rFactor 2 Roadmap Released - DX11 and VR Coming May 1st!

[Paul Jeffrey]

Studio 397 have released the April development roadmap, confirming DX11 and VR for May 1st plus lots of interesting new things coming for rFactor 2...

Fans left disappointed by the slight delay to DX11 and VR implementation in rFactor 2 need worry no more, Studio 397 have last night confirmed the newly proposed May 1st release date for this major new build release is on schedule to meet the internal deadline and find itself released to the public build of rFactor 2 on Steam. As can be evidenced in the included screenshots, the new build update and move to DX11 looks like it should bring a rather significant upgrade to the graphics of the game, as well as hopefully further optimizations to support greater frame rate realization for gamers looking to run the highest graphic settings possible whilst still maintaining a decent FPS result.

As well as the new DX11 build, Studio 397 have also confirmed the much anticipated VR update remains on schedule to join the feature list come May 1st, bringing rFactor 2 in line with fellow simulations Assetto Corsa, Project CARS and RaceRoom Racing Experience.

You can read the full April Dev Blog posting below:

With about a week and a half left until May 1st, it’s time for our monthly update again. We’re sure everybody is looking forward to the new build, and we’re happy to announce that both the DX11 graphics engine and VR support will be released as promised.

DX11
Over the last couple of months, we’ve revealed several development screenshots of the DirectX 11 engine to share with you our enthusiasm for the possibilities it brings. The new engine is not only the basis for our VR implementation, but it also enabled a new, improved HDR tone mapper and a bunch of post effects that greatly enhance the overall atmosphere of the simulation. We tried to strike a balance between using these effects to render the real-world imperfections of cameras while retaining the “first person view” you have when racing. At the same time we kept two very important goals in mind: we needed to ensure that, with the same graphics settings, the DX11 engine is at least as fast as the DX9 engine, and that existing content is still compatible with the new engine, so all the content out there can still be fully enjoyed.

We are quite sure we succeeded in both, and we extensively tested the new graphics engine with our community of beta testers. That said, we want to make sure that everybody is able to run this new build without a hitch, which is why we are making the initial release available as an “open beta.” Starting May 1st, anybody can switch to this new build and try it out. It is fully multiplayer compatible with the DX9 build. If for some reason you run into any problems with the new build, you can easily revert to the previous engine with just one click.

We didn’t just stop at updating the graphics engine, though. While we’re at it, we also updated some of our existing content to DX11, so you can expect the first of a series of Studio 397 updates as well. And you’ll be happy to know, these updates don’t just concern the graphics: in some cases we also made changes to and upgraded the physics. The new graphics engine really lets our content shine. It provides so much improvement that we have decided to postpone releasing any new shaders. To whet your appetite, take a look at these new screenshots showing off the new engine and some of the camera post effects in action:

Virtual Reality
If you have been following us on Facebook, you’ve already enjoyed some teaser shots of our VR implementation. We have since added some features such as support for our HUD, including virtual mirrors, as well as a way to browse the UI in VR mode. Mouse control is enabled for the UI, although we are definitely considering adding other options for controlling the VR interface.

User Interface
We know you are eagerly awaiting the new user interface, and we share your impatience. However, because we want to give you the full experience of the new UI and all its capabilities, we feel it is not quite ready for prime time just yet. Although that means we will ship the first open beta release with our existing UI, it will be upgraded to the new UI once that’s ready for release.

As we announced last month, we are now able to easily push updates, and we will use this ability to quickly release updates to the open beta in the upcoming weeks. Our goal is to ensure that we have a stable release for everybody, allowing us to begin phasing out the DX9 build altogether after a few months. In the meantime, our concern is to ensure that everybody has a fully functioning and compatible version of rFactor 2 to race with.

Content
Work on the Radical continues. With most of the graphics in place, our focus has now shifted to the physics and the sounds for this car. It’s not ready to be unveiled yet, but we can tease you with one of the other new cars that we have started working on soon! Watch our social media.

Modding
The modding community just recently gained access to an early DX11 build, and we released some guidelines for artists to work with the new rendering engine. Expect to see updates of third party content coming soon. In general, the new engine requires modders to make only minor changes. One area we are still working on concerns “plugins” that render directly to the screen. These plugins will not work properly in the first open beta. We are actively looking at improving our implementation of this functionality overall.




rFactor 2 is a racing simulation exclusive to Windows PC.

Additional third party content can be downloaded from a variety of sources, one of which is the RaceDepartment rFactor 2 modding archive. Head over and check out the latest releases for the sim, or alternatively join in the discussion and keep up to date with the latest news at our rFactor 2 sub forum right here at RD. If downloading mods or keeping up to date with the latest news items aren't your thing, you can always sign up to one of our epic Club and League events using the software. We hold regular club racing events in our schedule, however the jewel in our crown is no doubt the RaceDepartment Le Mans Series. This is our premium endurance league using rFactor 2. Head over to the RDLMS forum to find out more!

Looking forward to DX11 and VR? Will this update help move rFactor 2 back in to the spotlight in your opinion? Let us know in the comments section below!

 

[hitm4k3r]

SCREEEAM!!! graphics graphics, graphics ARE important to you haters that kept saying they are not, especially on a Gmotor engine and just because your favourite sim looked old and dated, it doesn't look better than Assetto Corsa or Project CARS, but why should it, the DOF looks way to strong in those shots, the most important thing for me about rFactor 2 now is that it is "trying" and that's the keyword, its best to look better than Race Room Racing Experience, which is the minimum I expected from the studio.

The lighting system still looks to dark for my liking, I'd like to see the engine running under sunny conditions, where we can actually see how the lighting system as changed or improved on. would love to see a 24 Hour cycle at all times of the days, that the engine can handle of the new directX 11 engine at work. like this

Postpone releasing new shaders?, so that means they haven't reworked the rain and weather effects that looked subpar, vehicle shaders, like metallic objects, and vehicle tyres that still doesn't look like real rubber, personally I think they should delay the release even further, until everything is done and complete, and maybe release rfactor 2 as a redux title, like many fps developers are doing with their older titles, overall looking promising, but not happy about the title still using old dated shaders.

When will we hear what Reiza are doing with their invisible new title, or are they sitting on their arses waiting for someone else to create a new engine for them, doing all the dirty work for them, while they continue to just be content creators, they sure don't have the talent to create their own engine, we shall see.

Funny how you show the single situation where PCars excelled - a car standing still and adding a timelapse with some weather changes. To say that it pretty much sucked at everything else would be an understatement. What PCars 2 has under it's sleeves needs to be seen when it is out.

Regarding your critics about graphics: I think everybody got it by now that you deem graphics more important than other things. Nothing wrong with it, but you talking about everything as if you are an expert in game development gets rather funny at times. Releasing rF2 as a redux title because some shaders got postponed? Are you for real?

 

[melanieuk]

Funny how you show the single situation where PCars excelled - a car standing still and adding a timelapse with some weather changes. To say that it pretty much sucked at everything else would be an understatement. What PCars 2 has under it's sleeves needs to be seen when it is out.

Regarding your critics about graphics: I think everybody got it by now that you deem graphics more important than other things. Nothing wrong with it, but you talking about everything as if you are an expert in game development gets rather funny at times. Releasing rF2 as a redux title because some shaders got postponed? Are you for real?

Well to me the physics are not the best, you don't need me to tell you that, just read the Two most recent polls Race Department as conducted, rFactor 2 cars was voted the most worst, and in a very recent poll it was one of the less most played game on record, so again you don't need me to tell you, that so many readers and users can't be wrong.
I will compare rFactor 2 weather effects and lighting to project cars, if it claims to have these so called dynamic weather and time of the day features, show us in a new video, market it, promote it, sell it to users, they haven't done that, a developer can talk and sound good on paper, but until they show what they have done, it just means they are not confident in their work, when comparing it to others that do have those features.

 

[JoelRR]

This WILL be epic!! My 970+DK2 will be abused

Is it May 1st yet?

 

[Will Mazeo]

Since RD will do nothing, If y'all stop giving melanie the attention he (successfully) tries to get all the time rF2 threads would be so much better...

 

[Kenny Paton]

Without taking sides I found this article quite interesting
http://segmentnext.com/2017/04/20/survey-gamers-says-value-graphics-gameplay-story/
It may not be as pertinent to sim racers as the general gaming population but it cannot just be dismissed out of hand.
Some years ago I would have disagreed (and indeed did) with melanieuk on disqus over GSC 2012, now I find myself leaning more towards her arguement. Graphics do add an immersion factor, especially in sp to racing games. I don't desert my older and more feature complete games but wishing them with pCars graphics is also now the norm for me.

 

[jonelsorel]

rFactor 2 finally gets what it fully deserves!

Thank you ISI/Studio 397!

 

[melanieuk]

Since RD will do nothing, If y'all stop giving melanie the attention he (successfully) tries to get all the time rF2 threads would be so much better...

What do you want Race Department to do?, ban me for commenting on a news post, my comments are not aggressive towards anyone, its not insulting anyone, I'm allowed to be critical of a game I own or am I not. because it hurts your feeling?, my comments don't hinder rFactor 2 sales, you seems to not like assetto corsa with your under 1.3 Hours of play time on record, yet that doesn't bother me, because its none of by business what you like or play, so why does my comment bother you, I can see a picture here developing with certain readers that favours a certain sim title here over another, ban me for having a view because we don't like it.

 

[Will Mazeo]

Without taking sides I found this article quite interesting
http://segmentnext.com/2017/04/20/survey-gamers-says-value-graphics-gameplay-story/
It may not be as pertinent to sim racers as the general gaming population but it cannot just be dismissed out of hand.
Some years ago I would have disagreed (and indeed did) with melanieuk on disqus over GSC 2012, now I find myself leaning more towards her arguement. Graphics do add an immersion factor, especially in sp to racing games. I don't desert my older and more feature complete games but wishing them with pCars graphics is also now the norm for me.

That's kinda normal, after all we are playing with our eyes first and graphics is what you see first in a game before buying it. How many times we see so many bad reviews but "Hey, looks good I should try it myself" just to be disappointed later
Even if rF2 has the best simulation out there and advanced even more it would attract nobody if it had 8bit graphics
Content also counts tho, IMO the graphic update is at a huge risk of being "temporary love at first sight" without proper first part content
My problem is that every damn rF2 thread is the same thing, I'm not even reading his comments anymore whenever I see his user name but it's useless if people keep flooding the thread quoting and answering him, time has proved that person has a problem. Why not just ignore for the sake of a good thread...
Sometimes I have to turn off notifications from some threads, that just suck

 

[leseb64]

Melanieuk You are so bitterness and sad ...

 

[Timmy UK]

Well, I was hoping the UI was coming.
what we have now is a mess...
How new players work it out, I have no idea.
Surely the idea is to attract new players..
Screenshots look very dark, in a mean and moody way.
We need to see a video, not just screenshots..
Maybe soon..

 

[Bwana]

Well, I was hoping the UI was coming.
what we have now is a mess...
How new players work it out, I have no idea.
Surely the idea is to attract new players..
Screenshots look very dark, in a mean and moody way.
We need to see a video, not just screenshots..
Maybe soon..

perhaps if open wheelers had headlights ambient glow on foreground would be brighter

 

[leseb64]

what we have now is a mess...
How new players work it out, I have no idea.
Surely the idea is to attract new players..
Screenshots look very dark, in a mean and moody way.
We need to see a video, not just screenshots..
Maybe soon..

The camaro and Civic screen are very dark ??

 

[PartyPePe]

what's with the underexposured screen?

 

[Charles Amyouni]

Time to take rF2 seriously.

 

[St3fan]

The camaro and Civic screen are very dark ??

They are very dark. But I've never been to the famously wet Great Britain so I don't know maybe Silverstone is always that dark (I'm always curious if UK is wet is a stereotypical joke thing or a real thing though ). Here in the US pretty much every track I've been to has been much brighter even it is raining. These screenshots are like the viewer has put on very dark sunglasses.

 

[Kenny Paton]

My problem is that every damn rF2 thread is the same thing,

Unfortunately almost every game forum suffers from this, it seems to be something in the human condition
On topic, I hope they can succeed and drive rF2 onwards and upwards.
Best AI of any game I think, now get some cohesiveness in car class and tracks, give the game some focus that would help.

 

[Stelios]

Do you guys plan on doing some rookie races on this when the (final) patch hits?
I am asking because i guess there are many people like me who own RF2 for 3-4 years and have less than 2-10 hours of driving it.

 

[leseb64]

[QUOTE = "St3fan, poste: 2458526, membre: 215012"] They are very dark. But I've never been to the famously wet Great Britain so I don't know maybe Silverstone is always that dark (I'm always curious if UK is wet is a stereotypical joke thing or a real thing though ). Here in the US pretty much every track I've been to has been much brighter even it is raining. These screenshots are like the viewer has put on very dark sunglasses.[/ QUOTE]

The light is clearly not the same it is some !!

 

[Ari Antero]

Tuttle wrote: "We are updating all tracks and cars but its not really that complex as you may think...................." and hes statement is one of the best news regarding DX11 update.

 

[Stig Bidstrup]

DX11 is for windows 10 right ???? so will this also make the game look better in Windows 7 ?????