|
|
This is V8Thunder's online version of Daytona adapted for offline use with A.I. from J.R.Franklin.
Features:
- New Infield models.
- New track surface and grass textures.
- Addition of several missing buildings outside the track.
- A.I. completely overhauled and rescripted from scratch by J.R. Franklin.
- New banking transitions on the track and apron to better represent the actual track.
- There are also many many other updates and modifications of the track, most have
either been forgotten or are too minimal to detail here, trackside advertising is roughly 2012 specification but it is not exact, which is why the track has no year tag.
Changes from Day version:
- Converted for Night environments (obviously, LOL).
- Updated the main grandstand model & textures
- Updated the textures for the 3D crowd
- Updated some trackside wall textures, such as the safer barrier and Daytona logos.
- Added new night lights (as seen in Kentucky).
- Added new infield shading which "highlights" the road course as per the usual Daytona practice of having all the lights on regardless of track configuration being raced on (see known issues).
- Optional FPS saving LOD's are included for users who are experiencing low frame rates.
It is built based off the ingame original and has been adapted and updated over the course of 4 years, the track goes through periodic updates for V8 events so it is not an exact replica nor do the limits of NR2003 allow it to be. This project represents the culmination of many hundred hours of work with many contributors.
A lot of materials were sourced from other versions of the tracks, including the PWF, Revamped and SBP versions, so full credit to them where their original model/texture has been used.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KNOWN ISSUES AND NOTES ABOUT THIS TRACK
The A.I. for this track were constructed using a default papy_ai.ini, the default fast setups for each physics (CUP, GNS and CTS) and the opponent strength set at 97%. Ratings for the car sets used in testing and in developing the A.I. for this track are from the NRatings program using the MasGrafx Full Season V3.1 formulas. We went to great efforts to make the AI and racing as realistic as possible. At the same time, we also took some liberties with the A.I. tools available in the track.ini to enhance the "fun" factor. We're confident that you'll enjoy the offline racing experience against the AI the way we have set them up for you.
We also made an effort to get the A.I. to have an occasional random wreck that would bring out some cautions to further enhance the realism. In trying to achieve this, we had to "push the envelope" a bit with the settings in the track.ini. This required getting the A.I. to race a little tighter, change lanes and be a little more aggressive. As a result, the end user may experience an early wreck or 2 between the A.I. at the beginning of a race. This is because at the start of a race, the pack is at its largest and tightest. Testing revealed that once a couple of early wrecks occurred, then the A.I. seemed to settle down and spread out. However, once another random wreck occurred, the restart would re-tighten the pack and as the saying goes....."Cautions can breed more cautions". Kind of like real life racing!
To enjoy the best results, we recommend that you use the default fast setups provided with the track and car/truck sets containing ratings as described above. Your results and A.I. behavior, however, may vary depending on the type of mod used, the ratings of your specific car set, different setups used, driving style, skill level and countless other variables that make it practically impossible to predict the results that you will achieve while racing on this track.
We hope that you enjoy the racing experience!
ALTERNATIVE LP FILES FOR INDYCAR MOD
======================================
In the track folder are some alternative LP files for use with the Indycar Racing
mod (the default lp files are in the dat file). These alternative LP files widen
the racing line a little and make it less uniformed so the AI will move around a bit
more and get closer to one another. The PTA AI have been tuned with this in mind,
but the CUP/GNS/CTS AI were not. However, they can be used with them. Just be
warned this will lead to more wrecks. To use the alternative LP files, rename them
as follows: i.e. rename ALT_maxrace.lp to maxrace.lp, to disable their use and go
back to the original ones, rename them back.
AI CHECKUP IN CORNERS
=======================
The AI will sometimes checkup entering the corners. This is because they have been
programmed to race rather than run around in follow-the-leader packs. To "fix" the
checkups, lower the "ai_drafting_distance" number in the track.ini for the
respective physics (Cup, GNS, CTS and PTA). Be warned, however, that this will
result in the AI driving around in huge packs without attempting to overtake.
PTA PHYSICS / INDYCAR RACING MOD
==================================
The PTA based AI have been tuned with the default carset that comes with the mod, to run at 98%, in Cloudy conditions at 40F.
Deviating from these weather settings may cause the AI to not be balanced properly with your speed.
FPS/NIGHT SHADING
===================
The addition of the night shading, lights and lighting effects has cut into fps. Users with very old or intergrated graphics may find that it is simply impossible to drive the track due to this. Although night tracks are traditionally more taxing on systems than day tracks, the main drain on the fps is the new lighting which has a more realistic glow effect on it. As such this effect is only viewable when "all" trackside objects is selected in the options menu. Switching from "all" to "some" trackside objects will yield the best results. When "some" trackside objects is selected, the grass texture, crowd and light glows are not drawn, which should be enough to make the track bearable with a full field. Alternatively, there are some of the "old" style lights in the "fps_saving" folder, which should cause significant fps improvement, even when "all" trackside objects is selected. Copy them to the track folder to use them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CREDITS:
The following is a list of the people who contributed to this project:
1. Ian Smythe (Smiffsden.com): Original track concept and project development, graphic detailing and immersion, custom 3do object modeling and animations, textures, horizons, start grids, surface grip levels, quality assurance and testing.
2. J.R. Franklin: Project development, graphic detailing and immersion, object editing, textures, horizons, start grids, Lps, AI (Artificial Intelligence, i.e. the computer controlled cars), surface grip levels, quality assurance and testing.
3. Wayne Faircloth (62 Racing): Default Fast and Expert setups for the CTS physics.
4. Danny Coral (The Bullring): Default Expert sets for the Cup and GNS physics.
5. Revamped Reloaded: several buildings, textures and other stuff was sourced from the Revamped 2010/2011 tracks.
6. To anyone else whom we may have unintentionally neglected to mention but contributed in the creation of objects that have been borrowed from other NR2003 tracks for this project, we sincerely apologize. Although you were not mentioned individually, your contributions to NR2003 and this track are greatly appreciated.
We owe a debt of gratitude to each of you for your contributions, time, support and help.
If you appreciate our work, please consider a small donation to help with the costs of keeping the Smiffsden server running, thank you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOWNLOADS:
Daytona_SDT_Night.7z (7zip Archive 22.5MB)
| | 360° Panoramic View:
|
|
|
|