept them busy which is why we have had no updates.
Now saying that a fix is longer imminent (was it really even in the works, let's be honest).
Obviously to keep things slightly streamlined, I have only included key responses but ultimately, what was going to be possible (as a result of the acquisition and increased resources) has now suddenly been 'delayed'.
Very much on our "to do list" again, even though the issue was acknowledged in 2018. This is was after me asking just for an update on the erratic throttle and breaking issue. I did not even mention the other issues.
Briefly mentions about 'rolling back the change' and it was something they considered, but it would then bring back the 'bug' that they did fix as part of the build. Again, when I ask for clarity on this bug, he does not address the question. To make this clear again, they made the following change: ""Fixed an issue with the AI throttle and brake application, which would cause poor acceleration at very low AI strengths." but it actually transpires that what they described as fixed, is now happening to every car - on every track - at every skill level. So logically this makes no sense. Why wouldn't you revert this change given the resulting behaviour?
Now telling me that it will be addressed after the NASCAR game is released. You will be able to reference the race department forums for this but he said the same thing when the Grand Tour game was due to release. I vaguely recall him saying "Our AI Programmer will be available after the Grand Tour game is released to look at this." (as you guessed it, this didn't materialise very well either...)
Basically back on the tod list, doesn't even comment on the other remaining issues either relating to the AI.
5. AI inability to utilise slipstream (arguably one of the most controversial topics, particularly when this issue has been acknowledged on multiple occasions over the years. What an absolute mess this has been as well. You will see various sources on Discord, Race Department, and the official forums. All the usual spill of "it's on our to do list", "our priorities have changed" over and over for the last five years.
Ultimately, It is so deeply disappointing to see Studio 397 take over, break a number of things, promise to fix it, and then not bother to do so with the AI. They're forever moving the goal post further and further. Marcel could not even comment when I asked him "do you ever recall where you have followed through with a change to the AI" over 5 years. He knows full well that this hasn't happened.
I even mentioned the state of the forums, which he then raised the importance of them being 'liberal' but let's not forget that Marcg's post was censored and removed.