Assetto Corsa V1.1 Features Unveiled

Kunos Simulizoni, maker of Assetto Corsa, have released details of the forthcoming V1.1 that will be arriving with the much anticipated ‘Dream Pack’.  Here’s the scoop straight from Kunos.

Our development team is working hard on the next release of Assetto Corsa, that will upgrade the main version of the game and will include important additions. We would also like to thank you for all the constructive criticism and helpful tips you submit to our official forums everyday helping our team to improve Assetto Corsa at the best.

Graphics

We are redefining some features related to post processing effects, HDR and particle rendering optimizations that improve graphics environment, lighting and framerate performance. The engine has been optimized in order to guarantee a more stable framerate in all conditions, including single-player and multiplayer races. Smoke effects have been also improved, fixing an issue that affected the performances when huge amount of smoke was generated, especially at race starts.

Artificial intelligence

CPU occupancy has been optimized to guarantee better and more stable performance. Furthermore, we worked to improve interaction of AI with each other and against the player car, as well as their “racing attitude”. The result is less collision accidents, better and more predictable lines and greatly improved race starts, delivering a better racing experience.

Flag and rules

The next build will introduce race flag and rules, including yellow, blue and black flags, both in single and in multiplayer. More details regarding this feature will be available at the release.

Overcast conditions

Next build will introduce the option to define the sky/weather conditions: player can choose between light/heavy fog, clean/light/heavy cloud, that affect lighting, visibility, track temperature, and so on, adding more immersion, different racing scenarios and environmental effects. As usual all the conditions are moddable and new ones can be created by the community.

Damages, views and sounds

Several parameters and functionalities related to damages, head movements, mirrors FOV values, reverberation and environmental sounds have been added or optimized, improving the overall driving and replay experience.

Replays

Assetto Corsa replays are universally appreciated for their fidelity, resulting in very realistic movements, car behaviour and camera management, but resulting also in high requirements in terms of hard disk and memory space. Unfortunately such big files are not easily handled by players who join or organize leagues and online championships. Next build will add quality settings options that allow up to 4x smaller sizes and longer replays.

Pre-order and release date

Assetto Corsa is not in Early Access anymore but that doesn’t mean that development is finished. As promised, the Dream Pack will also include several improvements, optimizations and new features. All the new code features will also be included for free on the main simulation, to allow gamers to enjoy Assetto Corsa and the new Dream Pack even more. However the process needs time to be completed. The release of the Dream Pack and of Assetto Corsa 1.1 is confirmed for Q1 2015. Thank you very much for understanding, for your kind support and passion.

A few thoughts.

This update does appear to move the title forward.  The lack of flag rules in V1.0 had a lot of fans up in arms and rightfully so.  Good to see that will be fixed, online and off.

AI improvements are also welcomed.  According to Stefano Casillo’s twitter profile, there’s been some significant progress in this area.  Of course, improvements have been promised in the past only to leave players underwhelmed.  We will have to wait and try it out before proclaiming, “mission accomplished.”

I hope damage improvements = no more unrealistic shattered windshields…because they dont shatter in real life…like ever…especially from 20 mph collisions…

I don’t like clouds in real life but I’m pro virtual clouds.

The “pre-order and release date” section is interesting.  I think they’re trying to say that the Dream Pack, and thus V1.1, are a little delayed but will still be out in the first quarter like they’ve been promising?  Or maybe they’re saying, “we know you want to know a release date but we don’t want to be so committal yet cause it’s software?”  No matter what it is, at least its still currently on schedule and hopefully it stays that way.

In the meantime, here’s another Dream Pack teaser courtesy of Eurogamer Italy, this time showing the Alfa Romeo 4C in action.

[youtube]http://youtu.be/LF_UDY-Vx4s[/youtube]