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Yep, it seems like a popular opinion to bash ACC braking, without understanding the ABS system on race cars. Weight pitch still needs to happen etc. The only issue with ACC is that the rear tyres are usually more planted than you'd see in reality...this often allows sloppy braking behaviour. This is proven with the whole negative toe thing and super soft suspension and damping. On a real race car, this would kill you. So, the braking seems reasonable, but it is the other stuff that causes people to think the braking is worse than it is.

Yeah I am not sure what is happening with AMS2. In general their approach to releases has always been very sloppy about dates and so on. I can say from driving the beta, the slip angles have been improved a lot. The rear will let go in a more realistic manner from what I can tell. Physics wise, it is looking to be a good improvement. I am interested to see what the multiplayer looks like moving forward. If LMU sort out the little annoying bugs, it could set AMS2 back a little more.

Currently, the game remains unstable on many machines, with players (myself included) experiencing random crashes, glitches, and other issues. This instability is the main reason I haven't been streaming more LMU content. It's frustrating for both me and the viewers when a crash interrupts an exciting race, and it has happened on stream before. So, I'm holding off on streaming until these issues are resolved. To be fair, the development team is working tirelessly to address these problems, and it’s also worth noting that not everyone encounters crashes consistently. For example, I might go a day or two without any issues, but then experience multiple crashes within a 30-minute span.

I get what you mean. rFactor 2 has so much potential, and it would be awesome to see it receive updates on par with LMU. And yeah, the Bahrain track is definitely on the pricier side considering the title seems to be in a legacy state now. A discount would make it a lot more accessible for players who’ve been waiting to add it to their collection. Doing this could add supplementary income to S397.

I have swapped the controller profile to one of the later DD2 presets and also reinstalled the game. I will see how that goes. Fingers crossed.

I completely agree. LMU offers a truly unique driving experience. It challenges you to improve, pushing you to be your best behind the wheel. The game demands precision and focus, but all the tools you need to feel the car are right there-at your fingertips and under your feet. It's a beautifully crafted experience.

Hey, thanks for sharing your thoughts! I totally get what you mean about feeling the sound with big speakers-there’s something awesome about the rumble and impact you get from those 12" towers. For me, I use the Beyer Dynamic MMX330 with 32-bit 96 kHz audio because it gives me super clear and detailed sound, especially in sim games. I love being able to pick up every little detail and get great spatial awareness, which can sometimes get lost with bigger speaker setups. It makes me feel like I’m right there in the car, even if I don’t get the same physical vibrations you’d feel with speakers. But not everyone may be on really high definition audio like that. In the end, it’s all about what you’re after-whether you prefer feeling the sound or hearing every detail. Both are awesome in their own way. That being said, I think if I had the physical tower setup, I'd probably swap between the two for the experience of it.

Waiting for Interlagos and some GT3 cars!

And by the way, I also tried ams2 1.6.

I couldn’t agree more - LMU has really set the standard when it comes to car and tyre physics. The level of realism is unmatched right now.

I hear you! LMU does have a lot of potential, and I can understand the feeling that it’s not fully there yet, especially when compared to features like real weather in AMS2 or the Tempest system in iRacing. With so much experience in rF2 and sim racing, your expectations are totally valid. Although, I thought LMU had a live track thing and actual current weather? I am open to correction.

@@GSSimRacing rf2 i think has real road 2.0 that implemented near the end of 2022 if i remember well EDIT Real Road 2.0

@@mesfigas I found this: "In rFactor 2, Real Road 2.0 handles wet weather and its interaction with the racing line in a detailed manner. The system dynamically simulates how the track responds to rain and drying conditions, adding a strategic layer to racing in wet environments. Wet Track Dynamics: When it rains, water accumulates on the track, affecting grip levels. The racing line becomes slippery due to the combination of water and the rubber laid down from previous laps, which can make it more treacherous than off-line sections. However, as more cars pass over certain areas of the track, they begin to disperse the water, slowly drying the racing line. This allows for better grip on the line over time. Drying and Wet Racing Line: Conversely, if the track begins to dry after the rain, the racing line will be the first section to improve in terms of grip, as cars help push water off the tarmac and the sun or ambient temperatures facilitate evaporation. Drivers may need to adapt their strategies depending on how quickly the racing line dries compared to the rest of the track, which could remain wet and slippery for longer. This real-time evolution of the track surface creates dynamic racing conditions, forcing players to choose between driving on the drying racing line, which offers more grip but may be tricky in heavy rain, or venturing off the line to find better traction in less rubbered areas during downpours​". Seems like the wet line thing is simulated. Maybe just cleared faster than iRacing at the moment.

@@mesfigas Summary here www.studio-397.com/2022/05/may-update-released-new-content-now-available/

Studio 397 has done a great job laying the foundation, but there are definitely still some areas that could be improved (mainly stability) to really elevate the game to its full potential. It feels like they’re so close, and with the baseline being as solid as it is, I’m hopeful that the future updates will keep pushing things forward. The next big updates will bring GT3's I think, and hopefully, the ACC users with it.

It is exactly like this, the MSGM hatred is real.

Yeah, it seems like there was an update at some stage that fixed this. I remember LMU launched with this to an extent, which is not really there now.

I like that , sim racing 2.0. It certainly feels like nothing out there. Quite unique in that sense.

I completely agree, I haven't fired up another sim in weeks - LMU has definitely raised the bar and it’s hard to go back to other sims once you experience the improvements in almost every aspect. As for the camera, yes, you’ll need to assign specific controls for camera movement. Once you’ve got those set up, you’ll be able to move the camera freely and get some great angles. Let me know if you need any help with setting that up! I am luck y enough to map them to a stream deck, although I need to venture into taking proper photos...that is my next adventure with camera shots. 😁

@@GSSimRacing Thanks for the offer Gary, but I've already managed to map them and it works fine. Eager to try out what's new in this simulator. Greetings

Oh the suspension physics changes is new to me, where did you learn of that?

@@layingblacklines Ben Rossiter or Dan, I don't remember exactly who, but I think was Ben, commented it in discord

they really need to focus on stability.. i had a quick g and got 2 crashes.. was gonna refund but as im planning on upgrades so a the few extra fps i get from cpu and gpu auto over clocks wont be needed for a stable 72 fps in vr ive decided to keep it.. as soon as i have time i will try it with vr in open xr but i hope they sort the re-centre vr button.. really dont wanna have t go in and mess around with the config file in note pad to add it lol... at the mo i just drive AC in LFM as i didn't take to ACC and iracings tire model and ffb just dosnt appeal to me when taken with the price but LMU sounds like what im looking for

@@awakeandwatching953 In my case, since the launch I've had few problems, crashes very occasionally and stuttering, but since the last update I haven’t had any crashes at the moment, and most importantly, I have no stuttering. However, they need to continue stabilizing the game, many users are still experiencing issues, in many cases, it’s due to PCs with specifications below necessary and high graphic settings, but they are still working on improving stability. I am also a VR user, using OpenXR (with CAS and Foveated rendering enabled) with Open Composite and optimized settings using Oculus tray tool, I have a 5800X with a 3060 Ti, and I can play with 48 AI cars on the track at constant 72 FPS with a custom graphics setting on low and medium, although the sunset causes a drop in FPS. For now, I’m still playing on the monitor until I upgrade to a 4070 Ti for a better VR experience. I suppose or hope that in the next major update in December they will officially release VR with a centering button along with other improvements, although for now I have no problem adding it in the controller.json

Thanks so much for such a detailed breakdown - you’ve really captured the key changes and these are great insights. I completely agree that LMU has taken everything up a notch, especially with the new tyre model and suspension physics. It’s great to see just how much more refined and immersive the driving experience has become. The fully integrated environmental effects on track temperature and grip are a real game-changer in terms of feel, clearly, adding to the realism in a big way. You’ve made an excellent point about the transition from rF2 to LMU and how those updates in rF2 laid the foundation for where we are now. It is shame that the RF2 game is still not up to that same standard...although I might try a uninstall and reinstall. Perhaps it is my installation that is messed up..? I’m also excited to see how the WEC-focused approach develops, especially with the potential for more tracks and series in the future (ACO series) - that could really take things to the next level! I also think the GT3 additions will ramp the player base up. Thanks again for sharing your insights, and I look forward to seeing you on the track

Yeah I'm really liking it. It adds to the immersion for me and is quite good when racing side by side with people. Being able to glance to the side can help with avoiding accidents etc.

I think VR is working pretty well for some people right now. I do think it is still being optimised.

​@@GSSimRacingit's not at the right place for me yet, but when they get VR properly sorted, and an offline championship mode, then I'm in

@@Lakedistrictrider VR is working like a dream, currently its running and looking arguably the best of all the sims.

@@fingers68 This is exaggerating a bit IMO... you need to lower settings quite a bit for it to be stable, HUD needs work, there are still random game crashes for a lot of people, mirror quality tied to desktop resolution, etc etc... Still not as sharp as AMS2. But it's a great step in the right direction and it's certainly driveable for anything but long multiplayer races now. Arguably it's even better than rF2 already.

@@jonasclementdk not to mention theres no control for re-centre hmd unless you add it by txt

It has raised the bar for all others.

I dont care if it is, they need to survive cause I dont want to go back to iracing

Could not agree more. I am currently committed to hypercars, and it is nice that they are all providing so different driving experience (the combination of handling, sounds, visuals, specs). This game really is a treat if you are into WEC. And if (when) we get the GT3s, the WEC experience will become even better and will undoubtedly bring more players on board.

I'm seriously considering cancelling my iracing sub. For a laid service, the game is quite poor. Like, I'm paying for the competition system essentially, and then paying a high price for mediocre cars and tracks, in my personal opinion.

@@AaveII going between classes is really great in this game. I've done some online multiclass over the past few days and it really adds to the racing. Trying to get past slower cars and gain time, or, try to not lose time letting faster classes pass. It's a brilliant dynamic. I done the monza special over the weekend and it was kinda fun, but not ideal. A grid full of isotta cars. A bit flat I guess.

I think the game is 30 dollars or Euros. For a game, this is not too expensive. Although getting into sim racing can be quite expensive overall, when you factor in sim racing gear.

Sebring in LMU is perfection! The constant bouncing is bad, but also...Oh so good!

Thank you. And yeah, I hope they bring ELMS or some other ACO series to the game. I think we can expect Interlagos and some GT3s...so I think this will capture the attention of ACC players. Although not right away (assuming we get only 2 or 3 GT3 cars and not the full roster).

Yeah I think the actual picture is even better then the one I painted here. So I think that everything is going in the right direction.

Thanks for the feedback. I usually do a separate audio pass and listen to it as I'm doing that, but I will adjust the voice/car sound going forward. I'm on high definition audio on my motherboard audio so the voice and car sounds are clear. But if I watch on my bedroom TV, it can sound different. I'll make the voice sound more clear next time and turn down the car and game volume a little bit more. 👍

I agree...I just struggle to find the will to fire up anything else rn. And it is not because the others are "bad". LMU just does so much right in the physics and FFB department.

Thank you for the kind words, and I hope to see you on track!

I did see one video of a guy prefering the VR now to the AMS2 VR. I was only watching it today. It might be worth doing a check of recent videos. I know there have been some guys racing in VR recently. Worth a look.

Yeah, well, I lost a wheel last night and wings can come off, body work get banged in etc. It was always there to my knowledge.

@@lucaszecat I think iracing does a bad job with implementing abs, and I think the lack of flat spotting is also a draw back. This, along with the tyre model is what keeps me from driving it too much for road racing. It needs a major update over the coming year, I hope it gets it.

@@murfenator82 personally I can feel that limit quite well. Double check your not running filters in the ffb like damping or friction etc. And keep and interpolation or reconstruction filters to a minimum, like 1 click up from off.

@@GSSimRacing im using some smoothing but ya no filters. Moza DD. LMU does steering rack forces (based on rF1 from realfeel plugin days i believe). It just doesn't give a lot of info or change in FFB for the tire itself. There is a lot of force coming thru, but its not related to the tire really. This is why the rear can be hard to catch. It only starts to become noticeable in the FFB once the rear is so far sideways that its pulling on the steering rack, by then with the edgy-er tires its too late.

No, I have a key though but never installed it. I may give it a shot. From what I heard though, it was a bad implementation of the old RF1 engine?

Yeah the graphics on this one are pretty good and the processing effects is using Yebis, which I think is the same used with AC Content Manager.

@@DanBlake3rd yeah cold tyres are like driving on wets 😂. From hearing irl drivers, tyre temps are this important too...so it is interesting to manage that when driving the sim.

It would be likely that any profitable part such as the S397 team, is exactly where the value is in any sale. The company has nothing else of value. Driven Lifestyle need to release grip on it though. They have a huge controlling stake due to the share structure....like, 80+% control.

@@GSSimRacing Hopefully, whoever buys it will keep them on board. Who knows, they might end up with a bigger budget and be able to make LMU better in less time.

Yeah, I think we need to remember that sim racing is a very niche thing. And MSG were behaving like a larger corporate in many areas. This led to a lot of overspending and waste.

@@GSSimRacingUnfortunately, I think you're right. The corporate environment is notorious for financial mismanagement by people who overestimate their importance. A successful title in a niche market like sim racing requires investors to be passionate and involved in the product, and not just see it as a cash cow.

@@brett22bt If they get on top of the cost side of the business, they will do just fine. The problem is, their parent company allowed the license purchases to try take out iRacing....and failed at this. Doing this will alienate the entire player base. I think they have learned their lesson in this area...at least I hope.

I came so close to uninstalling it last week. I have almost 2000 hours in ACC and have no intention of going back, sadly. LMU is just levels above.

Nah, not dead. Here is a video on the financial position of MSG, but bear in mind, my estimates near the end of the video are very low, so things are even better than this video suggests. th-cam.com/video/QRluHigFczU/w-d-xo.html

Yeah, the quality of the work gone into the game is clear to see. A few bugs still present, but you can see active work ongoing and that fills me with confidence. How is the driver swap race playing out for you?

Yeah, and for online...any contact in ACC results in cars being thrown off track...not the case in LMU. And I think you make a good point regarding buying and backing the title. In Niche sim racing games, it really is on the player base to support the development work. It is true of any software, but if the player base is small it becomes even more important.

"Better than human players" - I can't disagree. Yeah the AI is pretty good, still requires some tweaking, but you can race them. They also get into their own mess and crashes too, as could be seen. But yeah, it was good to see the reactions against a different class behind.

@@pringlewheel I do think VR optimisation is on their list. It's been mentioned a few times on the forum and on their discord.

Well it is about 75-80% baked. Some stability and features are needed, but other than that, the game is fantastic. The hype with people is the actual driving physics and realism. This is what is grabbing people in at the moment. And having the WEC license with a platform like this...well, it should be amazing. iRacing have had years to deliver a realistic platform to use their licenses...and failed. I hope at least that LMU take this chance.

Your credibility vanished when you mentioned forza as a sim.

The games average daily playerbase is down almost 75% of what it was during its initial month of release. You say the playerbase is only growing, but outside of its content releases it hasn't really changed at all. We're talking about a game that globally averages less than 400 people playing. To think that Microsoft or any major console company would have this game on their radar is being almost delusionally optimistic. The game is lacking basic features like track IR still. It's AI is suicidal as you unintentionally showed, there still is no safety car or full flag rules of the series it's supposed to be simulating. There is no career or even season championship, something that if it went to console would 100% need to be implemented and working properly. It is not at all being over dramatic or "misinformation" to warn people who are thinking about buying the game that it may never be finished. The company is up for sale and has been in the red for over 12 months, turnovered it's leadership, sold off multiple licenses to avoid insolvency, and has now laid off a large portion of its developer base. Like be honest, yes you love the game, but there are major red flags that put the future of LMU into question and to argue otherwise is ignoring reality.

@@DustySticks Yes, LMU's player count has dropped since launch, with around 500-600 players online daily, but that's normal for most games after the initial hype fades-especially niche simulators. What matters is that a solid community remains, and they’re invested in the game. It's true that some features like TrackIR support and a career mode are missing, but the devs are actively working on updates. These may not be flashy, but they’re improving the core gameplay, and many games add features gradually, even after launch. As for the company’s financial issues, restructuring is pretty common in the industry, especially with smaller studios. Saying the game might never be finished is a bit of a stretch. They’re working on securing new investments, which shows they’re not giving up. And while LMU might not be a massive hit right now, games with smaller, passionate communities can still catch the eye of big platforms like Microsoft. Niche titles have succeeded before, especially with steady updates and community support. So, it's not as hopeless as it seems.

@@GSSimRacing 500-600 Is nearly doubling steams charts average players. The last 30 days it's been just above 350 players. You're peeking at just over 600 players, which in and of itself wouldn't be a big deal for a sim title, but when the company is publicly traded and hemorrhaging money it is. You're completely under selling the financial troubles MSG is in and their situation is absolutely not "normal". They are a publicly traded company. They have been bleeding money for over 12 months straight, burning millions each quarter. They lost the rights to IndyCar because their failed to deliver a IndyCar game within the given time frame IndyCar wanted. They sold their Nascar license in order to get an injection of cash after their Nascar game failed miserably. They lost the BTCC license due to their inability to produce a BTCC game. They've abandoned rF2 development because they had to put all their eggs into the LMU basket to avoid a similar fate that they had with their IndyCar and BTCC licenses. They just laid off 24 employees which they said was about 39% of their work force, so they now have less than 40 employees. MSG is in dire straights, they are not looking for extra funding, they are looking for someone to buy them out. That is a huge difference from "looking for additional funding".

The other day I done a reinstall of the game. I also have a habit now of verifying the steam files after every game exit, before turning off my computer. Also, ensure no overclocks. Since doing this, I have not had any crashes. And I have been doing a fair few races over the last few days. Before doing this, I'd have had a few crashes.

@@GSSimRacing i must admit i do have a vram overclock for less sttutering. But i will keep checking the game files then. I do that sometimes and i always have exactly 8 missing, but i was sure it's a bug.

@@nicolopastore5492 iRacing has its strong point in the online player base and the license setup. But it does need a massive upgrade everywhere else. Consider it is the most expensive driving game by a huge distance, yet lacks in a lot af areas.

Yep, it is the best we have at the moment, and probably the best we have ever had.