McLaren 650S and New Update for RaceRoom Racing Experience

[Paul Jeffrey]

Sector3 Studios have deployed a new update for RaceRoom Racing Experience today, also making available the new McLaren 650S GT3.

The new update, deployed today and available the next time you open your Steam account, is the latest in a long line of build releases from Sector3 Studios and contains a nice mix of retrospective issue corrections and core game improvements. Of the most noticeable change today, RaceRoom Racing Experience now has the latest in a growing range of McLaren GT3 specification machines in the form of the stunning 650S, the same car as now entered in a number of high profile GT3 championships the world over.

Boasting a strong field of GT3 class vehicles already in the title, the 2015 specification McLaren 650S is one of the first models of the "new generation" GT3 machines finding its way into the RaceRoom lineup of cars. Featuring a 3.8L V8 Twin Turbo delivering 500 Nm torque to the real wheels the McLaren 650S is a thoroughbred racecar that is bound to make a mark with players of the title.

The McLaren 650s GT3 is available to purchase in the RaceRoom store for £3.34 or £6.03 with all 17 liveries included.

Changelog 20/04/2017

Added McLaren 650S GT3 which is now available in the store.

Game
Data displays:

• Fixed wrong color of delta and laptime on some of the new data displays.
  
• Fixed an issue where Low Fuel warning on data display screen wasn’t going away.
  
• Fixed an issue on cars with new data displays where the compact HUD rev lights had issues when not using cockpit cam.
  
• Enabled tire temperature even when tirewear is disabled.
  
• Added speed limited revlight blinking to old data displays.
  
• Citroen data display had a typo in "Brake balance"
  
• Fixed issue with displays sometimes showing data for wrong car when “show opponent cockpits” was enabled.
  
• Various other fixes and tweaks to existing displays.

Flag system:

• Fixed yellow flag appearing during private Qualifying.
  
• Fixed White flag appearing in MP Qualifying session that used rolling start.
  
• Fixed an issue in a race with additional lap, checkered flag was showing when timer reached zero and at end of additional lap.
  
• Fixed an issue where an illegal overtake under yellow followed by a retirement of the overtaken car would result in the impossibility to give the position back
  
• Fixed an issue where checkered flag did not appear for final lap in MP server with flag rules enabled.
  
• Time allowed to give a position back after an illegal overtake increased from 15 to 30 seconds
  
• Yellow flag now triggers for cars at 20% of their predicted speed ( was 10% )
  
• White flag trigger now requires a car to be 70 kph under its predicted speed (was 30) The other trigger condition remains at 40% of its predicted speed.

• Fixed 2 Race Format only saving replay of second race.
  
• Fixed Multiple Race format giving overall results that did not count points.
  
• Re-enabled allowing turning shadow split off after some potential issues reported with AMD Crossfire.
  
• Possible fix for the issue where some players, depending on setup had their input frozen.
  
• Added some logging when initializing texture and setting video mode.
  
• Added a new startup argument for disabling TrackIR. -disableTrackIR can now be added in Steam Launch Options.
  
• Slow down penalty throttle limitation doesn't get activated immediately anymore, but waits until the player applies some brake. This also fixes occurrences of penalties triggering heavy lift oversteer on FWD cars.

Multiplayer:

• Added handling for more JOIN_FAIL messages so error messages are more specific.
  
• Fixed so join request timeouts are correctly reported as a timeout instead of generic lost connection message.
  
• Added some fixes when on occasion, connections were not dropping when leaving sessions.
  
• Changed so client doesn't respond to ping requests unless connected or trying to join.

Sounds, Cameras, Physics & AI:

• Citroen WTCC 2016 has received a slight increase in engine torque at low to med rpm.

Art:

• Audi TT cup cars have a new display
  
  
• Audi DTM 2016 finally has its new display

Backend & Portal:

• Fixed top Leaderboard banner in competitions not scaling properly.
  
• Fixed a minor alignment issue with VIP drivers description box in Portal.
  
• Fixed exit "x" button on partner page section clipping with the page and looking out of place.
  
• Fixed facebook section in partner page overlapping with top banner.
  
• Some fixes to the redeem popup in portal.
  
• Fixed error 13 some players were receiving after exiting wtcc championship round 1.
  
• Fixed so players from USA and Canada get USD as default currency instead of the global default EUR.

RaceRoom Racing Experience is a free to play racing simulation exclusive to PC. Additional content can be purchased via the RaceRoom Store.

Don't forget to check out our awesome RaceDepartment RaceRoom Racing Experience sub forum to stay abreast of all the latest news and discussions regarding the title. Check out our setups forum where you can download a community created car setup, or have a look at our thriving Racing Club for the game, a place where all skill and experience levels are welcomed to come along and enjoy the racing action online with friends.

Have you tried the new update yet? What do you think of the McLaren? Which other GT3 cars would you like to see added to the game? Let us know in the comments section below!

 

[Kenny Paton]

(And see, this is why I really should go back to lurking just like before and only turn up for the racing. I really shouldn't be allowed to post my long-winded ramblings here )

Not at all Martin, good quality discussion is to be encouraged, we have managed to disagree without hurling insults at one another or flaming and that's what makes a good thread as opposed to so many that just descend into personal abuse.

 

[BBKing212]

I did too miss the car, as I bought starter pack few days before release. But with that pack I got few cars and tracks and I could join Tuesdays rookie event
Stating that someone is paying too much and others not, I don't really agree with that. At some point you get a better deal than others and at some other point you get worse deal than others. On the long run the costs evens out for everybody give or take few €.

 

[Cheesenium]

The business model had always been the major annoyance with the game. If you are fine with spending hundreds of dollars with lower value of money as time goes, then, this won't affect you. R3E is a wonderful game in pretty much every other area.

I just can't accept it when many other developers are able to sell content at much more reasonable prices. Heck, even iRacing has some sort of volume discount that makes the pricing for new content a little more reasonable.

 

[natedogg1867]

Yeah, but S3 obviously don't care about whether you're a long term supporter or not.

There is a poignant correction here.

Sector3 cares a lot about what the players think, their sentiments towards the game, criticisms, and constructive feedback to improve the game. They ought to, ya know? Without players playing their game, they would be out of a job.

However, they arent the ones making the pricing decisions. Their hands are completely tied. Ultimately, RaceRoom Entertainment AG (R3E's eponymous publisher) is the one in charge of all business model decisions, pricing structure, loyalty system, etc. If RR doesnt want the prices to be lower, or to have a loyalty system, this isnt the fault of Sector3. They are separate entities in simple terms. Im not privy to specifically detailed information, but the same system is still in place from a number of years ago, so it is easy to draw your own conclusions.

That said... RR isnt necessarily the bad guy here. Without their funding, the game simply wouldnt exist the way it does today, and everyone would not be receiving a multitude of free updates and improvements. Since RR is more or less funding the development of the game done by Sector3.

 

[Dave R]

But RaceRoom AG is the bad guy here Nate.. We've seen price increases on content the last few months. $2 cars have now gone to $4, so if they're not the bad guys, who is? It's a good thing someone posted the starter pack trick, cause there was no way in hell I was going to spend over $4 for one car. I've bought all the content short of those godawful German National cars and will continue to do so, but will wait for sales from now on. I think we've hit a point where enough is enough. When a car (the McClaren) costs more than either of the new Swedish tracks, that's a problem and RaceRoom AG needs to see that in sales.

 

[Greg Latty]

@Kenny Paton Yeah, but S3 obviously don't care about whether you're a long term supporter or not. We can talk about whether they should or could (and it'd be nice of them if they did, sure, I think we could all agree on that), but since they don't, it all really just boils down to the fact that some people still have some options available to make their purchases cheaper (because they didn't buy out all of the discounted packs just yet) and some don't (because they've bought the packs a long time ago), and to, as Greg put it, "why am I paying 7 bucks and some people only pay a dollar for the same product", thinking it is somehow unfair that people who bought less content still have more options left to choose from and are therefore possibly getting better deals. So obviously, at least to Greg, it *is* about the discounts. I'm not saying it is the same for you or Ross, I was just replying to what Greg said.

You clearly arent understanding what Im saying. I dont know how else to explain it to you nor do i care to. There is clearly an issue with the pricing model otherwise we wouldn't be having this discussion over and over for the past 2-3 years. Whether you choose to acknowledge it or not is your own problem.

 

[natedogg1867]

But RaceRoom AG is the bad guy here Nate.. We've seen price increases on content the last few months. $2 cars have now gone to $4, so if they're not the bad guys, who is? It's a good thing someone posted the starter pack trick, cause there was no way in hell I was going to spend over $4 for one car. I've bought all the content short of those godawful German National cars and will continue to do so, but will wait for sales from now on. I think we've hit a point where enough is enough. When a car (the McClaren) costs more than either of the new Swedish tracks, that's a problem and RaceRoom AG needs to see that in sales.

I dont deny the pricing structure could be better for everything, or that improvements can be made. I too would like to see it streamlined even further. Just... the criticism that this is all Sector3's fault is misplaced I feel. Sure RR can take blame for the store since they are ultimately the ones making the calls.

However, things like the Mclaren arent always on them either

To complicate matters, every license agreement is different. So, Mclaren very well may have put a clause in the contract that puts a premium price on their car. Just like the DTM cars... how they are slightly different prices. Bit of speculation there as I dont have knowledge of any specific terms... Same with Bathurst & Suzuka and a handful of others being more expensive than the swedish tracks or Chang or Norisring for instance.

It's quite complex as to how prices are determined, and it isnt always as easy as RR typing a smaller number in a spreadsheet which makes the store price smaller.

Im not expressing satisfaction with the prices, just trying to explain why some things appear skewed or how not everyone deserves 100% of the 'blame.'

Now, this is a bit irrelevant since the prices are what they are, and arent changing. The premium pack was a nice addition, and is a nice step towards better affordability, so who knows if the future holds a loyalty system or something like that. Im in favor, big time.

 

[Dave R]

I dont deny the pricing structure could be better for everything, or that improvements can be made. I too would like to see it streamlined even further. Just... the criticism that this is all Sector3's fault is misplaced I feel. Sure RR can take blame for the store since they are ultimately the ones making the calls.

However, things like the Mclaren arent always on them either

To complicate matters, every license agreement is different. So, Mclaren very well may have put a clause in the contract that puts a premium price on their car. Just like the DTM cars... how they are slightly different prices. Bit of speculation there as I dont have knowledge of any specific terms... Same with Bathurst & Suzuka and a handful of others being more expensive than the swedish tracks or Chang or Norisring for instance.

It's quite complex as to how prices are determined, and it isnt always as easy as RR typing a smaller number in a spreadsheet which makes the store price smaller.

Im not expressing satisfaction with the prices, just trying to explain why some things appear skewed or how not everyone deserves 100% of the 'blame.'

Now, this is a bit irrelevant since the prices are what they are, and arent changing. The premium pack was a nice addition, and is a nice step towards better affordability, so who knows if the future holds a loyalty system or something like that. Im in favor, big time.

I know it's not S3S's fault. They don't have anything to do with pricing. I could care less about a loyalty discount either and I'd say a loyalty discount is a pipe dream from RaceRoom AG. I just want prices back down where they were. If Ferrari, or Porsche, or Lamborghini comes to RaceRoom then yes, I expect to pay a higher price for them because I know those are higher licenses, but when I paid $2 or $3 for the last McClaren and this one is damn near double that price, then I'd say it has little to do with licensing and more to do with RaceRoom wanting more money.

 

[Case_]

You clearly arent understanding what Im saying. I dont know how else to explain it to you nor do i care to. There is clearly an issue with the pricing model otherwise we wouldn't be having this discussion over and over for the past 2-3 years. Whether you choose to acknowledge it or not is your own problem.

No, I obviously don't understand what you're saying at all, we're definitely in agreement on that. But since, as you say, you don't care to explain what you're saying, I also don't really understand why are we having this conversation in the first place - explaining to others what you're trying to say to them is usually not an optional part of any discussion.

I also don't think saying "there's clearly an issue whether you choose to acknowledge it or not" is how discussions are held. I am not "choosing to not acknowledge" anything (by which you're also implying I am just as aware of the issue existing as you are, just choosing to ignore it, whereas I simply don't agree the issue you're talking about exists, which is not the same thing at all) - I'm just pointing out the flaws I personally see in your arguments and commenting on them.

@natedogg1867 Fair enough. I don't think the general public really cares about that distinction, but you've got a point there. And I was aware of the fact S3 are not in control of the business decisions, I just said S3 as it is how people usually perceive things.

 

[Greg Latty]

 

[natedogg1867]

I know it's not S3S's fault. They don't have anything to do with pricing. I could care less about a loyalty discount either and I'd say a loyalty discount is a pipe dream from RaceRoom AG. I just want prices back down where they were. If Ferrari, or Porsche, or Lamborghini comes to RaceRoom then yes, I expect to pay a higher price for them because I know those are higher licenses, but when I paid $2 or $3 for the last McClaren and this one is damn near double that price, then I'd say it has little to do with licensing and more to do with RaceRoom wanting more money.

Yeah, I agree with you here. And frankly, you might have a better memory than I do when it comes to pricing a long time ago I really dont recall what I paid for the Mclaren... although I think I bought it as part of one of the older ADAC experiences when those were still around. 15 bucks for a handful of tracks and cars wasnt too bad back then... and Im not sure I would want to pay more than a few bucks per car (with all liveries) for individual releases like this new 650S. I've always been more of a "buy on sale" type of person. So new content pricing has never really phased me much.

Regarding your last sentence... that is a good point. Dont have an answer to that, nor care to try to figure out one Could be as simple as you say.

Fair enough. I don't think the general public really cares about that distinction, but you've got a point there. And I was aware of the fact S3 are not in control of the business decisions, I just said S3 as it is how people usually perceive things.

Yeah, you are definitely right that the distinction means very little to most people, and for that matter... doesnt matter to most people either. All they see is certain pricing in the store, and it doesnt matter who put it in place... they are going to blame 'someone'.

I just think it is a bit unfair to put this blame on Sector3 entirely, or equate S3 with RR Entertainment. I know how hard S3 works and the pride they take in improving the game from where it was in the SimBin days.

I know no one really disputes the accomplishments these guys have achieved with a small team, but seeing undue complaints being heaped on them is worth speaking up over. At least in my opinion.

Cheers

 

[UMC 22]

(And see, this is why I really should go back to lurking just like before and only turn up for the racing. I really shouldn't be allowed to post my long-winded ramblings here )

Of course you should. Your opinions are just as valid as anyone else's.

I actually agree with you on the discounts. Discounts come and go. The lucky few get them, the rest do not. That's how it goes so I'm not going to complain on occasions when I miss them. I'm also not going to complain about being a long-time supporter (which in this case I'm not anyway) because if there's one thing you learn these days, it's that no company cares how long you have been loyal to them. It's also true that on the rare occasions when a company does favour the loyalists, you get all the newbies whining about unfair treatment instead so they're damned if they do, damned if they don't.

But I do want value for money, and that's not what I'm getting with single car releases here. The "only £5" argument doesn't fly with me. £5 may be pocket change to some of us, but to a homeless man on the street it's a fortune. A homeless man isn't going to be buying cars for R3E I know, but the point is that it's all relative. I can get so much more for my £5 elsewhere, so why should this sim be any different?

You say that you miss races because you struggle to buy cars and tracks right? And you always will with this sales model because you'll always be buying each one for £5. If this were AC or AMS, you would have bought a pack containing multiple cars and tracks for a similar price. Ok, so you may not want them all *immediately*, but in future weeks those cars and tracks will appear in the club and, guess what? You can now race at no extra cost! Instead of cherry picking your races and missing some (like tonight's F2's) because you don't have the car and track, you're "future proofed" because you already have the content needed!

Edit: Think of all those £5 you could be saving instead of spending on individual cars/tracks... in a few weeks you'd have enough for a new wheel!

 

[Case_]

@Ross Garland OK. I had yet another long response written as I still don't agree with some things you're saying and I also think you've got my point about missing races more or less backwards, but upon reviewing it before posting, I realized that ultimately, it doesn't really matter anyway. You prefer the way other sims are selling their content and don't like the way R3E is doing it for your reasons, I prefer the way R3E is doing it and don't like the way other sims do it for my own reasons, and even if we keep going for several pages about why we prefer the one we do, it's not likely to change anything. So I'll just stop right here if you don't mind. Sorry.

 

[UMC 22]

It's all good buddy. It was nice to have a debate on an internet forum that remained civil and mature for a change!

 

[Hal Burns]

Anyone care to discuss how the 650 compares to the 12C? Not much of that in here or at Sector 3 forums.

 

[UMC 22]

Anyone care to discuss how the 650 compares to the 12C? Not much of that in here or at Sector 3 forums.

I haven't driven the 650 that much yet, just 20 minutes or so around RaceRoom Raceway. I really like it so far though. It handles well and sounds fantastic! My only minor gripe is that with my PoV, I can't see much on left turns because of the pillar which makes it hard to spot the apex. That's not unique to the 650 though. I can't really compare it to the 12C... I jumped in to test it prior to a GT3 club race, didn't like it, and haven't driven it since. I suppose that alone shows the 650 is better.

 

[Patrik Marek]

tried this after quite a while , and in VR and WOW, looks and feels great! maybe the best VR experience at the moment.
Macau was insane!

 

[UMC 22]

Yeah, I drove it some more last night and it's a really nice car. I usually use the RUF for GT3 races, but might have to give this one a go next time. Or maybe not... I have a feeling the next GT3 club race might turn into a single model 650 race.

 

[Greg Latty]

Yeah, I drove it some more last night and it's a really nice car. I usually use the RUF for GT3 races, but might have to give this one a go next time. Or maybe not... I have a feeling the next GT3 club race might turn into a single model 650 race.

Dont forget the M6, that thing is pretty nice too.

 

[UMC 22]

Dont forget the M6, that thing is pretty nice too.

I thought I'd love that car but was surprised to find that I don't. It's not bad, but for me it's not great either. I prefer the Z4 as far as Beemers go, and prefer my RUF to both. Definitely like the 650 more than the M6.