I think the main problem is that LFS relies so heavily on the three letter acronyms for cars and tracks. Someone who is not very familiar with the game doesn't know what track FE2 is. They don't know an XFG from and XRT. LFS needs to move away from these acronyms and give users more visual clues about what is going on. Three letters works great for setting up a server configuration file, but is just too damn confusing to the average user (and especially to new users).
The UI really needs to be revamped so that you can always see what track you are running on (visually, not just using three letters), which car you have chosen, which direction you're running (forward/reverse), the weather, etc. Not just when in the track and car selection screens, but during a race as well (perhaps in a better F12 menu or something).
The UI really needs to be revamped so that you can always see what track you are running on (visually, not just using three letters), which car you have chosen, which direction you're running (forward/reverse), the weather, etc. Not just when in the track and car selection screens, but during a race as well (perhaps in a better F12 menu or something).
Need a setup wizard or some other easy method of controller configuration.
I have introduced several people to LFS and, without fail, each time I get someone to try the game I have to spend time helping them setup their wheel and pedals to work right. Because LFS supports so many different controllers and control types (keyboard, mouse, joystick, gamepad, wheels, multiple pedals, etc). the controls menu has become cluttered and inaccessible to newbies. We need a setup wizard or a much improved/simplified version of the controls menu that helps people through the task of setting up their wheel and pedals to work correctly.
This doesn't have to be overly complex. Something as simple as having the user turn their wheel from lock to lock, press the gas, press the brake, press the clutch should go a long way. Instead of asking the user to figure out which axis goes where, the game should take care of it. Have the user turn the wheel - you know which axis is used for steering. Have them press the gas - you now know which axis is used for throttle. Much more straight forward from an end users perspective.
If someone has to visit the forum or ask someone for help in setting up their controller, chances are they won't bother and will just give up on the game. To grow the LFS community this issue needs to be addressed.
This doesn't have to be overly complex. Something as simple as having the user turn their wheel from lock to lock, press the gas, press the brake, press the clutch should go a long way. Instead of asking the user to figure out which axis goes where, the game should take care of it. Have the user turn the wheel - you know which axis is used for steering. Have them press the gas - you now know which axis is used for throttle. Much more straight forward from an end users perspective.
If someone has to visit the forum or ask someone for help in setting up their controller, chances are they won't bother and will just give up on the game. To grow the LFS community this issue needs to be addressed.
It would be nice to at least have a list of deprecated files for each official patch. There have been a lot of texture changes in the last few patches, and even some complete directory changes (screenshots, for instance). Having such a list would make it easier for people to keep their LFS directories clean and organized and would allow mod makers to keep their documentation and files current and correct. I would imagine that the changes are going to be even more significant as we continue to move towards a Beta, especially since many of the textures have "test" file names, or are shared between multiple cars/tracks.
While a drag car would be nice to have, it would still be virtually worthless until LFS's drag strip works correctly. Frankly, the only way that the drag strip is the least bit of fun is if you run the ISRM mod (http://www.lfsforum.net/showthread.php?t=28815). Otherwise, drag racing in LFS is completely unrealistic and not fun at all.
We need 60' times, reaction times, staging, redlighting, etc. implemented in the game. But most importantly we need the tire physics bugs fixed and the car setups made more realistic.
Until these things are done, having a drag car would be completely worthless. If these things do eventually get done, having a drag car would be mostly unnecessary anyway.
We need 60' times, reaction times, staging, redlighting, etc. implemented in the game. But most importantly we need the tire physics bugs fixed and the car setups made more realistic.
Until these things are done, having a drag car would be completely worthless. If these things do eventually get done, having a drag car would be mostly unnecessary anyway.
This is something I've suggested many times. I have no idea why we use the percentage system. It's extremely unrealistic and a general pain in the ass to use.
The only way it will possibly be Beta is if all the things Scawen said in his last thread are done by the time the next patch comes out. The chances of that happening are....slim. Unless Scawen magically clones himself or the next patch is a year or more away, you can pretty much bank on the next patch retaining the Alpha label.
Did you have the Hi-Res texture pack installed? If so, it required a change to the "car shine" to turn down the reflection. You'll either need to re-install the reflection files from the hi-res pack or you'll have to change the car shine option in the config file back to its default.
I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.
So, does that mean that we can submit new car and track models to you guys for possible inclusion in a future version of the game?
I actually hope we DON'T get new layouts on Westhill. It's one of my favorite tracks and the only track in the game that doesn't have multiple confusing layouts. One of the best things about Westhill is that you don't have to think about whether turn 2 is a left, a right, or a chicane.
I hope we eventually get new tracks, not just more layouts.
Out of 20,000+ copies of LFS out there, you are the only person reporting that issue. It's obviously something wrong with your particular machine/drivers/configuration. The devs might be able to give you some ideas about what to check, but this is obviously not an issue with the game itself or more people would be having problems.
With that sort of attitude it's no wonder he hasn't gone out of his way to address your issue.
Download the FOX WR for KY2R and try to play back the replay on Patch Z. When it works, that should prove to you that the physics have not changed.
It's all in your mind, whether you want to believe it or not.
Edit: Dammit, beaten by Android!
The other cars weren't finished in time for this patch. They will be out when they are done (probably the next patch, and most likely in a test patch for the next version).
As long as a server is running demo-only content, anyone can join it now. So, as long as you only have Blackwood and the XRG/FBM/XFG enabled, Demo users and S1/S2 users will be able to connect and play.
Uh, it's already alpha.
Agreed 100%. The rFactor model just makes multiplayer a pain in the ass because no two machines ever have the same stuff installed. I would NOT want to see LFS go down this road. But that shouldn't stop the devs from accepting 3D models from the community and adding them.
The game is an alpha. Not finished, and not even a beta. You shouldn't get too attached to any of your hotlaps because they could all be reset at any time.
Something must be wrong with your install. I raced against AI cars all last night without a hitch. I added them using both the UI and the /ai command.
That's kinda what I thought. But if it doesn't matter, why is it still there?
Making the shadows darker wouldn't solve anything. If an object is in a shadowed area it doesn't cast a second, darker shadow. :slap:
I'm sure this probably isn't related to the test patch, but it's a bit confusing anyway and has to do with Patch Y. When you host a game from within LFS.exe (which I haven't done since Demo/S1/S2 were combined) you still have the option for Demo / S1 / S2. Since all clients can now interconnect, should this option still be there? Is it just to make it easier to limit the server to particular content? If I select demo, can I then add a non-demo car without stopping the server and changing modes?
I was also hoping that the race cars would get much bigger shift lights when they got new interiors. I can understand the small lights (or none at all) on the road cars, but the race cars should really have larger lights. At least, that's been my experience.
This was the very first post in the patch thread in the main forum. Sheesh.
FGED GREDG RDFGDR GSFDG