GESC Racing: The perpetual all things virtual cars thread. (includes GT6,Forza 5,etc)

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BigLan

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  • #1,761
    If you have game pass ultimate then the F1 series should be available through ea play (maybe not 23, but at least 22.) That can give you a feel for circuit racing, though there's not a huge choice of cars, obviously. I think the rebooted Dirt games are still available too which focus on rally courses.

    If you want another open world game, Lego Drive 2k got decent reviews earlier this year but I don't think it sold well.
     
    skazz

    skazz

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  • #1,762
    Sadly DiRT 5 is utterly crap (and that's being friendly). DiRT 4 was reasonable with controller, but was never updated for the latest consoles so maxes out at 1080p. It's reasonable on PC though, and a good entry to more serous rally than FH4/FH5 offer. But be aware that there are no rewinds.

    DiRT Rally 2.0 is really really challenging with controller. No rewinds, of course. I have tried it with my controller a bunch of times, but quickly give up....

    F1 series I believe has no rewinds either? It's definitely very polished and console-friendly, though, so if you fancy trying those cars it could be interesting. But they are very very very different to race from Forza Horizon cars.
     
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    BigLan

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  • #1,765
    Have they announced dlc plans yet? I've got game pass but bought the premium upgrade to the last couple of FH games and felt like it was worth it for the 2 expansions and wheelspins (and early access was a nice perk.)

    My recollection of DLC tracks from earlier FM games is that they're rarely worth it as it splits the user base, and I'm spoiled by them adding a ton of free cars to FH5 since launch so car packs aren't as enticing.
     
    Cranioclast

    Cranioclast

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  • #1,766
    Yeah, I don't think the FM premium version is worth it to me. I don't know if they've ever had paid DLC tracks and there are plenty of cars in the base game. Every once in a while someone would pick a VIP-only car during Friday night shenanigans, but that's the only time I felt left out.

    The expansion areas for Horizon hold a lot more value.
     
    skazz

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  • #1,767
    VIP gives some unique FE cars like usual plus double money race rewards.
    Premium car pack is 30 DLC cars if I remember correctly.

    They appear to be planning to deliver new DLC race tracks for free so that those tracks can be included in the base game career and multiplayer hoppers immediately.

    GT7 is delivering 2-3 free new tracks per year so far. ACC has managed just over 2 paid DLC tracks per year. We’ll just have to wait and see.
     
    Kilkenny

    Kilkenny

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  • #1,768
    BigLan said:
    My recollection of DLC tracks from earlier FM games is that they're rarely worth it as it splits the user base, and I'm spoiled by them adding a ton of free cars to FH5 since launch so car packs aren't as enticing.
    Click to expand...
    I don't think they've done a paid DLC track since FM4 due to the splitting multiplayer problem (I think it was Nurburgring GP). I remember in one of the webcasts they said they'll be adding free DLC tracks over time, who knows at what rate.
     
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    BigLan

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  • #1,769
    I went and checked, FM5 had 3 free tracks as dlc ('ring, Long Beach, Road America.) FM6 had the Porsche Expansion which includes VIR, and the NASCAR expansion with Homestead Miami. FM7 only had car packs.

    Guess I'll wait for reviews to see is the credit boost is needed or if the grind isn't too bad without the vip crown. Getting it on Game Pass I don't mind paying for the DLC as long as there's some vale to the content (and it usually means you get gifted a copy of the base game before it's delisted.)
     
    Kilkenny

    Kilkenny

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  • #1,771
    Cranioclast said:
    I am really looking forward to the new Forza and hopefully a return of regular Ars racing nights. I'm almost willing to pay the extra $40 to get it 5 days early. Almost.
    Click to expand...
    ++

    I'm considering a new Xbox Series X ahead of launch. I currently have an OG XBone set up on the big TV in the home theater room & would want to keep my racing activity there - my home office desk isn't a great setup for that - and that's where I flightsim ;) - even though that's a fairly powerful PC.

    I might try an older PC I have in there, but not sure if the GPU would be a great one - it's a GTX 1650 Super IIRC. If I have to get a more modern gamer GPU for a secondary computer, then I might as well go the XBox route.
     
    skazz

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  • #1,772
    In the meantime, Forza finally got Stellantis to license cars again, and Horizon 5 is coming with:
    • 16 free cars from Alfa, Lancia, Fiat and Abarth: 8 in next months playlist and 8 straight in the Autoshow
    • A 7 car Italian Exotics paid DLC car pack which includes the Ferrari 296GTB, Ferrari Roma and some new Lamborghini variants
    Not bad for a game nearing 2 years old. Really looking forward to it, and these cars making it to FM2023 as well of course.

    When it comes to playing Forza on the PC it depends on your desired resolution. A 3060 Ti or 3070 is around needed to play Forza Horizon 5 on maximum settings at 1440p at or above 60fps. A GTX 1650 is probably 1080p at mid to high settings. Whereas on the Series X it looks very good at 4K@60 with their optimizations (some pop-in, lower scenery density than PC max settings but very little aliasing and very crisp car graphics).

    Not sure how FM2023 will compare, but probably similar.
     
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    BigLan

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  • #1,773
    I'm expecting a step up in the PC system requirements as they're dropping xb1 support on console so hopefully aren't being held back (and I say that as an xb1x owner who was kinda disappointed with the announcement.)

    Still, they usually do a good job optimizing on PC, and the Motorsport series tended to have 60fps target vs 30fps for Horizon.
     
    skazz

    skazz

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  • #1,774
    In the past yes Horizon was always a 30fps game on the Xbox One, but FH5 was released with a 30fps and 60fps mode on the Series X. And the differences are not huge, just some extra pop-in, lower object draw distance (but not of the mountains, only of shrubs). It looks pretty impressive at 60fps in 4k with HDR on the Series X.
     
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    Kilkenny

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  • #1,778
    I was expecting that some big tracks will be held back as DLC - but the Nordschleife was one I would have expected for launch. "Spring 2024" - so still a long way off.

    I can forgive the limited number of launch tracks if they bring the new tracks at a high cadence. Thinking like how Flight Simulator was bringing world updates pretty much every other month for a long while (with sim updates in the odd months in between).
     
    skazz

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  • #1,781
    Remember how inaccurate their Nurburgring GP and Nordschleife are - both tracks have serious issues in FM7 with road width, cambers, inclines and the like. As if they deliberately dumbed them down to make them less extreme?

    They are committing to revamping it and will hopefully make it as close as possible to the real thing this time. I can wait for that, since FM2023 is probably going to be current for 4-5 years after all.

    They also confirmed Mugello today. Only 3 tracks left unannounced (might happen later today in the Gamescom showcase).
     
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    GirgleMirt

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  • #1,784
    Bit bummed too Norschleife won't be part of the initial release, likely will be sold as some add on pack later on... Meh... I was just about to post that whether or not its included would likely tip the scale of buy/skip... :\

    Fun to see some old tracks; Maple Valley for instance, think it was pretty fun, nice scenery, elevation changes, etc., but hopefully, there will be a few new tracks too, an Oval really doesn't count, so up to now... There's just the Grand Oak circuit? Sadly seems a bit bland... But trying to remember fictional tracks from earlier titles, I think it was pretty hit or miss, like some city circuit where really sharp 90 degree turns didn't seem to work insanely well given game physics / controls, think there was an Alps which I don't think was exceptional either..? But I think overall they were pretty good...


    View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jWKSTlXzhY
     
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    skazz

    skazz

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  • #1,785
    Nordshleife is a free update in Spring 2024. Confirmed, along with more free track updates.

    My take is that FM7’s Nurburgring GP and Notdschleife were both quite inaccurate and needed heavy remodeling, but T10 chose to model more shorter tracks and leave the ring for post launch. This fits their career mode needs better. You can like or dislike the choice but at least they are communicating.

    Edit: New tracks so far announced are Kyalami, Mid Ohio real tracks, then Eagle Rock the new short oval, Hakone (Japanese fantasy track) and Grand Oak.


    Full list as we know it (17 of the committed 20):

    Real Tracks​

    • Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
    • Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
    • Indianapolis Motor Speedway
    • Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit†
    • Le Mans – Circuit International de la Sarthe
    • Laguna Seca Raceway
    • Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course†
    • Mugello Circuit
    • Nurburgring
    • Road America
    • Silverstone Circuit
    • Suzuka Circuit
    • Virginia International Raceway

    Fictional Tracks​

    • Circuit Hakone†
    • Eaglerock Speedway†
    • Grand Oak Raceway†
    • Maple Valley
     
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    BigLan

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  • #1,787
    I miss Tsukuba circuit from the earlier games, but it only had one layout and has pretty bland environment.

    Not really looking forward to Spa as it's loooong without any alternate layouts but I'll take that and Le Mans rather than the 'ring.

    Kyalami is a good addition - I think the track owners are trying to raise its profile to maybe get F1 back, so it'll be interesting to drive.

    I'd also trade Road Atlanta back for Road America.

    Overall it's a decent track selection though, starting to get excited for the release.
     
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    GirgleMirt

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  • #1,788
    Cranioclast said:
    I don't care a bit about Nordscheife being left off. It's just too much for me to actually learn it well enough to enjoy driving it.
    Click to expand...
    It's actually not that bad! Although I say that having done countless laps... The key is likely to do it with a fast car, as to maximize laps. Granted, not easy to memorize, but easier than you'd think. Think it was a challenge in FM4 (?) where you had to complete a full lap without a crash, it can really become addictive.

    BigLan said:
    I miss Tsukuba circuit from the earlier games, but it only had one layout and has pretty bland environment.
    Click to expand...
    I don't recall which circuit that is, but looking it up, looks like someone built it in Forza Horizon 5, maybe could scratch that itch in the meantime?


    View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1SJyg1lDbE


    BigLan said:
    Not really looking forward to Spa as it's loooong without any alternate layouts but I'll take that and Le Mans rather than the 'ring.
    Click to expand...
    Weird! Le Mans has always been one of my least liked tracks... Something about the excessively long straights, favouring heavy cars that go fast in a straight line...

    One I'd love to tackle on is Isle of Man (I'd have to lean to ride a motorbike though lol), but jesus, I had no idea it was this long...! It's huge!
    View: https://www.reddit.com/r/forza/comments/naet3d/racetrack_size_comparison_imagine_if_isle_of_man/

    Pikes peak is another one which would have seemed like great fun, but yeah, that seems like a serious challenge too...!

    Well at least for virtual races, tons of NUR length tracks; Goliath, Colossus, etc., tracks in the Horizon titles... Not sure the exactl length, but they must be similar to NUR... Not as fun to drive for some reason though...
     
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    BigLan

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  • #1,789
    I give Le Man's a pass for being so long because it is the home of endurance racing, so it fits. The ring is more well known for production cars basically doing time trials chasing a lap time rather than actual racing.

    I think Pikes Peak was in one of the Codemasters games - Dirt Rally maybe? My memory thinks they had gravel and paved versions of it too.

    I'll try to find the Tsubuka event, Im always impressed by the effort folks put in to making these, even if there's usually a few rough edges.
     
    skazz

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  • #1,790
    The longest road and off road stock events on FH5 are 55 km. The Nordschleife is only 20.8km.

    The difference is that Horizon doesn’t do many very sharp corners on the main map (rally expansion is a lot better there), so speeds are higher in FH5. But lap times are roughly double the Nordschleife.

    P.S. with FH5 event lab plenty of 60km+ events have been created by users. Some fully off road and quite slow. If you like that kind of thing the community can definitely provide.
     
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    GirgleMirt

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  • #1,792
    Yeah there are quite a few races on the NUR even if F1 dropped it because it was deemed too dangerous, but the fact that it's a real track, iconic, renown for being difficult, etc., kinda all adds to the experience. A long 'random' user generated track in FH doesn't quite cut it. Ring is even open to the public during Touristenfahrten; could take your own car and go full throttle, or even tourist lap in a McLaren, Porsche, etc.,

    Looks like Pikes Peak is also in BeamNG..

    Looking in an old box, found the DVDs for FM2, FM3 and FM4. Like most here, most of the tracks are known, likely hundreds and hundreds of laps in each... And since it's the 8th FM title, I mean, hard not to view it as just more of the same... Horizon has totally different tracks, but if FM is always basically the same tracks..... Even the cars are largely the same in all Forza titles lol
     
    skazz

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  • #1,794
    GirgleMirt said:
    Looking in an old box, found the DVDs for FM2, FM3 and FM4. Like most here, most of the tracks are known, likely hundreds and hundreds of laps in each... And since it's the 8th FM title, I mean, hard not to view it as just more of the same... Horizon has totally different tracks, but if FM is always basically the same tracks..... Even the cars are largely the same in all Forza titles lol
    Click to expand...
    On that topic, after being a PC simmer for a good 15 years, I’ve found that I keep on being interested in those same tracks because the sims over the years improve their fidelity and most importantly improve their AI to race against.

    Recently I’ve been playing a lot of Assetto Corsa Competizione, which has a very nice 23 laser scanned track list. Many of those tracks I’ve raced for years and years, but at first it was approximate models, then low resolution laser scans, and now higher and higher resolution point cloud meshes for more and more accurate track surfaces.

    However what really makes all the difference is the ACC AI. They are just a lot of fun to race, especially as you encounter them battling in groups and have to figure out how to get round them. They also are totally aware of you and give you racing room when you attack. Totally unlike the rather mediocre moving chicanes from all those GT or FM games over the years.

    For ACC the tracks are actually a backdrop for the racing. So having a bunch of high quality laser scans of good racing circuits is basically giving you homework to learn the tracks in order to have fun racing. Old favorites like Nurburgring, Silverstone, Spa, Suzuka or Monza are all in ACC and are great to race on. Knowing the track is suddenly a plus point not a weak point.
     
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    LuNatic_

    LuNatic_

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  • #1,796
    skazz said:
    Nordshleife is a free update in Spring 2024. Confirmed, along with more free track updates.

    My take is that FM7’s Nurburgring GP and Notdschleife were both quite inaccurate and needed heavy remodeling, but T10 chose to model more shorter tracks and leave the ring for post launch. This fits their career mode needs better. You can like or dislike the choice but at least they are communicating.

    Edit: New tracks so far announced are Kyalami, Mid Ohio real tracks, then Eagle Rock the new short oval, Hakone (Japanese fantasy track) and Grand Oak.


    Full list as we know it (17 of the committed 20):

    Real Tracks​

    • Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
    • Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
    • Indianapolis Motor Speedway
    • Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit†
    • Le Mans – Circuit International de la Sarthe
    • Laguna Seca Raceway
    • Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course†
    • Mugello Circuit
    • Nurburgring
    • Road America
    • Silverstone Circuit
    • Suzuka Circuit
    • Virginia International Raceway

    Fictional Tracks​

    • Circuit Hakone†
    • Eaglerock Speedway†
    • Grand Oak Raceway†
    • Maple Valley
    Click to expand...

    Fingers crossed for Mt Panorama
     
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