Time scale/compression explained

  • Thread starter mattcwell
  • 35 comments
  • 5,018 views
M

mattcwell

22
mattcwell
When the spec 2 update came out, I was very happy about the option to change the time compression in tracks with night/day transition, but PD didn't do a very good job at explaining what the time factor really means, so I decided to do some testing. I noticed that the maximum time factor is 60 which got me to thinking that the number of day cycles over a given time had to do with the number of minutes in and hour/day, etc. I wanted to have one day cycle over a 2 hour period, and here's what I found out.

Number of minutes in a 24 hour cycle: 1440

Number of minutes in 2 hours: 120,

so unless I'm completely wrong, I think the time compression works like this:

Time factor = #of minutes in 1 day/# of desired minutes per cycle
or
1440/120 = 12. So I chose a time factor of 12 and it worked. After 2 hours
around the Nurburgring, it was 11:00 a.m., the same time as I started.

So a 4 hour race would be: 1440/240, or 6, and so on.

I hope this helps anyone who is trying to figure out how the time scale works, and hope this all makes sense.
 
Nice, you can do this in hours as well ...
a factor of 12 ... 24 hours / 12(factor) = 2 hours of gameplay.
 
Doing all that is silly.

Just pick a time to "show up" at the track and set the time progression to 1. Maybe 2 if you want to have the sun go all the way down before the end of your evening race.

Everything else is dumb.
 
in other words
1 - 1 = 1min for 1min
1 - 60 = 1min for 60min
3 8 minute laps of nurburgring = 24min race time.
set at 1 this will be 24min of day/night cycle.
set at 60 this will be 24hrs of day/night cycle
 
BradKinder
Doing all that is silly.

Just pick a time to "show up" at the track and set the time progression to 1. Maybe 2 if you want to have the sun go all the way down before the end of your evening race.

Everything else is dumb.
Click to expand...

Great contribution to this thread. :rolleyes:

OP, great post! I was wondering about this myself, thanks for the explanation 👍
 
jtv90069
in other words
1 = 1min for 1min
60 = 1min for 60min
3 8 minute laps of nurburgring = 24min race time.
set at 1 this will be 24min of day/night cycle.
set at 60 this will be 24hrs of day/night cycle
Click to expand...

this, i thought it was pretty well common knowledge.
 
Similar to what jtv90069 said, I have this formula worked out in my head.

(Minutes of driving)(Xfactor) = Minutes during day/night cycle.

So if I wanted to drive for an hour and see the sun go up and then back down (about 12 hours), then 60 (Xfactor) = 720, or 720/60 = Xfactor = 12.

The minimum you can drive to experience a full 24 hour cycle would be 24 minutes at 60x. The maximum is 1x which is essentially real-time. 👍
 
mattcwell
When the spec 2 update came out, I was very happy about the option to change the time compression in tracks with night/day transition
Click to expand...

I'm very confused. When 2.0 came out? I thought this feature was in the game since... well... I got it in January.

And the math seems to overly complicated. The factor is just how fast do you want the game time to go. If you want a day (24 hours) to pass in 1 hour, then you set it to 24.
 
Vol Jbolaz
I'm very confused. When 2.0 came out? I thought this feature was in the game since... well... I got it in January.

And the math seems to overly complicated. The factor is just how fast do you want the game time to go. If you want a day (24 hours) to pass in 1 hour, then you set it to 24.
Click to expand...

Exactly, it's the "usual" time acceleration: time goes by at X times the normal rate. Set to 2, time goes by twice as fast in the game; i.e. 2 game minutes for every one in real time, a full cycle in 12 hours. I often used to set the factor to 24 in my lounge, as that seemed sensible to me for some reason! :dunce:
Now I tend to leave it on 1.

I suppose that's not intuitive for everyone, so this information will still be useful. 👍
 
Thank you to those with positive comments. There is more than one way to skin a cat, I just did my best at explaining how it makes sense to me.
 
Vol Jbolaz
I'm very confused. When 2.0 came out? I thought this feature was in the game since... well... I got it in January.

And the math seems to overly complicated. The factor is just how fast do you want the game time to go. If you want a day (24 hours) to pass in 1 hour, then you set it to 24.
Click to expand...

Sure, but if you want a 24 hour day cycle to pass by in 9 hours, what time factor should you set it on?
 
mattcwell
Sure, but if you want a 24 hour day cycle to pass by in 9 hours, what time factor should you set it on?
Click to expand...

Since the feature has been available in the game since it came out, I'm not sure how this is new.

Oh, and you can't.
 
You're wrong.

Well, partially wrong. You're correct in that there is no number between 1 and 60 that would give you exactly 9 hours, but you could come pretty close.
 
mattcwell
You're wrong.

Well, partially wrong. You're correct in that there is no number between 1 and 60 that would give you exactly 9 hours, but you could come pretty close.
Click to expand...

Not even partially. :) You can, easily, run 24 hours in 8.
 
Thank you OP :) This will really help me a lot when I want to set up for a short race where the day flies by (wishes that it could be done in real life :dunce:)
 
mattcwell
Sure, but if you want a 24 hour day cycle to pass by in 9 hours, what time factor should you set it on?
Click to expand...

9hours/24= 0.375 hours

multiply the answer by 60 minutes.

22.5 seconds in real life for every minute in the game. Choose 22 or 23

This is just so much easier than how everybody else explained.

Also, choosing 9 hours was crap. That confused me like no other.

Sleep deprivation. Yawn. I can't believe I remember that from chemistry which I left just over a year ago. Stupid conversions, jackass teacher learn to teach, I had to "learn" myself that.


stupid conversions lol

12hours/24 = 0.5

0.5 times 60 = 30

Choose 30 for time to be cut in half (in other words, 2 times faster than real life), making 12 hours in the game look like 24 hours in real life

30 seconds in real life is 1 minute in game.

The wording is KEY. I kept confusing myself and,

Griffith500
Exactly, it's the "usual" time acceleration: time goes by at X times the normal rate. Set to 2, time goes by twice as fast in the game; i.e. 2 game minutes for every one in real time, a full cycle in 12 hours. I often used to set the factor to 24 in my lounge, as that seemed sensible to me for some reason! :dunce:
Now I tend to leave it on 1.

I suppose that's not intuitive for everyone, so this information will still be useful. 👍
Click to expand...
YOU CONFUSED MEEEEE!!!!! Mine is right. We need to delete everything else posted, and just have my post look like the first reply. A full cycle in 12 hours would mean the SPEED should be at 30.

30 seconds in real life for every 1 minute, or 60 seconds, in the game.

I'm almost not even kidding. So much stuff in here confused me way too much.
 
Last edited:
another_jakhole
9hours/24= 0.375 hours

multiply the answer by 60 minutes.

22.5 seconds in the game for every minute in real life. Choose 22 or 23

This is just so much easier than how everybody else explained.

Also, choosing 9 hours was crap. That confused me like no other.
Click to expand...

22 or 23 aren't right. If you set it to 2, then you will get 18 hours on track in 9 hours. If you set it to 3 you'll get 27 hours on track in 9 hours.

It is 1) not complicated, and 2) not new. We've been doing this since the game came out.

Also, re-read your sentence, "22.5 seconds in the game for every minute in real life." That would slow things down in the game.
 
I'm trying to follow MY logic because I'm now being confused, we have to make sure.

My calculations are right.

Vol Jbolaz
22 or 23 aren't right. If you set it to 2, then you will get 18 hours on track in 9 hours. If you set it to 3 you'll get 27 hours on track in 9 hours.

It is 1) not complicated, and 2) not new. We've been doing this since the game came out.

Also, re-read your sentence, "22.5 seconds in the game for every minute in real life." That would slow things down in the game.
Click to expand...

HOWWWWW? Your wording makes no sense. Please, someone back me up. My calcs. are right.

It won't slow things down. Every number higher than 1 will automatically make it faster.

23 seconds in game = 1 minute in real life

CRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAp the wording!


I had this,
20 seconds in game = 1 minute in real life

Instead of
20 seconds in real life = 1 minute in the game


I've solved the CRIME!!!!!!!!!

It won't slow things down. Every number higher than 1 will automatically make it faster.
this ^^^

I wish I could use profanities right now.
 
Last edited:
It isn't difficult. You replying made it difficult. edit - don't DELETE EVERYTHING AND KEEP MY FIRST POST!!!! He asked for a separate question that he can now easily solve using this crap below

9hours/24hours= 0.375 hours

multiply the answer by 60 minutes.

22.5 seconds in the game for every minute in real life. Choose 22 or 23
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Okay, let's start over, and trust me, I'm right, I've done this several times. We are starting the fourth season of the Lemons series. Every season has ended with a twenty four hour race at La Sarthe that we complete in 1 to 2 hours (varied each season).

The setting is a multiplier. If you set it to 1, then for each hour that passes in your chair, one hour passes on the track. If you set it to 2, then for each hour that passes in your chair, two hours pass on the track. If you set it to 3, then for each hour that passes in your chair, three hours pass on the track.

If you set it to 20, then... that's right, you'll do a full 24 hour cycle on the track in 1.2 hours in your chair.

On seasons where we've done an hour long 24-hour race, we set it to 24 (see how that works, it is a straight multiplier). On seasons where we've done a 90-minute 24-hour long race, we set it to 16 (16 x 1.5 = 24). On season where we've done a 2-hour 24-hour race, we set it to 12 (12 x 2 = 24).

There is no complicated math. It is a straight multiplier.
 
9hours/24hours= 0.375 hours

multiply the answer by 60 minutes.

22 or 23
Click to expand...
That's simple enough. The wording is stupid. I hate words. Words solve nothing. lol


12hours/24hours= 0.5 hours

multiply the answer by 60 minutes.

30

Set the speed at 30, so that time change is sped up twice as fast to make it seem like a full 24 hours goes by in 12 hours driving in the game. That's 0.5, or half, the time of 24 hours
Click to expand...

I only included the labels to make it clear what I did. Adding any extra wordage confused me and made you think I was doing it wrong.

It's the wording. Trust me. We're using two different methods and getting the right answers, but we're just not reading each other's wording correctly.

I KNOW

mattcwell
Sure, but if you want a 24 hour day cycle to pass by in 9 hours, what time factor should you set it on?
Click to expand...
My calculations were to figure out this guys question. For efgooadginjggajn sake. Please tell me you understand now.



Vol Jbolaz
Okay, let's start over, and trust me, I'm right, I've done this several times. We are starting the fourth season of the Lemons series. Every season has ended with a twenty four hour race at La Sarthe that we complete in 1 to 2 hours (varied each season).

The setting is a multiplier. If you set it to 1, then for each hour that passes in your chair, one hour passes on the track. If you set it to 2, then for each hour that passes in your chair, two hours pass on the track. If you set it to 3, then for each hour that passes in your chair, three hours pass on the track.

If you set it to 20, then... that's right, you'll do a full 24 hour cycle on the track in 1.2 hours in your chair.

On seasons where we've done an hour long 24-hour race, we set it to 24 (see how that works, it is a straight multiplier). On seasons where we've done a 90-minute 24-hour long race, we set it to 16 (16 x 1.5 = 24). On season where we've done a 2-hour 24-hour race, we set it to 12 (12 x 2 = 24).

There is no complicated math. It is a straight multiplier.
Click to expand...
Also, I'm using the entire number scale SPEED that's in GT5. You're not. For crying out loud, you weren't even following what I was replying to.

mattcwell
Sure, but if you want a 24 hour day cycle to pass by in 9 hours, what time factor should you set it on?
Click to expand...
Can you please figure this out using your method, Vol Jbolaz?

I seriously think you made me re-think it just to make me angry. No I don't, but damn it!
I'm going to go do a split on a pole/fence/barbwire, now.

I think I confused myself, then I confused you, then that confused me, blah blah blah blah


There is no complicated math. It is a straight multiplier.
Click to expand...
Right you are. I got mixed up when trying to figure out mattcwell's question. Can you figure it out using your method? Prove me wrong or not, because I got mixed up after you brought at my horrible wording and wrong calculations after I got the answer he needed.
 
Last edited:
Vol Jbolaz
Okay, let's start over, and trust me, I'm right, I've done this several times. We are starting the fourth season of the Lemons series. Every season has ended with a twenty four hour race at La Sarthe that we complete in 1 to 2 hours (varied each season).

The setting is a multiplier. If you set it to 1, then for each hour that passes in your chair, one hour passes on the track. If you set it to 2, then for each hour that passes in your chair, two hours pass on the track. If you set it to 3, then for each hour that passes in your chair, three hours pass on the track.

If you set it to 20, then... that's right, you'll do a full 24 hour cycle on the track in 1.2 hours in your chair.

On seasons where we've done an hour long 24-hour race, we set it to 24 (see how that works, it is a straight multiplier). On seasons where we've done a 90-minute 24-hour long race, we set it to 16 (16 x 1.5 = 24). On season where we've done a 2-hour 24-hour race, we set it to 12 (12 x 2 = 24).

There is no complicated math. It is a straight multiplier.
Click to expand...
I knew that. 1 is like driving in REAL TIME.

60 is like 1 minute in REAL TIME passing by in 1 second of gameplay.

mattcwell
Sure, but if you want a 24 hour day cycle to pass by in 9 hours, what time factor should you set it on?
Click to expand...
The way I did it, I helped this guy out. I'm not trying to piss anyone off, I just tried getting this guy his help and then I should have left it there, but you came in with something that isn't as efficient for figuring out what this guy needed.

Vol Jbolaz
On season where we've done a 9-hour 24-hour race, we set it to *fill in the blank*
Click to expand...
I need to see the way you would figure that out.
 
Last edited:
Anyone?

I filled this page up after an hour and a half. SOMEONE needs to show me an easier way of answering mattcwell's question.

Also, re-read your sentence, "22.5 seconds in the game for every minute in real life." That would slow things down in the game.
Click to expand...

This is what I meant about bad wording. I meant 22.5 seconds in the game will show what it's like if 1 minute in real life passed.

I hate words, I'm telling you. They're too general, until I've clarified what I meant, which I didn't know wasn't clear enough before 30 minutes ago.

I'm the only one that gave a definite answer to his question. It has to be either 22 or 23 because there is no inbetween. You said it wasn't possible, well I showed it was if you had to choose a number like 9 hours.

Vol Jbolaz
22 or 23 aren't right. If you set it to 2, then you will get 18 hours on track in 9 hours. If you set it to 3 you'll get 27 hours on track in 9 hours.

It is 1) not complicated, and 2) not new. We've been doing this since the game came out.

Also, re-read your sentence, "22.5 seconds in the game for every minute in real life." That would slow things down in the game.
Click to expand...
That isn't definite, 22 or 23 is right. I'm starting to see how I might be wrong, but that's why I need proof of how you can get the precise answer. It isn't complicated because I know setting SPEED to 60 would make a full day pass in 24 minutes.
 
Last edited:
No one has ever done a 9-hour 24-hour race with this type of time multiplier because it cannot be done. Low numbers make changes that are too big.

Numbers:
x1 - 24 hours = 24 hours
x2 - 12 hours = 24 hours
x3 - 8 hours = 24 hours
x4 - 6 hours = 24 hours
x5 - 4 hours 48 minutes = 24 hours
x6 - 4 hours = 24 hours
x10 - 2 hours 24 minutes = 24 hours
x12 - 2 hours
x24 - 1 hour
x30 - 48 minutes
x48 - 30 minutes
x60 - 24 minutes

You'd need to set it somewhere around x2.75 to get 9 hours, which the game won't allow.

I've run quite a few at x5 in rFactor, 1 hour every 12 minutes seems a good balance. Fairly epic but not consuming an entire day nor making day/night transitions feel too rushed.

EDIT: I never considered using x16 for 90 minutes before, thanks. I'll have to remember that one.
 

Similar threads

Tuono_GT
1440p Now Available!
Replies
3
Views
893
TumeK5
TumeK5
TUSMBOX
Money Talks Time Trial Series | Starting 5/19
Replies
1
Views
764
TUSMBOX
TUSMBOX
V
Pausing / Saving mid endurance race
Replies
5
Views
1K
Famine
Famine
mynameis66
Stats on Gran Turismo.com
Replies
4
Views
925
mynameis66
mynameis66
Hun200kmh
1h40 of Le Mans - Sunday, June 11 2023, from 20h30 onwards (UK time) - Finished
Replies
21
Views
3K
PANDACoff33
PANDACoff33

Latest Posts

Back