DiRT Rally 2.0 DiRT 2.0: Oculus VR Update Arrives at Last

[Paul Jeffrey]

DiRT 2.0 has been updated - and now finally comes complete with the new Oculus VR Mode - vastly improving the VR experience using the Steam version of the game.

Yes, in something of a rather bizarre move by Codemasters, DiRT 2.0 failed to include a VR mode with the game at initial launch... with the studio later adding the functionality as a post release update, but splitting play in VR headsets to either a Oculus Store edition of the title, or a performance bugged version on the more traditional Steam platform.

The release strategy generated much criticism from the sim racing community, and recent weeks have seen Codemasters working hard to address these issues as part of the latest V1.9 update that has just dropped for the game.

Now including a significantly improved VR experience when playing via Steam, thanks to the inclusion of an Oculus VR mode, DiRT 2.0 just got quite a bit better for many of the virtual reality fans who own the game..

V1.9 Update Notes

Content:

• Added files for Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi in preparation of DLC release on October 8th.
• Added files for Peugeot 206 Rally in preparation of DLC release on October 22nd.
• Added files for Volkswagen Golf Kitcar in preparation of DLC release on October 22nd.

Features:

• New feature: Broadcast Mode (Beta). Players can now spectate others in Multiplayer Lobbies.
• New camera angle: "Dashboard"

VR:

• Added "Launch DiRT Rally 2.0 in Oculus VR Mode" command to Steam version.*
• Adjusted default Chaperone setup by forcing Seated Mode.
• Improved readability of various UI elements.
• Made various improvements to reduce stutter during head movement.

Audio:

• Resolved multiple triggers relating to audio cutting out mid-Stage.
• Resolved issue where turbo blow-off sounds were not playing when players released the throttle.

Hardware:

• Added "Handbrake Deadzone" and "Handbrake Saturation" options to Advanced Input Settings.

My Team:

• Added ability to "restart" My Team career by resetting player inventories.
• Resolved issue where selling an upgraded car would not show the correct amount of Credits refunded.
• AI Challenges: Resolved issue where AI drivers would score double points after player recovers from Terminal Damage.

Freeplay:

• Custom: Added ability to autofill an Event with all available routes for a chosen Location.
• Historic: Resolved issue where retiring from an event would mark current Championship as "Completed".

AI:

• Modified AI behaviour when taking the final corner at Estering, Germany.

Miscellaneous:

• General stability improvements and minor bug fixes throughout title.

Version 1.10 is in development and is expected to release around October 29.



DiRT 2.0 is available for Xbox One, PS4 and PC now.

Check the DiRT 2.0 sub forum here at RaceDepartment for news, mods and community discussion about this excellent rally game.

Like what we do at RaceDepartment? Follow us on Social Media!

 

 

[deceda]

With latest SteamVR Update to Version 1.8.7 the game doesn't run for me anymore. Had to go back to latest stable Version of SteamVR. Using a Medion WMR (same as Lenovo Explorer). Besides that, it is the only game having issues with this update. AC for example is running well...

 

[Elaphe]

No one cares about the handbrake issue?

 

[KittX]

I'm starting to really enjoy the title after last updates.
Drove a couple NZ stages yesterday, haven't tried new handbrake feature yet (Stratos barely needs any), but the new camera came in handy. Still wish they allowed to adjust seat position on the go, as well as numeric FOV values. The physics is so much more nuanced than WRC (which i also quite enjoy) and the FFB is very informative on what's the car is doing. Swinging the Stratos around NZ corneres is a pure joy, the wheel reports exactly what wheels are doing, you can steer with throttle very precisely, and also the moments when diff locks/unlocks, you feel it realy well.
The random crash at the stage load seems to be gone now as well.

 

[Deleted member 197115]

No one cares about the handbrake issue?

What issue, thought they fixed it, no?

 

[Cote Dazur]

What does 2.0 bring that the original DiRT Rally does not do from a VR perspective?

 

[Elaphe]

Then is now this game more or less hardware demanding than DR1 in VR?

 

[Yeschristopher]

Can report Wales on ultra with a 1080 ti worked great on my new Rift S! Was probably under 80 fps, but I couldn't tell TBH.

 

[Deleted member 197115]

What does 2.0 bring that the original DiRT Rally does not do from a VR perspective?

Graphics are better, works not only on Rift, added head stabilization, cockpit is not clipped.
For me on WMR performance is even better than DR1 perhaps due to all those Revive jumps through the hoop it had to go before.
That's VR specific, besides that physics is much better.

 

[Ville-Samuli Mutanen]

What does 2.0 bring that the original DiRT Rally does not do from a VR perspective?

Slightly less distracting hand animation. Still not good for VR.

 

[Olivier Mandavy]

Using the Oculus I have no sound! Only sounds coming from the PC speakers

 

[Deleted member 197115]

Slightly less distracting hand animation. Still not good for VR.

It's almost inline with real wheel movement at 540.

 

[stormychel]

This is not a directly competing title, but are you watching this, Studio 397?

 

[Michal Burisin]

Really happy with DR2, lots of fun, really love tarmac, especially Spain and Monte Carlo!

Only thing that really disturbs me a lot and totally breaks immersion is windshield wipers turning on randomly... I have windshield wipers set to manual.

I googled little bit, but it seems this problem was in other Codemasters games as well, this really needs to be fixed, but as it is in their multiple games, I don't have much hope this will get addressed.

 

[KittX]

Really happy with DR2, lots of fun, really love tarmac, especially Spain and Monte Carlo!

Only thing that really disturbs me a lot and totally breaks immersion is windshield wipers turning on randomly... I have windshield wipers set to manual.

I googled little bit, but it seems this problem was in other Codemasters games as well, this really needs to be fixed, but as it is in their multiple games, I don't have much hope this will get addressed.

Even more annoying when they're turning off randomly in the rain!
Although, my car also turns on wipers randomly when i turn left too quickly after car wash
So yeah, let's write it off to electrical problems!
Speaking of which, love when lights go out for a second after a big jump or if you hit something with the side.

 

[Ville-Samuli Mutanen]

It's almost inline with real wheel movement at 540.

Yep, but that DOR setting would be correct only for ~20% of the cars so that's not an option. All of the best cars have slower steering.

 

[PurgerUK]

Please excuse my ignorance, but does this update also address VR performance on non-Oculus devices in any way? (I have an Odyssey Plus.)

Thanks!

I’m using a Valve Index with SteamVR and performance is greatly improved so not just an Oculus fix

 

[jwagner]

What a great update!

 

[leeroy605]

I feel stupid but how do you get off of the start line in VR? I just sit there and can't move. Tried holding the handbrake (which is correctly assigned) and nothing!

Edit: Got it, had to assign a second handbrake control to my wheel for some reason...

 

[MarcG]

This is not a directly competing title, but are you watching this, Studio 397?

I probably going to regret asking this but why should Studio397 be watching this exactly? Your post is incredibly vague!

 

[ThugUK]

Loving this with the CV1, much better than D1.
I have a full motion rig (SFX100) and have 2 issues however.
1. I use SimFeedBack for my motion rig and SimHub for my Buttkicker. D2 tries to use port 20777 for both, so I can only use one at a time, where other games its not an issue using both.
2. The screen jumps around a lot, where the motion rig not so much. This is a little disorientating.