With just a few weeks left for the iRacing week to end, we have some notes that inform us about the development of the simulator, upcoming content, the long-awaited rain feature, and new protest and incident systems refined for fair competition among drivers.
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Our reconstituted graphics team will be more formidable than ever, and we couldn't be more excited about what's to come. It's important to note that a graphics engine update is a significant long-term project, and the results will take time. That said, it will be very much worth it. In the short term, we will continue to enhance the current rendering technology.
We will have a refined graphics system in line with modern standards to update that old-fashioned look that some people complain about.
Table of Contents
Tempest, the new weather system
Another significant update that I know many have been closely following: the status of our advanced new weather system, internally referred to as Tempest. While we're not quite ready to guarantee it for December, we're now confident enough to say that the release of this incredibly complex system is imminent. That means rain is coming soon, folks.
Global Mazda MX-5 with Rain
Tempest was built from the ground up and consists of several interconnected systems that simulate not only rain and the effect water has on the track, race cars, and the surrounding area, but also the physical components that come together to create various types of weather. This system is fueled by extensive real-world data from the exact locations where they will be competing. Along with our Dynamic Track systems, the combined experience is unparalleled in simulation/games.
You'll feel that resistance when you drive through those wet areas. When things get really tough, you'll experience aquaplaning. Wait until you see our aerodynamic cars 'sucking in' water from the track and redistributing it in the air and other parts of the track, quickly drying the racing line in the process. Adjust your expectations for what a race has in store for you as you navigate the multitude of dynamics at play and the ever-changing nature of the track and weather systems. Or, if you spot a dark cloud approaching on the horizon, is it heading your way? Have your teammate check the weather radar or consult your team boss for an update…
Simulation Optimization and Performance
Our efforts to optimize and modernize our core engine continue (and will continue for a while), and we have a dedicated team assigned to these endeavors every day. Recent releases from this team included significant improvements in load times and an increased limit for unique car models. This season, the team has made performance-focused enhancements to our shadow culling system, frustum culling, and mirror rendering. These efforts and improvements are impactful, measurable, and truly add up.
New Protest System
Creating a safe and clean racing environment has been a priority at iRacing since day one, and it's an area of the product experience where we've invested significant resources. Not only have we developed many rules and systems to encourage good behavior on the track, respect among drivers, and a clean-play focused environment, but we've also built a department whose job is to advise, correct, and take regulatory action when things go wrong. This team does a phenomenal job working through thousands and thousands of intensive reports manually, each of which requires careful research and consideration to ensure that if a response is needed, it's an appropriate one. With the December update, we will be equipping this team with a broader set of tools to do their job. A full list will be provided in our next sporting code update, but for now, a preview of what's to come (in no particular order):
- Coaching
- Post-Results Race Disqualification. A member or team may be disqualified from a Race or event after Results have been posted. Their Championship Points for the Race or event will become 0, and they will drop to a last-place finish.
- Restrictions to various parts of iRacing.com and/or the iRacing simulation.
- The ability to participate in Race and Qualifying Sessions for a specific Official iRacing Series.
- The ability to participate in Race and Qualifying Sessions for ALL Official iRacing Series.
- The ability to participate in Hosted Sessions.
- The ability to participate in any and ALL multiplayer Sessions of any kind.
- The ability to Spectate Sessions.
- The ability to use in-simulation voice chat and/or text chat.
Thanks to this, we can expect a clean environment and sessions with fair competition.
Cars
After a version packed with new cars last season, our team has focused on some of our longer-term R&D initiatives this season, such as rain, our aerodynamic modeling program, the Oval update, and the tire model. That said, we are excited to introduce a new car in December: the Audi R8 LMS Evo II GT3. The Evo II is part of our initiative to keep our GT3 fleet modern and looking great. Similar efforts will continue in the new year with multiple additions/replacements to our GT3 offerings.
Audi R8 LMS Evo II GT3
And how will the release of the Audi R8 LMS Evo II GT3 affect owners of the older Audi R8 LMS GT3? We will issue credits based on the following criteria:
- 100% of purchase price for those who purchased within the past 30 days
- 50% of purchase price for those who purchased within the past 31 to 180 days
Tracks
We have a diverse set of track content slated for release in this build. No surprises here, as this has all been announced…
On the oval side, we are excited to release Slinger Speedway. Slinger is so much fun to drive, and you all will have a blast turning laps at the “World’s Fastest Quarter Mile Oval.” And yes, folks, it will include the figure eight configuration!
Slinger Speedway
The Mugello Circuit looks amazing and will also make its debut in December. Not only does the circuit look incredible, but it's also a blast to drive and it's a track we've wanted to experience in iRacing for years. We're really excited to finally make it possible.
Circuito de Mugello
The Okayama Circuit is one of our most popular tracks on the service. It offers an appealing drive in various cars, especially in our Rookie series. However, it has some of the oldest graphics on the service. Okayama will be relaunched (for free) with modern graphics that meet our current quality standards. It looks great.
Oval Update
Oval refresh has a full complement of developers working on it each day, and they are making significant progress. These efforts will continue for some time as we iterate the many systems involved. That said, we don’t want to wait until we’re “done” to release these improvements to the service. With the December build asphalt ovals have been updated to produce an improved dynamic racing experience. Track surface grip levels will change more rapidly as temperature rises and fall depending on weather, time of day, and the energy the cars are putting into the track. Be prepared to tune setups for changing track conditions and search for grip as various lanes heat up and cool down throughout a race session.
That's it for now. See you competing!
