SOUND AND GRAPHICS

BHMS: Sound is just as important as graphics in a realistic racing simulation... How are you going to improve the sounds, especially engine sounds in S2?

Scawen: We've made some changes to the way the exhaust pipe works and added an environmental echo system. We still have other ideas to experiment with, as the cars don't yet sound as powerful as we'd like them to.

BHMS: Is there going to be any major difference in graphics quality in S2?

Scawen: There aren't any major changes to our 3d engine core so we don't have some things we'd like to see in future like specular effects, changing weather and so on. But Eric is working on all the tracks and making improvements within the current system.

Eric: Since the first release of S1 the 3D code has improved a bit so I'm able to use more polygons for all the cars and the track graphics. I'm also using higher resolutions for the textures.


WEATHER

BHMS: Loads of questions came in about weather, what kind of weather effects we are looking for in S2, or do we have to wait until S3 to see them?

Victor: Weather effects will not be in S2, but will indeed have to wait for S3. It's not completely decided what effects there will be, but an old wish is to have 'real time of day' (position of sun). So that includes night driving. And a weather system would not be complete without at least having rain for wet road surfaces. Looking forward to that myself :)


DAMAGE MODELING

BHMS: Is the engine damage modelling improved in S2? Is there information available(gauges) for engine heat and oil pressure?

Scawen: We have a guage for engine temperature, and i expect to add more damage systems to the engine, for example a damaged radiator in a crash.

BHMS: Will there be (adjustable) rev limiter?

Scawen: I think there will be a rev limiter.

BHMS: How about transmission, could you damage it in S2, like loosig gears, or to have some failure in differential?

Scawen: I haven't thought about that much but as a guess, probably not for S2. It's one of many things that will depend on the time available.

BHMS: Tell us a bit more about suspension damage in S2!

Scawen: You can damage the thrust bearing by bottoming out the suspension and eventually it can break so you have no more springs and dampers on that wheel. Side impacts can damage lower and upper suspension arms or damage the wheel alignment. Also the whole suspension and wheel can be moved a bit when there is a major impact to that region of the car.

BHMS: Is it possible to damage your car in S2 so badly that it`s not possible to fix it in pitstop during the race?

Scawen: Yes you can damage it so it's not drivable any more.