rFactor 2 Build 1109 Released - Includes New Rain Features

[Paul Jeffrey]

A new update for rFactor 2 has been deployed today, now featuring enhanced rain visuals amongst a sizeable number of improvements and fixes.

As detailed in the final development roadmap post of 2017 (HERE), Studio 397 have today deployed a fairly sizeable new build release for rFactor 2 that amongst other things offers players the opportunity to sample the first pass of the enhanced rain effects introduced to this venerable racing simulation. Benefitting from significantly improved visual representation over the previous rain simulation, the new build is a major step forward in one of the few remaining areas where rFactor 2 fails to live up to expectations in comparison to other similar simulators available on the marketplace today.

As well as the very visually obvious changes to weather effects, Studio 397 have committed to continue developing the wet stuff in rF2 as they look to improve the overall experience and introduce physics interaction with dynamic puddle formations and other interesting and exciting elements found in wet weather racing.

Due to the nature of the new build and visual improvements brought to the simulation, vanilla and mod content will need to be updated to make best use of the new technology employed by Studio 397. As such the Dutch developers are actively working to update all the base content of the simulation, with the following items already having been given the update treatment, with more to follow in the coming weeks and months;

Cars

• Bentley GT3 - v1.97
• Radical GT3 - v1.993
• Mercedes GT3 - v1.99
• McLaren GT3 - v1.993
• Callaway GT3 - v1.97
• Formula E - v1.993
• Dallara - v1.96
• USF 2000 - v1.94
• Camaro GT3 - v1.94
• Corvette C6R - v1.93
• Nissan 370Z GT4 - v1.93
• Brabham BT44B - v1.95 >>>You need to manually subscribe HERE
• Brabham BT20 - v1.95
• Stock Car - v1.96
• EVE -v1.98
• Spark - v1.98
• Formula Two - v1.95
• Honda Civic BTCC - v1.99 (Physics Update: New tires)
• Kart Cup - v1.92
• Nissan GTR GT1 - v1.93
• Howston G4 - v1.96
• Howston G6 - v1.96
• Megane 2013 - v1.95
• Clio 2010 - v1.93
• Howston Dissenter - v1.94

Tracks

• LimeRock - 2.02
• Mores - v1.82
• Nola - v1.30
• Indianapolis - v2.04
• Silverstone - v1.84
• Brianza - v2.04
• Malaysia - v1.82

Before playing the new update it is also worth noting the following information;

• Important: Make sure to update any SteamCMD servers to get the latest!
• Delete contents of the folders CBash and shaders located in \Steam\steamapps\common\rFactor 2\UserData\Log

Full build 1109 change log (December 21st 2017)

Improved Lighting

• We developed an Image-Based Lighting for Ambient (IBLA) solution that substantially improves lighting in our graphics engine.
• IBLA acts on the colors of the scene, taking into account information from the surrounding environment when drawing each object.
• The resulting lighting system gives the final image a more realistic look and it improves the perception of depth for the driver.
• This new system uses new ambient probes that have been added to most of the tracks. It is recomputed dynamically as weather or time conditions change.
• IBLA does not introduce any noticeable performance penalties and its features have been exposed to Mod Dev. Furthermore, tracks that do not have set IBLA yet will automatically have a default set of probes assigned to them.

Rain Effects

Cars

• Added dynamic drops on the windshield and the body of the car.
• These drops respect gravity, so they will run down the sides, and each single drop will have its own lifespan.
• The drops also respect airflow around the car when driving, making them move in appropriate directions.
• The effect is not scripted but generated in real time, and it varies depending on factors like the amount of rain drops falling from the sky, the speed of the vehicle, or the particles generated from another car in front of you.
• Wipers on cars are now functional and will clear the windscreen in two different user configurable speeds.

Tracks

• Vastly improved reflections of the surroundings that become visible as the track gets wet.
• Added blurred reflections for the “Ultra” Road Reflection setting.
• Improved shaders for the real-road surfaces and added new shaders to match closely the properties of elements like curbs in dry/wet conditions.
• Added highly detailed puddle maps that allow puddles to form in the appropriate places on tracks.

New HUD Options

• Added options to show tire wear and ride height as text parameters.
• Added tire wear percentage to the vehicle status MFD.
• Increased the accuracy of fuel consumption with an extra digit.
• Fixed a bug with TireAverageTemp text parameters, which would not show up in the HUD because of a space in their names.
• Added a “delta best” parameter that you can add to a HUD, showing time lost or gained compared to your fastest lap in milliseconds. Works for all cars (not just player). Included optional text coloring of the text output so positive and negative values can result in different colors.
• Added a more accurate fuel indication as well as one that shows the fuel you used in your last (full) lap, or zero otherwise.
• Added a gauge for showing the “delta best” with a range of -1.0 to +1.0 seconds.
• Added predicted number of laps remaining based on fuel used for last lap.
• Added current rain percentage.
• Added minimum and maximum track water depth.
• Added an option to disable font scaling for the chat and message box (apart from using comic sans, non-linear font scaling is about the biggest sin a designer can commit).
• Added weather info (rain intensity and min/max water depth) into the MFD for HUD and in-car use.
• Designed a new default HUD that takes advantage of the new features. (Coming soon)

Other/Fixes etc.

• The plugin API will no longer invoke callbacks that provide ScreenInfoV01 data that used to allow plugins to render to the screen. Doing this directly has been deprecated with the release of DX11, and alternatives are to either use information that is available in the updated HUD or wait for a new plugable HUD system to be released in 2018.
• We have removed the “cache” folder from our install, so all content will now be downloaded from the workshop. This means the base install is much smaller. Upon first launch you will be automatically subscribed to all Studio 397 content and while that is downloading the Launcher will show a progress dialog window with screenshots of all content items it is downloading for you.
• Generating Mip Maps from reflections, this gives smoother reflections as a result.
• Formula E liveries for TeCheetah, Mahindra and Venturi updated to 2018.
• Formula E driver helmets updated.
• Formula E driver suits updated.

Known Issues/troubleshooting

• Rain effects are visual currently. However, we are working on physics impacts.
• Some content is still to be updated to include the rain effects such as cars and tracks.
• Performance is constantly being reviewed
• Rain drops on external cameras under review
• If you are experiencing strange graphical issues, delete the contents of your cbash and shader folders located in \Steam\steamapps\common\rFactor 2\UserData\Log
• Important: Make sure to update any SteamCMD servers to get the latest!

To help you get the most performance out of the new update Studio 397 have released basic graphics setting guidance that can be found HERE.

rFactor 2 is available from Steam as a PC exclusive title now.

Check out the rFactor 2 sub forum here at RaceDepartment for all the latest news and discussion with regards to the simulation. You can take part in lively debates with fellow rFactor 2 fans and take part in some great Club and League racing events..! Head over to the forum now and share the love this simulation so very much deserves...

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Tried the new build yet? What are your impressions of the new rain effects? Like the new direction of the sim? Let us know in the comments section below!

 

[Steve Bird]

Love rF2 and it keeps on getting better. Kicks 10 shades of excrement out of all the other wannabes in the sim world (IMO). The rain is a WIP and is a lot better than the previous effort. What people need to remember before they bitch at this developer is that they haven't had to dip their hands in their pockets since their original purchase for all the improvements that have been made (Apart from the GT DLC).

In comparison RRE expects you to fork out for every physics improvement on an annual basis. Just think about that and how much it will cost you by 2020

 

[Durge Driven]

What people need to remember before they bitch at this developer is that they haven't had to dip their hands in their pockets since their original purchase for all the improvements that have been made

That was all down to ISI ! nothing to do with S397 ?

rF2 DLC at full price are dearer then the sim itself ! and for what a track and 6 cars ? Be serious.

I wager anyone now they will never get decent level of temp and wear from wets in puddles
for any Historic

 

[Case_]

In comparison RRE expects you to fork out for every physics improvement on an annual basis.

Not sure what you're talking about. Never paid a single cent for physics improvement in R3E. In fact just at the end of November, all GT3 cars in R3E (15 at the time, now 19) got a complete physics overhaul completely for free.

The only instance where I guess you could kinda say you're paying for physics improvement is coming say from a WTCC 2015 to WTCC 2016 or 2017 car, but in this instance, you're only paying 30 cents, which is the price of the new livery, so technically, the physics update is still free.

 

[John-Eric Saxén]

That was all down to ISI ! nothing to do with S397 ?

rF2 DLC at full price are dearer then the sim itself ! and for what a track and 6 cars ? Be serious.

I wager anyone now they will never get decent level of temp and wear from wets in puddles
for any Historic

Oh come on, ISI made no improvements for the last year they ran rF2. There was an ISI Q&A article here on RD in 2016 where Tim from ISI basically ignored all community requests. You seem to have forgotten that the historics were completely ignored under ISI and did not once receive an update. If ISI had continued to run rF2, it would be completely dead by now. Even the Steam move was thanks to Marcel from S397.

If you look at the credits that list developers of the game, it looks like S397 has hired Reiza physics guru Niels Heusinkveld. If that is true it's a massive steal and I would expect big physics improvements to come next year. And the game costs $30 now, even with the DLC's included it's much cheaper than the yearly sub or lifetime option (was it $80?) that ISI offered.

 

[ronniej]

In comparison RRE expects you to fork out for every physics improvement on an annual basis. Just think about that and how much it will cost you by 2020

Love what the sim world has brought us since RF1, but R3E has been the worst for the reason you mentioned.
Every time I see new content articles etc., I get reminded of my own stupidity in investing so much early on. Really took notice when W10 Anniversary 1603 update came out and the game had serious stuttering issues and "503" errors throughout the year but the content kept churning out like no tomorrow...But hey, thanks for giving us Triple screen support 4 1/2 years later

 

[CC]

Not sure what you're talking about. Never paid a single cent for physics improvement in R3E. In fact just at the end of November, all GT3 cars in R3E (15 at the time, now 19) got a complete physics overhaul completely for free.

The only instance where I guess you could kinda say you're paying for physics improvement is coming say from a WTCC 2015 to WTCC 2016 or 2017 car, but in this instance, you're only paying 30 cents, which is the price of the new livery, so technically, the physics update is still free.

RR3 Make you pay for skins / liveries , count the cost of all liveries they sell on there website I bet the cost is more than buying assetto corsa , ams and rf2 complete games from steam , make a game unmodabble then charge you for the paints

 

[Steve Bird]

Not sure what you're talking about. Never paid a single cent for physics improvement in R3E. In fact just at the end of November, all GT3 cars in R3E (15 at the time, now 19) got a complete physics overhaul completely for free.

The only instance where I guess you could kinda say you're paying for physics improvement is coming say from a WTCC 2015 to WTCC 2016 or 2017 car, but in this instance, you're only paying 30 cents, which is the price of the new livery, so technically, the physics update is still free.

Oh right, I must have been mistaken for thinking the new GT3 cars have improved physics over the older cars. Apologies if that statement is incorrect.

 

[Will Mazeo]

If you look at the credits that list developers of the game, it looks like S397 has hired Reiza physics guru Niels Heusinkveld. If that is true it's a massive steal and I would expect big physics improvements to come next year. And the game costs $30 now, even with the DLC's included it's much cheaper than the yearly sub or lifetime option (was it $80?) that ISI offered.

Oh boy, I didn't notice that. Amazing! But I hope Reiza did not lose him, that would be really bad. Hope this is while the coding part of AMS 2 is being made (like transfering physic engine to new graphic engine) as I think Niels is not involved with that part.

 

[Terry Rock]

With the exception of Kunos Simulazioni and Reiza Studios, I am a bit disappointed with the other developers.
Though producing a bit of good content overall, they all seem to have lost the plot.
Kunos and Reiza effectively 'thank' their supporters with very good content, including the occasional free pack.
R3E while also offering good content, seem to engage in a bit of 'silliness' with regard to their pricing structure.
It may be offered as a 'free to play' game initially but that's just a marketing ploy due to the higher priced content.
The purchase of a few cars and a track pack will get you into the 'territory' of most other games with twice the content rather quickly... and that's before livery pricing.
I don't expect to pay almost half the cost of a KS pack...which in most cases contain multiple cars and tracks...then have to pay additional for liveries. I simply won't do that on principal alone.
As to RF2, it started with lots of promise.
I was among their biggest cheerleaders for a completely new strategy on game pricing, delivery and updates.
The sad truth is that despite it's advance tire model physics, it has not delivered all round...not yet anyway.
Telling the simracing community to be patient...little to no real communication about what they were doing.... no real updates to glaring issues...asking folks to commit to lifetime memberships, etc.....followed by a largely unfinished hand-off to Studio397, was a big disappointment.
Had this been any team other than ISI, we would not have given them a 'free' pass...and we should not here either.
It's akin to buying an expensive ticket to see your most anticipated group, only to have them walk off stage mid-concert while asking the following act to 'finish up'.
Studio 397 seem to be trying but are in a difficult position.
Releasing a few cars priced in R3E territory on a sim which has largely disappointed so many, won't go over well for most.
While they indeed need money to operate, they also need to understand that some folks have already invested better than $80 in RF2 with ISI and have not received adequate return.
They'll first need to regain that trust broken by ISI's antics ...then concentrate on making their money by volume sales at reasonable prices...just like Kunos or Reiza.
I don't count the other two mainstream sims... Iracing or PC.
Iracing is just way too over-priced and the PC community represents just too much fighting and dis-function.

 

[pcraenme]

Niels Heusinkveld working as a developer on rF2? rF2 already has one of the best physics of all racing sims, so with Niels working on rF2 I think physics will become even better than the real thing! But isn't this a prelude to AMS2 using the (physics) engine of rF2? If S397 and RS will be working together on this, 2018 will be a great year!

 

[Rupe Wilson]

Well ill spend 500 pounds on a wheel and not even think about it, so spending up to a 100 on a game never bothered me either..
i do get annoyed when i don't race them though then its a waste and a bad buy..
all the top games in the RD clubs are a good buy in my mind..(well maybe one is not )
even the ones i don't like are not over priced all things considered..

 

[pcraenme]

As to RF2, it started with lots of promise.
I was among their biggest cheerleaders for a completely new strategy on game pricing, delivery and updates.
The sad truth is that despite it's advance tire model physics, it has not delivered allround...not yet anyway.
Had this been any other company other than ISI, we would not have given them a pass...and we should not here either.
Studio397 seems to be trying, but they too need to understand what's at stake.
Coming out with a few cars priced in R3E territory on a sim which has largely disappointed, won't do it for most.
While they need money to operate, they also need to understand that some folks have already invested better than $80 in this game and not received adequate return on investment.
They'll first need to regain that trust ...then concentrate on making their money by volume sales at reasonable prices...just like Kunos or Reiza.

I disagree. I think S397 made quite a effort on regaining our trust. They released a few new cars and tracks free of charge. They upgraded the graphics engine to dx11, with VR support, rain effects, new lighting, all free of charge (they could have released a new rF3 game and asked money for that, like SMS did with PC2). And yes, they released some DLC that was not very cheap, but... they have to make some money somewhere. The money people already spent buying rF2 when it was still owned by ISI, is not in S397 pockets. S397 probably had to pay ISI to get ownerwship of rF2?

I am happy to buy this expensive DLC, because I want S397 to continue to work on rF2 and I can miss these few euros. The only thing I was a bit annoyed about is that the recently released Formula E + HK track is now on sale. I think that is a bit disrespectful to loyal customers who bought this DLC on day one at full price, not so very long ago.

 

[Steve Bird]

Oh boy, I didn't notice that. Amazing! But I hope Reiza did not lose him, that would be really bad. Hope this is while the coding part of AMS 2 is being made (like transfering physic engine to new graphic engine) as I think Niels is not involved with that part.

I wonder if there's a bit of Co-Op going on between Reiza and S397? Reiza help them out on physics and they get the rF2 engine for their new sim?

 

[Will Mazeo]

I wonder if there's a bit of Co-Op going on between Reiza and S397? Reiza help them out on physics and they get the rF2 engine for their new sim?

I dont think there is. They got a license of isimotor and are updating it on their own (as seen in AMS), for their next title they'll switch that to a new graphic engine, I understand this is part of the reason they keep updating AMS physics and features: everything they do there will be ported to new sim as a base. It's kind of a nice beta program. But that's just how I see it.
So to drop all that and the $$ of the license ($100k+?) would be a bit crazy. If there is a Co-op I think it would be to add similar rf2 features into AMS (like rejoin, 64bit, resume from replay, etc) as Reiza already did (Marcell worked in AMS) but not to use the whole rf2 engine.
Again just my 2 cents.

 

[MarcG]

I disagree. I think S397 made quite a effort on regaining our trust. They released a few new cars and tracks free of charge. They upgraded the graphics engine to dx11, with VR support, rain effects, new lighting, all free of charge (they could have released a new rF3 game and asked money for that, like SMS did with PC2). And yes, they released some DLC that was not very cheap, but... they have to make some money somewhere. The money people already spent buying rF2 when it was still owned by ISI, is not in S397 pockets. S397 probably had to pay ISI to get ownerwship of rF2?

I am happy to buy this expensive DLC, because I want S397 to continue to work on rF2 and I can miss these few euros. The only thing I was a bit annoyed about is that the recently released Formula E + HK track is now on sale. I think that is a bit disrespectful to loyal customers who bought this DLC on day one at full price, not so very long ago.

I agree with most of your post except the last bit, if you buy anything and it goes on sale a week later that's just tough and totally not "disrespectful", whether it's a TV, car, fridge freezer or a racing sim. You buy the product at the time in with the price stated, any sale after is perfectly acceptable no matter the product.

I disagree. I think S397 made quite a effort on regaining our trust. They released a few new cars and tracks free of charge. They upgraded the graphics engine to dx11, with VR support, rain effects, new lighting, all free of charge (they could have released a new rF3 game and asked money for that, like SMS did with PC2). And yes, they released some DLC that was not very cheap, but... they have to make some money somewhere. The money people already spent buying rF2 when it was still owned by ISI, is not in S397 pockets. S397 probably had to pay ISI to get ownerwship of rF2?

I am happy to buy this expensive DLC, because I want S397 to continue to work on rF2 and I can miss these few euros. The only thing I was a bit annoyed about is that the recently released Formula E + HK track is now on sale. I think that is a bit disrespectful to loyal customers who bought this DLC on day one at full price, not so very long ago.

 

[Case_]

RR3 Make you pay for skins / liveries

Yes, but not for physics updates, which is what we were talking about.

 

[pcraenme]

I agree with most of your post except the last bit, if you buy anything and it goes on sale a week later that's just tough and totally not "disrespectful", whether it's a TV, car, fridge freezer or a racing sim. You buy the product at the time in with the price stated, any sale after is perfectly acceptable no matter the product.

Maybe disrespectful was not the correct wording and disappointed would have been the better choice. English is not my native language. I understand the principle of sale, but normally things don't go on sale shortly after release. At least not for 50%! E.g., the GT3 pack being on sale for 50%, I totally understand and have no issues with (also a day one buy for me against full price). Also for other sims, I waited until the Ferrari pack for AC was on sale a few months after release, before buying it.

 

[SAcaSoh]

Can anyone tell me how to get rid of the damm flickering on fences and stands etc, I have tried everything I can as far as anti aliasing goes but the flicker sucks! I have aa on level 5. Any settings in NVIDIA inspector??? Malaysia for example is terrible
Love the FFB and Physics in the game

Tony, I don't have Rfactor 2, but any shimmering/flickering of textures in other games (like Automobilista) are solved by supersampling, specifically transparency supersampling. Try the Sparse Grid Supersampling on Nvidia Control panel, 4x makes it perfect, but beware the performance drop. Also, you can use it combined with normal AA for extra quality.

 

[SAGY31]

I love how S397 adds new feature like delta best and searching through all options I still can't figure out where to enable this. Any tips?

 

[el chasco]

The new devs are improving a lot the simulator! Very good job!