rFactor 2 Build 860 Released

Image Space Incorporated has released the latest update for rFactor 2, bringing it to build 860. This update mainly consists of under-the-hood updates, to help bring the sim to a more stable and powerful platform. One notable addition, well subtraction, is that rFactor 2 has officially dropped support for Windows XP and Server 2003 operating systems. This is in order to take advantage of the latest Windows APIs, to help bring it to a more modern standard.

Another significant update is the new experimental Dedicated Server UI. This new system makes it easier to host pick up races in rFactor 2. Also, it will make it easier to generate VMODs, going through the server UI as opposed to making it through the MAS tool. It will now make it easier to join races as well, since you will only need the content being used in the current race, not in the entire mod.

Judging from people’s reactions to the unstable builds prior to this update, this looks to be a solid step forward for rFactor 2. While this is a rather small update on the surface, it is laying down the groundwork for some major updates coming to rFactor 2 in the near future. Another update should be coming within a few weeks, with some more features being added. One of the notable and anticipated updates is the improved contact patch in the tire model. This update will be key for oval content, including the Stock Cars planned in the near future.

For the full list of updates in the latest rFactor 2 build, you can check out the changelog below. Have you given the latest update a spin? What are your thoughts? Let us know!

DOWNLOAD RFACTOR 2 BUILD 860 HERE

Update 26 (Build 859-unstable, 860-release) Changelog Sep 12, 2014):

FEATURES:
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– Dropped support for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 to make exploitation of state of the art Windows APIs possible.
– Added slightly more informative (as in, the actual file names that fail to load) logging to commentary loading.
– Ride height measurement (for aerodynamics and telemetry output) is no longer affected by vertical offsets in the undertray feelers. This was done so that the physics is more consistent between the player vs. the AI. This slightly affects the physics for the Nissan 370Z and it is possible that it affects some 3rd-party cars. Also, we fixed the HDV parameter CorrectedInnerSuspHeightRear to work with rear axles, and eliminated the hacky AIEvenSuspension and AITorqueStab variables.
– New terrain shader added, documentation for that is in the dev corner under “modding resources (tracks)”: http://rfactor.net/web/rf2/devscorner/
BUG FIXES / OPTIMIZATIONS:
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– Fixed crash on exit.
– Fixed TrackIR in 64-bit.
– Forcing playerfile variables to exist between their min and max upon load from file.
– Fixed bug with English version of the game to make degree signs for temperature (°) consistent through out.
– Fixed bug with RCD editing from UI in dev mode so we now create drivers (that exist in the veh file) that don’t exist in any RCD file.
– Reduced some violent collisions caused by tiny gaps in the wall.
– Prevent physics blow-ups caused by negative wheel inertias.
– Fixed possible crash at shutdown.
MULTIPLAYER:
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– New dedicated server UI added as an option in the advanced tab. It can be used to start quick pick up races based on settings made by the conventional dedicated server.
MODDING / PUBLIC DEV:
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– Modmode: Fixed pit location picking resetting the menu every time a location is recorded.
– Improved AIW editor waypoint by waypoint calculated speed matcher. It’s now less likely to get confused and auto advances the selected wp in the direction you are (or should be) working.
AI:
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– Added an “AI setup” button to the “car tuning” page so that one can set the upgrades the AI should use for a specific track.
– Can set AI setup (select the AI from the grid, then select the setup you want from the garage, and hit the set to AI button), and it takes next time the car enters the garage
– Made the AI speed reduction due to darkness start at 0.5 light instead of .99. Made player car under AI control operate at %100 speed instead of being based on original driver rcd stats
– AIs now turn off engine when heading back into garage.
– Fixed a bug where AI can forget how to stop on their pit spot.

– Changed “AI Setup” button so that user dictated setups can’t overwrite upgrade configurations dictated by component. Renamed it to “Force Setup”, because it’s not just AI that are forced to use this setup, but the player as well.

Note: If you are updating from a build older than 798, we recommend a fresh installation – or – using auto update. This is due to the implementation of 64bit and a change in the folder structure. A manual ‘install over top’ update is not recommended from older than 798.

If you are using 798, auto update or manual update (install over top) using the Lite installer should work fine.