A new version of GDSim (0.2) is available for download! This update does not add very much in terms of content, but it represents a significant step forward in refining and improving several elements, while laying groundwork for things to come.

Highlights for this update include new textures and changes for the sky/weather, revised lighting, improvements for the CPU drivers, new sound effects, and changes in handling and steering -- including updated alignment and suspension settings for all vehicles, revisions to the "self align" feature and default settings, and a whole new setup for tire and surface values for the tire model.

NEW FEATURES

• Reorganized "Session" menu, now featuring:
  • Map selection (second map in progress, not available)
  • Weather options (WIP)
  • New panels for P1 and P2 selections
  • Illustrations for selected vehicles
  • Wheel color & paint type can now be customized
• Reorganized "Display" menu, with these new features:
  • Selectable number of "flora" sprites (experimental visual detail)
  • Adjustable physics rate ("low" may improve framerate, at expense of physics accuracy)
  • 3D Resolution Scale now lists choices by equivalent resolution
• Added ambient sound effects
• Added more sound effects
• Added windshield wipers and button to activate them; they have no practical function yet
• Added button to roll window up/down; only affecting sounds in cockpit view

VISUAL

• Options for clear sky and overcast clouds
• Improved chase camera look-around
• Rear lights now project light (thanks to new lighting with Godot 3.3)
• Minor changes to interiors in all vehicles

FIXES

• Reduced engine audio to just one output, eliminating artifacts from attempting to synchronize audio
• Audio bus is now set up properly for split-screen (left screen on left speaker, right screen on right speaker)
• Fixed "upright vehicle" function not exerting as much force as intended

IMPROVEMENTS / ADJUSTMENTS

• Each vehicle now exhibits more stability and should behave more as expected (see bottom for details)
• Revised steering logic
• Revised default settings
• New CPU steering/passing logic; awareness the CPUs did not possess before
• Improved CPU path-following logic; still a kink or two to work out
• Adjustments to CPU path curve on Test Circuit
• Physics FPS now scales according to number of vehicles in session
  • Allows for greater precision in solo session on a given PC
  • In turn, helps stabilize framerate with more active vehicles
• Revised colors and lighting for 24h cycle (ie. should be more accurately orange, less pink)
• Replaced previous starmap texture with ESO Panorama (4096x2048 size)
• Audio refinements, including a filter when in cockpit view with the window closed
• Completely reworked tire/surface variables & code
  • Values have changed for all surface + tire combos, and are still subject to change
• Revised engine braking/drag and flywheel/internal weight for all vehicles
• Revised suspension, alignment, and brake bias settings for all vehicles:
  • Urban Harmony
    • Spring = 6250 front, 4250 rear
    • Anti-roll = 250 front, 1250 rear
    • Camber = 0 degrees front, -0.5 degree rear
    • Toe-in = 0 degrees front, 0.22 degree rear
    • Brake bias = 0.75 front
  • Vuono Hunter
    • Spring = 7250 front & rear
    • Anti-roll = 500 front & rear
    • Camber = 0.25 degree front, 0 degrees rear
    • Toe-in = 0 degrees front & rear
    • Brake bias = 0.70 front
  • Works Blackjack
    • Spring = 5750 front, 5000 rear
    • Anti-roll = 1250 front, 250 rear
    • Camber = -0.5 degree front, -0.1 degree rear
    • Toe-in = 0.16 degree front, 0.27 degree rear
    • Brake bias = 0.65 front