Automobilista - Early 2017 Development Update

[Paul Jeffrey]

Reiza Studios issue first development blog update of 2017, preview new 2017 fictional open wheel car, Adelaide, a Camaro and plenty more besides...

With 2017 sneaking midway into it's second month things have been relatively quiet on the Reiza Studios front, with little official communication from the developers as to what lays in store for Automobilista in this it's final year of development prior to attention focusing on the new, as yet untitled next game.

As if the developers somehow knew fans were getting restless at the period of silence, Renato Simioni has tonight come straight out of the blocks all guns blazing and revealed a rather impressive update roadmap, detailing some very exciting (and occasionally surprising) new content due to be released for the game.

Happily the development roadmap is more than just a bit of good news for fans to enjoy whilst awaiting the fruits of the studios labour, it appears that Reiza are targeting a new update launch before the close of February, with version 1.3.0 waiting in the wings to bring players some pretty nice updates to the core game. As can be read below, some of the more noticeable improvements due to come in version 1.3 will be a visual dust build up on the racing surface (simulated in game already, but currently lacking a visual representation), audio improvements and improved physics of the Boxer Cup race car.

You can read the full development blog post below:

Hello everyone - happy to be back with our first Development Update of 2017!

We hope you all had a good time over the holidays - on our side I´m happy to say the whole team enjoyed some much needed rest over the holiday season, but we have been hard at work and firing on all cylinder again since early january. As usual it´s my pleasure to share with you some of the results, info and previews of the work we´ve been doing since then.

Automobilista going up to version 1.5
We´re approaching the final stretch of Automobilista development, with only a few more months now planned until AMS reaches its definitive state, at which point we´ll switch focus 100% to the future.

The pace of development however is not slowing down - quite the contrary in fact. There are a number of nice improvements, big and small which we´ve been laying down the foundation for and will be pushing to deliver over these remaining months. Such is the extent of these developments, that the full sum of them is going to add up to what we´re calling Automobilista v1.5

We´ll be pushing to provide a full overview of these developments along with confirmation of remaining DLCs by our next development update. For now, here´s the stuff in the immediate horizon.

Upcoming V1.3.0 Release
Our next major milestone is v1.3.0 which we´re pushing to release before the end of this month, packing a lot of good stuff. Here´s a breakdown of the most substantial improvements:

On the audio front, having decided he wasn´t happy being just an ace audio engineer, Domagoj Lovric began exploring the codebase for possible short-term improvements to add some extra depth to the audio experience in AMS. One of these improvements will be the implementation of reverb audio, the initial version of which will already be present in v1.3.0, with much more to come.

Alex Sawczuk has also somehow managed to find a window in his fairly hectic track production schedule to squeeze some fresh shader improvements and adding support for visible & dynamic track dust. Although the effects of which already present in AMS along with offline marbles, there wasn´t yet a visible dust layer over the track surface. This has now been implemented.

Here is a comparison from v1.3.0 in various track states and also one from the current v1.2.1:

The difference looks subtle on screenshots but it adds some noticeable extra depth and life to the track surface while driving in-game. Some of the tracks have already been updated to use these developments so Season Pass owners will be able to check them out in the upcoming beta release expected for tomorrow morning, with most of the other tracks expected to be updated as we progress.

Several car physics have also received some updates for v1.30 as both Niels Heusinkveld and myself continue to chase for improvements. One car in particular has received special attention as Niels has given the Boxer Cup physics a complete overhaul, with revised aerodynamics, chassis, and the addition of helper springs to the suspension, which substantially improves handling over curbs. The initial version of these revised physics is also coming up with the next Beta update.

One major new feature previously confirmed in our end of the year Dev Update was the Custom Season Tool - unfortunately it´s looking unlikely we´ll manage to complete the full feature in time for v1.3.0, but a number of associated new options & features should hopefully already be in, such as the option to enable a mid-race full course yellow as per the rules in the Formula Truck series, and ability to customize the number of opponent cars from each class in a multiclass event.

You may check a complete list of all the additions, improvements & fixes since the last v1.2.1 release up to the latest Beta in the changelog attatched.

We also have a new car coming up in the next release with the frisky Aussie Racing Car Camaro - further good news is that unlike originally predicted, this will be released as a free car to the base game and not as a DLC.

Here´s a preview of the 3D model which Sandro Kholodkevich is exporting to the game as we speak:

Work on physics and audio has also been going on in parallell - count on this little motorcycle engine-powered bugger to be a big bucket of fun to drive

Legendary Tracks Pt2 - ADELAIDE

V1.30 will also see the release of part 2 of our "Legendary Tracks" DLC series - the famous Adelaide street circuit is coming up in two versions: the longer historical layout of 1988 which hosted the Australian GP from 1985 to 1995, the new modern version along with its Supertruck variant.

Below you can check some WIP previews of this great track:

I mentioned in the previous update how demanding street tracks are for the track team, with all the buildings and surroundings which have to be modelled in minute detail as you can see here:

The more advanced modern version should be hitting AMS Beta tomorrow, with the historical version is not far behind and expected to be available in the Beta at some point next week:

Both versions are extremely fun, flowing drives which will serve well pretty much any car in Automobilista, while also providing plenty of opportunity for close racing. We´ve been enjoying some great battles during our internal tests as can be seen in this short video showing a couple of laps of myself hunting down Alex Sawczuk with F-Retros around the modern track:

Virtual Xperience developments

Dave Stephenson has also been hard at work developing our Virtual Xperience portal, and we´ve got a substantial update coming up along with the release of AMS v1.3.0.

Users will be able to login into VX using their Steam Account - this opens up opportunities to give a more personalised experience in the various areas of VX. In the first instance the settings page accessible from the top naviagation bar provides the much requested ability to override your display name and country flag, overriding the settings collected from Steam.

From this customizable user profile, other users will be able to check out your leaderboard results. Expect this profile to be beefed up with some more interesting info in the future

The new Community section will also be available in the next update, providing a one-stop-shop to find communities and leagues serving users of Automobilista and other Reiza titles based on regions served, languages used or days they host races. The league finder in this section will also provide a similar service for leagues so users may find leagues that based on race days, event frequency, or your favourite series.

Community leaders and league admin are invited to submit their information to the directory following the instructions in this topic - every league admin who submits a valid entry will be gifted 2 promo Steam keys for AMS to be given away for his participants.

With these and some other substantial improvements coming up, VX will soon be playing a bigger role in fulfilling the experience with AMS, including hosting some prize awarding competitions. Watch this space!


Last but not least...

But we´ll expand more on this and other interesting topics in our next dev update towards the end of march


So once again it looks like a very impressive list of improvements coming our way from the little Brazilian development team. With Adelaide and build 1.3.0 due before the end of February we have a lot to look forward to in the coming weeks.


Automobilista is a racing simulation game from Reiza Studios. Available exclusively on Windows PC with additional DLC packages available at a further cost.

Here at RaceDepartment we have our very own dedicated sub forum for Automobilista. In our sub forum you will find a wide selection of downloadable content to discover, from some of the best add on tracks to a selection of interesting vehicles, our downloads section is a positive treasure trove of additional content for AMS. If that isn't enough, we also pride ourselves on hosting some of the most exciting and intense multiplayer racing events for the game. If you like AMS and want to take your enjoyment to the next level, head over to the Racing Club and Leagues section of our Automobilista sub forum and find out what we have on offer. Of course we love our community here at RD and to help spread the love we cover all the latest news regarding the sim, and offer you a place to share your opinions and discussion topics regarding all Reiza titles. Head on over to the AMS sub forum and join in the discussion today!

Have you enjoyed the first development update blog from Reiza Studios? What piece of news excites you most from the update? Looking forward to Adelaide? Let us know in the comments section below!

 

[TzZyO]

I genuinely felt like getting myself a set once they are good enough, but hearing all the "VR this, VR that" has really made me sick of VR already.

 

[F_B]

It's just that you, VR users, tend to forget you are not the only people on the planet. If you can't use Automobilista without your VR, so much for liking Automobilista. Please stop acting like spoiled children and live with the fact that it's not feasible to put the support into anywhere you feel like it needs to be put.

I for one am fully aware that I'm not special or alone on earth and I just said that it's a pity that there are no news on vr for Automobilista. Just that, nothing more, merely expressing my view. Never stated that "Reiza has to work on VR now!" So it makes me wonder why there are still some guys who themselves behave like children and laugh at the vr users who are sad in some way that they can't enjoy the sim to some extent anymore.

 

[DaVeX↯]

I am not doing a "laugh" at you, this for sure, sorry if souded rude, I just used your post to say my opinion about the lack of VR on AMS...

 

[F_B]

I am not doing a "laugh" at you, this for sure, sorry if souded rude, I just used your post to say my opinion about the lack of VR on AMS...

No problem, was not talking about you.
Just noticed this behaviour of some individuals throughout several racing sim forums.

 

[TzZyO]

I for one am fully aware that I'm not special or alone on earth and I just said that it's a pity that there are no news on vr for Automobilista. Just that, nothing more, merely expressing my view. Never stated that "Reiza has to work on VR now!" So it makes me wonder why there are still some guys who themselves behave like children and laugh at the vr users who are sad in some way that they can't enjoy the sim to some extent anymore.

Where exactly was I laughing at anybody? It's called "being extremely annoyed", not "laughing". Just read the threads... They all go VRVRVRVRVRVRVRVR. Don't you find this amount of VR mentioning unwarranted? How many of VR users out there anyway? I don't remember people with high-end wheels spamming the threads that much if their gear is not supported, and they have much more reason to be upset. Speaking of which, I'd rather go for a better wheel than for a VR set at the moment.

 

[ouvert]

Wow you got REKT by AI

not my video .. but yep somebody did get rekt indeed

 

[Szymon Olizarowicz]

I find it funny that people feel it's perfectly fine to bash on games like project cars for not supporting triple screens, but suddenly mentioning VR in AMS tread is a problem. Especially considering reiza themselves explicitly listed VR in their goals during kickstarter campaign.

I understand that priorities may have changed and their recent difficulties in this particular area might make it impossible. However, the expectation (after the clearly stated kickstarter goals and subsequent statements by reiza themselves) that people interested in VR simply shut up is more than retarded.

I'm using a single screen. Yet it would never cross my mind to complain about people requesting triple screen support in their favourite sim, especially if that support was explicitly promised.

In fact I'm 100% sure that most simracers use a single screen for their racing. Maybe going forward we should slash triple screen entirely and declare that everyone whining about lack of support is simply selfish, because the devs should focus on the majority of players not a small group with multiple monitors?

 

[F_B]

Where exactly was I laughing at anybody? It's called "being extremely annoyed", not "laughing". Just read the threads... They all go VRVRVRVRVRVRVRVR. Don't you find this amount of VR mentioning unwarranted? How many of VR users out there anyway? I don't remember people with high-end wheels spamming the threads that much if their gear is not supported, and they have much more reason to be upset. Speaking of which, I'd rather go for a better wheel than for a VR set at the moment.

In case you didn't notice: I wasn't talking about you. I just observed people's behaviour against VR in several occasions and made a general statement.

 

[Paul Jeffrey]

On another topic entirely How awesome does Adelaide look in those screenshots? And how difficult is it to spell Adelaide right first time?!?!

 

[TzZyO]

On another topic entirely How awesome does Adelaide look in those screenshots? And how difficult is it to spell Adelaide right first time?!?!

A rally stage and a WRC car would make me feel awesome. And most of the stages names are also difficult to pronounce

After all, AMS has almost everything else included... Why not rallying?

 

[Paul Jeffrey]

It's got rallycross tho

 

[TzZyO]

It's got rallycross tho

Well, that's not the same And is exactly the reason why I think rallying would fit AMS nicely.

 

[Paul Jeffrey]

lol yeah it would be interesting to see how a rally car & stage would feel under the magic of the Reiza touch.

Maybe something that sees light of day in 'Reiza 17'?

 

[TzZyO]

lol yeah it would be interesting to see how a rally car & stage would feel under the magic of the Reiza touch.

Maybe something that sees light of day in 'Reiza 17'?

I'm keeping the fingers crossed on both of my hands for that
Speaking of which, Reiza seem to be the only team so far who manages to keep their secrets to themselves... Even though it's called Reiza 17 and the time is kind of right we still hardly know anything about that title.

 

[jkn87]

who spends here hundreds or thousands on a nice wheel and pedal set to trying simulate real life (as far as technology concerns)?
who spends here hundreds or thousands on nice 3 screen setup for same reason?
what about motion?
what about surround sound systems?
etc etc.

Me, like many more people, play simulators cause we like to feel inmersed so, in my case, i only play with vr. (i said it before, i tried triples and also had full warp arround projection screen). if i was about to play arcade games i would not spend money on wheel, vr, motion or whatever you spend money on to simulate real racing.

What i mean is that you must respect some people who spent money on VR and want that option to be able. We are not trying to remove flat screens from you, just trying to fit in the actual game, that's it (moreover when it was a target in the indiegogo campaign that many people like me baked and then it was removed... and then reiza stated that they might get it sometime in actual game...).

 

[osyres]

if u have vr play ac/iracing and forget this titel thats it. But what is the sense of posting on every news the " vr question" if reiza said that they will not working on vr for automobilista ? there is nothing changed between now and 1 year. If a dev want vr hell u can do it if not it will never come.

 

[randMracer]

Lol...I didn't know me requesting VR in AMS would ruffle so many panties. My preference is related to what I enjoy. If users don't prefer or can't afford VR then that's fine, but don't have a fit because people prefer and want it. I backed the Indiegogo campaign and GSCE was my favorite sim before that. I've always supported Reiza, and I will continue that support in all their future endeavors.

When R3E added VR, I was hopeful that AMS would be next. So with every update announcement from Reiza I will continue to hope for VR support.

VR is not for everybody and I respect that, but also show respect to those that like it and want it implemented in their favorite sim. For those that are tired of seeing VR posts then you might want to get used to it, or at least learn to ignore it, because VR is definitely the future.

 

[TzZyO]

"Respect"? Whining and maniacally praising the thing in each and every thread won't give you much respect. You think guys in Reiza don't know already you would want the support implemented? They are probably as sick as I am already about the whole VR thing. If they decided to leave out the VR support for the time being, learn to respect their decision.

As for backing up things... I bought AC and pCARS with DLCs, hoping that one day they will become the simulations of choice for me. It never happened, the money is wasted. I'm not nagging neither SMS, nor KS to give me my money back.

 

[aleph]

Come on, guys, let’s put this matter to rest. We are already a very small comunity, let’s not split it (I was going to say “create a rift”, but then I thought better) between VRers and non-VRers. I tried the Oculus expecting a transcendental experience and got disappointed; to me, things must still improve a lot to be called “real” – but then I can't really be trusted on this regard, because I still can't find much use for a cellphone. Others can’t live without it, which is perfectly fine. After all, there are even people who prefer to drive using a controller than a wheel, which baffles me. To each his own.

Having said that, what does tend to become a bit grating is the constant “gimme VR” that somehow tends to crop up in almost every thread, whatever the subject – including this one – in spite of the widely known fact that it is not in the cards for AMS right now (unless Renato has something up his sleeve, which somehow would not surprise me). Reiza is not “avoiding” VR; that would be foolish. It is indeed the future. So far I have seen no evidence that these guys are misleading us or don’t know what they’re doing. I would bet my flat-screen TV that Reiza 2017 – or whatever it will be called – will have native VR. I am also pretty sure that by then developers will have learned to program better for such contraptions, which will then have sufficient performance & resolution to please Luddites and nah-sayers like myself.

Everybody wants something that the game does not yet offer. I, for one, would like to have wheel-controlled menus – for very specific reasons not worth listing here. But I believe other users would get annoyed if I kept repeating this like a mantra. So I propose we agree that (a) VR owners have the legitimate right to expect and demand the inclusion of support for their devices without being bashed for it; and (b) most of us – including, I would assume, Reiza – are aware of this need and do not need to be constantly reminded of it.

We are here because we all share an appreciation for a game called AMS. Let’s keep it civil, friends. Deal?

 

[TzZyO]

@aleph Cellphones can actually be useful sometimes. You can read off one pretty much everywhere Having a small screen is not very convenient, though. But it's a question of mobility versus usability. Apart from that, I agree there's little point in them. Also agree with the rest of the post