rf2 Steam info: ISI Q&A

[Paul Jeffrey]

Back in September rFactor 2 developers Image Space Incorporated announced their intention to launch the popular simulator on the Steam platform, moving away from the current download and subscription method via ISI's own website.

With the planned go live due before Christmas 2015 many of the community have been left confused regarding what the move will mean in reality and how different Stream features can be incorporated in the sim. In response to the upcoming move, ISI have today released a short Q&A aiming to answer the most common questions.

Q&A on Steam:
If I already own rF2, can I move over to the Steam version for free?
Yes you can migrate over to the Steam version at no extra cost. Once you do this, your original non-Steam product is no longer active.

How will Steam work with Standard/Lifetime?
For those who do not buy or have Lifetime, you will need to buy online access through Steam. We will not offer Lifetime upgrades (from ‘Offline’) on Steam. We are also planning to stop doing Standard to Lifetime upgrades for the non-Steam version soon.

rF2 on Steam will offer three things:
– rF2 Offline
– 1 Year Online for rF2 (adds multiplayer to rF2 Offline)
– rF2 Lifetime (has multiplayer included)

Will my online access be carried over from non-Steam to Steam?
No, not for the standard version of rF2. We are not able to move over remaining online access, so users may want to wait until that expires before migrating. Lifetime access is carried over to Steam.

Why Steam? Why now? What Steam features are implemented in rF2?
We have done a lot of work to support Steam, including implementation of Steam Workshop for additional content. Here is a more comprehensive list:

– automatic updates of rFactor and mods
– support for Steam Workshop as a single easy source for all ISI and third party mods
– workshop items will automatically stay up to date
– leagues can use the workshop to create a convenient installation for participants
– automatic backup of car setups in the Steam cloud
– integration with the Steam matchmaker for finding servers
– support for the Steam friends system to join a friend’s game
– screenshots can be quickly shared on Steam
– broadcast options to allow (your friends or anybody) to watch you play
– streaming support that allow you to run rFactor 2 on one system but stream the graphics to another
– Steam Music Player support to listen to your favourite songs in your car and control the stereo
– statistics and achievements that you can use to compare your performance against others

Some may consider it a better platform for rFactor 2 due to the Steam integration, but we’re not planning on any Steam exclusive features (apart from those that require Steam or are enabled by using it, as can be seen above).

Will non-Steam and Steam rF2 be cross compatible?
Our goal is that MP races are cross compatible, yes.

Will a non-Steam version continue to be sold?
We will continue to sell a non-steam version for an undefined period. We may look to wind down new sales on the non-Steam version, but much like rF1, this is probably a long-term transition, if it happens at all.

Will you be upgrading your account to Steam when its available, or will the move encourage you to purchase rFactor 2 if you haven't already? Let us know your opinions in the comments section below...

 

[P*Funk]

All I see is the typical cadre of fan boys who defend the irrational anti-consumer practice of paywalling something that shouldn't cost any more to begin with because they just like the product.

There's no argument in favour, it all just boils down to you guys saying "suck it up, doesn't matter to me, I enjoy the product, I might even buy it again for yucks! X monetary figure is irrelevant. Please observe this irrelevant example of a game that is stupidly overpriced as well."

Subscribing for basic online functionality is absurd. Absent the sale price its a ridiculous surcharge.

 

[MarcG]

All I see is the typical cadre of fan boys who defend the irrational anti-consumer practice of paywalling something that shouldn't cost any more to begin with because they just like the product.

There's no argument in favour, it all just boils down to you guys saying "suck it up, doesn't matter to me, I enjoy the product, I might even buy it again for yucks! X monetary figure is irrelevant. Please observe this irrelevant example of a game that is stupidly overpriced as well."

Subscribing for basic online functionality is absurd. Absent the sale price its a ridiculous surcharge.

1 - Yes I'm a fanboy, been an ISI fan since 2005 thanks.
2 - Argument in favour is that it's worth if for the product you're getting, if you don't like the product don't buy it, no ones forcing you too.
3 - "stupidly overpriced" hardly, as already said it's cheaper in the long run than lot of other Racing Sims and other games.
4 - I take you've never paid $40 for an MMORPG then $14 per month thereafter then? Again, it's a measly sum of money per year for a great racing sim.

Again, I don't really care no because I have the game and have since 2012, I've spoken to people who understand the process easily enough but there seems to be some (you included) who just don't understand it, that's fine, you have the choice to buy & play something else like we all do.

 

[Chark]

Looks like now is the TIME @Chark

@Geof @Chark @Matheus Machado @Lorenzo Bonder
No better time to buy into rF2 than now.

Thanks a lot for the tags, mates. Also, thanks to @Paul Jeffrey for putting the thread up and of course to @JeffL for the amazing promo info! With that lifetime price it's a no brainer, rF2 here I come! Been waiting for that day for a while now. Buying... as we speak.

*excitement intensifies*

 

[JeffL]

irrational

anti-consumer

irrelevant

stupidly

absurd

ridiculous

You might be overreacting juuuuust a little, hmmmm.

 

[Snjper]

Sorry for the stupid question.... Do lifetime members still need to pay for online access each year similar to xboxlive? -- after a year lifetime becoming standard non-online?

NO I'M NOT BITCHING ABOUT MONEY -- Just need to know if I need to remember to renew each year.

 

[Emery]

Sorry for the stupid question.... Do lifetime members still need to pay for online access each year similar to xboxlive? -- after a year lifetime becoming standard non-online?

NO I'M NOT BITCHING ABOUT MONEY -- Just need to know if I need to remember to renew each year.

Lifetime gives you lifetime multiplayer. There is no need to renew online access with a lifetime purchase.

 

[T2TB]

--

 

[millen]

OK, so, sorry to be so thick... but if I buy the 40% off lifetime license. that's the one that will transfer over to Steam when it's released, no further payments right?

 

[T2TB]

--

 

[jimortality]

OK, so, sorry to be so thick... but if I buy the 40% off lifetime license. that's the one that will transfer over to Steam when it's released, no further payments right?

That's correct mate

 

[P*Funk]

I've spoken to people who understand the process easily enough but there seems to be some (you included) who just don't understand it, that's fine, you have the choice to buy & play something else like we all do.

Its not that I don't understand the process, its that I don't agree with the process.

You might be overreacting juuuuust a little, hmmmm.

The principle of it doesn't change just because its on a scale that most consumer debtors don't lose any sleep over. Its the same with the Assetto Corsa DLC barrier to multiplayer which is worth even less money than this.

 

[Fernando Deutsch]

Downloaded the demo from this link:

http://www.mediafire.com/download/4d9jt7zh8ab6m60/rFactor2_DemoBuild_1008.exe

Same situation. Graphics looks way to old and with no good performance, around 40 fps on race. Almost identical to my last experience. Only difference here is the track I cannot identify somewhere in Georgia.

Really do not know if there would be an issue with my rig. AC and R3E graphics looks OK with almost no change on configuration.

 

[jimortality]

Downloaded the demo from this link:

http://www.mediafire.com/download/4d9jt7zh8ab6m60/rFactor2_DemoBuild_1008.exe

Same situation. Graphics looks way to old and with no good performance, around 40 fps on race. Almost identical to my last experience. Only difference here is the track I cannot identify somewhere in Georgia.

Really do not know if there would be an issue with my rig. AC and R3E graphics looks OK with almost no change on configuration.

Without knowing the specs of your rig, I can't help.

Have a look in this thread, it looks even better now since the HDR was updated.

http://www.racedepartment.com/threads/dont-judge-a-book-by-its-cover.97399/

 

[Fernando Deutsch]

Thanks @jimortality . My specs were posted some pages ago on this topic.

GTX660, i5 2500K @4.0Ghz, 8GB RAM

It has been probably the 4th time I have gave rFactor2 a try but results are the same. The pics on the thread look OK, but nothing close to what I have already get used with AC. Funny is I remember some rFactor mods looked way better than that on my system.

 

[jimortality]

Thanks @jimortality . My specs were posted some pages ago on this topic.

GTX660, i5 2500K @4.0Ghz, 8GB RAM

It has been probably the 4th time I have gave rFactor2 a try but results are the same. The pics on the thread look OK, but nothing close to what I have already get used with AC. Funny is I remember some rFactor mods looked way better than that on my system.

I used to run with a GTX 660 on triple screens lol but on single, I would turn shadows off, environment reflection and road reflection on low. Wind and crowd set to no and only have 4aa in game plus I always use vsync even now with my gtx 970. It does take some tweaking but you can get it to look good. This game is not really about graphics and while I agree graphics are nice and we'd all like photo realistic but this game is about the driving so If you prefer pretty over driving then this probably won't the sim for you mate.

 

[Fernando Deutsch]

Not looking only about the graphics but the whole package (immersion, sounds, physics, FF, content quality, etc.). I already have something that satisfies this for me, but want to try other alternatives.

Trying to test rFactor2 but in order to achieve acceptable fps I have to significant reduce quality and effects and I just cannot stand the graphic quality results.

I will not pursue any longer trying to make it run the way I like it. Still, I really appreciate your effort and interest trying to help me. Thanks for that.

 

[jimortality]

Not looking only about the graphics but the whole package (immersion, sounds, physics, FF, content quality, etc.). I already have something that satisfies this for me, but want to try other alternatives.

Trying to test rFactor2 but in order to achieve acceptable fps I have to significant reduce quality and effects and I just cannot stand the graphic quality results.

I will not pursue any longer trying to make it run the way I like it. Still, I really appreciate your effort and interest trying to help me. Thanks for that.

OK mate enjoy whatever you're racing.

 

[Jim Liak]

Ok, i bought it , many thanks/.

Is there a nice gent that will give some advice of better performance? In my system with everything maxed , i get 47fps .

 

[Tobbe Bergman]

That's correct mate

That's what I did yesterday !

Best FFB/Physics I have tried but graphics are definitive dated and ruin the immersion a bit.

Wonder how often they are coming out with updates cars and tracks ?

 

[Justin]

I'm gonna have to side on the "multiplayer subscription = very bad idea" view here.

People need to understand that PC gamers have never accepted paying for a product and then having an added charge for multiplayer access. I remember when Games for Windows Live initially launched that they tried this, and it was removed so quickly after the massive amount of complaints it got. On consoles it's a different story as the precedent was set with Xbox Live over a decade ago, but PC games have always prided themselves on free multiplayer.

On PC, the only games that work with sub fees are free to start MMORPGs. Everything else, including MMOs that require you to buy the base game and then a sub fee (the Star Wars one from Bioware and EA from a few years ago comes to mind) hardly ever become successes. World of Warcraft did use this system but has since dropped it in favour of a free to start system. Sure, you can't play the game at all if you don't subscribe whereas with this rF2 situation you can still play offline, but for WoW the base game you get includes all the content from the expansion packs except the most recent one I think. There's a lot of value in the sub that can be justified, which isn't really the case here.

This attitude is multiplied on Steam, where gamers have an unwavering expectation for free multiplayer on that platform. People will see the game on sale for a low price, see that this is for the offline version only and that there is a sub fee for MP, and then will likely take to the forums and complain about anti-consumer this and money-grabbing that. This forces a game that is already targeting a niche community to lose so many potential people who could be filling up public servers, which is something rF2 sorely needs at this point. For those of you defending the practice, wouldn't you prefer people to race against online instead of relying on club events and leagues to do so?

I do think the system will eventually be removed though. Once the Steam community hivemind gets a hold of something, they'll persist with it till they get their way (see the Batman Arkham Knight PC version Steam store removal and the new refund system as good examples of this)