is this good or bad for Dirt Rally ?

[KevM 44]

On retesting, I have concluded that the Low surface trick is non-existent.  

When you have VISUAL road edge "boundaries" and virtual furniture with Medium+ surface graphics, you tend to run safer, cleaner lines within the road edges.  Running Low visuals lets you see through those same boundaries and actual hazards are clearer.  Therefore, you can smooth corner lines out by taking more cuts & more chances.  The audio is still there, of the invisible grass you are driving over and the FFB is still communicating the uneven surface, but the consequence of running a wheel over the edge, is nil, where you don't chance it when you run higher settings and can see where you ought not to put a wheel...

Myth-Busted!  B)

[F2CMaDMaXX 505]

Thank you for checking further into that one, Kev.

[PaloSamo 0]

Wait a minute KevM. You say that the low surface trick is non-existent just to point out advantages of running low settings in the next paragraph. Can you explain yourself? ;) 

[KevM 44]

Its a non-existent advantage!

Yeah, the Myth was that lower detail is meant to affect the road surface texture by smoothing it.  The theory is that the car is faster and easier to control on the smooth road.  I don't believe the surface to be any different regardless of Graphical setting.  

As I have said, if the road has stones/weeds/shrubs on the roadside, psychologically, you'll tend to stay away from them and drive a tighter stage line.  If they arent visible with a low setting, you'll confidently run a wider corner line/bigger cuts, even though you could drive exactly the same lines on higher settings without consequence.  This is where the pseudo advantage lies, not in smoother surface texture at all.  The roadside items are still there, as you can hear them.  They just have little effect when driving over them, whether you can see them, or whether you cant (I have tried both)!

[TonyRickard 17]

I believe most sims have separate physics based surface and a visual overlay (which can be adjusted for performance).

Using the Rift the biggest factor is colour palette which makes Finland much harder to view ahead than say Wales, as the track merges into the roadside. Not a lot we can do about that though!

With so many PC variants, monitor sizes and numbers , controllers and wheels and even VR headsets to deal with I believe support for PC sims is more important than parity although of course they should try as far as possible - without limiting support. If world records are the be all and end all of a design strategy then consoles is a far simpler option.

[PaloSamo 0]

Thanks KevM. So I guess it is nowhere near what can be done in RBR, when lowering graphics settings is getting rid of those stupid marshals occupying crucial parts of the side of the track where you either cut or run wide. This "trick" actually removes them from the game altogether :)

[Dytut 89]

In DR removing spectators is actually risky, since there are places where they disappear that is still insta-resets even though you see nothing there. The inside of a a few hairpins in monte comes to mind.

[TonyRickard 17]

Dytut said:

In DR removing spectators is actually risky, since there are places where they disappear that is still insta-resets even though you see nothing there. The inside of a a few hairpins in monte comes to mind.

Maybe we should be able to add more spectators!

[KevM 44]

That should be a DiRT Rally standard Group B class feature!  :D 

[PaloSamo 0]

I absolutely agree! Bring in more flesh! I mean spectators ;)

[MrDeap 12]

KevM said:

That should be a DiRT Rally standard Group B class feature!  :D 

It would be cool, but I doubt most of your users setup can handle that amount of crowds.

[MrDeap 12]

KevM said:

Its a non-existent advantage!

Yeah, the Myth was that lower detail is meant to affect the road surface texture by smoothing it.  The theory is that the car is faster and easier to control on the smooth road.  I don't believe the surface to be any different regardless of Graphical setting.  

As I have said, if the road has stones/weeds/shrubs on the roadside, psychologically, you'll tend to stay away from them and drive a tighter stage line.  If they arent visible with a low setting, you'll confidently run a wider corner line/bigger cuts, even though you could drive exactly the same lines on higher settings without consequence.  This is where the pseudo advantage lies, not in smoother surface texture at all.  The roadside items are still there, as you can hear them.  They just have little effect when driving over them, whether you can see them, or whether you cant (I have tried both)!

Kind of confirm your result. I felt the same way on Ultra Low.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUpOlgzwh9k

[Pioy 71]

RinusRally said:

DR should have a option in career, leagues and online events where if you hit spectators or vehicle reset you will be DNF. I really hated the resets because they ruin my flow, ruin the immersion, and it's an arcadish feature. 

From the other hand, most people is used to "flashbacks" nowadays. Yea, I know DR is not for most people, but coming this way - you can limit it yourself ;)

[bogani 756]

RinusRally said:

DR should have a option in career, leagues and online events where if you hit spectators or vehicle reset you will be DNF. I really hated the resets because they ruin my flow, ruin the immersion, and it's an arcadish feature. 

Many spectators are placed really stupid though. Places that would get the stage cancelled IRL.