Did you know that the LFS team has been working hard at adding new tracks and improving the graphics and physics?
That’s what this guide is all about: what’s new in LFS, and how you can get the best out of the game.
It’s been 20 years since the Live For Speed game debuted to the public, and in celebration of its anniversary, a timely progress report on future upgrades has been released by the developers.
The Live for Speed (LFS) team has previously hinted at the addition of day-to-night transitions and improved physics, but today they revealed even more information on two new tracks, as well as more screenshots of the new graphics system in action.
The Bancroft Autodrome
The first LFS track added to the list is the Bancroft Autodrome, a circuit based in the UK.
The all-new Bancroft Autodrome circuit is the first of many tracks announced for LFS, situated at an airfield. It seems to be perfect for high speeds and multiple uses.
From a bird’s eye view, it looks similar to the Top Gear Test Track (Dunsfold Aerodrome), with two expansive runways flanked by a piece of level tarmac.
At this early stage, the track appears to be a combination of Silverstone and Europe’s quickest circuit, Monza. However, does the presence of big, open spaces in both the infield and outfield sections imply that Bancroft will only host circuit races?
Autocross, drag racing, and rallycross course variants would also appear to go well with the location at a first glance.
Fairfield Test Centre
Fairfield Test Centre is set to bring a high-speed oval, skid pan, flowing country roads and suspension-busting speed humps to the simulator.
This circuit is set to be the next big oval test track, and will apparently also host a skid pan for those who like to practice their drifting.
The flowing country roads look like they’ll make for some spectacular point-to-point races, while the suspension-busting speed humps will test even the most hardcore of drivers.
New physics and graphics update for Live For Speed
The LFS website explained that the sim’s physics currently run at a refresh rate of 100Hz, which has proven to create fairly choppy graphics on occasion.
Therefore, the LFS team is now increasing the rate to 1000Hz, providing a smoother frame rate for all players.
The new graphics system will enhance refresh rate and enable smooth slow-motion replays.
It will also, for the first time in LFS history, accurately time laps down to one-thousandth of a second.
Those are all features that professional sim racing games have had for years, so it’s great to see LFS finally catch up in that respect.
The team is also working on a new system that will increase realism to car setups and tyre degradation to accurately reproduce data from real-world tyre tests.
The LFS team is working hard to bring all of these new features to the game in time for its 20th anniversary in 2022.
The enhanced refresh rate will come with the new graphics system and bring additional benefits in the form of silky-smooth slow-motion replays and – for the first time in LFS history – laps accurately timed down to one-thousandth of a second.
The new graphics will also see the arrival of reworked textures and day-to-night transitions on existing tracks like South City.
And by the way, the visuals will be significantly better than the current build of LFS.
Conclusion
So there you have it, everything the LFS team has been working on in recent months. What do you think? Are you looking forward to trying out the new tracks and features?
