DiRT Rally 2.0 DiRT Rally 2.0 | Final Update #2 Deployed

[Paul Jeffrey]

A second (lol) final update for DiRT Rally 2.0 has unexpectedly dropped for the rally simulation earlier today.

• Cut track improvements to Sweden.
• Minor performance tweaks.
• Final build release of the game.

Somewhat unexpectedly, Codemasters have today deployed another 'final' update for their DiRT Rally 2.0 title - adding a few minor tweaks to the simulation ahead of closing out development for this highly underrated and somewhat excellent rally simulation.

They already released what was considered to be the very last update a few weeks previously, however it appears that the British development team couldn't quite resist one final quick hotfix update, with a few final minor tweaks and performance improvements - although these have not been considered to be significant enough to warrant a mention in the accompanying change notes.

Update 1.17 Update Notes;

Locations:

• Höljes, Sweden - Adjusted track limits to prevent significant corner-cutting in rare instances.

Miscellaneous:

• Adjusted performance of dynamic trackside signage.
• Minor bug fixes and stability improvements (none notable enough to be highlighted).

Don't forget that if you are a bit of a fan of the sideways action, the RDRC (RaceDepartment Rally Championship) is an outstanding way to participate in some great online action. Amateur racers and real world professional teams and drivers come together to enjoy this outstanding title, and you can get involved too - head over to the RDRC sub forum and get involved!



Original Source; DiRT Rally 2.0 Steam.

Check out the DiRT Rally 2.0 sub forum here at RaceDepartment for all the news and chat around this awesome rally simulation.

 

[Absynth]

This game is so great and with my 3080 finally running really smoothly in VR. I hope for many more final updates

I'm looking for a VR set, just curious which one you're using right now?
Debating between Rift S of the HP Reverb G2

 

[Scaff]

Need to give this another try. I fell in love with WRC9 and neglected this. Anyone tried both?

I've both, and while, as has been said, it can be a paint get WRC 9 running well on PC, it's worth the effort.

On gravel, they are roughly on a par with each other, but on tarmac WRC 9 is ahead, and I personally far prefer the handbrake implementation on WRC 9.

 

[The Iron Wolf]

What an amazing game DR2 is. It runs well on today's hardware, even on my uncommon Pimax 5K XR, has every setting, every simulation feature and game mode I ever imagined. That's the game done with love and passion. If that's how their F1 series are, I just can't wait for VR support there.

 

[RaceNut]

I just can't get on with DR2 FFB to this day, uninstalled again yesterday when the 14Gb update released. The title just feels a bit too "gamey" overall but, the sub-standard ffb totally breaks immersion (especially on Tarmac). It may be the only title that has ever caused me to rage quit (due to ffb).

Tried WRC8 and found the whole control scheme a bit wonky, and it too, feels pretty gamey.

Reinstalled RBR and still prefer that title despite the dated graphics and limited audio. I know there are some good mod's for it but, my motion system isn't compatible with those. RBR is still king of Rally (imo) but, I am literally "Old School".

 

[wein]

It was more than 14 GB. I looked at it in Codemasters and it put what is said here, minor corrections. Surprising! I suppose they must have reinstalled a part of the package, as stated above, but it had to be a large part ...

 

[aka2k]

DR 2.0 in my opinion is leagues ahead of WRC7. Only thing is it doesn’t have official WRC content. But it has McRae’s 98 Subaru so who cares!

Not having the official content might be a blessing, since it forced Codemasters to actually put interesting cars in the game.

 

[Alex Harkett]

Not having the official content might be a blessing, since it forced Codemasters to actually put interesting cars in the game.

Very true but I wasn’t a particular fan of the GT stuff. It would have been nice to have some of the older WRC spec stuff, like SEAT Cordoba, Toyota Corolla, Octavia etc etc. I want too much though

 

[aka2k]

Very true but I wasn’t a particular fan of the GT stuff. It would have been nice to have some of the older WRC spec stuff, like SEAT Cordoba, Toyota Corolla, Octavia etc etc. I want too much though

I would love to see a game focused on classic rally, with stuff from 70's and 80's.

 

[bgil66]

I figured I'd get some HaHa's

 

[Ole Marius Myrvold]

Wasn’t it 14gb or something?

I believe the performance tweaks required the re-installation of some locations - could be wrong, don't quote me on that.

Yeah 14 GB for litterally nothing, pointless update and now I have to wait like 2-3 days to download it to be able to play again

It was more than 14 GB. I looked at it in Codemasters and it put what is said here, minor corrections. Surprising! I suppose they must have reinstalled a part of the package, as stated above, but it had to be a large part ...

So, basically, Codemasters pack and encrypt their files. Their file-system is, well, it's not built by many small parts. If you look at the "game" folder in DR2.0 you have 5 files, game.dat, game.nefs, game_1, game_2 and game_2_1.dat. They are between 110MB and 9.5GB.
Which means, if they do one little fix in game_2_1.dat, even though the fix itself is only changing a file that's 10mb, they would have to re-pack the whole 9.5GB file, and thus, we need to DL the whole file.
From looking at the files, it looks like we re-downloaded the whole game folder for this update.

 

[Dazmaniac]

Cool. That means knowing Codemaster's MO they will soon give it away for free before their license ends, and knowing how proffitable Dirt 1 and Dirt 2 was they are sure to work on a third version.

Already did on PS4 last year. It was a part of a PS+ offer and the game was made available for free for about a month, and apparently got loads of downloads, lol.

 

[Dazmaniac]

I have both. WRC 9 is obviously gorgeous and handles nicely, especially on tarmac but there’s just something about DR2 that I prefer.

I have both on PS4 and can have my bias flip and flop between the two titles. One day it will be WRC9 then the next DR2.0

In the end, I'm glad I have both, lol.

 

[KittX]

DR2 has come a long way. I'm really, really, really enjoying driving in this title.
You can tell there was a lot of passion brought into this project, and it's quite unusual for CM the lifespan for it's support was that long. The very fact the updates are being made past final point means that the team that's behind the project is really caring for it's baby, even at this final point before moving on (or in the process of moving on) to next project, who knows what it may be after buyout.


From that perspective, reading mean comments about the size of the update, or lack of functions that weren't on the table officially in the first place, is really saddening about the state of our community.
The size of update might be caused by re-exporting of all track objects with different LODs for example, you know redoing that at this stage takes a lot of time, and at this stage of title they could just leave it and move on.

sigh.

 

[DirkW]

I'm looking for a VR set, just curious which one you're using right now?
Debating between Rift S of the HP Reverb G2

I am using the Rift S and the Quest 2, the Quest 2 has a better resolution,but both are doing fine. DR 2 in VR is really great fun,such a realistic experience.

 

[Ole Marius Myrvold]

The size of update might be caused by re-exporting of all track objects with different LODs for example, you know redoing that at this stage takes a lot of time, and at this stage of title they could just leave it and move on.

sigh.

No, the size is solely due to how the gamefiles are packaged. Nothing more, nothing less
Was the same with DR1 and D4.

 

[Kurupt CDN]

with excellent loose surface physics

When did they add loose surface physics?
My understanding was they more or less altered grip levels based on your starting position in a rally
As far as I know, only iracing and the madness engine had loose surface physics.

Fun game and wished I used it more for when I need a rally fix, but I just couldn't get a good connection feel for the tarmac on my TM TX

 

[Rodger Davies]

When did they add loose surface physics?
My understanding was they more or less altered grip levels based on your starting position in a rally
As far as I know, only iracing and the madness engine had loose surface physics.

Fun game and wished I used it more for when I need a rally fix, but I just couldn't get a good connection feel for the tarmac on my TM TX

By 'loose surface physics' I just mean off road - gravel/snow/mud surfaces.

 

[maranello78]

Just my 2p to add to the above comments, but if you're wondering if Dirt Rally 2.0 is worth trying I'd say it absolutely is.

Is it perfect? No. And there was some controversy in its lifespan to do with the business model and which content was selected for DLC (which personally I don't agree with, but hey), but now the full game is available in a single package you'll get over 200km of the best modelled rally stages you'll find anywhere with excellent loose surface physics (tarmac is fun but a bit iffy, don't expect AC) and a great car selection that each feel and sound unique. If you've waited until now you'll get superb value from it. The RWD content, both the 70s Escort/131 and modern RGT classes particularly excel IMO.

I'm really hopefully with what they can do with another title before their WRC adventure starts - at this point, I'm more worried that the WRC licence will mean no more great historic/GT cars and 'lesser known' locations (the US stages, for example, are superb).

I agree Escort, Lancia 037 or Mg Metro is a great experience, enjoy more on NZ or Scotland, not very interesting for me Wrc5 or new wrc, more exciting classic rally cars, still i think more content for this DR2 could be great, adding new cars or rallies like Portugal or México, and cars like Talbot Solara, Nissan Bluebird or Toyota corolla

 

[2stains]

Cool. That means knowing Codemaster's MO they will soon give it away for free before their license ends, and knowing how proffitable Dirt 1 and Dirt 2 was they are sure to work on a third version.

As long as the third installment finally has triple screen support I'm in. They seem to have bought triple support to dirt 5 so i was hopeful this update for DR2.0 was going to support it. I guess they do need to leave a reason for me to buy DR3.0.

 

[flykas]

When I first installed Dirt Rally 2, I played a bit and wanted a refund just because of the physics, but I tried it a bit more and after some time I was hooked just because of the career mode and daily races. It really keeps me involved and all the surfaces changes, tire selection, tire wear added to the experience compared to dirt rally 1. After that I came to conclusion that it is a really nice game and devs really did a fine job, I just don't like when people call it a sim, for it to be a sim it shouldn't such forgiving damage, all the tire, surface wear should be more precise and the handling is still made to be OK with gamepad