As I said, I have avoided any research and simply developed as with the old system.
The levels dropped once a part was designed, and within a few days jumped back up.
Areas I have not developed since the first week have stayed the same level. I noticed when a new part was designed, the research level also went down, but shot up days later and became higher than parts I haven't developed in weeks.
So based on what I have seen, I see no point in setting anyone on research.
This has allowed me to (as of testing) produce a Div 3 car that is currently lapping 2 seconds faster than 3rd place; and could slot into the top 10 of Div 1 using the same designer/drivers/staff as last year where I was nowhere. This is on stock parts.
When i get my HQ upgrade next week i will have a few extra staff to re-test this again with out it having too much of an impact on my program. I'll keep everyone updated with it all.
I thought a part i had designed had actually exceeded the potential shown but it was actually a brand new part. On the upside it matched the research level of the part at the time so i guess it shows part rating is related to the research level right?
I would be wary. I think Robert's reading of the situation is correct, i.e. there is an underlying number for all of us that is sitting at Terrible / poor.. and is slowly increasing.
Either way, we do need some kind of guide here. Or at least something to display some kind of progress. As we really have no idea what is going on for sure.
You might be lucky Matt, you may be able to retain such a car by basing new parts on your current parts? My car is pretty rubbih and the research level not so good, looking at a while in the lower divisions i think
The problem with that Tom, is mainly the chassis I think, but time will tell, as I'm now making all my S4 parts. Yep already, because if they turn out garbage, then any new S3 parts would just have been a waste anyways.
