Total rFactor 2 newbie questions about tracks, cars, etc.

[imacken]

After too many Codemasters games, I have come across rFactor 2, played the demo, and loved it!
My question is, where do I start with tracks, cars, etc. What comes with the Steam package?
Any help appreciated!

 

[imacken]

On 4), I've just noticed your reply in an old thread here, so that answers that one, but 5) I still don't understand. What I was asking was, does the AI behaviour come from the car mod, or the core game? I ask this as some of the AI behaviour is horrendously stupid, e.g. slowly weaving around to warm tyres in the middle of corners during other drivers hot qualifying laps, (attempting) overtaking in tight chicanes, etc. all of which destroy a qualifying attempt or race effort. Especially as rF2 doesn't have a rewind type feature, this makes a nonsense of trying to win anything!
If it was down to the car devs rather than the core game, then that will be not so bad.

 

[Deleted member 130869]

ISI's website still has a mini FAQ section that answers some of the questions you have. The AI line is dependent on the track and it does vary in how good it is, especially for certain kinds of cars.

The 1999 mod looks to be a straight conversion of the F1 Challenge seasons, there's no way that thing will hold up. That and the other seasons recently converted will be like that, and other areas like force feedback often aren't done well in mods.

 

[Gijs van Elderen]

AI behavior depends most on the track AIW. AI Waypoints.
To keep it simple: the AIW is are the racing lines of the AI.
Fast Path, Block path, left and right path. Are racing lines that are predefined by the track creator.

Coridors are set in the AIW: it defines the track limits of the AI.

AI physics are done by the car modder.

What you can do is turn down AI agression a bit, if AI tries crazy moves.

Don't know what car track combo you are using. Default cars and tracks should be OK.

Especially as rF2 doesn't have a rewind type feature

No, not a rewind feature but: "Resume from replay":
You can always load a replay and continue a race at any point in the replay.

 

[imacken]

Thanks for that. Yes, the 1999 F1 mod is a total waste of time.
My questions however don't relate to that.
Examples of what I mean are:
1) in the rather good F1 1988 mod, cars try to overtake in the middle of the chicanes, e.g. Rettifilo and Ascari chicanes, and weave to warm tyres right across the straight before Parabolica in Monza. Same at the the Acque Minerale at Imola, etc.
2) using the Nissan GT500 at Launa Seca, AI cars try to overtake at the corkscrew, and almost come to a stop at certain corners. (Not quite, but you know what I mean!)
3) the 1960s EVE cars at Spa and Monza do the same thing.
In most of the above combinations, it is pointless trying to defend your position, as the AI just decides to come barging through anyway, or straight into your back with impossible attempts at braking. All usually ends up in tears.

 

[Ace King]

Examples of what I mean are:
1) in the rather good F1 1988 mod, cars try to overtake in the middle of the chicanes, e.g. Rettifilo and Ascari chicanes, and weave to warm tyres right across the straight before Parabolica in Monza. Same at the the Acque Minerale at Imola, etc.
2) using the Nissan GT500 at Launa Seca, AI cars try to overtake at the corkscrew, and almost come to a stop at certain corners.

AI issues can be resolved with an improved "AIW" and better defined "Corridors" in these troubled areas!

 

[imacken]

Thanks guys, so are we saying that these issues are down to the track devs? If so, then it seems like quite a common problem.
Makes using these tracks a waste of time from a competitive point of view.
Anyone any ideas on my points 1) and 2) from a few posts ago?

 

[Daniel Faas]

@imacken many of the tracks were not designed with AI use in mind, and were mostly for multiplayer use. As for the trackmap plugin with your #1 i believe out there somewhere is a trackmap manual here. For #2 the bracketed number is how many pit stops that driver has made. If there is a [1] they have made one pit stop [2] means two so on and so forth. keeping in mind there might be many numbers if drivers have taken damage and had to pit etc.

 

[Gijs van Elderen]

3) the 1960s EVE cars at Spa and Monza do the same thing.

Some tips for a good AI experience:

 

[Ace King]

Info to help fine-tune the ai but won't fix those trouble areas where a aiw & corridors need fine-tuning.

The definitive AI Settings Thread:
https://forum.studio-397.com/index.php?threads/the-definitive-ai-settings-thread.38584/

 

[imacken]

@imacken many of the tracks were not designed with AI use in mind, and were mostly for multiplayer use. As for the trackmap plugin with your #1 i believe out there somewhere is a trackmap manual here. For #2 the bracketed number is how many pit stops that driver has made. If there is a [1] they have made one pit stop [2] means two so on and so forth. keeping in mind there might be many numbers if drivers have taken damage and had to pit etc.

Thanks Daniel,
I have already looked at the manual several times and it doesn't help me. No mention (that I can see!) about how to change the zoom level of the map, and yes, it states the bracketed number represents the number of pit stops, but the number is meaningless to me. See attached grab.
How do I interpret numbers like 247, 241, etc. as the number of pit stops?

 

[Daniel Faas]

@imacken Ahhhhh I see THAT bracketed number! That number (the one furthest to the right) is the highest achieved speed in KMH. There will be a bracket a bit further to the left which is number of pit stops. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[imacken]

Yep, that combination is my absolute favourite. Brings back memories of Grand Prix Legends many years ago!
That track is not SO bad as there aren't any chicanes or hard breaking zones. But, still, there is often crazy AI behaviour at the bottom of Eau Rouge with crazy attempts at overtaking and kamikaze movements.

 

[imacken]

@imacken many of the tracks were not designed with AI use in mind, and were mostly for multiplayer use.

Yep, that is the conclusion I am coming to. Not sure how useful a lot of rFactor 2 is for single player off line racing.

 

[Deleted member 130869]

The Howstons don't survive Spa