Tearing oneself away from content this endearing – even when accounting for unfortunate circumstances – is no easy task, and it should come as no surprise that Kunos Simulazioni has once again delivered in a big way with Dream Pack 3.
The third major release in the “Dream Pack” series adds eight new rides to the acclaimed racer, as well as the former home to the British Formula One Grand Prix, Brands Hatch which has been referred to as “The best circuit in the world” by Gerhard Berger. The vehicles included in Dream Pack 3 are as follows:
- Abarth 500 Assetto Corse
- Ford Escort RS 1600
- Lamborghini Huracàn SuperTrofeo
- McLaren 650 GT3
- Mercedes AMG GT3
- Lotus 25
- Lotus 72
- Lamborghini Gallardo SuperLeggera
In addition to the release of Dream Pack 3, an update is now available which will bring the core game to version 1.4 which introduces a number of visual, AI, multiplayer, and audio improvements. The full details on those specific changes are as follows:
Graphics
Several features related to post processing effects have been refined, including the FXAA filter, that has been significantly improved using Kunos’ own shader engine. The new build also introduces a new reflection rendering system: these features result in a substantial improvement in the look of the cars. The HDR algorithm now matches real life photographic references, resulting in an even more natural lighting environment and reflections.
Build 1.4 introduces a new font-rendering system for dashboards, resulting in improved graphics and higher definition. In addition, the digital instruments have been updated for all available cars, while the exaggerated motion blur effect in some camera modes has been eliminated.
Artificial intelligence
The new build introduces a new algorithm to improve the ability for AI drivers to stick to an intended racing line, resulting in better behaviour during door-to-door racing. Furthermore, the code related to the braking algorithm is now able to understand and use locked inside tyres for front-wheel drive cars.
Multiplayer
The antilag/antiwarp system has been vastly improved, featuring a new netcode prediction algorithm that is now used to handle missing packets that used to generate warps and lags, bringing about a more stable and consistent online experience.
Audio
Since the first Dream Pack, we have also put a lot of effort into audio, especially in the exterior sound department. Dream Pack 3 is no exception, with each car having its distinctive note, from the mighty little 500 Assetto Corse to the screaming DFV V8 engine of the legendary Lotus 72D. Furthermore, “old” cars are also undergoing a sound revamp: the 1.4 update will bring you new exterior sounds for the BMW M3 E30 DTM/Group A.
Full disclosure of everything shiny, new, and improved in the 1.4 update is as follows:
- New reflection rendering system
- HDR now matches real life photographic references
- Improved AI ability to stick to the intended racing line
- Improved AI braking code (able to understand and use locked inside tyre for FWD)
- Vastly improved multiplayer antilag/antiwarp system
- Fixed missing ksBrakeDisc script in all the remaining cars.
- Tweaked wet volume for reverb on high distance
- Tweaked dynamics for Audi R8 Plus interior sound
- New Bmw M3 E30 DTM and Group A exterior sounds
- New font rendering system for dashboards
- Fixed fadeout timing for gravel particles
- Improved digital instruments of all cars
- Fixed some bugged special events
- Tweaked most of the special events to be compatible with tyre model 5/6
- FXAA is now using Kunos’ own shader
- Fixed blurred rim/tyres on car with animated suspensions on farther Lods
ksEditor: added node grid - Introduced [DRS_ZONES] IGNORE_ZONES in drs.ini to allow road cars to ignore DRS zones (ie. McLaren P1)
- Fixed exaggerate motion blur for some camera modes
- Added serial opponent selection on Options->General: if flagged then opponents skin
is not randomly chosen, but alphabetically - Fixed unrealistic qualify times when session is skipped
- Fixed LaFerrari rear wheels
- Fixed Huracan GT3 model to update it from the pre-season version GT3 and GT2 cars tyre heating improvements
- Ferrari 312T Tyre v6
- Audi R8 Plus front torque vectoring and central differential improvements.
- Headlights revised on all cars
- Added missing dashboard lighting to cars where present
- Fixed various LOD issues on a large number of cars
- Car shader overhaul
- Skins fixes and updates on various cars
- Added templates for DP3 cars and Audi R8 Plus
- Optimization across the entire car range (should help with large fields)
- Digital instrument updates
- Fixed collision boxes on various cars
Dream Pack 3 is now available on Steam for 20% off ($7.99) if you haven’t already snatched it up, and if you’ve yet to jump on the Assetto Corsa bandwagon you can pick up the base game and all three Dream Pack expansions for 30% off at $45.49.
Stay tuned to GTPlanet for more on Assetto Corsa when it becomes available, and be sure to stop by our Assetto Corsa sub-forum for more discussion and in-depth analysis.
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Finally got some free hours to put in to sim racing again, and WOW, this update is very nice. Keep up the great work guys!
Equally important is that the game continues to scale well, running very well even on older hardware while still looking great (and looking amazing on more powerful equipment). I’ve now installed this on three systems, one a dedicated gaming machine and two systems definitely not up to modern gaming standards (older MacBook Pro with the 650m and most recently an iMac with an integrated Intel 5200). On both those not-really-great-for-modern-game-systems AC runs very well at native screen resolutions and with many detail settings at high settings (where you DO have to compromise is in the special effects area; shadows, smoke, etc. all need to be very low, but this has little impact on appearance in this type of a game anyway.)
I have to say, this laser scanned version of Brands is one of the best done tracks I’ve ever run on. You can feel all the little bumps and undulations. Some of the curbs toss you around as they should and you can feel the change in grip all over the track due to the various elevation and camber changes. I used to think that more was merrier and when it came to tracks, so long as it looked close it was good enough. I now think laser scanning should be a minimum for every game that wishes to place itself in the “sim” category and it should really be one of the defining elements of the sim racing genre.
Keep these A.I. tweaks coming, Kunos! Offline racing in this simulator is heartpounding stuff. The A.I. was already quite good, and I can’t wait to start a new GT3 championship against the improved bots.
This is good stuff!
Had a chance to turn a few laps at the new Brands Hatch in a few of the new cars and I’m mighty impressed. The new Lotus 25 is a real handful, the Escort is a little beast and the AMG GT3 is a great sounding and handling car that you can really push. The Lotus 72D is also spectacular. Another dozen packs like this and I might not ever need another game…lol.
Really solid car pack. A lot of really new GT race cars. The Ford Escort is a lot of fun to drive. And as a hidden bit of fun the Step 3 version of the Gallardo Superleggera has 1200bhp.
As an observer, the updates to the lighting/rendering really have improved the look immensely. The new content is quality stuff, too. Roll on, 2016!
The update to the graphics(mainly a custom preset to fxaa(tbh its pretty much TXAA from the looks of it)) made a massive improvement. Performance has also increased which is very odd, but it looks a lot better. i was trying to test out the new cars but ended up admiring the models and the track.
The console chaps are in for a real treat next april.
I saw a couple of still grabbed off facebook or twitter and they were remarkable. Maybe the best lighting I’ve ever seen in a game. Can’t wait to try it out shortly.