OFFICIAL Project CARS (Discussion)

[KingPing]

Check this new race sim from Slightly Mad Studios: GT Legends, GTR2, BMW Challenge, Shift & Shift 2. http://www.wmdportal.com/

ETA 2014 for PC, Wii U, PS4, Xbox ONE
MEMBERSHIP ARE CLOSED!

To be able to play the alpha builds you have to be a team member and buy a tool pack (start at 10 Euro) NOT ONLY YOU GET ACCESS TO THE BUILDS AND A DISCOUNT TO THE GAME (or free game if you choose full member+) BUT YOU GET A SHARE OF THE PROFITS once the game goes gold. YES YOU EARN MONEY, the more the game sells the more you will earn.

EDIT: info about tool packs here: http://www.wmdportal.com/about/ Price (in euros): Junior 10, Team Member 25, Full Member 45, Senior 100, Manager 1000, Senior Manager 25000


Licensed cars so far:
2012 Audi A1 quattro
2013 Audi R8 V10 Plus
2002 Audi R8 LMP900
2011 Audi R18 TDI LMP1
2014 Audi R18 e-tron quattro
2013 Audi R8 LMS Ultra GT3
1989 Audi 90 IMSA GTO
1959 Aston Martin DBR1
1963 Aston Martin DP212
2009 Aston Martin DBR1-2
2012 Aston Martin Vantage GT4
2013 Aston Martin Vantage V12 GT3
2013 Aston Martin Vantage GTE
2013 Aston Martin Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S
2012 Formula Gulf 1000 --> Thanks to member Andy Marshall
GUMPERT apollo S
Ariel Atom
Ariel Atom Mugen
Ariel Atom V8
Palmer Jaguar JP-LM
Caterham Classic
Caterham R500 Superlight
Caterham SP/300.R
BAC Mono
Mitsubishi Evo VI Tommi Mäkinen Edition
Mitsubishi Evo IX FQ 360
Mitsubishi Evo X FQ 400
Pagani Zonda R
Pagani Huayra
Pagani Zonda Cinque
1966 Ford Mustang 2+2 fastback
1967 Ford MK IV
1972 Ford Escort RS1600
1980 Ford Capri Group 5 Team Zakspeed
1988 Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth Group A
1997 Ford Mustang Cobra SCCA Trans-Am
2012 Ford Fusion NASCAR Stock Car
2009 Ford Focus RS
2012 Ford Focus ST
2012 Ford Focus ST BTCC
2013 Ford Falcon FG Australian V8 Supercar Car of the Future
2013 Ford Shelby GT500
2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302R1
1962 Lotus 25
1965 Lotus 40
1965 Lotus 38
1967 Lotus 49
1970 Lotus 49C
1967 Lotus 51
1968 Lotus 56
1970 Lotus 72
1977 Lotus 78
1986 Lotus 98T
2012 BMW 1 series M Coupe (E82)
1978 BMW 320 Turbo Group 5 (based on E21)
1999 BMW V12 LMR (no code)
2012 BMW 3 series BTCC (based on E90)
1981 BMW M1 Procar (E26/1)
2012 BMW Z4 GT3
1940 BMW 328 Touring Coupe (328)
1991 BMW M3 (E30) GroupA racing version
2012 BMW M3 (E92) GT (ALMS)
2012 BMW M3 E92 GT4
Ginetta G40 Junior
Ginetta G50
Ginetta G55 GT3
1987 RUF CTR “Yellowbird”
2012 RUF CTR 3
2012 RUF Rt 12R
2012 RUF RGT-8
1952 Mercedes 300 SL W194
1971 Mercedes 300SEL 6.8 AMG 'Rote Sau'
1989 Mercedes Sauber C9
1990 Mercedes 190E 2.5-16 Evolution 2 (DTM racing version)
1998 Mercedes CLK-LM
2012 Mercedes SLS AMG GT3
2012 Mercedes C-Class Coupe DTM
2013 Mercedes A45 AMG
2010 Mercedes SLS AMG Coupé
1994 McLaren F1
1997 McLaren F1 GTR
2013 McLaren 12C
2013 McLaren 12C GT3
2013 McLaren P1
2014 Mégane RS
2013 Clio IV RS Cup
2013 Alpine A450
1999 Laguna BTCC
2009 Mégane Trophy II
1978 Alpine A442B
Oreca 03 LMP2
Radical SR3 RS
Radical SR8 RX
Radical RXC Turbo

Not licensed yet or fictional:
Formula Rookie --> 2011 Formula Ford
Formula B --> generic GP 2
Formula A --> generic Formula 1
Shifter Kart 125cc
Shifter Kart 250cc "super kart"
1990 Caper Stock car --> generic early 90s NASCAR
LMPrototype - PM06a
LMPrototype - RWD P30

Unconfirmed/possible cars:
Tyrrell P34




Tracks: (i put the real names to avoid confusion, but in the game some tracks have fictional names due to licenses limitations)

Modern:
Dubai Autodrome (Club, National. International, GP, Kart track)
Oschersleben (GP, National)
Hockenheim (GP Post 2002, National, Short)
Mount Panorama
Spa Francorchamps
Circuit de Catalunya (Pre/Post 2007)
Imola
Willow Springs
Watkins Glen (GP, Short)
Donington Park (GP, National)
Mugello
Zolder
Zhuhai
Circuit de la Sarthe (Le Mans)
Bugatti Circuit
Monza (GP, Short)
Laguna Seca
Brno
Silverstone
Suzuka (GP/East/West)
Road America
Monaco
Nurburgring (GP)
Nordschleife
Sonoma Raceway (ex Infineon / Sears Point Raceway)

Historic:
Old Spa 60s (historic)
Hockenheim (Pre 2002)
Rouen Les Essarts
Monza (1967. GPL2.)
Solitude Rennstrecke --> Thanks to member FLX81

Ovals:
Dover
Indianapolis Speedway (fictional infield)
Richmond
Bristol
Charlotte Motor Speedway (fictional infield)
Daytona

Kart Tracks:
Spa Francorchamps Karting Circuit
Chesterfield
Glencairn
Summerton

Country Roads:
California Highway **only available to Team Member+**
Azure Coast **only available to Team Member+**
Bannochbrae

Not yet in game but confirmed Tracks:
Monza Oval (historic)
Brands Hatch (laser scaned)
Oulton Park (laser scaned)
Snetterton (laser scaned)
Cadwell Park (laser scaned)
Ruapuna Park --> Thanks to Member Mark Silcock
Macau
Sachsen Test Track

IMPORTANT: *the game is in ALPHA meaning it's still a WIP, a new physics and tire model are being developed and not all cars or tracks are in the game!
*REGISTERING only grants you access to the "News and announcements" section of the forum, To gain full access to the forum and the builds you have to buy a tool pack

HOW TO BECOME A PARTNER:

MEMBERSHIP ARE CLOSED!

1.Visit the website & register on the WMD forum. --> http://www.wmdportal.com/
2. Buy any tool pack to become a member. --> http://forum.wmdportal.com/toolpacks.php
3. Download the build and enjoy!

Minimum requirements:
CPU: 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400, 3.0 GHz AMD Phenom II X4 940
GRAPHICS: nVidia GTX 260, ATI Radeon HD 5770
MEMORY: 4Gb RAM, 1Gb VRAM

Recommended specification:
CPU: 3.5 GHz Intel Core i7 3700, 4.0 GHz AMD FX-8350
GRAPHICS: nVidia GT600 series, AMD Radeon HD7000 seriesMEMORY: 8Gb RAM, 2Gb VRAM

 

[Frag_Maniac]

This is already looking to be not only a beautiful and realistic racer, but an ingenious way to market games. I mean we've all heard of the many Kickstarter type projects, but this takes that concept two major steps further with hands on player feedback that has investor powered control (vs the old comment and hope for the best routine), and profit sharing.

This could even be enough to make game pirates think twice about hitting and running out of angst over past patronage gone bad, or whatever reason, because it's so solid it sends a bold message, no excuses, get involved if you want better games and better value.

To even go to the extent of offering profit sharing though, that is just friggin mind blowing. Some people's perception of Slightly Mad soured when they took on Shift 1&2 for EA, but oh how they've proven they can rise above the manipulative control of corporate publishing and come out shining.

I've seen all the videos of it on GameTrailers. One looked a bit color washed, even though the sky conditions didn't look overcast or hazy enough to warrant it. Maybe they still need to tweak some of the graphics a bit, but for the most part, esp considering how early it is in development, it looks utterly remarkable.

My eyes and reflexes aren't what they used to be now that I'm older, and I don't play online anymore, but according to wiki it will have singleplayer too? I thought it was going to be online only. I hope if there is sp it's not just a super short campaign or minimal training for online. Maybe there won't even be a story or tour, and just AI bots offered for each location if you don't want to play online. If sp is just solo time trials though, I'll pass.

My only comment on content as far as cars and tracks so far is I'd like to see more than just two country road routes, because the tracks can get repetitious. I'm also curious as to how much feedback from those only interested in sp they'll listen to.

 

[KingPing]

It will have a single player career mode from karting to NASCAR or F1, Lemans prototype, GT cars, the choice is yours. And of course Online racing.

The game is great so far, i advice anyone that has doubts (as i had once) if this is like Shift to buy the Junior pack for 10 euros and see for yourself how this is a complete different game. If you still don't like it you can ask for a refund.

I don't know why the videos look washed, if anyone is interested i posted some screenshoots here in TPU, they are in game (no bullshit photomod or whatever) runing in my PC with all graphics maxed out in DX11.

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50940&page=122

 

[KingPing]

My only comment on content as far as cars and tracks so far is I'd like to see more than just two country road routes, because the tracks can get repetitious. I'm also curious as to how much feedback from those only interested in sp they'll listen to.

They listen a lot. For example, those 2 roads (maybe more in the future) are in the game because there was a poll to see if people were interested in adding them to the game and it turned out the vast majority (including me ) voted yes. The helmet camera was tweaked following members advice, if there is time we asked for a onboard cockpit cam like those you see in youtube with all the sound distorted.

 

[Frag_Maniac]

OK, cool, thanks KP. Like I said, it was only one of the 3 videos I watched that looked a bit color washed. The others had really good color contrast by comparison.

Excellent that they have an sp career mode, and why not. Whether people liked them or not, the two Shift games they made weren't all bad as far as quality of AI, settings options to adjust it, and overall career mode structure. The worst thing about the AI in Shift, esp Shift 2, was inconsistency. They were pretty bad at some of the easier tracks, yet very challenging on some of the harder ones.

I'm about to register on their forum. I got really excited when I saw the Physics & A.I. board had 345 threads listed and the Multiplayer board had 89 threads, but when I clicked on Physics & A.I., it said there were no posts in that forum or it's Car Setup Discussion sub forum. What gives?

I'll still register and surf their forum a bit, but I may have to refer to you or others that have opted in before choosing whether to myself regarding a few other questions. Can you adjust AI skill level like in Shift, and are their multiple driver assists to enable or disable?

I didn't have to employ steering assist in Shift 1, but in Shift 2 I had to use it. I'm still just on Keyboard though. I've always thought the best Shift would have been a marriage of the two games without the driver aggression of the first, but the option of more stable steering as in Shift 1, without steering assist jerking you around at times.

Yeah, I know, a lot of Shift comparisons, but it WAS the last race game they made, so. I'm a bit skeptical this will play just as SIM-like as Shift 2 if not more so as far as handling, but now that I know it has an sp career mode, maybe I'll be able to handle it.

 

[Frag_Maniac]

Just registered on the Project CARS forum. I was immediately greeted by an automated form email detailing some of the basics about investment, development participation and forum rules, which is all good, but it seems to be lacking two important details.

1. It says nothing about various levels of donations and how their perks are tiered for each investment bracket.
2. It doesn't say anything about why new forum members that are still deciding on investing can't even so much as lurk on forum threads. I can see limiting you to lurking without being able to ask questions or respond, but when I log in I still can't even see ANY posts.

Now this could perhaps be that there's a waiting period to be allowed to post or see posts, or a slight chance my Iron browser is not compatible with their forum software, but there were no messages indicating the former, and I'm doubting it's the latter, because I've been on forums that use that same software without problems.

If neither is the case though and you have to invest before you can even see let alone participate in forum discussions, then I think they need to reconsider how to get word out about this game. I understand fully why they are concerned about forum discipline, but you don't have to let a member post to give them access to gleaning details on the game and it's development.

I was actually able to peek at the leaderboards, and found they have an excellent icon system that details exact assists used when you mouse over them (+/- icons), but why if I can access that without even registering am I still blocked from even viewing posts after registering? How do they expect people to learn enough about this game to decide if they want to invest, or how much they want to invest?

 

[KingPing]

Can you adjust AI skill level like in Shift and are their multiple driver assists to enable or disable?

Yes and yes, in fact the AI skill adjustment is a bit more customizable than Shift

here there is a screenshoot of the AI & assists menu http://img.techpowerup.org/120531/pCARS_2012_05_31_22_19_38_035.png

 

[Frag_Maniac]

Please read my last post. BTW, I tried to give you credit for referring me when registering, but I didn't know your username over there.

Those are awesome looking AI and Assist settings. Can you try steering assist though and tell me how much it jerks the car around? Also can you try driving with and without steering assist on a keyboard and tell me if it's absolutely necessary to use with a KB? Are KBs even supported for that matter?

I know they've set it up so that you have to pay a small amount to be allowed to beta test and give feedback, but at some point I think it would behoove them to make a small demo sample because playing is the only way you can come close to being sure if you'll want to buy the full game, or even make a small investment for that matter.

 

[KingPing]

1. It says nothing about various levels of donations and how their perks are tiered for each investment bracket.

You don't have to register to see that, it's in the "about" tab in the main page: http://www.wmdportal.com/about/

The only thing that is missing is that the amount that you paid for a tool pack is going to be discounted from the final game price, if you paid 10 for a junior pack and the game cost 45 you will have to paid only 35 euros.

2. It doesn't say anything about why new forum members that are still deciding on investing can't even so much as lurk on forum threads. I can see limiting you to lurking without being able to ask questions or respond, but when I log in I still can't even see ANY posts.

This might be my bad, but the forum is private, you have to be a member (pay at least 10 euros too access the forum and the builds) to see all the posts, i will correct this in my original post.

 

[Frag_Maniac]

you have to be a member (pay at least 10 euros too access the forum and the builds) to see all the posts, i will correct this in my original post.

As I suspected, and I feel that is a mistake, big time. Lots of players, esp in times of recession, and ESP with this genre, are cautious with their money.

There's been SO many crap race games made they'd rather at least be able to see chat about what's going on with the development than just start giving them money out of faith. Even if they don't question the build quality, there's still target demographic and game styling issues, esp for players on KB whom play sp like me.

I think you probably see my point, as I'm sure many others whom play race games but not SIM specific ones would. That is the bulk of the race fanbase worldwide, it could mean huge vs mediocre investments if they'd just make the info more accessible up front without requiring investments first.

I really don't see why they wouldn't allow at least lurking for registered members that have yet to invest. Why would they even allow you to register if you can't see posts unless you invest? It just makes it look like a hook to lure in investors without allowing you to first have comprehensive info on the game.

It tends to send a message as if it's an invest on faith, SIM only clique, yet they clearly seem to be catering to those wanting to race with AI too. Some of us just want to know to what extent and how they are doing that, before investing.

 

[KingPing]

As I suspected, and I feel that is a mistake, big time. Lots of players, esp in times of recession, and ESP with this genre, are cautious with their money.

There's been SO many crap race games made they'd rather at least be able to see chat about what's going on with the development than just start giving them money out of faith. Even if they don't question the build quality, there's still target demographic and game styling issues, esp for players on KB whom play sp like me.

I think you probably see my point, as I'm sure many others whom play race games but not SIM specific ones would. That is the bulk of the race fanbase worldwide, it could mean huge vs mediocre investments if they'd just make the info more accessible up front without requiring investments first.

I really don't see why they wouldn't allow at least lurking for registered members that have yet to invest. Why would they even allow you to register if you can't see posts unless you invest? It just makes it look like a hook to lure in investors without allowing you to first have comprehensive info on the game.

It tends to send a message as if it's a SIM only clique, yet they clearly seem to be catering to those wanting to race with AI too. Some of us just want to know to what extent and how they are doing that, before investing.

I understand that it seems odd and if you are not comfortable with the way this thing work i advice against buying any tool pack. I can't answer some questions like the one about the keyboard because: a) the game is not complete and many features are not yet implemented like online racing (a few months for this), b) i suck at driving with the keyboard regardless of the game c) this game is not intended to be played with a keyboard you need a pad or a wheel.
As i said before, this is not Shift, this game is far from the arcade feel of Shift or Grid/Dirt and closer to sims like GT Legends, GTR2, Race 07, rFactor, etc. If you happen to like more games like Shift, Grid, etc this game is not for you i'm afraid.

 

[Frag_Maniac]

I looked at the About link you provided, and still didn't see any price details there or in the link on that page that takes you to member tier details. They don't really mention price of each membership tier. The closest they come to it is saying 10 Euros back for the lowest tier, and 25 Euros back for the 2nd tier. I assume that means the 2nd tier costs 25 Euro to invest in. I already know the lowest tier costs 10 Euro.

I expected this game to be more SIM-like than Shift, but being as there are SO many assists and even more AI settings (WAY more) than Shift has, I'd like to hear from those actually using assists how it compares to Shift 2. From what I've seen, even players on the bottom of the leaderboad use little if any assists.

I'm also not necessarily dead set on avoiding buying a wheel. I have considered it many times. I've always used the philosophy to not get one until I need one, and so far, with the games I've played, I haven't needed one.

This is one game that makes me wonder if it's worth investing in a wheel, even if just for sp, because it is so detailed in settings and looks very good. I know it's a far more arcade game, but I've seen guys on KBs get better times than those using wheels on NFS: The Run.

So it's al relative to what one is comfortable with. A lot of players, esp those that say they cannot race at all with KBs, might think it's impossible, but others might just need to set up the assists properly and be OK with it.

Like I said, I'd have to know more about the game, and doing that is a nuisance when you have to give them 10 Euros ($12 for me) just to see threads and sample gameplay. Can you at least tell me if KBs are a supported control device? If so, that is a good sign.

(EDITED)
I found one short YouTube video of a guy playing pretty badly with a KB, so at least I know they're supported. Unfortunately he said nothing about his AI/Assist settings, whether he was any good at other race games on KB, or how much time he'd spent on that track. It's impossible to tell unless you see someone that's pretty good on one play. I also find it odd SM would even support KB if it is in fact too hard for most to play with one regardless of settings.

Example, when Shift 2 just prior to release was sampled by various forum staff and such, they showed some videos of some of them crashing pretty badly even with game pads, like at the Japan track with the tunnel. Some insisted it was too hard with KB. Much of it is just not being used to a given track. After learning extensively how to tweak settings, I was able to blast through that track no problem on KB, and without car or wall smacking.

Anyways, it's much too soon to know how the car handling will end up, esp since they're about to release another physics upgrade, and also because most seem to be not using many assists. They're going to need more people using lesser control devices with assists enabled to really get a broad range of feedback. I'm not sure I'd want to jump into the fray with that and be lambasted by those whom want a SIM only experience though.

 

[KingPing]

Can you at least tell me if KBs are a supported control device? If so, that is a good sign.

yes it is.

 

[stinger608]

Yea, blah, blah, blah.................................Where the hell is the NASCAR circuit??????????

Don't see it unless I am missing something.

 

[KingPing]

Yea, blah, blah, blah.................................Where the hell is the NASCAR circuit??????????

Don't see it unless I am missing something.

Oval:
Dover
Indianapolis Speedway (fictional infield)
Richmond
Bristol

 

[Kwod]

I'm dling b226 atm, but this is a racing game, it's not a sim, a sim is something that's very precise and has very connected FFB, and that's not the case with this game.
I think it's nothing but wishful thinking linking this to sims like rf, race07 etc.

 

[KingPing]

I'm dling b226 atm, but this is a racing game, it's not a sim, a sim is something that's very precise and has very connected FFB, and that's not the case with this game.
I think it's nothing but wishful thinking linking this to sims like rf, race07 etc.

There is still a year of development, so i will wait to make any final judgements about if it's a SIM or not. There is still 3 to 6 months till the new Physics & tire model is implemented.

Maybe rFactor and Race 07 were great sims from day 1 of development who knows, or maybe Assetto Corsa is not a sim either since some videos show a bit of imput lag.

 

[Kwod]

There is still a year of development, so i will wait to make any final judgements about if it's a SIM or not.

Then why call it a sim now?

 

[KingPing]

Then why call it a sim now?

Then why call rFactor 2, GTR3, Assetto Corsa a sim now?

 

[Kwod]

Then why call rFactor 2, GTR3, Assetto Corsa a sim now?

I call rf2 a sim because I have it, and it's the best sim ever despite only being in beta....the quantity and quality of FFB, the driving model and steering precision are too good to ignore.

 

[KingPing]

I call rf2 a sim because I have it, and it's the best sim ever despite only being in beta....the quantity and quality of FFB, the driving model and steering precision are too good to ignore.

Not everyone seems to agree with that, here for example: http://www.autosimsport.net/

 

[Kwod]

Not everyone seems to agree with that, here for example: http://www.autosimsport.net/

I very much doubt that's with the greatly improved b85.
Previous builds were ordinary, all sorts of unrealistic grip issues, but that now seems gone, certainly with the Megane, F3.5, FISI and the 60's F1's.

 

[KingPing]

I very much doubt that's with the greatly improved b85.
Previous builds were ordinary, all sorts of unrealistic grip issues, but that now seems gone, certainly with the Megane, F3.5, FISI and the 60's F1's.

Really, so they improved some stuff and the game is beter now, how shocking!. That's why i rather wait and see how the game improve and let the guys do their work, instead of talking how crap a game in development is. For example I rather wait and see how good Assetto Corsa ends up being, instead of saying to all how crap the game is because in some vids there is input lag.

 

[Kwod]

Really, so they improved some stuff and the game is beter now, how shocking!

Correct, but it felt like a sim before the physics upgrade, but pcars has never felt like a sim.
It makes a good first impression, but after 10mins I get bored as the driving model and FFB are arcadey.

 

[KingPing]

That's your opinion, it's not boring to me. And as i said you some time ago, if you want a arcadey game go play Ridge Racer. Because with that criteria anything below iRacing is arcadey even rFactor, and even in that sim shit like this happens:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NB5Spwt9UT0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=m7U5IIr1dDg