Automobilista 2 News

Celebrating the end of another exciting Daytona 24h, the new update brings a new batch of AI improvements, the most critical being a more thorough solution to AI cars casually stepping out of track into grass / high curbs when looking around the car ahead, as well as several adjustments to improve their ability to handle lapped traffic.

Some further tire tread adjustments of the same nature from that of the previous version has now also been applied to other classes, while F-USA Gen1-3 cars got an external sound update using the same methodology of recent external sound sets.


[h3]V1.5.5.2->V1.5.5.4 CHANGELOG[/h3]

GENERAL

• Added flag panel support for local yellow flags (local & full course lights now supported by all Grade 1 tracks)
  
• MP logs will now rotate and maintain a history of 5 files
  
• Fixed a rare CTD case that occurs when returning to the garage
  
• Fixed bug leading to designated driver helmet livery and outfit not working for low downforce & oval variants of player vehicle
  
• Shared Memory: Fixed mLaunchStage incorrectly declared as unsigned
  

UI & HUD

• Adjusted HUD engine wear colour change thresholds to better match damage model
  
• Added Performance screen option to enable/disable full screen pause on focus loss. (-doNotPauseOnFocusLoss switch remains available)
  
• IFixed ICM Cycle Button not being able to be double bound like other ICM controls
  
• Fixed ICM auto-close timeout not accounting for ICM Cycle inputs
  

PHYSICS

• Minor tire tread adjustments for GT5, G40 Cup, F-USA (All gens). Mini JCW, F-3, F-Trainer Advanced F-Retro Gen2, F-Classic Gen3 soft compound
  
• Adjusted tire wear rate for GT3 (both gens), GT Open
  
• Adjustes tire wear rate for all wet compounds (correcting excessive wear issue suffered by most)
  
• Adjusted FFB for F-Reiza, F-Ultimate (both gens)
  
• F-USA 2023: Added AMDM model
  

AI

• Extended corridors which define the limit places AI cars can go by 1/3 of its car width to reduce chances of AI drivers stepping into grass or high curbs to a minimal
  
• Fixed car control not returning to player from AI teammate when returning to garage
  
• Adjusted speed differential thresholds to trigger overtaking & defensive moves
  
• Further adjustments to distances from car ahead in which AI overtaking routines kick in
  
• Further adjustments to how far ahead AI will factor lapped cars by
  
• Adjusted AI brake usage for LMDh, F3 (both models), F-Trainer (both models) GT3 (both gens), GT Open
  
• Daytona RC: Reduced speed boost at the bus stop chicanes causing AI to often overshoot the corner in racing conditions
  
• F-USA Gen3: Adjusted Ai drivers performance levels (inc. AMDM failure ratios) & increased performance levels to 3
  
• Adjusted Mclaren MP4/6 AI start performance
  
• Disabled AI start wheelspin mistakes for cars with traction controlAI calibration pass for GT5 & G40 Cup, F-3, F-Trainer Advanced, GT5
  

AUDIO

• Fixed lack of external sounds for viewed vehicle when it is very far from camera
  
• Formula USA Gen1-3: updated external sounds
  

TRACKS

• Added interactive flag panels / lights to Azure, Brands Hatch, Cadwell Park, Fontana Gateway Imola, Indianapolis, Laguna Seca, Long Beach, Nurburgring, Oulton Park, Road America, Silverstone, Spielberg, VIR, Watkins Glen
  
• Added local yellow support for interactive flag panels
  
• On oval tracks flag panels will now remain static green for the whole race unless there is a full course yellow
  
• Added dedicated Safety Car pitbox to Laguna Seca, Road America, Spielberg
  
• Cadwell Park: Fixed 3d marshals LOD range
  
• Laguna Seca: Fixed LOD range for 3d marshals
  

VEHICLES

• Added leader lights to BMW M8 GTE
  
• Nissan R390 GT1: Corrected high and low downforce 3D models being swapped around
  
• Mini Cooper 1965: Added fully bespoke Copa Classic version conforminig to appropriate rules & using adequately modern driver outfits
  
• F-V10 Gen 1: Adjusted front suspension animations to correct front wheels appearing to lift slightly at higher loads from external cameras
  
• Corvette C8R GTE: Added cockpit windscreen banners
  
• Mclaren 720S GT3 EVO: Fixed cockpit bonnet mesh; Adjusted internal cockpit net vibrations; Added new cockpit lights
  
• Reynard 2Ki (SS/SW): Corrected angle of front winglets
  
• F-USA Gen3: Added Gil de Ferran (Jules de Fierro) tribute livery
  

The latest update brings another batch of physics & AI improvements along with further updates to both new and old content, including more tracks with support for the new flag LED panel feature.

A minor but notable adjustment to the tire modelling of both modern slicks and wet treads has been fastracked with this release, sharpening up the feel of the tires that received the adjustment - these are listed in the changelog below. The changes have no major repercussions on user setups or overall performance of the cars.

On the AI front, adjustments to AI lateral movement rates, distances passing routines are triggered on and enabling of a function for AI in faster cars to "see" slower cars further up ahead have made line switches more flowing and also reduced hesitation both when passing for position as well as dealing with lapped traffic. Further improvements on this area are already in the works. AI also improved for several tracks with a new batch of fast line redos.

MULTIPLAYER LOGS & REPORTS WELCOME!

On the Multiplayer front, users that experience showtopping reliability issues are now welcome to post their session log files in our forum to provide us with valuable info towards debugging these remaining
issues.


Both AMS2 + Season Pass 2020-2022 & AMS1 Ultimate + AMS2 Bundles have now been deactivated from the Steam store page - there are now two AMS2 All-Inclusive options in offer packing AMS2 Base plus the full DLC collection at a 15% overall discount.

The two options offer the same thing, the difference is the first is designed for owners of the two separate Premium DLC Packs, while the second aims to cater for owners of the 2020-2022 Season Pass. As a New User looking for the complete AMS2 collection, you only need one of them.

As we progress with new DLC releases, both Bundles will be updated accordingly - this way, new users have a single-click option to acquire all existing AMS2 items at any point in time without duplicating their DLC purchases, while existing users get the option to expand their AMS2 collection with only the items they may be missing.


[h3]V1.5.5.2 CHANGELOG[/h3]

UI & HUD

• Fixed Automatic Clutch input bind label being inconsistently named in different states
  

PHYSICS

• Minor slick tread adjustments for LMDh, F-HiTech Gen2, F-V12, GT1, GTE, GT3 (both gens) GT4, G55 Cup, GT5, G40 Cup, StockV8 (all seasons), Super v8, LMDh, Cadillac DPi, P1 (both gens), Group C, F-Reiza, F-Ultimate Gen2, F-USA Gen1-3 & 2023 (speedway compound)
  
• Minor wet tire tread adjustments for F-Classics, F-HiTechs, F-V12, F-V10s, F-Reiza, F-Ultimates, F-USAs, F-3, F-Inter, F-Trainers, LMDh, DPi, P1, P2, P3, P4, GTE, GT3, GT4 classes
  
• Adjusted baseline pressure for GT3 Gen2 and LMDh to account for the removal of tire warming blankets (setup reset recommended)
  
• LMDh: Slightly increased brake torque
  
• Added medium compound option for F-HiTech Gen2
  
• McLaren 720s Evo: Increased the max bumpstop/packer range to 4cm from 1cm
  

AI

• Adjusted distance AI cars look ahead for slower lapped traffic & added new parameter for faster cars to see even further ahead
  
• Slightly increased avoid ratios for AI in lower aggression ranges
  
• AI line redos for Cascais, Fontana Speedway, Montreal Historic 1991, Le mans Bugatti, Kansai East & West
  
• Further adjustments to AI rates for lateral movements & distance thresholds for passing routines to kick in
  
• Increased fuel threshold for AI to decide to pit for fuel on a long track for Endurance cars (LMDh,
  Cadillac DPi, P1 (both gens), GTE, GT3 (both gens)
  
• Bumped up AI skill spread on ovals to the same level of main road course variants to minimise excessive pack racing on ovals
  
• Adjusted AI tire wear degradation for all F-USA classes
  
• AI calibration pass for GTE & LMdh, DPi, P1s, Super V8, F-V12
  AI wet performance calibration pass for F-Classic Gen4, F-Hitech Gen1&2, F-V12, F-V10 Gen1&2, F-Reiza, F-Ultimate Gen1&2
  

TRACKS

• Le Mans: Additional 3D marshals; Fixed visible gaps in the track near Porsche curve; Adjusted armco lod switching near Mulsanne: Added more of the remaining trackside objects; Adjusted an abnormal bump in the runoff near the Arnage exit curb; Fixed issue where tirewall objects might not be rendered in some external cameras; Adjusted track cameras in Bugatti layout to remove obscured views
  
• Added LED flag panels to Kansai, Interlagos, Hockenheim & Monza
  
• Fixed safety car parking location for Kansai & Hockenheim
  
• Nurburgring 1971: Fixed the misalignment and added collision to the Continental Podium barriers in the paddock
  
• Jerez 1988: Fixed body parts lod behavior on some 3D animated actors
  

VEHICLES

• Fixed car exterior rain effects oscillating between dry and wet
  
• Mercedes AMG GT3 Evo: fixed inverted cockpit banner
  
• GTE: Added luminescent number panels
  
• BMW M8 GTE: Updated display & improved cockpit lights; Added windshield banner
  
• F-HiTech G2M2: Fixed cockpit windscreen and mirrors double mesh issues
  

This is a complementary update to the latest V1.5.5 release, introducing a new "high beam" headlight option along with other bug fixes & improvements.

The release of this update marks the end of the Free Trial period for the Circuit des 24h Du Mans & Endurance Pack Pt1 DLCs, the latest new content now restricted to users who own the respective DLCs.

[h3]NOTE ON NEW HIGH BEAM OPTION [/h3]

One-button headlight operation can be achieved one of two ways, subject to user preference:

1) When binding only the HEADLIGHTS button the single button will cycle all modes on repeat OFF-LOW-HIGH-OFF...

2) When binding only the HIGH BEAM button the LOW will be controlled automatically with other vehicles lights as was previously the case. When the lights are on the bound button will toggle directly between LOW and HIGH settings

[h3]V1.5.5.1 CHANGELOG[/h3]

GENERAL

• Altered algorithm for max visible vehicles setting to bias towards vehicles ahead
  
• Added High Beam headlight mode for local player
  

PHYSICS

• LMDh: Disabled max ERS deployment per lap which had inadvertently been left enabled; Improved BUILD and BALANCED deployment modes for Le Mans 24h layout by conserving energy in higher gears
  
• Fixed player auto ERS activating QUAL during outlaps
  
• Disabled tire blankets for LMDh & GT3 Gen2 classes as per current WEC / IMSA rules
  

AI

• Adjusted AI tire wear rate for LMDh & GT3 Gen2 classes
  
• Adjusted AI brake usage for LMDh, P1 (both gens) & Cadillac DPi classes
  
• AI calibration pass for F-V12, F-V10 Gen1 & Gen2, F-Reiza, F-Ultimate Gen1 & Gen2 (dry & wet)
  

AUDIO

• McLaren MP4/12: fixed missing starter sound.
  
• F-V10 Gen1: Fix attempt to address dissapearing sounds in MP
  

VEHICLES

• LMDh/GTE/GT3 (all Gens): Adjust base headlight brightness
  
• Fixed lighting on carbon material cars in secondary light sources
  
• BMW M Hybrid V8: New safety lights; Added rain streaks added for side windows
  
• Cadillac V Series R: Added rain streaks for side windows
  
• Porsche 992 GT3-R: Corrected display with inverted best lap and split time
  

No change in version number as exes remain the same - build 2490 changelog:

LMDh: Minor diffuser baseline lift adjustment (all models); AI calibration pass
GT3 Gen2 (all models): Set the LD default final drive to the longer option
LeMans 24h / Bugatti : Added missing crowds on garage grandstand; Further LOD and performance tuning; AI line redone for 24h layout (faster, smoother & less late braking)
Porsche 963: Adjusted driver animations

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

It´s the end of an incredible year for Automobilista 2 - one that brought the sim major gameplay developments, many exciting new cars and tracks and scores of new players. It has also been its highest grossing year, almost four years after its initial release.

To celebrate the end of this great year in style with old and new players alike, the very last day of the year brings a new game update as AMS2 hits v1.5.5 along with Le Mans and several state-of-the-art 2023 Endurance race cars. The two new DLCs will remain free for all at release and into the first few days of 2024 so everyone gets to enjoy AMS2 at its very best.

We wish everyone a magnificent 2024 - we will continue pushing flat-out to keep it filled with great sim racing!


[h3]IMPORTANT NOTES:[/h3]

Developments that haven´t made it to this release but that are in the works for future updates:

1- Developments to the headlight options - we have added a feature for AI to flash their headlights at incoming traffic as an immersion feature but there isn´t actually a high beam for the AI or the player yet - we are working on update is to improve visibility under standard lights. A higher intensity beam that you can flash coming up lapped traffic is for next cycle

2- More detailed LMDh ERS modelling - while the performance of PU unit and haversting / deployment overall is pretty accurate, the current model doesn´t simulate all properties of the hybrid system as mandated by the rules - likewise for the next cycle

3- Seasonal foliage and a few remaining trackside objects will be added to Le Mans in a complementary update

4- We are aware of some users regularly running into loss of controller input and / or calibration with the release of new updates, USB port swaps or controller driver updates. We have been trying hard to debug this for a few months to no avail. Usually just restarting the game resolves that, but if it doesn´t instead of creating a new profile, you may just delete Doucuments\Automobilista 2\savegame\[ProfileNumber]\automobilista 2\profiles\default.controllersettings.v1.03.sav and that will only force you to start your controller configuration from scratch rather than all game configs. We continue pushing to find a definitive fix.

5- The Multiplayer Logging Report thread is going live later on today - please use it to post logs from Multi sessions where you might have had issues in; league / event organizers who are able to collect the logs from participants on a same session that ran into trouble will be especially helpful to debug remaining reliability issues.

6- Steam pages for the new DLCs will go live with a complementary update later this week.



[h3]V1.5.3.5 -> V1.5.5.0 CHANGELOG[/h3]
CONTENT Tracks

• Added Le Mans featuring Circuit des 24h du Mans, Bugatti layouts (part of the Circuit des 24h du Mans DLC, free for all for the first few days
  

Cars

• Added LMDh class featuring BMW M Hybrid V8, Cadillac V-Series.R, Porsche 963 GTP (part Endurance Pack Pt1 DLC, free for all for the first few days)
  
• Added GT3 Gen2 class featuring BMW M4, Mclaren 720S EVO, 2023 Mercedes AMG GT3 EVO, Porsche 992 GT3-R (part Endurance Pack Pt1 DLC, free for all for the first few days)
  

GENERAL

• Added official support for driver swaps with a generic AI driver, fixing previous inconsistent skill level compared to the other drivers in the session
  
• Added support for working track light LED panels (WIP, only Green / FCY states for now and only Le Mans & Montreal already set up for them)
  
• Added option to limit maximum number of visible vehicles
  
• Multiplayer: Added some additional MP logging around an unrecoverable condition when the local client is promoted to session host. Removed geographic restrictions on dedicated server searches. Increased MP browser list refresh speed
  
• Added/Updated Championships for F-Vintage, F-Retros, F-Classic, F-HiTech, F-V12, F-V10, F-Reiza, F-Ultimates (all Gens), Stock Car Brasil 1979-2023, Copa Montana, Sprint Race, pCup Brasil, GT1, Group C, BMW M1 Procar
  
• Added series points sets for user custom Championships for majority of all classes
  
• Improved raindrop visuals and dynamics & updated rain drop and rain streak textures to achieve denser raindrops
  
• Adjusted undertray sparks dynamics and colouration
  
• Logitech G923 (low torque) TrueForce device improved sustained ffb effects / overall strength.
  
• Added Class Scoring option to Custom Championship editor
  

UI & HUD

• Added class filter to championship end of weekend screen
  
• Fixed pole position bonus points showing race bonus points on champ scoring selection dialog
  
• Fixed long session lengths escaping their bounding box on Start New Championship screen
  
• Fixed localisation and alignment issues on Controls screen active suspension labels
  
• Fixed cancel/save buttons sharing same key bind on Edit Grid page
  
• Updated motorsport preset for Group C
  
• Added event presets for LMDh+GT3Gen2, LMDh and GT3 Gen2
  
• Interlagos 1993: Added missing track map in HUD display for Interlagos 1993
  

PHYSICS

• Added support for progressive third springs (used by new LMDh cars & Cadillac DPi)
  
• GT3 (both gens): Adjusted body drag for all models & engine peaks for AMG Mercedes & Porsche to rectify excessive terminal top speed
  
• Added Low Downforce setup configurations for GTE
  
• Adjusted traction control actuation for GTE, GT4, GT3 Gen1 (all models)
  
• Revised FFB for GT1, GTE, GT Open, Porsche Cup, GT4, Ginetta G55 Supercup, GT5 and G40 Cup (all models)
  

AI

• Added car-specific AI race start mistake scalar overrides so AI for more modern formula cars (F-Reiza / F-Ultimates) with advanced clutches don´t struggle with major burnouts off the line, while those happen more often in stats with F-Vintages / F-Retros / F-Classics / F-V12 / F-V10 Gen1
  
• Adjusted AI launch performance on wet for all high power formula classes listed above
  
• Slightly increased the likelihood of AI making a mistake during braking when under pressureDisabled AI half-spin mistakes on corner exit
  
• Caterham (all models): Adjusted AI suspension rates & increased roll torque stab in attempt to minimise issues with higher curbs
  
• Increased amount of AI lifting off the throttle under blue flags
  
• Kart 125 shifter: fixed bounce when spawned to track
  
• AI calibration pass for LMDh, DPI & P1 (both gens)
  

AUDIO

• Added reverb and wall reflection volume sliders to AUDIO options
  
• Fixed missing starter sound for: F-Trainer, F-Classic G1M2, F-Vee, McLaren F1 GT1
  
• Metalmoro MRX P3 Turbo: adjusted engine sound and position
  
• Fixed engine starter sound for Camaro SS, VW TSI Cup cars
  
• Adjusted curb sounds so volume is less dependent on tire loads
  
• Fixed missing doppler effect in trackside audio for ARC Camaro and Kart Cross
  
• Adjusted surface sounds for McLaren Senna & Karts
  
• Adjusted engine sound for F-Hitech G1M4
  
• increased gearshift volume for Porsche 911 GT3-R & VW Polo RX
  
• Camaro SS: fixed missing startup sound and adjusted external chase cam sound rev range
  

TRACKS

• Interlagos 1991 / 1993: Fixed issue with the pitwall collision causing strange FFB on contact
  
• Cleveland: Reduced chance of a player car missing the timing sector triggers which results in the lap not recorded
  

VEHICLES

• Fixed shader emissive LCD and LED screens being too bright at night and too dim during the day
  
• Updated cockpit display for GTE, GT3 Gen1, GT4 (all models) to suit shader developments
  
• Fixed Chevrolet Corvette C8 Z06 windscreen HUD being too dark at night
  
• GTE: added leader lights on the Porsche 991 RSR and Corvette C8.R
  
• F Classic G4M2: Fixed bonnet camera clipping
  
• Mclaren MP4/7: Fixed wheels and brake disc´s pivot points