WARNING : THIS IS A TEST


Hello Racers.

Here is a new compatible test patch Y19.


REPLAY CONTROLS :

Multiplayer replays now have the same interface as single player replays.
They loop and the Escape Menu is available while watching.
Also, replay controls have been added. A timeline is visible when you move the mouse.
You can click anywhere on the timeline and the replay will go back or forward to that point.

Some new keys have been added :

1) Single frame step : ',' or '.' (SHIFT + ',' or '.' = one second step)
2) SPACE to pause / unpause during a replay (same as P)
3) ESCAPE to break out of fast forwarding
4) SHIFT + F now has 3 states if you are in a replay (the 3rd state hides everything including all messages and replay controls)


DEMO LICENSE SYSTEM :

User name and password are now required to go online in DEMO.
DEMO / S1 / S2 all appear in the same List of Hosts.

NOTE to DEMO users :

- You will need to set a GAME password at www.lfs.net to go online
- Log in and click on "account details" to set your GAME password
- You will not see older demo hosts (Y to Y16) in the list of hosts
- You will see new demo hosts and demo compatible S1 / S2 hosts

NOTE to S1 users :

- You will see all S1 and S1 compatible S2 hosts in the list of hosts

NOTE to HOSTS :

- Hosts in S2 mode - no difference, compatible, all S2 users can join
- Hosts in Demo or S1 mode - all S2 users (test patch or official)
and Demo / S1 test patch users will be able to see your host
- Official patch Demo and S1 users will not see your host


OTHER IMPORTANT CHANGES :

- Chinese, Japanese and Korean Translations
- All tracks now use JPG textures for adverts
- Various fixes including a South City hot lapping issue
- Full-scene antialiasing and anisotropic filtering are now supported


Changes in TEST PATCH Y19 :

Replays :

Escape menu and options now available during a multiplayer replay
Replay controls & timeline visible when mouse moves during replay
SP and MP replays now loop unless started by /mpr or /spr commands
External replay starting now works from replay screen or in replay
FIX : Hang if escape menu was open at the end of a non-looping SPR

Interface :

Interface improvements including updated entry screen and options
Hotlapping in demo version - user name is now stored in the replay
FIX : Code page of text when adding a new music track in channels
FIX : Info button in List of Hosts showed laps instead of hours

Misc :

New option /lytdir allows dedicated hosts to specify layout folder
Improved cfg.txt Music Dir option (specifies folder for ogg files)
All paths (including reversed configs) now included (in SMX folder)
FIX : Updated car load scripts FXR.lfs and XRR.lfs (now sequential)
FIX : Removed continual memory allocations in car shadow processing
FIX : Number of AI not correctly limited when using the /ai command

Known issues :

Stray pixels at texture edges increased by AA / AF
Dedicated host does not display double byte characters
Name of active Chinese input method is not shown in Vista


Changes in TEST PATCH Y18 :

Licensed demo racers system and unified List of Hosts
Demo / S1 racers can see all hosts with Demo / S1 content
Demo racers see automatically downloaded skins (but can't upload)
FIX : False message : Your skin was not found at www.lfsworld.net
FIX : OutGauge and OutSim are no longer closed by starting InSim
FIX : Code page issues in meeting room text


Changes from Y to Y16 :

Double byte character support :

Included Chinese, Japanese and Korean translations
Selectable fonts for these languages in Game Options
Input method editor support including candidate lists
IME automatically switched on and off in text entry dialog
Input language is shown when editing text (white if IME active)
Name of active Chinese input method is shown (but not in Vista)

Translations support :

Added flags beside names of translations in Game Options
New Czech / Japanese / Simplified Chinese lesson translations
Translatable lesson names - start text file with @Lesson Name
Tips section in training can have more lines if purpose is not full
FIX : Host welcome text was displayed in local code page (now Latin)
FIX : Overlapping text in F12 menu asymmetrical settings (in Polish)
FIX : Code page error on List of Hosts after changing language
FIX : Corrupted in-game text after changing language

Interface :

Faster text drawing system improves frame rate
Separate text entry field for AI number plates
Various minor graphical improvements in the interface
Improved filter (16 bit / 32 bit / all) in Screen Options
Network debug messages are no longer sent in InSim packets
Text input box is now drawn above user messages so easier to type
Line breaks in help text and lesson text now depend on actual width
New game setup screen info message "X removed Y from the start grid"
FIX : Low ASCII characters can no longer be read from text files
FIX : Sometimes incorrect message "Road tyres on rallycross track"

Graphics :

Reduced stray pixels at edges of textures
Antialiased virtual start lights and steering gauge
Graphical and audio dynamic lod reductions are now instant
Added support for anisotropic filtering in Graphics Options
Improved control of mip bias : 4 sliders in Graphics Options
Full-scene antialiasing is now supported in Graphics Options
JPG advert textures now used in all tracks (folder : data\pic)

Multiplayer :

New command /ndebug=no/yes to switch off/on network debug
Dedicated host and network debug show connecting guest IP
FIX : Rapid /ai NAME command resulted in AI with same name
FIX : Rapid /ai command could exceed number of cars allowed
FIX : Joining a host with same name AI resulted in Join OOS
FIX : Skin name buffer overflow exploit

Fixes :

FIX : Replay could open reversed configuration in DEMO
FIX : Wall riding was possible on soft walls at South City
FIX : Could select invalid configuration and weather in cfg.txt
FIX : Admin could crash dedicated host by mistake with some commands


DOWNLOAD :

PATCH Y19 (Version Y must already be installed) :
www.liveforspeed.net/file_lfs. ... me=LFS_PATCH_Y_TO_Y19.exe (5 MB)

DEDICATED HOST (for hosting only) :
www.liveforspeed.net/file_lfs.php?name=LFS_S2_DEDI_Y19.zip (1.5 MB)


AFTER INSTALLING Y19 please follow this link to Y20 :

http://www.lfsforum.net/showthread.php?p=805292#post805292


Windows XP : East Asian Language Support / Font Installation

LFS does not support double byte characters with Windows 98 / ME. Windows XP and Vista should work well but you may need to install fonts.

If you have Windows XP and currently cannot see the East Asian translations, here's how to set up your computer so it works.
See the attachment - in Control Panel click on "Regional and Language Options" then under the "Languages" tab select "Install files for East Asian Languages".
Windows will probably ask you to get your XP CD and the fonts will be installed from it.

This is important even if you do not use Chinese, Japanese or Korean translations so you can see East Asian text and player names correctly when you are online.

OMG! New menu looks amazing!!!
Tried out the replay controls, and... wow, long waited feature it was!

Many thanks Scawen!

I think the Live For Speed logo in main menu should be lowered a bit.

Beautiful, excellent! New menu looks awesome, replay controls are working very well. That will ease movie makers life a lot.
Maybe you could add buttons for fast forward and slow-forward (0,5x, 1x, 2x, 4x...) There's enough space for them.
Nice surprise, thank you!

Very nice!
Plus the new menu rocks

Your a god mate. I love the new menu system, its stunning. The replay controls are godsend too.

Progress guys! I see progress!

Woo \o/ Very nice stuff! I have comments, however

Replays :

Escape menu and options now available during a multiplayer replay
- Nice, consistency with SP menu makes me smile

Replay controls & timeline visible when mouse moves during replay
- Awesome! Knowing the limitations of the current replay system, fantastic work One thing I would say is that a timer would be nice, in order to see how long is left in the fast-forward, less time wasted just watching it do its magic.

SP and MP replays now loop unless started by /mpr or /spr commands
- Nice.

External replay starting now works from replay screen or in replay
- Nice.

FIX : Hang if escape menu was open at the end of a non-looping SPR
- Good.

Interface :

Interface improvements including updated entry screen and options
- The intro screen has a picture of an XFR which is a pure hard-track car. The image of it jumping as if it were a rally car is slightly misleading. Overall, the new intro and menu look fantastic!

Hotlapping in demo version - user name is now stored in the replay
FIX : Code page of text when adding a new music track in channels
FIX : Info button in List of Hosts showed laps instead of hours
- Nice.

Misc :

New option /lytdir allows dedicated hosts to specify layout folder
Improved cfg.txt Music Dir option (specifies folder for ogg files)
All paths (including reversed configs) now included (in SMX folder)
FIX : Updated car load scripts FXR.lfs and XRR.lfs (now sequential)
FIX : Removed continual memory allocations in car shadow processing
FIX : Number of AI not correctly limited when using the /ai command
-Nice

One problem: it seems you cannot view the connection list in replay mode anymore. It sometimes flashes on for a random amount of time, but I can't seem to find a pattern to it. Looks like you can get it to display as long as you don't move the mouse while fooling around with Shift+F, though that doesn't exactly help

New menu is cool, but why is there a picture of a DoN rallymobile? (eg Slicked car jumping in the dirt?)

New replay system is great and all but there is one problem. The mouse-activity to bring up the timeline is a bad thing for Shift+U mode when people make their own camera movements. If you want to move the mouse in that mode, the timeline pops up, which interferes with movie making.

Perhaps a button like a carrot symbol [^] to hide/show the menu would be effective, or if spacebar would bring it up (more intuitive). Either way, the timeline gets in the way when using Shift+U.

Quote from AndroidXP :

One problem: it seems you cannot view the connection list in replay mode anymore. It sometimes flashes on for a random amount of time, but I can't seem to find a pattern to it. Looks like you can get it to display as long as you don't move the mouse while fooling around with Shift+F, though that doesn't exactly help

Also some of the pit huds act the same way.

Quote from AndroidXP :

One problem: it seems you cannot view the connection list in replay mode anymore. It sometimes flashes on for a random amount of time, but I can't seem to find a pattern to it. Looks like you can get it to display as long as you don't move the mouse while fooling around with Shift+F, though that doesn't exactly help

The connection list is hidden every time the mouse moves. Maybe move the list up enough for it to be on top of the replay controls box all the time, and visible as it was y19.

Replay controls are a nice addition, however I think some kind of keyframe system is needed, as currently it "scrolls" all the way from the beginning every time you click somewhere. Keyframes could be included in the replays, or generated when the replay is viewed and stored temporarily in memory to allow fast scrolling backwards.

I think the timeline controls should also work while it is "scrolling", so you could move the target marker around and put it on pause too if the scrolling seems to take a very long time so it will pause when it reaches the point.

great work Scawen im really happy to see some progress

maybe one more feature you could add for the replay timeline: showing the lap you'll be on if you're scrolling to another position on the timeline

Fantastic work on replays!
On my Swiss keyboard however the >< keys are not doing anything, rewind is ; and , for small and large increments, forward not found yet.

great work.

few things i miss after testing:

- skip backwards skips through all replay. maybe possible to cache that or reverse simulate?
[edit]post #11 also about rewind from current position instead of beginning[/edit]

- game exit now need to press ESC at very last screen instead of mouse click.


edit: i like that new G-meter

Quote from Kegetys :

Replay controls are a nice addition, however I think some kind of keyframe system is needed, Keyframes could be generated when the replay is viewed and stored
temporarily.

I like this idea.

Quote :

I think the timeline controls should also work while it is "scrolling", so you could move the target marker around and put it on pause too if the scrolling seems to take a very long time so it will pause when it reaches the point.

Just in case anyone missed it (I'm sure you didn't), the scrolling can be stopped/paused at any time (and the replay pauses too) by pressing the escape key. I agree with the idea though.

what to say? awesome Scavier !

Quote from Kegetys :

Replay controls are a nice addition, however I think some kind of keyframe system is needed...

Yes, I agree. The current method is a great improvement over having no replay controls at all and certainly works in the typical public race, but a two-hour (or a 24h) replay might get painful to inspect for a specific lap or rewind. A keyframe stored each lap the leader passes the finish line would be excellent.

"FIX : Updated car load scripts FXR.lfs and XRR.lfs (now sequential)"

I hope it will make the popular FXR a bit faster. 15 out of 22 racers race the FXR at the famous CD1 server right now - and they´d applaud you big times if you got this car within a reach of the other two GTR´s.

Sorry for being off-topic and you just ignore it. But I just hope you get my point here.

Honestly, I love your game and it´s good to see you always work on improvements.

Intro end exit screens turned on. If I start the game and intro replay is playing, the replay controls are showing up for a second.

Quote from R.Kolz :

"FIX : Updated car load scripts FXR.lfs and XRR.lfs (now sequential)"

I hope it will make the popular FXR a bit faster. 15 out of 22 racers race the FXR at the famous CD1 server right now - and they´d applaud you big times if you got this car within a reach of the other two GTR´s.

Sorry but how should this make the FXR faster? It's just a script update, nothing on the car has changed.

Absolutely awesome changes! I could cry!! Race and league admins everywhere are singing your name, Scawen. It's true, I can hear them!!

The mouse appearing during hide-all Shift+U is definitely going to be an issue for moviemakers.. there's no way now to hide the mouse any more.

While you're dealing with the mouse, would it be possible to also make it completely screen-independent, so that rotating the camera in shift+U mode is free, not halted by the edge of the screen? Or is that a feature request? ::runs::

Well, it's only the beginning so there are gonna be some improvements, we'll have to be happy with these updates, there are amazing. But that image with the XFR I think is a bit exaggerated.

Good stuff. This is why I love fridays (well ...).

However, the "return" button of the escape menu says "end race". Perhaps it should say "end replay"?

Well,
I really like the replay improvement, but the "new" menu screen looks imho strange. It wouldnt be so bad if there wont be that black "border" up on the picture. Still like the old menu than this. Otherwise this game is going forward and forward and thats the point. Replay improvement is just THE right thing! Im looking forward for a next test patch, hope it will be out soon.

Well done and thanks to devs!


EDIT: I can really imagine picture which is on the official lfs.net page. Imho it will suits better. And second thing is that the XFR has slick on gravel

Quote from AndroidXP :

Sorry but how should this make the FXR faster? It's just a script update, nothing on the car has changed.

I just wanted to place an approach. Took this opportunity and this was my best shot.