After a little over a month since the previous article about the first closed beta of PISTA Motorsport, details about its development and the re-launch of closed betas to certain collaborators of the Argentine simulator are still unfolding.
Let’s delve into the development notes:
We successfully concluded the first phase of the beta and are now commencing the second phase this week. The outcomes from the previous version were highly satisfactory; we garnered a significant amount of feedback and correctly implemented 95% of the suggestions from our beta-testers (with some others still in progress). Furthermore, we were able to appropriately rectify all the errors or bugs from the previous phase. It’s crucial to maintain this pace of correction and improvement to complete previous tasks and functionalities 100% and shift our focus towards introducing new elements to the product.
Regarding pure product enhancements, we emphasize various graphic adjustments, enhancements in camera motion immersion for the vehicles, improvements in Force Feedback (FFB), mouse integration in menus, HUD enhancements, and numerous other changes.
A significant novelty for this second beta is the inclusion of the Formula 3 Metropolitana. This formula category is the most extensive in the country, featuring cars weighing 565 kg with over 140HP power output and substantial aerodynamic load. This served as a pivotal test for our physics engine as it is entirely distinct from the previously implemented TP Clase 1 Fiat Uno. It’s a rear-wheel-drive car (opposite to the front-wheel-drive Clase 1), with notable aerodynamic coefficient (unlike the Clase 1 without wings). Therefore, achieving a balanced outcome in the physics of both cars coexisting in the same simulator was essential for our development.
We worked with a scanned model of the Crespi XXV chassis with its new ‘halo’ implementation, yielding highly commendable graphical results. Concerning the physics, real GPS data from the category on different circuits was utilized, juxtaposed with software data to achieve identical tendencies, minimum and maximum speeds, and RPM regimen as the actual car. The result was immensely gratifying, yielding realistic physics and identical telemetry data as the real car, even attaining the same lap times.
Another significant innovation is the implementation of the second circuit on the platform: the La Plata Race Track. This circuit is one of the most frequently used in Argentina and boasts an extensive history, encompassing the vast majority of the country’s regional and national categories. Extensive work was put into its 2023 version due to significant renovations in terms of asphalt, curbs, extensions, and other factors. It’s of utmost importance for us to have the fully updated 2023 version. This race track is now fully functional on the platform with its three layouts: Long, Long with Chicane, and Short.
In this PISTA version, we are excited to introduce the dynamic wet track system. With this system, the track progressively gets wetter, forming puddles in strategically defined areas based on the incline, height of the curves, their banking, drainage, and other determining factors. These puddles drastically reduce the car’s grip, making it essential to avoid them to achieve the best lap time. Considering that some puddles form along the ‘radius of turn’—where cars pass—it’s often necessary to adjust the racing line to accommodate the conditions. This is unless the track dries due to weather or car activity, as these factors dynamically impact the puddles and the track itself, rendering it completely unpredictable and ever-changing from lap to lap, just like in real life.
The car’s tire features a water dissipation coefficient that detects real-time water levels on the track, working to minimize loss of grip by dissipating as much water as possible from the tire. When encountering puddles, the layer of water increases significantly, making it harder for the tire to disperse it. This leads to a drastic change in the car’s traction, often resulting in the well-known ‘aquaplaning’ effect. We’re also conducting initial tests of the ‘dry line’, where each passing car gradually dries the track, leaving a ‘trail’ with higher grip compared to wetter parts of the track, mirroring real-world conditions.
During the upcoming beta phase, our objectives include rectifying any errors, issues, or suggestions arising from this new version. Additionally, we aim to fully implement the rain mode, complete with its visual effects, windshield wipers, and more. We’re introducing a new circuit to PISTA Motorsport, as well as a highly popular category in Argentina that diverges from the types of cars featured on the platform so far. The next version will also incorporate a tire wear and temperature system that will impact both the vehicle’s physics and its visual representation.
New functionalities are also in the pipeline, including a replay mode, photo mode, and a garage mode for adjusting the vehicle’s setup. We are highly content with the product’s progress thus far and believe we’re headed in the right direction, buoyed by the positive feedback from users. Our intention is to steadily advance as we’ve been doing, continuously improving the product with each update. We extend our gratitude to everyone for their support and to our beta-testers for contributing to the product’s ongoing enhancement.
PISTA Motorsport is now available on Steam:
Don’t hesitate to add it to your wishlist to support the development!
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