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F1 2016/17 - Proposed New Launch Control System

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This is something I just came up over the past few days, because as a user of a Xbox One controller (i.e. no fancy sim setup), I struggle to get a good launch off the line at race starts with TC disabled in F1 2015, but can manage the lack of TC pretty well later on. I have a couple of ideas that I came up with over the past couple of days, and both center around the idea of, at race starts (and maybe other times by coming to a stop and maybe clicking a stick or something), the ability to use the Left Trigger (traditionally the brake) as a clutch paddle.


1) The first idea is similar to the current system, where the car auto launches when the lights go out, but instead of just holding the throttle, the clutch will also need to be used. Basically there can be a visual meter or something to help position the clutch (and maybe throttle as well) or, specifically for Xbox, the impulse triggers (trigger haptic feedback) can be used to help the player “feel” for the clutch. The player then tries to hold it there as steadily as possible and the launch happens when the lights go out. The visual cues can be done similar to a “tow cable takedown” on Battlefront Walker assault if anyone knows what I’m talking about. This way its not entirely easy to do, but you can still get a pretty decent launch.


2) The second idea is a bit more complex, but increases player control. This way, the left trigger is still the clutch, and has the trigger feedback and/or visual cues to get the clutch point, but this step will be made significantly harder, as the player will feel out the position, then push a button (maybe shift up?) to lock the clutch point. Once locked, the player will pull the clutch trigger all the way in, and will manually have to release it when the lights go out. Since there is more involvement on the clutch side here, I would suggest that the player be allowed to just push the throttle all the way down and still get a good launch so long as the reaction times are good. The key is that it should be difficult to get the clutch point perfect, even with a visual meter, so that getting a good launch is still difficult, but not near impossible like it is in the current game.


Of course, both of these would be subject to adding increased variability amongst AI starts, as it seemed in F1 2015 that they always got perfect starts. Probably quite late to bring this up for F1 2016, but maybe for 2017?


Personally, I would love idea #2 to be implemented, but let me know what you guys think! I’m totally open to suggestions!


Thanks!

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Yeah i would like the second one as it is more complex but with the wheel i think it would be a bit more realistic if we could use the downshift button for the clutch.

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Yeah I doubt that for F1 2016 this will be introduced, or any sort of variation in the player's start. However, AI this year will have much more varied starts- sometimes great, sometimes bad. They haven't really said to what level these 'bad starts' that the AI can get are.

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Hi @pijin

First of all, I don't think CM will implement this as they like to keep the game a bit arcade, but it'd be awesome to have the choice, as if it is an assist !
To be honest, I like the first idea more than the second one. You don't even need to have a visual indicator, I think it'd be more realistic to learn about it yourself in practice, meaning you'd have to do practice starts. Plus, since F1 drivers don't receive informations regarding clutch/throttle off the start from their engineers, so it'd reflect pretty much the real life.

The combination of clutch/throttle could give suprising starts ! That's what I like most about the ideas you put forth.

At least, give us some freedom ! Everytime I start a race in Project Cars, I like to feel the tension as it really is about timing, and also the procedure you choose before the start (if you play with manual gear). You can either gear up 1st as the lights go green, or put 1st and then accelerate at the green.

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fuschs said:
Hi @pijin

First of all, I don't think CM will implement this as they like to keep the game a bit arcade, but it'd be awesome to have the choice, as if it is an assist !
To be honest, I like the first idea more than the second one. You don't even need to have a visual indicator, I think it'd be more realistic to learn about it yourself in practice, meaning you'd have to do practice starts. Plus, since F1 drivers don't receive informations regarding clutch/throttle off the start from their engineers, so it'd reflect pretty much the real life.

The combination of clutch/throttle could give suprising starts ! That's what I like most about the ideas you put forth.

At least, give us some freedom ! Everytime I start a race in Project Cars, I like to feel the tension as it really is about timing, and also the procedure you choose before the start (if you play with manual gear). You can either gear up 1st as the lights go green, or put 1st and then accelerate at the green.
I also thought that the first one would be the most likely to be implemented as its a little more straightforward. Its probably more accurate to what really happens at races too.  Like you said, it could just be in the assists as like "Launch mode" or something and have manual vs auto or something.

I just thought that method 2 was a good compromise to allow players to react to the lights as well. Maybe even allow jump starts and hand a time penalty if they do. Right now its pretty dull so maybe the chance to get a better start than others would be cool. But you're right, this would be more akin to the 2015 system with the part up to "locking" it representative of the first clutch, and the depress all the way as the second clutch. 

Maybe it could result in some drivers just bogging down, while others don't react quick enough. That would add a lot of realism/variability to the game.

Thanks for the feedback! I appreciate it!

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Yeah I doubt that for F1 2016 this will be introduced, or any sort of variation in the player's start. However, AI this year will have much more varied starts- sometimes great, sometimes bad. They haven't really said to what level these 'bad starts' that the AI can get are.
True, I'm more hopeful for the next year. Good to know the AI will have some poorer starts, since it feels like with a game pad, its not possible to get a perfect start as the player.

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That's a awesome idea pal.

Should make the game generally more realistic.

Codies could maybe introduce that next to a total control in the pitlane as well.

Or at least give us a option in the menus to whether or not we want to do it manually or if the game does it for us like in the previous titles.

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I think it's a good idea and would add realism to the game. On pc and PS4 probably easy to implement. On the XB1 however, it will be difficult since we are already limited in buttons we can use. Wheel owners could use the actual clutch if they have the hardware. Pad/controller users, I don't know but the lack of programmable buttons probably limits this idea for the XB1

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I think it's a good idea and would add realism to the game. On pc and PS4 probably easy to implement. On the XB1 however, it will be difficult since we are already limited in buttons we can use. Wheel owners could use the actual clutch if they have the hardware. Pad/controller users, I don't know but the lack of programmable buttons probably limits this idea for the XB1
Ergo, XB1 is ****.

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HarryBrock said: 
Ergo, XB1 is ****.
Seriously, man? There are plenty of other forums for you to take your ****. If you have something constructive say it. Else please excuse yourself from the discussion.

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I think it's a good idea and would add realism to the game. On pc and PS4 probably easy to implement. On the XB1 however, it will be difficult since we are already limited in buttons we can use. Wheel owners could use the actual clutch if they have the hardware. Pad/controller users, I don't know but the lack of programmable buttons probably limits this idea for the XB1
You're right, the Xbox doesn't have as many buttons, and that's why I suggested having a "launch mode" at race starts where the brake trigger acts as the clutch. Only downside is there's not much flexibility in the controls. However, one the the Xb1 has that the PS4 and many PC game pads is haptic feedback through the trigger, which could help the player "feel" the clutch point without visual cues.

Thanks for the feedback!

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That's a awesome idea pal.

Should make the game generally more realistic.

Codies could maybe introduce that next to a total control in the pitlane as well.

Or at least give us a option in the menus to whether or not we want to do it manually or if the game does it for us like in the previous titles.
That's a brilliant idea. Then in practice sessions it can allow the player to have a choice of doing practice starts at the end of the pitlane to get used to the new launch mechanism!

That's an awesome suggestion!

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Yeah i would like the second one as it is more complex but with the wheel i think it would be a bit more realistic if we could use the downshift button for the clutch.
True, but are those buttons variable? Like does it detect if you push just halfway? Otherwise it could be quite difficult to use it since the clutch would be full on or full off  :D

Then again, I meant this suggestion primarily for pad users as its much more difficult to get a good start with those, but interesting input nonetheless. Thanks for the response though! 

I'm still putting some thought into how this would work for users who don't have the haptic trigger feedback, or wheels where the clutch wouldn't have haptic feedback either. My idea so far is just a visual meter or maybe just haptic feedback through the pad body or steering wheel when the point is reached. Not as realistic as the trigger feedback, but close enough

This works nicely with @LilBrown47's idea of having full pitlane control, so its possible to do practice starts as well. 

Hopefully the Devs see this and try implementing something like it for next year's title!

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pijin said:
HarryBrock said: 
Ergo, XB1 is ****.
Seriously, man? There are plenty of other forums for you to take your ****. If you have something constructive say it. Else please excuse yourself from the discussion.
Have you ever heard of a joke FFS.

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