Yesterday, Sector3 Studios sat down and showed us some previews of upcoming content and improvements coming to RaceRoom. It was the first stream in awhile, and because of that, Sector3 previewed a lot of the cool things they are working on.
[youtube]https://youtu.be/xB4gEahCz-I[/youtube]
First up was a chat about new transmission sound model that will be coming out in the next patch. RaceRoom already has the best sounds out there today and I’m sure these new sounds will only advance them that much more. One nugget from the sounds conversation was a preview of Macau, the track we haven’t heard anything about since its preview over 6 months ago.
My favorite update coming to the title is the elimination of the dumb ‘green orb’ menu system. Always hated that. The new menu appears much more user friendly.
Multiplayer dedicated servers will be coming next week via Steam. Yay!!! Check out the 20 min mark of the video to learn how to install it.
In content news, the 2014 WTCC pack is coming…sometime soon and brings with it the Citroën C-Elysée, the car that won 17 of the 23 races in 2014. I suggest driving that car.
The track nugget from the WTCC footage was a lap around the Shanghai Circuit and more previews of Macau. They will not be part of the WTCC pack but will be stand alone releases after the pack.
DTM 2015 is being worked on but won’t be for sale, just available for sponsored online competitions.
The Audi TT Cup car is progressing – though not in sim yet – and a few screenshots were shown off.
In more track news – quit the backlog – images of Spa were shown off and it looks freakin’ awesome.
The first good images of the Audi LMP1 R18 was shown off. This is the first of what Sector3 hopes to be more prototypes in RaceRoom. The car is in sim right now but awaiting physics.
And it wouldn’t be a day in sim racing news without a screenshot of the Nordschleife which is currently in development based off of purchased laser scanned data.
Next week’s patch will feature heavily updated AI behavior and sounds pretty awesome.
Lastly, RaceRoom is working on open wheel cars! That’s big news from a studio that has only produced tin top cars throughout its history.
Wow. That’s a lot going on. With some really desirable tracks, cars and dedicated servers coming up, Sector3 is making a very strong case for RaceRoom.
I cannot say enough good things about R3E. Everything from the pretty graphics, good car physics, force feedback, and the sound…yeah, best sound in a car game period. My Onkyo TX-SR705 and Energy speakers don’t lie. The sound is massive, raw, and sounds real. I hate the pay as you upgrade model, but that’s just me adjusting to changing times. I like that there’s always something new to drive even if you don’t play. I’d write a review, but R3e is more of a platform than a standalone game. Keep up the amazing work, and thanks for the constant coverage and updates Darin! =)
James I second that! R3E set idle on my machine for a couple years (could never find acceptable FFB settings for my Fanatec CSW), DTM 2013 was my first successful use of the software.
From that humble beginning R3E has moved WAY up in my books. Sound, AI, Graphics are all top notch and FFB gets improved often. Best of all, their tech support was responsive and I love they way they communicate what they are up to!!! Sector3 you guys seriously are cutting into my iRacing career!
While R3E, iRacing, Assetto Corsa and current Project Cars all offer great sim racing fun,
I rank them like this…
R3E Best stand alone racing fun and sound, good AI, great software stability. Love pit stops and full race experience. Frame-rate good but can still be improved.
Project Cars great racing fun and graphics (rain, lights, dynamic weather and time) but currently lacks in road feel and FFB, AI is Great.
iRacing awesome online product, great detail but most cars (while improving) still lack proper grip and road feel!!! Great frame-rate.
Assetto Corsa Best FFB hands down in most cases, (my personal favorite for stand alone “Sim Driving” / hot-lapping) MODs make it interesting but adds annoying instability with every update. Boring AI, worst frame rate of them all.
Sim Racing Heaven= take the best from all and put them together 🙂
Final word: R3E wins the Most Improved of them all… You guys have a hotline straight to my wallet!
Loved the audio, handling and ffb. Just feels so splintered, I bought series’ that I never saw another player in for months. With all the newer games, I have shelved this game.