Automobilista 2 v1.6: Reiza Shows Multiplayer Improvements In Road Atlanta Test

Automobilista-2-Oreca-07-Road-Atlanta.jpg
Images: Reiza Studios
The wait is not over yet, but Automobilista 2 v1.6 still appears to be on a great path: A replay of a multiplayer session by developer Reiza Studios shows both online and other developments of the incoming update.

With update 1.6, Automobilista 2 is due an extensive overhaul that affects essentially every area of the sim. Initially slated for a summer release, the update still has not deployed yet - but it seems like it cannot be too far off anymore. At least this is what a new video on the studio's YouTube channel implies.

The video shows a multiplayer test session in the v1.6 beta version, including both the IMSA GTP and GTD (read: LMDh and GT3) classes at Road Atlanta. The contest lasts for about half an hour and was hosted by Low Fuel Motorsports, one of the third-party multiplayer platforms Reiza is working with to improve the online part of AMS2.


While the main focus of the test was to show the developments in regards to netcode and the stability of multiplayer sessions with large grids (in this case a full 32-car field), it also includes other improvement, namely to the visuals and audio of the sim. It is worth noting that the session is shown in replay mode, too.

The sessions does appear to be stable and run smoothly, with a few exceptions. Early on in the video, an Alpine A424 can be observed to be moving erratically, called "warping" in the video, at one point due to the driver's high ping and the grid being comprised of drivers from around the globe.

Other insight includes the now much trickier nature of the LMDh cars, which we noticed in our hands-on sessions with the beta as well. While these prototypes do have a lot of downforce and grip, they are not on rails, something that Le Mans Ultimate also demonstrates quite well.

Automobilista-2-v1.6-Alpine-A424-Hypercar.jpg


Progress For Online Modes​

What is encouraging to see is that even once the slower GT3-class traffic becomes involved, things do no get messy netcode-wise. According to Reiza, LFM has received "overwhelmingly positive feedback from internal testers" from a number of multiplayer test sessions like the one in the video - which should bode well for the multiplayer side of things in AMS2.

After all, many sim racers seem to think a decent online experience is what holds Automobilista 2 back compared to the competition. Could this be about to change once version 1.6 is deployed? It certainly seems possible, and Reiza looks like it is taking its time to ensure things are working properly - even if that means the release target of summer might turn out to be summer in the southern hemisphere.

What are your impressions on Automobilista 2's multiplayer impovements? Let us know in the comments below and join the discussion in our AMS2 forum!
About author
Yannik Haustein
Lifelong motorsport enthusiast and sim racing aficionado, walking racing history encyclopedia.

Sim racing editor, streamer and one half of the SimRacing Buddies podcast (warning, German!).

Heel & Toe Gang 4 life :D

Comments

By the way: I've been playing online regularly with a friend for months. Ok...there are only two of us and we fill up the grid with the AI, but we have had one disconnect in the last 30 races. And that was because of Steam. The connection is great and we have no lags. When I think about our GT7 times...AMS2 is worlds more pleasant
 
I hope the multiplayer takes off but the reality is that most sim racing owners use single player far more often. AMS2 has great content variety, very good graphics and a visceral feel to the handling. The shortcoming is tires and physics at/over the limit of grip and v1.6 appears to be making a sizeable leap forward there. The two preview cars available already are much much better but 1.6 is apparently that much better still.

Reiza needs to market this revision seriously as I think it is really more of a v 2.0 for the product. I hope they get it out and market aggressively before the holidays.... simracers have more time then to revisit it or may be inspired to buy it for the first time. It is a good window for them, come January they are going to have a new competitor which will suck up a lot of mindshare and money from simracers.
 
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Premium
Maybe its just me, but it seems if your game is known for its offline, then it would be better to focus on career mode than your forever dead mp.
Who said it was the focus? MP is just one small part of this update that happened to be showcased here. There has been a massive amount of focus on other areas of the sim, I'd say its been 70% single player stuff ( including physics ) and maybe 30% focus online stability. One of the reasons Reiza is effectively handing over the ranked MP to third parties like LFM and RCO is because it knows it does not have the bandwidth to do it effectively and that a sizable part of its playerbase are after single player content.
 
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Beta tester here. A lot of the focus of v1.6 is to improve AI, but this version is huge in term of scope and improves on every aspect of the sim.

Are they also improving the handling for controller users? The sliding effect makes many cars very hard to drive (especially the GTs).
 
Anyone else remember when this is supposed to come out in the summer? We all assumed it was northern hemisphere summer but what we failed to realize was most of Brazil is in the southern hemisphere. I love this game as it's probably one of the best VR Sims on PC currently, but these guys need to hire an actual social media manager or not post anything else until the update is ready for release.
 
iRacing has the worst netcode of any sim I've ever seen. I guess when you are so financially invested in something though, it's hard to admit it's faults.

Edit: R3E is about the best as far as netcode that I've seen.
They put people from all around the continent together.
Some people have half a second lag.
Coming from some village with a 4G connection.
All that has to go back and forth.
 
Premium
Are they also improving the handling for controller users? The sliding effect makes many cars very hard to drive (especially the GTs).
There has been feedback within the beta on this . Some of the beta testers use a controller .
 
Ranked multiplayer on it's own doesnt move the needle at all in terms of users, as RF2 and Raceroom already proved.
It really doesn't... but if you look at the most played sims, they ALL have some ranking system that at least barely works... maybe can call the original AC by an exception as it doesn't have a native one, but it have the "power of the cave Russian" and all the modding community pulling some huge weight.

I race weekly in public lobbies and they are most of the time full. So you probably look at the wrong times.

"What are your impressions on Automobilista 2's multiplayer impovements?"
Great that they do their best to improve the multiplayer. For me MP is the way to race in AMS2!

1.6 is going to be a gamechanger.
Well... the right time is the time we have. Or you recommend me to quit my job and/or leave my family just to be on Reizas schedule? lol
 
Who said it was the focus? MP is just one small part of this update that happened to be showcased here. There has been a massive amount of focus on other areas of the sim, I'd say its been 70% single player stuff ( including physics ) and maybe 30% focus online stability. One of the reasons Reiza is effectively handing over the ranked MP to third parties like LFM and RCO is because it knows it does not have the bandwidth to do it effectively and that a sizable part of its playerbase are after single player content.
I see, so they're mostly focused on remaining a hotlap/quickrace simulator. Got it.
 
Premium
Shots Fired.

The hype train is building up steam.

Game changer!

Lamborghini Dream Pack Pt1 (DLC)

  1. Lamborghini SC63 (LMDh / GTP class)
  2. Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 (GT3 Gen2 / GTD class)
  3. Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2 (Super Trofeo class)
  4. Lamborghini Veneno Roadster (Hypercars class)
Endurance Pack Pt2 (DLC):

  • Alpine A424 (LMDh / GTP class)
  • Oreca 07 (LMP2 Gen1 & Gen2 classes)
  • Ligier JS P217 (LMP2 Gen1 & Gen2 classes)
  • Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo (GT3 Gen2 / GTD class)
  • Corvette Z06 GT3.R (GT3 Gen2 / GTD class)
Free Base Game Content

  • Audi R8 LMS GT3 (GT3 Gen1 class)
  • Audi R8 LMS GT4 (GT4 class)
  • Ligier JS P320 (P1 Gen2 class)
  • Audi Quattro V8 (Group A class)
Upgraded / alternative models:

  • Corvette C8 Z07 (Supercars class)
  • Corvette C3.R (GT Classics class)
 
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