Hello again!
We posted a statement yesterday, in which we explained vaguely the reasons why we are putting preparations for the main season on hold. You guys showed us amazing support and we really are grateful for that. This follow up is meant to explain the reasoning further, as well as answer some questions about the whole matter.
What are the issues we're facing as organisers?
There are a couple things that make league racing difficult and semi-random, but it's mostly:
the invisible lobby problem - it happens randomly, sometimes when exiting pits, sometimes in other circumstances. This is easily the most gamebreaking issue
- skybox/rubbering inconsistencies - some of our qualifying sessions seemed odd, as certain people were able to get times they otherwise shouldn't. We couldn't and still can't reliably pinpoint the exact source of the issue, but at the time it seemed like people who practiced together in a lobby before qualifying, carried over some (client-sided?) rubbering and/or track conditions
- recently discovered undisclosed PI/stat changes - this has been confirmed as a bug by reliable sources, but this point also includes physics and online BoP changes that are not mentioned anywhere in patch notes. We can never be sure our BoP will be fair and consistent throughout an entire season
- the Carxp/carPG system - this one is a no-brainer, we can't with clear conscience ask our testers (and drivers) to spend tens of hours on our BoP, unless it includes strictly race cars from popular featured series, which everyone has levelled
- unsafe pit exit autopilots and incorrect pit exit locations - laguna seca pit exit being on the main straight, cars being put in the middle of the road by AI, this completely removes some tracks from championships
- pit exits not flagging laps - luckily only an actual issue on Mid-Ohio
- fuel calculation issues - includes incorrect fuel amounts being put into cars even when set differently
- flagged laps being counted as best - issue persists even when choosing best lap ordering for grids
- the lack of replays and spectate mode - no comment needed here
- features from previous games lacking/not working in private multi - includes forcing tire strategy, pit windows, tire degradation, power handicaps being unusable etc.
- game stability - well.
Why now?
Some of the issues mentioned above were discovered fairly recently, so we were already hesitant to start testing. The actual boiling point was reached when TORA released their statement. We figured enough was enough.
What happens next?
In short: we wait.
We will not wait forever, a deadline for an answer has been discussed internally, and if such answer doesn't come, we will consider our options. There were always talks about coming back to FH5, and that is still not out of the question.
But we would love to continue in FM, as that should be the place best suited for our events. The fact that it is not in a suitable state right now leaves us in a very precarious position.
What can you do?
Go to suggestions hub, share your feedback, be active, but respectful. If you wish to help leagues specifically, repost our statements (can be found in our previous announcement) and share your thoughts. There is still a chance to make it right if Turn10 take things seriously.
Thank you for being part of our community, we hope to be back soon!
