2019, the year of many sims?

[norbs]

Given some discussion in the PC2 forum about what games people want to play, I thought it would be good to open the discussion about racing this year.

I agree with nearly all that was said in the other thread. And, that is what makes it so tough to organise.

Some thoughts on some of the games available to us.

PC2. The current go to sim. I agree, it is very locked in. We dont have the scope to experiment like we do in AC. That said, it doesnt need a dedicated server to host it. Most people have it.

AC. The choices are endless. And since we have been away for a good while, there are loads of mods to try. We do not currently have an AWS server to host it.

AMS. Barely touched, and hated by Muppet. However, Box, Slow and I have had some awesome fun on Sunday arvos in this sim.

AC 1.5. Still early release. Only GT3s, so is basically a more limited version of PC2.

LFS. We really need to give this more attention. Runs on a glorified abacus and is good racing

Wreckfest. This has been given a few tries, but it always feels like people like it for 45 minutes, then want to try something else.

RF2. Some good combos in there worth exploring.

So if people want to give their thoughts below, that would be great.

Also, answer these 2 questions.

1. What is the game you would most like to play for series type racing?
2. What is the game you would most like to play for fucking about?

[KNAPPO]

1. series type racing = AC
2. fucking about = LFS

Wreckfest still is causing odd crashing issues on my system. Dont know why, given up chasing ghosts in the machine.
AMS - I have it but dont play it.
AC 1.5, dont have it.

So glad to see LFS in this list. Seeing those screenshots from Westhill brought back lots of fond memories on AR jump time and other autocross stuff I would waste many hours driving and making. Ide love to do some of that shit in these updated tracks. Im sure there are many autocross layouts hosted on the interwebs we could use for some shits n giggles.

Example


You can even do shit like this in LFS now lol

[Cursed]

Personally, if it supports VR then I'll give it a shake. If it doesn't, then that doesn't necessarily count me out, but I will complain the whole time that my game is missing an entire dimension in space.

[GT VIRUS]

I think you should alternate between the lot. Playing the same sim all the time makes it boring.

Anyone else tried rFactor2 recently? It's been slowly getting better, and some of the cars are both very cool and great fun.

[norbs]

Good suggestion GT. Will add it to the list. I completely forgot about it.

[Dr. Pain]

1. AC or PCars2
2. Wreakfest

[w00dsy]

God I forgot how weird LFS sounded.

[pixelboy]

All this started from my Pcars2 rant from a year ago bumped by Knappo? Nice!

I still think that the most fun I've had was Friday Chaos in AC. The Stair trucks at the Scottish track, bus v karts at arsewood and fox v hound at Gentrack or the Indonesian track.. The escort racing was also fun.

It takes a lot of time to organise that and Norbs did an awesome job. He can't be expected to repeat that.. But thanks mate

[pixelboy]

Oh, by the way, I can provide a AC server if required..

[KNAPPO]

All this started from my Pcars2 rant from a year ago bumped by Knappo? Nice!

Hahahahahaha, I didn't realise that was a year old. Well it still holds true.
I downloaded and installed LFS tonight for some shits n giggles even if its just offline and jumping into one of the very few public servers, logged into my account and have all my Austra Racing skins available.

[petey]

I haven't been racing with mates for so long, I would be on for some LFS guaranteed. I would make a point of making time available.

Everything else can be so hit and miss, other than Pcars2 but I find it not as rewarding as others.

[DarrenM]

Mods help keep things fresh, particularly tracks. At this point I wouldn't mind exploring rF2 if enough have it. It has a lot of mods on steam workshop which should make things fairly easy and the hosting should be flexible like AC. I think it can do multiple drivers per car enduro's as well.

Wreckfest and LFS would be good for a monthly have-a-bash.

PC2 has been fun but some of the physics are janky when you push hard. I'm a bit over it at the moment.

ACC would be good for race series, but I don't think it would last long as a regular Friday night thing.

[KNAPPO]

Just spent the last 2hrs in LFS and what a hoot!

I still find that sim one of the most enjoyable to drive, the car physics are so forgiving and fluid. The way the car smashes over kerbs and floats on two wheels is so much darn fun. Holding nice controlled slides thru sweepers is super rewarding. Even drifts like I remembered it, need to dig up some proper drift setups

Tell you what, rolling out on Fern Bay Black or South City Long in the XR Turbo like it was yesterday, my eye was in within a hand full of laps, lines, old braking markers, turn in points and visual cues came flooding back.

EDIT: Still sounds like shit tho lol

[norbs]

All this started from my Pcars2 rant from a year ago bumped by Knappo? Nice!

I still think that the most fun I've had was Friday Chaos in AC. The Stair trucks at the Scottish track, bus v karts at arsewood and fox v hound at Gentrack or the Indonesian track.. The escort racing was also fun.

It takes a lot of time to organise that and Norbs did an awesome job. He can't be expected to repeat that.. But thanks mate

Thanks Pix. And yes, it took SO MUCH time to get combos that were fun. And it part of the reason I started losing interest. We covered a lot of ground, and if I had an off week, people were pretty happy to voice their opinion.

Now we have a few different people happy to help, so it makes things a lot easier for me.

With the AC/RF2 server, would it be able to be accessed by a few of us, or just you Pix?

[thornz]

Just spent the last 2hrs in LFS and what a hoot!

I still find that sim one of the most enjoyable to drive, the car physics are so forgiving and fluid. The way the car smashes over kerbs and floats on two wheels is so much darn fun. Holding nice controlled slides thru sweepers is super rewarding. Even drifts like I remembered it, need to dig up some proper drift setups

Tell you what, rolling out on Fern Bay Black or South City Long in the XR Turbo like it was yesterday, my eye was in within a hand full of laps, lines, old braking markers, turn in points and visual cues came flooding back.

EDIT: Still sounds like shit tho lol

Did exactly the same thing last night.
Like you found, always felt the most natural sim to me, can always jump straight into and it just feels right.
SO City long rev was always my fav, fanging round that track in the Formula FOX brought back so many great memories.
Also Aston is such an amazing fictional track with the ups and downs, real roller coaster ride of a track.

[hutchy]

Now I have my Oculus Rift anything with VR support would be my preference I have no issue with either PC2 or AC.

For fucking around LFS & Wreckfest for sure!!

[Duke]

What about R3E (Raceroom racing experience), I guess it being mainly DLC would kill any variety that can be used...?

[norbs]

What about R3E (Raceroom racing experience), I guess it being mainly DLC would kill any variety that can be used...?

I really like driving R3E, but the business model is only 1 step down from iRacing.

[Dr. Pain]

I really enjoyed the 1 hour at Bathurst on Friday night. Having weather and people's pits stops not going to plan, such as my own, makes it more interesting. But during testing I did find one or two cars just feeling odd. There's still more we could do in Pcars 2, lot of combo's still to explore with weather, damage ect... But I understand the need to mix it up.

Like others, I want to use VR as much as I can which is why I said yes to AC and Pcars2. I love wreakfest as it's a scream but I'm happy to try LFS as well. I think we mix it up and see how it goes.

[Duke]

What about R3E (Raceroom racing experience), I guess it being mainly DLC would kill any variety that can be used...?

I really like driving R3E, but the business model is only 1 step down from iRacing.

Yep I completely understand, apart from not having a subscription part it is the same business model as iR.
It's a shame as it is a really good sim, runs well on older hardware & the sounds are just sublime!!!

[norbs]

I really enjoyed the 1 hour at Bathurst on Friday night. Having weather and people's pits stops not going to plan, such as my own, makes it more interesting. But during testing I did find one or two cars just feeling odd. There's still more we could do in Pcars 2, lot of combo's still to explore with weather, damage ect... But I understand the need to mix it up.

Like others, I want to use VR as much as I can which is why I said yes to AC and Pcars2. I love wreakfest as it's a scream but I'm happy to try LFS as well. I think we mix it up and see how it goes.

I dont know if it makes it more interesting or fucking frustrating. I consider it a bug that fucked my race. When you have pit strategy set to change tires for weather, and it is pissing down and they put hard slicks on, well....

[norbs]

What about R3E (Raceroom racing experience), I guess it being mainly DLC would kill any variety that can be used...?

I really like driving R3E, but the business model is only 1 step down from iRacing.

Yep I completely understand, apart from not having a subscription part it is the same business model as iR.
It's a shame as it is a really good sim, runs well on older hardware & the sounds are just sublime!!!

Agreed Duke. The sounds in that game are top notch.

[Duke]

EDIT: Still sounds like shit tho lol

I remember running a sound mod for it at one stage but can't remember what it was called & if it was that much better.
Might have to check out if it or a new mod is still around for it.

Would love to join in on some ARSE sim action but I honestly can't commit to anything on a regular basis. Well not until March at which time I may find I have more time after a change of job role.
I am certainly up for some LFS once or when those updates get released, so see you all in 2030.

[KNAPPO]

I am certainly up for some LFS once or when those updates get released, so see you all in 2030.

Which updates?
If you are referring to the Westhill screenies you posted in the other thread they are out. Was driving around the new short layout, new longer international layout and the go kart tracks n backroads last night.

[norbs]

I have been throwing some cars around in rf2 this arvo.

Possibly worth a look. The Skip Barbers are great fun to race