Automobilista 2 mods might be on the verge to take another step forward: An update to @Immersion Modding Group's F1 1991 livery pack now lets players select scenarios - possibly opening the door to race-specific sets.
UPDATE JUNE 22, 2024
IMMERSION Modding Group has further refined their 1991 pack for Automobilista 2. After the original six scenarios, the mod now features 12 different sets to choose from, covering the number of changes that happened during that season. As a result, it is possible to have accurate grids for the 16 rounds of the championship.
This also covers the teams at the back of the grid in a more extensive way, as the previous scenarios had already started doing. This meant that different teams could be found on the grid at different races, such as Fondmetal, Lambo (Modena) or AGS. More of these outcomes have also been added to the pack. The Lambo-Lamborghini team makes its debut in AMS2 as a result.
It is not just about who swapped teams and who qualified, though. The pack now also comes with separate scenarios for both the German and British Grands Prix, where some teams had to run no-tobacco liveries. As these differed between Hockenheim and Silverstone in some instances, this is reflected in the pack as well.
The Lambo-Lamborghini team had big ambition, but little success - the team only qualified for six races and folded after the 1991 season. Image: @brainner / IMMERSION Modding Group
Furthermore, the Larrousse team has been moved to the Model 3 car, so it is now a V8-powered car as it was in the real 1991 season. Previously, it had used the Model 1 and its V12 engine, which looked closer to the actual LH91. Its spot has been taken by the aforementioned Lambo, who did indeed use a V12 motor.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE APRIL 3, 2024
Full-season mods used to be very popular in the days of rFactor, Grand Prix 4, and other sims of the time. Having the driver line-up and cars appear as they would have at each specific race was a great feature that could be achieved via opponent presets in rFactor (and choosing the correct car version and livery for the player car), for instance. And GP4 veterans will remember ZaZ's Tools that included Car Set Manager (CSM), which would allow players to choose exactly what GP they wanted to race.
This level of detail and accuracy has seemingly fallen by the wayside a bit in recent years, with even full-season car sets not being found as frequently. A new option by IMMERSION Modding Group introduced via an update to their Automobilista 2 F1 1991 livery pack might open the door for race-specific grids again, though.
Spa 1991, Robert Moreno's final race for Benetton that year. Interestingly, he seemingly had his Jordan helmet for later ready at that point already.
Granted, AMS2 does not have full grids of authentic cars for any F1 season, but the 1991 championship is represented relatively well with four different cars to choose from in Formula Classic Gen 4. IMG's pack brings liveries and drivers to all of these cars.
The procedure is relatively simple: Find the "F1_Season_1991_XML_Selector.bat" file, run it and choose one of six scenarios, one of which is fictional.
Image: Brainbug / IMMERSION Modding Group
You can also choose to redo Michael Schumacher's F1 debut at the Belgian Grand Prix - choose this scenario in the XML selector, and the German will be in the Jordan, with Roberto Moreno still in the Benetton seat.
We wonder what that German kid in the Jordan is going to achieve in the future...
Another neat feature is that the backmarker teams are adjusted accordingly. Remember, in 1991, there still was pre-qualifying in place, as there were way more entries than grid slots available, and only 26 cars got to start a race. If you load up the Mexian GP scenario (although the track is not in AMS2), Olivier Grouillard in his Fondmetal will be on the grid, while Emanuele Pirro in the Dallara and Erik Comas in the Ligier will be missing.
IMMERSION Modding Group state in the 1991 livery pack's update notes that they are considering doing another scenario that includes liveries without tobacco sponsors, as run at the British and German GPs. As most F1 seasons portrayed in AMS2 saw numerous driver and livery changes, the feature's potential should be enormous - and a nice throwback to the full-season mod packs of the past.
What do you think about the XML Selector feature? Let us know on Twitter @OverTake_gg or in the comments below!
UPDATE JUNE 22, 2024
IMMERSION Modding Group has further refined their 1991 pack for Automobilista 2. After the original six scenarios, the mod now features 12 different sets to choose from, covering the number of changes that happened during that season. As a result, it is possible to have accurate grids for the 16 rounds of the championship.
This also covers the teams at the back of the grid in a more extensive way, as the previous scenarios had already started doing. This meant that different teams could be found on the grid at different races, such as Fondmetal, Lambo (Modena) or AGS. More of these outcomes have also been added to the pack. The Lambo-Lamborghini team makes its debut in AMS2 as a result.
It is not just about who swapped teams and who qualified, though. The pack now also comes with separate scenarios for both the German and British Grands Prix, where some teams had to run no-tobacco liveries. As these differed between Hockenheim and Silverstone in some instances, this is reflected in the pack as well.
The Lambo-Lamborghini team had big ambition, but little success - the team only qualified for six races and folded after the 1991 season. Image: @brainner / IMMERSION Modding Group
Furthermore, the Larrousse team has been moved to the Model 3 car, so it is now a V8-powered car as it was in the real 1991 season. Previously, it had used the Model 1 and its V12 engine, which looked closer to the actual LH91. Its spot has been taken by the aforementioned Lambo, who did indeed use a V12 motor.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE APRIL 3, 2024
Full-season mods used to be very popular in the days of rFactor, Grand Prix 4, and other sims of the time. Having the driver line-up and cars appear as they would have at each specific race was a great feature that could be achieved via opponent presets in rFactor (and choosing the correct car version and livery for the player car), for instance. And GP4 veterans will remember ZaZ's Tools that included Car Set Manager (CSM), which would allow players to choose exactly what GP they wanted to race.
This level of detail and accuracy has seemingly fallen by the wayside a bit in recent years, with even full-season car sets not being found as frequently. A new option by IMMERSION Modding Group introduced via an update to their Automobilista 2 F1 1991 livery pack might open the door for race-specific grids again, though.
Spa 1991, Robert Moreno's final race for Benetton that year. Interestingly, he seemingly had his Jordan helmet for later ready at that point already.
Granted, AMS2 does not have full grids of authentic cars for any F1 season, but the 1991 championship is represented relatively well with four different cars to choose from in Formula Classic Gen 4. IMG's pack brings liveries and drivers to all of these cars.
New XML Selector Feature
Thus far, the 1991 pack was not very representative for much of the real season, with Michael Schumacher already in the Benetton (as he was from Monza onwards, which was round 12 of 16). Now, the new XML Selector feature offers a few more options that are easy to load into AMS2.The procedure is relatively simple: Find the "F1_Season_1991_XML_Selector.bat" file, run it and choose one of six scenarios, one of which is fictional.
Image: Brainbug / IMMERSION Modding Group
Accurate Grids For Select 1991 GPs
As Formula One seasons usually never see all car/driver combinations intact from start to finish, this could be used to include race-specific driver swaps and even liveries. For instance, the article header shows Gianni Morbidelli in the Ferrari - the Italian took over for the Australian GP season finale in 1991 after Alain Prost got fired.You can also choose to redo Michael Schumacher's F1 debut at the Belgian Grand Prix - choose this scenario in the XML selector, and the German will be in the Jordan, with Roberto Moreno still in the Benetton seat.
We wonder what that German kid in the Jordan is going to achieve in the future...
Another neat feature is that the backmarker teams are adjusted accordingly. Remember, in 1991, there still was pre-qualifying in place, as there were way more entries than grid slots available, and only 26 cars got to start a race. If you load up the Mexian GP scenario (although the track is not in AMS2), Olivier Grouillard in his Fondmetal will be on the grid, while Emanuele Pirro in the Dallara and Erik Comas in the Ligier will be missing.
IMMERSION Modding Group state in the 1991 livery pack's update notes that they are considering doing another scenario that includes liveries without tobacco sponsors, as run at the British and German GPs. As most F1 seasons portrayed in AMS2 saw numerous driver and livery changes, the feature's potential should be enormous - and a nice throwback to the full-season mod packs of the past.
What do you think about the XML Selector feature? Let us know on Twitter @OverTake_gg or in the comments below!
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