AMS 2: New Game Footage - Plenty of News in July Roadmap

[Paul Jeffrey]

Reiza Studios have been teasing exciting sim racing news once again... with a nice comparison video thrown into the mix for good measure!

Anyone here ever heard of Automobilista 2? Yeah, I thought you might...

I did something I never really do yesterday, I announced an announcement for an upcoming announcement. Sounds silly doesn't it? Well to be honest with you, I was just so excited about the prospect of more AMS 2 news, I really, really wanted to put a little flag in the sand of the internet and give us all somewhere to go roast the marshmallows for a while and pass the time until said announcement wanders into the wild.

Well that time is now, so I'll step aside and hand over to Reiza Studios to share the latest happenings over in Brazil...

………………….

Hello everyone! We are back with another Dev Update to bring you the latest news about our active projects.

This has been another very busy month for the team, and possibly (hopefully!) the last in which we have worked in 3 different sims simultaneously (AMS1, rF2 & AMS2). It´s fair to say switching back and forth from engines doesn´t make things easy for the devs who are involved in all these fronts, so kudos to them for continuing to push hard in order to bring us up to the status I can now present to you

On rF2 there´s not much news yet as we´re still working on small update for the Bundle to fix a few remaining issues. This should not take long now.

For AMS1, we also didn´t quite make to release before the end of July as we had been aiming for, but August will surely see the release of Snetterton and Donington Park as final DLC items for Automobilista 1, along with a small patch for a few tweaks and minor bug fixes.

Both Snetterton and Donington have been modelled with the aid of LIDAR data and are along with the previously released brit tracks some of our most accurate models.

Here´s a preview of Snetterton in AMS1:

The main focus remain of course in Automobilista 2 and things continue to come along strongly there too, with a bunch of fresh cars and tracks being brought up to spec for the new engine as you´ll see peppered through this Dev Update

AMS1 vs AMS2 - Ultima GTR @ Snetterton Comparison

We found ourselves in an unusual position the last couple of months as we developed the same content both for the old title (AMS1) and the new one (AMS2) at the same time, as both Snetterton and Donington Park are being released as DLC for AMS1 and will be part of the base game in AMS2. It made for some interesting back and forth, and we thought it was worth putting together a comparison video. Check it out:

Opinions may and will vary as they always do and obviously nothing from the AMS2 video is quite the finished article yet, but in any case we found it made for an interesting comparison. From a devs POV we left the experiment feeling both reassured that the old dog AMS1 was well put together and is still holding up, at the same time with confidence that AMS2 moves every front up a notch or three in the right direction and with lots of room for improvement still.

The most improved part is actually the physics as this is one of the cars that drive substantially better in AMS2, although you can´t see that in the video

It will take a few months still until you all can compare for yourselves but at least there will be some fresh AMS1 content to race with in this time!

Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit coming in AMS2!

We are happy to be wrapping up a licensing deal with the historical Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit which will see the track featuring in multiple versions from its rich history as base game content in Automobilista 2.

The recently upgraded Kyalami is located in Johannesburg SA, it has hosted the South African Grand Prix several times from the 60s all the way to the 90s, and as a Grade 2 FIA certified track it is currently one of the few viable options for a future return of F1 to the african continent.

Kyalami will feature in Automobilista 2 release with its latest revision along with the sweeping, high speed historical 1976 version, with the 1992 version to be added post-release.

This is an exciting deal for us as not only it highlights our goals of expanding the horizons for Automobilista 2, but also from a sim perspective it adds an interesting challenge as the track is located over 1500m above sea level. In AMS1 we unfortunately didn´t get around to completing our thermodynamic model, but with AMS2 we luckily have that out of the box as part of the Madness engine so when racing in Kyalami players will have to contend with the extra challenge of a high altitude location and the resulting significant toll in engine and aerodynamic performance.

Sprint Race also coming in AMS2

Sprint Race is a new Brazilian series which we are excited to officially include in Automobilista 2.

Managed by ex driver Thiago Marques, the series offers a low budget entry point for new drivers and has remained a healthy popular series for several years now. It has recently made its first venture abroad for races in the USA.

Powered by a 260HP V6 engine with RWD, sequential 6-speed shifter and with a central driving position, this car serves as an excellent training tool for several types of racing and should be a perfect option for door-to-door action.

A reminder that you can already pre-order Automobilista 2 through the AMS2 Early Backing Campaign. We´d like to thank everyone who already bought in, the extra revenue stream is most helpful and it´s being put to good use with some fresh licenses already secured and others already lined up. More information on this program and how to participate here.

If you are looking forward to Automobilista 2 but would rather wait for release, you may opt instead to add the game to your Steam wishlist via the AMS2 Steam Store page - Steam will then let you know as soon as it´s released.

We got some more exciting news coming up but these we have to save for next month. Look forward to catching up again then, possibly a little earlier than usual

Well folks, take a breath, have a relax and go enjoy that video again!

Automobilista 2 will release for PC December 2019.

For the latest Automobilista 2 news and discussions, head over to the AMS 2 sub forum here at RaceDepartment and get yourself involved in the conversation today!

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[Richard Wilks]

but the question is: Will Niels be a part of it?

Niels doesnt work for Reiza anymore.

 

[Anomalistics]

Because you cannot judge the handling of a car from a YouTube video, plain and simple.

The characteristics looks exactly the same, it is the same behaviour and floaty-ness. The video is a huge disappointment.

 

[Case_]

It’s funny to hear the comments on physics because one of the reasons we used the Ultima was precisely because it drove distinctively better than the AMS1 version, which physics-wise I consider to be a bit of a misfire for AMS1 standards.

I have to admit I have sometimes wondered about the Ultima's handling in AMS and about how the real car actually drives, it is such a weird little car to drive (well at least to me) and so very, very easy to anger It can be a lot of fun to drive, but it can also be very frustrating.

So I guess this kinda answers my unasked questions about it

 

[j_troc_71]

I'm sorry, but this gameplay video has me LESS excited for AMS2. I realize its an early version, but it looks, sounds and "drifts" just like Project Cars 2 in this video. The whiny gearbox sound from pcars2 is just horrible . I've already committed to buying the game, but I am worried we are just going to get a glorified Project Cars 2.5

 

[Renato Simioni]

The characteristics looks exactly the same, it is the same behaviour and floaty-ness. The video is a huge disappointment.

Im not one to say you cant judge car behaviour based on videos - theres a lot a trained eye can tell. If you could explain where is this floatiness you refer to and how youre gauging it it might lend more value to the criticism though.

Facts are, the car has the same chassis, aero, suspension geometry, suspension rates, torque curves and brakes as the AMS1 version, 1:1. The tyres themselves are less stiff which accounts for some of the bounciness and bit more forgiving behaviour. But it has less lateral slip than the AMS1 version specially at higher loads, and feels more connected as a result. Thats not a guess

One can still not like what he sees of course, but Id say youre jumping to conclusions too soon there

 

[j_troc_71]

Im not one to say you cant judge car behaviour based on videos - theres a lot a trained eye can tell. If you could explain where is this floatiness you refer to and how youre gauging it it might lend more value to the criticism though.

Facts are, the car has the same chassis, aero, suspension geometry, suspension rates, torque curves and brakes as the AMS1 version, 1:1. The tyres themselves are less stiff which accounts for some of the bounciness and bit more forgiving behaviour. But it has less lateral slip than the AMS1 version specially at higher loads, and feels more connected as a result. Thats not a guess

One can still not like what he sees of course, but Id say youre jumping to conclusions too soon there

It looks like the pitch of the car when it is cornering is lagging behind the front wheels...like its drifting around the corner. I will say it doesn't look nearly as bad as the other madness engine game, but it looks like that characteristic carried over. Im assuming that's what he meant by "floaty". If you drive pcars2 its hard to not notice the "floaty" feeling

 

[Anomalistics]

Im not one to say you cant judge car behaviour based on videos - theres a lot a trained eye can tell. If you could explain where is this floatiness you refer to and how youre gauging it it might lend more value to the criticism though.

Facts are, the car has the same chassis, aero, suspension geometry, suspension rates, torque curves and brakes as the AMS1 version, 1:1. The tyres themselves are less stiff which accounts for some of the bounciness and bit more forgiving behaviour. But it has less lateral slip than the AMS1 version specially at higher loads, and feels more connected as a result. Thats not a guess

One can still not like what he sees of course, but Id say youre jumping to conclusions too soon there

I’m sorry but I just can’t come to any other conclusion. This literally screams “Project Cars 2” and I wouldn’t have been able to differentiate between the two.

I’m quite surprised you haven’t improved the sound engine, it is by far the worst part about the game, especially when spectating.

 

[j_troc_71]

It looks like the pitch of the car when it is cornering is lagging behind the front wheels...like its drifting around the corner. I will say it doesn't look nearly as bad as the other madness engine game, but it looks like that characteristic carried over. Im assuming that's what he meant by "floaty". If you drive pcars2 its hard to not notice the "floaty" feeling

But Ive got the game preordered, not trying to be harsh on it before I even drive it, but just putting my thoughts on the information we have so far out there...

 

[Steve Bird]

So are we just going to get AMS 1 but in another engine, with a few DLC's? I will be buying it but want new cars and tracks, not just a rehash of the the stuff I've banged out 1000's laps in previously with a bit of eye candy.

 

[Richard Wilks]

It looks like the pitch of the car when it is cornering is lagging behind the front wheels...like its drifting around the corner. I will say it doesn't look nearly as bad as the other madness engine game, but it looks like that characteristic carried over. Im assuming that's what he meant by "floaty". If you drive pcars2 its hard to not notice the "floaty" feeling

So if you think that's "floaty", i wonder what you will think of this video:

 

[mantasisg]

I see there are shadows from clouds in AMS2, awesome !

Hard to judge from video. Internal view seems nicer in AMS1, external view seems nicer in AMS2. Car seems to be more playful in AMS1, but in AMS2 it could possibly be more subtle and being driven more nicely, there is fair amount of subtle driving nuances, but hard to tell what it is, because overall AMS2 lap was much cleaner.

 

[mantasisg]

This looks so real ! What sim is this, I would play it

 

[Salvatore Sirignano]

Reiza are getting a pretty hard time here!
I have the utmost faith that they will do a great job and give us something that is better than any of the current offerings on the market, all of which have their flaws.
They have taken the best looking sim with the best weather system (PCars 2) and will be marrying it to their excellent FFB/audio/physics knowhow.
There are many months of development left, and knowing Reiza they'll continue to improve, add features and bug fix well after 1.0. Why write them off already?

 

[Richard Wilks]

This looks so real ! What sim is this, I would play it

Go to the download section, and download my upload of the GTPC mod for AMS1

 

[Deleted member 955978]

sim with the best weather system (PCars 2)

So you don’t have ACC? That’s the one with the best weather system by far.

 

[Stephen O'Sullivan]

I have to admit I have sometimes wondered about the Ultima's handling in AMS and about how the real car actually drives, it is such a weird little car to drive (well at least to me) and so very, very easy to anger It can be a lot of fun to drive, but it can also be very frustrating.

So I guess this kinda answers my unasked questions about it

I love the Ultima to bits but it frequently leaves me in bits.

 

[traind]

I’m sorry but I just can’t come to any other conclusion. This literally screams “Project Cars 2” and I wouldn’t have been able to differentiate between the two.

I’m quite surprised you haven’t improved the sound engine, it is by far the worst part about the game, especially when spectating.

That's a pretty weak response.

The head of Reiza comes on here, listens to your criticism, is fairly gentle in his response and asks you to point out something specific to support your assertion that it looks "floaty". And all you can say is that you can come to no other conclusion?

 

[Michel Bélisle]

Prior to Reiza's announcement, I was pre-excited. Now, I am post-excited...

 

[Boby Kim]

Thanks for the comparison vid Reiza! Now i know not to buy AMS2. I still support you with AMS1 and rF2 content but looking at the AMS2 part instantly i think im looking at PC.

 

[Ghoults]

While at times I think it is a bit over the top with the physics analysis I think at the same time such analysis is unavoidable. When it comes to pcars2 engine its biggest question mark is the physics engine (and buggyness). Naturally when a game like automobilista gets a sequel that uses the pcars2 engine the physics is the obvious center point in the debates. And deservedly so since physics is/was the main draw of ams1 and people have high expectations.

As to the point looking at a video and seeing the physics I think there is some truth in it. Some things are harder to see than others but some things can be seen easily. Just look at some gpl/pcars/iracing videos and tell me you can't pick any driving quirks from the video. This all also depends a lot on how the car is driven on the video. A full on attack lap is typically very telling and can reveal some weird quirks whereas a more cautious lap typically hides a ton. For example gt sport can look decent physics wise if you drive slowly enough to avoid the terminal understeer. But at the limit it becomes blindingly obvious.

There are also other considerations that can ruin that same video comparison. Cars typically move little differently in replays compared to when actually driving. Simply put when driving the physics can be running at several kHz but a replay could be as low as 30 samples per second. And replays don't even store all information about what is happening. As far as I know only live for speed drives the cars in replays using the physics (single player replays). In rf1 this was an issue as the replay quality was quite a bit lower in some cases and could be an issue in these videos as well.

If I had to make a point about the said video the ams2 video looks like it was recorded on much lower bitrate. It also clearly looks more wip but if you really look at it you can see there is more stuff going on. Better reflections, shadows, kerbs have specular effects, the steering wheel has fresnel effect but at the same time the video of ams2 is clearly more blurry and wip. The dash texture shader looks pretty awful and the ambient shading on the carbon parts clearly has poor shader values as the carbon detail totally vanishes in shadows. The lcd display especially is really wip with the blurry fonts in both games and the display ams2 one looks pretty bad. At the same time I think it is obviously a wip. Trees in ams2 look worse. Like they have default vertex normals straight out from 3d software instead of being adjusted for more realistic look. Again more result of it being wip than downgrade caused by software. The driver also has that annoying pcars issue/feature where the driver begins to practice exorcism on the steering wheel when the wheel is turned is turned about 120 degrees. I'd imagine it is an issue with their driver animation rig as all cars do it but making the hand shuffle happen little later and faster should fix it.