Project CARS 2 General Discussion Thread - Out Now on PS4/XB1/PC

[CHEN255]

We had a regression bug in the AI in the build that journalist is using. The AI isn't bad. It's the best AI I've ever raced against. But it's not perfect and it never will be. But to compare it to GT where the AI were on unmovable rails (I assume this is the 'darkest hour' reference) is completely off the mark. Our AI are dynamic, adaptive, human like and yes (ignoring bugs) occasionally over zealous and make the odd mistake and spin out. They are the complete opposite of the 'dark hour of GT' AI where they worked as wonderful cornering aids.

EDIT, I really should explain what the regression bug was right?

Basically it was a tiny change that seemed positive from the coder's perspective that totally cocked up the side by side behaviour of the AI. They became extremely hesitant to overtake each other, and the player. This had knock on effects in many areas of the AI experience.

I'm an offline only player of racing games and I'm so happy to read this. In PCars 1 I had some of the best races I've ever experienced vs AI so if PCars 2 is a big step up from the first game AI wise then I'll be a very happy camper indeed!

 

[05XR8]

The man is having lunch and answers the question.

 

[Ian Bell]

I'm an offline only player of racing games and I'm so happy to read this. In PCars 1 I had some of the best races I've ever experienced vs AI so if PCars 2 is a big step up from the first game AI wise then I'll be a very happy camper indeed!

I'd say it's a step. Maybe not 'big' in every area as we've had to spend a lot of time coding new things like RallyCross and oval AI. But for me it's better everywhere and the QA peops tell us it's better.

 

[123Racer]

It seems that Porsche will leave the LMP1 project later this year. I think we will not have a DLC of the 2017 919 Hybrid in Project Cars 2...
I hope that SMS is interested in the new LMP1 of Ginetta, Perrin or Dallara.

 

[CHEN255]

I'd say it's a step. Maybe not 'big' in every area as we've had to spend a lot of time coding new things like RallyCross and oval AI. But for me it's better everywhere and the QA peops tell us it's better.

That's good enough for me

 

[jake2013guy]

It seems that Porsche will leave the LMP1 project later this year. I think we will not have a DLC of the 2016 919 Hybrid in Project Cars 2...
I hope that SMS is interested in the new LMP1 of Ginetta, Perrin or Dallara.

I've always said Perrinn is perfect for this game. Designed by people in a game designed by people.

 

[Seb02]

I'd say it's a step. Maybe not 'big' in every area as we've had to spend a lot of time coding new things like RallyCross and oval AI. But for me it's better everywhere and the QA peops tell us it's better.

Great to hear that. Thank you

 

[Scuderia Paul]

It seems that Porsche will leave the LMP1 project later this year. I think we will not have a DLC of the 2016 919 Hybrid in Project Cars 2...
I hope that SMS is interested in the new LMP1 of Ginetta, Perrin or Dallara.

I would not see the exit of Porsche from WEC as a stumbling block to getting the 919 Hybrid as DLC. FM7 is getting the 2017 919 Hybrid and I expect to see it in Assetto Corsa too.

 

[jake2013guy]

I would not see the exit of Porsche from WEC as a stumbling block to getting the 919 Hybrid as DLC. FM7 is getting the 2017 919 Hybrid and I expect to see it in Assetto Corsa too.

If Porsche leave the WEC, I would say it's even easier for them to get a modern spec because they won't have a problem with teams copying their ideas because it makes no difference.

 

[05XR8]

https://www.instagram.com/projectcarsgame/

 

[jake2013guy]

 

[CHEN255]

Awesome article.

 

[FoRiZon]

Really a fan of PCars despite many flaws. Looking forward now.

Positives:
+ Car list are AMAZING. Huge, HUGE improvement over PCars 1.
+ Track lists are really good.
+ Race modes are varied.
+ Confident that the pysics will be good.
+ Car sounds are near 1:1 of real life!

Concerns:
* Hopefully many bugs in PCars is fixed. Especially that random flying car and hitbox bug which I sometimes throwed up.
* Also hopefully the controller playability especially for consoles are good. It is improved, but not sure at which state.

Negatives:
- Some presentation aspects are bit robotic imho. Need bit more style.
- Grid limit has been reduced I heard. Thats dissapointing, especially for PC gamers.

 

[CHEN255]

One of my concerns is that PCars 2 may have substantially smaller grids than PCars.

 

[05XR8]

One of my concerns is that PCars 2 may have substantially smaller grids than PCars.

Yeah, I haven't gotten an answer on that one. 31 AI are better than 15, but I love those extra 13 cars in a replay.

 

[jake2013guy]

I struggle to believe that they're reducing car totals in races. If they are, I'm sure a WMD member would have said something about it.

 

[05XR8]

I struggle to believe that they're reducing car totals in races. If they are, I'm sure a WMD member would have said something about it.

I'm keeping hope alive, but even Ian mentioned they were trying for max grids.

Hey, on average, 30 cars are a max grid, but endurance and multi class make 45(55 for pc) great.

 

[sbtm]

Afaik the AI was limited to 31 opponents (so 32 cars on track in total) because the AI is now driving with a more decent physics model that needs more CPU juice. So number had to be reduced to maintain performance. But don't nail me on that one.

Maybe some more AI opponents will find their way back to the grid during the polishing process.

 

[Ian Bell]

Afaik the AI was limited to 31 opponents (so 32 cars on track in total) because the AI is now driving with a more decent physics model that needs more CPU juice. So number had to be reduced to maintain performance. But don't nail me on that one.

Maybe some more AI opponents will find their way back to the grid during the polishing process.

Correct. The AI cars are all running full brush tyre model now.

 

[FuriousDemon]

Correct. The AI cars are all running full brush tyre model now.

I think AI in the latest videos looks much better than pCARS 1 already. There are a couple of strange things about it still that break the immersion under specific situations. The first one is that they don't seem to be affected by puddles like the player does. The second one is that they seem to be not slowed down by going off-road as much as the player does. Is this something that is worked on and tweaked?

 

[Dsavage27]

I think 31 AI is still decent..forza is still stuck on 24 (which also isn't too bad). We should still have 7-8 cars per class in a four class setup.

 

[05XR8]

I think 31 AI is still decent..forza is still stuck on 24 (which also isn't too bad). We should still have 7-8 cars per class in a four class setup.

Certainly. I'll take that.

 

[CHEN255]

I think 31 AI is still decent..forza is still stuck on 24 (which also isn't too bad). We should still have 7-8 cars per class in a four class setup.

Yep, 32 cars on track is still a lot.

 

[nrosko]

Correct. The AI cars are all running full brush tyre model now.

I thought in pcars2 that was already the case?

I'd say it's a step. Maybe not 'big' in every area as we've had to spend a lot of time coding new things like RallyCross and oval AI. But for me it's better everywhere and the QA peops tell us it's better.

Are there plans to further develop/refine the game engine after release or will it be resolve bugs & DLC only?

 

[Sentry87]

Damn I was hoping for like 40 something a.i. on tracks like le mans and nurburgring + nordschleife but I guess 31 will do.

 

[FLX1981]

https://www.instagram.com/projectcarsgame/

I should probably start by saying that this time, I m not part of the development process, I have no financial interest in the game and that SMS and me didnt part ways on the friendliest of terms.

But after I tried pcars2 for the second time ever at Spa this weekend, I got to give credit where credit is due: From the VR session today (and my last, much longer one at a friends place a while ago), I have no doubt that pcars2 will be worlds better than the first one. I cant even drive the first one anymore because it felt so weird ever after the last update, but it felt like I was one with the 488 GT3 in pcars2 after the first two corners driving at Spa. VR is much, much improved, it felt incredibly immersive. Except for when the virtual driver reached over the wheel in tight corners and I didnt, it actually felt like being in the car. Had an awesome race against the AI, two wide almost all the way from Kemmel down to Stavelot, rubbed doors but no ramming and no weird AI movements. Also, it might not be priority #1 to everybody but the UI is fantastic, a revelation compared to the horrible one in pcars1. Good job hiring the insanely talented guy who designed it!

Now, lets hope the game really gets the extensive QA that it deserves this time around, so that it can fulfill its enormous potential and then I see myself happily lapping all those great tracks in the Audi V8 DTM for a very long time... 👍

PS: If you ever get the chance to go to the Spa 24h, dont hesitate! Lovely area, the most beatiful, scenic track I ve seen yet and lots of nice people. Oh and the racing is also pretty good!

 

[Cluck]

Hi Felix, long time no see . Sorry I didn't get to meet up with you and the rest of the WMD gang at Spa, life got in the way

 

[nrosko]

I should probably start by saying that this time, I m not part of the development process, I have no financial interest in the game and that SMS and me didnt part ways on the friendliest of terms.

But after I tried pcars2 for the second time ever at Spa this weekend, I got to give credit where credit is due: From the VR session today (and my last, much longer one at a friends place a while ago), I have no doubt that pcars2 will be worlds better than the first one. I cant even drive the first one anymore because it felt so weird ever after the last update, but it felt like I was one with the 488 GT3 in pcars2 after the first two corners driving at Spa. VR is much, much improved, it felt incredibly immersive. Except for when the virtual driver reached over the wheel in tight corners and I didnt, it actually felt like being in the car. Had an awesome race against the AI, two wide almost all the way from Kemmel down to Stavelot, rubbed doors but no ramming and no weird AI movements. Also, it might not be priority #1 to everybody but the UI is fantastic, a revelation compared to the horrible one in pcars1. Good job hiring the insanely talented guy who designed it!

Now, lets hope the game really gets the extensive QA that it deserves this time around, so that it can fulfill its enormous potential and then I see myself happily lapping all those great tracks in the Audi V8 DTM for a very long time... 👍

PS: If you ever get the chance to go to the Spa 24h, dont hesitate! Lovely area, the most beatiful, scenic track I ve seen yet and lots of nice people. Oh and the racing is also pretty good!

No doubt it's better than the first game, but can you compare the handling to other sims?

 

[ozwheels]

Here we go again.

 

[Cluck]

Why do people persist in wanting to compare apples with bananas? iRacing feels like iRacing. Assetto Corsa feels like Assetto Corsa. RFactor2 feels like RFactor2. RRRE feels like RRRE. Guess what? Project CARS 2 feels like Project CARS 2.

Since they all feel markedly different, it stands to reason that they can't all be 'right' and they also can't all be 'wrong' so what's the point in comparing them?