Hi! I've been wondering about this.

It has been mentioned few times by developers that there are no major plans to update Fern Bay.

Quote :

https://www.lfs.net/forum/post/2026535#post2026535
Spent a day on Fern Bay in the editor - various fixes (not creative work)
- unlike other tracks, Eric does not plan major Fern Bay updates in the near future

In that thread, Scawen also has specifically mentioned:

Quote :

Eric sent a minor update of Fern Bay with specular lighting added to road textures
- other small updates as well including filling all the holes as seen from above
- although it's not a full update these are important fixes for the shadow system

As well in this article:

Quote :

https://www.lfs.net/report-may2021-so
Fern Bay and further graphical improvements can be done after the big update.

Scawen himself has stated that Fern Bay is an exception and it can be released without a major overhaul as only few fixes related to the shadows are needed. However, all other tracks must have that new light system included in those when they get updated.

Quote :

https://www.lfs.net/forum/post/1968878#post1968878
No, the tracks needed to be updated for the new lighting. Actually, we may release Fern Bay without a major overhaul, just a few fixes for the shadows. But the other tracks have had a serious overhaul and most are near complete.

There have been no new updates telling that Fern Bay also needs a major update before it can be released. So, this has been a bit unclear for me.

Question:

Is there any new information that would it still be possible to release this slightly updated Fern Bay as a new patch before we get any major updates? That patch would not need to have any tire physics or those vastly improved other track environments or anything else significantly new.

Or is the plan now that all updated track environments will be released at the same time, including this slightly updated Fern Bay? Or have I understood that quote from Scawen completely wrong, meaning that Fern Bay also needs that new light system, but that track environment itself doesn't need anything significantly new?

And, I also want to make this very clear:

- I don't demand developers to do anything nor want to add any pressure for them.
- I'm specifically talking about this slightly updated Fern Bay. It would not have anything significantly new, as far as I'm aware of.

I'm more curious about is this even possible anymore. Therefore, I'm thinking is it even possible to have slightly updated Fern Bay more as, let's say, an intermediate update before anything significantly new will be released to LFS. Like a teaser patch for that big update which would be released in the future

https://imx.tc-g.uk/fe202212/01
https://imx.tc-g.uk/fe202212/02
https://imx.tc-g.uk/fe202212/03

I commented on an article in July.

I'm new to this game and I was critical of some things.


A mod system has been introduced so that players who play cracked versions can play the official version. I think they are successful, but every week we are faced with the question of whether the players are worth licensing. Even though we offer them opportunities in terms of physics, mode diversity and maps, they do not find these sufficient. I'm sure most of these players are players playing cracked versions. The only thing they criticize is the graphics... There is a graphical difference between the crack version and the 7F version, but they do not find it sufficient.

I forgot to add. They ask this because the license fee does not appeal to everyone. Of course they are right. This game is a project and they will question whether it is worth it.

Quote from RealistAdam :

Here's what I think about the weather and the day and night cycle.

I started LFS 1 year ago. I purchased a license within 6 months. The game is very enjoyable, but even though it is a 20-year-old game, it is in a very good condition.

Frankly, I have cooled down on some things within a year.

1) Weather. Most servers have weather set to clear daytime. Frankly, I cannot play games on servers with bad weather or sunset. Maybe this is psychological or visual related, but it's really bad.

2) Graphics. Graphics are definitely an issue that needs to be reconsidered. Object quality should be increased. Now everything looks pixel by pixel.

3) Objects. Trees and grass should be more realistic. Because visual pleasure is now at the forefront.

That's all I have to say. These are the issues that definitely need to be added and updated in the game. I don't know about other topics. Editor, physics etc. I'm not interested in these.

I hope we can test the previously shared work with the test patch as soon as possible. Time goes by so quickly. https://www.lfs.net/report-may2021-so

There hasn't been any development reports or patches for a while now. And with the early end of version 7E, scawen has probably opened a new page and I'm sure he will focus more on graphics and tire physics in this version.

Quote from tankslacno :

Question:

Is there any new information that would it still be possible to release this slightly updated Fern Bay as a new patch before we get any major updates? That patch would not need to have any tire physics or those vastly improved other track environments or anything else significantly new.

Or is the plan now that all updated track environments will be released at the same time, including this slightly updated Fern Bay? Or have I understood that quote from Scawen completely wrong, meaning that Fern Bay also needs that new light system, but that track environment itself doesn't need anything significantly new?

From how i understand, Fern Bay will look the same on the old graphics regardless of these minor fixes that have to be done to get dynamic shadows working as intended. Maybe a few extra objects here and there as you can see the comparison pics above, but you can achieve similar quality in textures by downloading Revolution Pack for example.

(That is unless Eric's been working secretly and there's an improved version of FE existing that nobody knows about yet )

Can we get the new graphics update as a Christmas gift?

working secretly hahahaha

Quote from karamurat1004 :

Can we get the new graphics update as a Christmas gift?

I'm pretty sure they have it ready since summer and they are just waiting for May 2025 to make it look like it was more work to produce. /sarcasm

And I expect at least few weeks of test patch before release, so if you are asking for Christmas 2025, they can still make it, there's about 10 months to finish it. So maybe your wish will come true.

Quote from nikopdr :

(That is unless Eric's been working secretly and there's an improved version of FE existing that nobody knows about yet )

Considering Fern Bay is Scawen's old favorite, I would rather not imagine his reaction if Eric did a major overhaul to that

By the way, for people wondering, I can already tell an example to what this slightly updated Fern Bay could be. It could be very similar to what happened to Aston and South City in 2006 and 2007 respectively. Grand Touring and North were not initially in the Aston and Chicane Route was not originally included in the South City. They were only added later into the game, but those track environments itself remained largely unchanged when they were added. I'm assuming Fern Bay will get similar kind of treatment.

As an example, I did suggest yesterday that this slightly updated Fern Bay could have Mini Oval as a selectable track configuration, as it already exists in the game. (https://www.lfs.net/forum/thread/109947)

But as far as I'm aware of when speaking of new content in Fern Bay, that would pretty much about be it. Fern Bay would not have any major surrounding areas similar to Blackwood/Westhill or majorly changed track configurations. Just those small fixes, updated textures and maybe a new track configuration that is already easily doable as a bonus