NAMeS: Real Drivers for AMS2 v4.69f

NAMeS v3.7 provides an improved Hot Cars file; similar to Copa Classics B, the new Hot Cars file matches historic Fusca drivers to the appropriate livery:
10/11 Fusca drivers matched to correct Divisão 3 liveries (the 11th, Bruno D'Almeida, appears to be name matched correctly, but I could not verify his livery).

3/5 Gol (at least) & 6/6 Passat names matched to 1980's Campeonato Brasileiro de Hot-Cars

MCR S2000 drivers in the P4 class have been updated to the 2019 Sports 2000 Duratec Championship. Most previous MCR driver names remain, but anyone not racing the MCR chassis has been removed.

Added "Car & Track Mods for AMS2" and "NAMeS+AI" sections to the Overview page.

NAMeS v3.6 includes updated CopaB, CopaFL & Copa Fusca files that were highly revised after combing through several new resources. As a result of these changes, all three categories now have NAMeS scores. Incidentally, some of the scores below were impacted by the decision to pair the correct driver with the correct livery (especially with the Chevettes) while ignoring some of the quasi-fictional driver names. The result, hopefully, is an improved driver/car pairing.

For example, Reiza's Chevette driver #56 "Giovani Sacco" is clearly Giancarlo Scomazzon. However, Reiza has placed Giovani behind the wheel of André Mello's Chevette ... hardly surprising, as Giancarlo co-drives the #77 red Chevette with Fábio Mincarone. Not a problem: NAMeS gives André the drive in this case.

CopaB:
28/40 names matched overall
4/8 Chevette names matched;
6/6 Uno names matched;
6/8 Gol names matched;
2/2 MINI Cooper S names matched
5/8 Passat names matched
5/8 Puma GTE names matched.

CopaFL:
30/36 names matched overall
6/6 Fusca names matched
4/6 Gol names matched
4/6 Passat names matched
4/6 Puma GTB names matched

Copa Fusca:
30/36 names matched, plus 6 community skins

Enjoy the Copa Classics!

NAMeS v3.5 includes a few minor--and final--revisions to F-Vintage Gen1 & Gen2 and F-Retro Gen1 & Gen2. The remaining (non-matched) journeymen who contested a single grand prix have been shown the door in favor of drivers who raced more frequently. I tried my best to pair these new drivers with liveries that are reminiscent of the historical record. An arguably silly and pointless endeavor on my part, given the high quality Vintage and Retro mods out there ... but I had put way too much time into Grand Prix Legends back in the day to disrespect this era of racing.

After this recent spate of revisions and updates, the vast majority of NAMeS files appear to be as accurately realized as possible in terms of converting Reiza quasi-fictional and fictional names into real-life race drivers. Some day in the future, I may stumble upon the definitive repository of Brazilian motosport history that could yield an improved Hot Cars or Copa Classic grid, but in most cases, NAMeS has fulfilled its mission.

An updated version of Romeo Foxtrot's Excel spreadsheet, which contains all NAMeS v3.5 data, can be found here: Information for Customizing AI drivers in AMS2 V1.3

The NAMeS Developer Pack v3.5 can be found here: Information for Customizing AI drivers in AMS2 V1.3

NAMeS 3.4 includes further revisions to CopaClassicB, CopaClassicFL, Copa Fusca & HotCars.

CopaClassicB: Now has a full array of real Chevette drivers, as they were still going strong in 2018!

CopaClassicFL: Fixed a typo

CopaFusca: After moving drivers around, this file now has a NAMeS score of 19/26 (mostly due to 6 community skins that needed real drivers).

HotCars: After locating a couple of interesting Brazilian motorsports blogs, this file now has a NAMeS score of (at least) 16/22. Consequently, this file now has much better driver-to-vehicle matching.

Finally, there is a new folder located in the mod: NAMeS+AI. This little folder contains a few, alternative AI-files for those series that lack a NAMeS score--but that might benefit from some form of ranking between drivers to emulate the championship table. The original NAMeS file for either Ginetta G55 Supercup or G40 Cup series can serve as a control-group; these two series are 100% names-matched, so direct comparisons can be made between the Reiza default values triggered by the original NAMeS file and the custom attributes in the NAMeS+AI file. These NAMeS+AI files are provided as a courtesy, so please refrain from dropping a 1-star review if you dislike their influence on driver behavior. Of course, constructive criticism, via Updates reactions, direct message or mod Discussion thread, is always welcome.

NAMeS v.3.3 includes 4 updated files:

1) CopaClassicB
2) Copa ClassicFL
3) Copa Fusca
4) Hot Cars

Driver rosters for all of the above series have been entirely revised after discovering https://racemotor.com.br/ and rediscovering additional historical information at https://www.driverdb.com/. v3.3 concludes the recent series of NAMeS updates meant to improve the realism of drivers for each series, as needed, across all of AMS2.

Copa Fusca drivers are 19/26 names-matched due to 6 community skins in that class. To be fair, I would still give the other 3 lists a very low NAMeS score--although some names do match up--but these categories now feature a much better driver selection, from 2021/2022 Gold Classic & Gold Turismo events to early 1980's Campeonato Brasileiro de Hot-Cars.

I placed as many drivers in the correct cars as possible, but there are only so many raceworthy Chevettes still out there in 2023….

v3.2 includes an updated F-Retro_Gen3 file that had driver pairs swapped--thanks to MaCross for the heads up--as well as a couple of improved driver matches in Carrera Cup (e.g., Charlie Bird = Craig Baird)

All updated files since v3.0:

TC60S2
F-Classic_Gen1
FRetro_Gen3
Carrera Cup

Also, Romeo Foxtrot has uploaded a revised version of his fantastic custom AI spreadsheet that now includes all of my NAMeS data (current with v3.2). You can find it here:

Information for Customizing AI drivers in AMS2 V1.3

v3.1 contains two revised NAMeS files:

1) TC60S2: the 60's touring car file (Pt.2) has updated John Love's nationality from Rhodesia to Zimbabwe, as the 3-letter ISO code for Rhodesia is not recognized by AMS2.

2) F-Classic_Gen1: When I was reordering the F-Classic_Gen1 names to group them by chassis, I mistakenly put Ayrton Senna in the wrong Lotus. How dare I....

v3.0 of NAMeS provides a final, comprehensive assessment of all files to appropriately name-match as many drivers as possible to Reiza defaults. NAMeS scores have been updated and any exceptions to this practice are clearly stated in the "Overview" section.

All driver entries in all files were also rearranged and grouped within series as needed to match the order of livery IDs (e.g., F-VintageGen1 V8s grouped together by ascending livery ID, etc). This should help out anyone who uses these files as a foundation for their own custom AI-files. Thank you to Romeo Foxtrot at the Reiza forums for providing this information. I have shared the latest NAMeS information with him, and at some point there should be an updated version of his excellent speadsheet (that includes NAMeS data) made available on Reiza's Custom-AI thread. Additionally, I have already posted an alternative version of NAMeS (updated to v3.2) that includes lines for editing driver attributes in that thread as well, available here:

Information for Customizing AI drivers in AMS2 V1.3

Please note, the files in the NAMeS Developer Pack have attribute values set to 1 across all drivers, so they require further editing as needed. In the meantime, I figured all the drivers in AMS2 ought to follow my example by giving 110%....

Barring any obvious errors, the NAMeS project is finished until Reiza releases more content for AMS2.

NAMeS v2.9 includes numerous revisions to most of its custom-AI files due to updated information provided by Coanda at Reiza. Many series in AMS2 that had lacked NAMeS scores in the past now have them, as multiple rosters have been updated to accurately translate Reiza fictional drivers directly into their real-world counterparts. As a result, AMS2 users can expect to encounter many different names at various events, and that these drivers should drive in the manner as programmed by Reiza.

[Note: The v2.7 F-Classic Gen 3 (1990) file has been updated to remove redundant Mansell entry and put Boutsen in the #5 Williams].

Regarding the lion's share of the updates, here's a sampling:

GTOpen: 14/26 matching (Re: NAMeS retains the Belgium drivers who championed the Ultima GTR on the continent). Ginetta G55 GT3 drivers are 7/8 matched.
Ginetta GT4 Supercup: 100% matching to 2021 season
Ginetta G40 Cup: 100% matching to 2021 season
GT5 Challenge: Within AMS2's GT5 class, NAMeS includes Ginetta G40 drivers who competed in the 2021 GT5 Challenge (Note: These drivers are 100% matched to Reiza fictional names). Puma P052 drivers in the GT5 class are selected from a roster of recent and historic Puma race drivers, who were name-matched to Reiza counterparts whenever possible.
60's & 70's Touring Cars: 15/20 & 29/34 matching, respectively.
Copa Uno: 23/28 matching, plus 5 remaining "community skin" liveries, filled from the 1993 Copa Onix Jeans de Formula Uno
MINI Challenge UK: 23/24 matching to 2021 MINI Challenge UK season.
Mitsubishi Lancer R & RS: Features drivers from the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Cup Brasil (14/32 matching)
Porsche Carrera Cup: 21/22 matching from 2016 (991.1 GT3 Cup 3.8) and 2019 (991.2 GT3 Cup 4.0)
Prototypes (P1/P2/P3/P4): Although these classes include numerous community skins, the vast majority of P1, P2, and P3 drivers previously used by NAMeS are now name-matched to Reiza default drivers. P4 driver spots remain filled by real MCR 2000 and Metalmoro MRX drivers who do not match Reiza fictional names.

NAMeS v2.8 includes 4 updated files:

1) Old Stock: New file features 2022 Old Stock Race Pro Division drivers.

2) Lancer Cup: Fixed a single livery typo.

3) Montana: Reiza had previously modifed their list of Montana drivers. This new AI file simply matches the updated driver names but adds Portuguese diacritics.

4) CopaClassicB: Reiza had previously removed a few drivers due to their 40-car per class limit. This new file has any redundant entries removed.

Note: Don’t forget the 12 files updated in v2.7 in response to AMS2 V1.4.5.2 (see previous 2 updates, below, if you haven’t installed them yet).

That's it for now. Happy New Year!

*******

As for 2023, I’m working on an augmented NAMeS variant that will include complete custom-AI attributes for all drivers in AMS2.

NAMeS is now fully updated to AMS2 V1.4.5.2, including:

Hypercars
Supercars
Street

Note: The Camaro in the Street category now features current Trans Am Series drivers.


NAMeS v 2.7c also includes the following 9 files from the previous update:

F-Retro 2 & 3
F-Classic 1, 2, 3, & 4
GT1
GT3
Group C

NAMeS v2.7 includes 9 updated files for AMS2V1.4.5.2:

F-Retro 2 & 3
F-Classic 1, 2, 3, & 4
GT1
GT3
Group C

NAMES files for Street cars, Supercars, and Hypercars to follow....

NAMeS v2.6 includes a revised GT5 file with 2021 Ginetta GT5 Challenge drivers 100% matched to their Reiza counterparts (e.g., Mette Knudsen = Magnus Kriklywi).

This new GT5 file also includes a revised selection of Puma P052 drivers, the most notable addition being Gabriel Ferreira Maia, who is currently the Puma Automóveis official factory driver. When possible, other actual Puma race drivers were matched to Reiza defaults. The various P052 community skins are now driven by various Brazilians who have raced Pumas at one point or another (these names were also within the prior GT5 file). Any unnecessary livery slots were deleted.

Updated "The No-NAMeS List" and added an "Additional AMS2 Apps" section to the Overview page.

NAMeS v2.5 includes a revised GT4 file that--finally--includes real drivers matched to Reiza fictional names. Removed unnecessary livery slots and updated livery names as needed. NAMeS score for this new GT4 list is no worse than 94% (i.e., 33/35 matching names).

Good heavens, it took some time to cull through race results from six different GT4 manufacturers ... that being said, I find the GT4 class in AMS2 one of my very favorites. Each car provides its own, unique driving experience, and the various cars are quite well matched.

NAMeS v2.4 includes a revised Group C list with real Corvette GTP drivers 100% matched to Reiza default names (e.g., Dieter Thiry turns into Didier Theys, etc.). NAMeS score for the entire Group C file is 100%.

The "b" in NAMeS v 2.3b must stand for "blip" or "back", as in "The [MCU] Blip" or Back to the Future.

No new NAMeS files in v2.3b; the unnecessary (confirmed as of AMS2 V1.4.1.3) Oval and Low Downforce variant files have been removed. R.I.P., you little rascals.

Also, I updated The No-NAMeS list.

Although I could swear that I had addressed this particular issue last weekend before uploading v2.0, there seems that various Danish drivers were still tagged with a DEN, rather than the correct DNK, nationality code within several files. Anyway, this has been fixed in the following files:

GroupA
GT1
GT4
GT5
Formula Trainer
Formula Trainer Advanced

Update for AMS2 V1.4.1.3: Any NAMeS file that ends in _SS _LD _SW or _SO are no longer necessary; they are safe either to be left alone in the folder or to be manually deleted. All Oval and Low Downforce variants throughout AMS2 will now load from the standard NAMeS files. I will remove these unnecessary files in the next update.

I apologize for any inconvenience; sadly, I can do nothing on my end to rectify how the Formula Trainers still drive in AMS2.

Random thought: To date, NAMeS has been downloaded 1182 times. Since its inception, NAMeS has had 41 updates. Consequently, if an initial cadre of AMS2 users started with the initial version and then downloaded each subsequent update, then fewer than 30 people have downloaded NAMeS! AMS2 deserves a better class of AI....

Just to be cheeky, NAMeS v2.2b includes a Low Downforce file for the GT1 class (i.e., GT1_LD.xml). This feature is not available within AMS2--yet--but this file will automatically ensure real names with low downforce GT1 cars when Reiza activates this update soon. Until then, this little rascal will just sit in the CustomAIDrivers folder and do nothing. Download and install at your leisure....

v2.2 adds Low Downforce files for F-Classics, F-V12, F-V10s, F-Reiza & F-Ultimates.

Other than future DLC, hotfix Reiza livery name updates. or any minuscule, miscellaneous errors, NAMeS is done!

It wouldn't be NAMeS without more than one update in a day, right? NAMeS for F-USA oval configurations added.