Forum topic: [Specifications] Development update

Hi everyone,

With the (sort of) downtime we're having right now, I thought it would be a good moment to already share the specifications that I've been working on regarding the development update.
A few months ago I said that I wanted to make the game more transparent, and ultimately more fun to play as a game. These changes should do that for the development system.

Disclaimer: these are not final and there's a chance that they won't be completely introduced, or more things might be introduced. This is just the document that I'm working from while developing the new system.

After this is finished, the racescript will receive its much needed update. But this had to go first, as the racescript takes a lot of info from the parts and otherwise I would have to change the racescript again after this was introduced.

Split research
The pages need to become less crowded on Pitwall in general, and the research should therefore be split off the development page. With the changes that are coming for the research, it would be better any way.

Research to per season
Because research right now is focused too much on the current season we don’t really simulate the trend in Formula 1 that sometimes the rules get thrown overboard and we get a new set of rules. This is not necessarily for the entire car, but it is regularly for one or more parts on the car.
As research will be split off from the development page, we can also allow a tab on the page to switch between the different seasons.

Rules maximum
The rules will now simply show the maximum value that a part can reach. Right now it says something vague like “very restricted”. But from this change on the rules will simply show the maximum value that the part can reach.

Removal of rules limits
At this moment the development is limited by the rules, and also the value that a part has is relative to this limit. Parts won’t be created relative to their limit anymore, and will have the real value. This also allows the teams to go over the limit with the parts, effectively running an illegal car.

Rules research
A new type of research that allows you to have your designers look into the rules and look for loopholes. Each rule set will have a real value, a potential value, and a multiplier which specifies how likely it is to find out the loophole. Not every rule will have a loophole each season (actually, only a few or no rules will have a loophole), which makes it exciting not knowing which loopholes have been found yet.

Development phases
Development will be split into several phases like we have now, but they will actually do something. The player will be able to cancel out certain phases or decide to make them shorter or longer.
1. Research
This phase starts the researching phase just like it can be done as a standalone. You will be able to state how high the research phase should go, but this won’t be higher than the maximum research level.
2. Development
The actual development where the part is improved. It should be made clear to the player how long this phase should be as otherwise the player is in the unknown.
3. Test bed
This phase allows you to assess the performance of the part. This value can be different than the on track value.
4. QA testing
This phase is probably only useful for the gearbox as it allows you to see how long the part will last generally.

Part ratings
At this moment the part ratings are hidden until a number of kilometers is done. Since the test bed phase in the development is introduced, people will be able to know the rating of the part before it hits the track (unless they skip the phase). Instead of not knowing your own part rating, the system will be changed to trying to find out the other teams’ ratings. Which makes sense, because you can always know everything from your own team, but need to look out where the strengths and weaknesses of your opponents are. Therefore over time the more kilometers your opponents do with their parts, you will get a better view of where they are with their parts. For now this will be kept the same for everyone (as in, there’s no way to increase the rate of finding out how good another team is) as otherwise it will get too complex.

Better overview
Parts will be shown in such a way that it is clear which part evolved from which part. A hierarchical structure in which the first part is shown first and the other parts are followed by it.

Weight tweaking
Weight is still too much of a random factor. It can’t be that a part all of a sudden is XX kg lighter. Especially for the heavier parts such as the chassis this is still a problem.

Project developers
The number of project developers needs to change so that people effectively have to make a choice on which part to improve first. It does not happen in real life that teams are working on all parts of the car (effectively creating a completely new car) at the same time. Parts will require more developers. It will be very clear and transparent how much change a change in developers gives (in terms of development rate).

Designer instructions
It will be possible to give instructions to your designer on what to do with staff that have finished their task. Make them research or assign them to other projects by default.

Testing programs
Testing will be changed so that there will be different testing programs available.
1. Set-up testing: improves the set up.
2. QA testing: improves the speed of how long a part will last.
3. Car performance: improves the speed of how fast you know how good your current car is.
4. Parts testing: improves the pace at which a part will be discovered.

*note: QA = Quality Assurance (quality control)

Just in case some of our younger members don't know.

I thought it stood for Question and Answer period!! LOL!!

So if I have this right we need to research parts potential (Maxed by our research departments abilities), Then develop the Part (Blue print) & Produce the part, Test Bed ( Test part ) to see if part actually has potential researched and/or can still be further developed & Last QA testing for reliability?

If that is the case couldn't we just move QA into Testing the part ie. Test Bed.

Since I think we are heading in the direction of more facilities, which I like so the testing could be done in different areas depending on how fast we want that part on the track.

Give an example of Mercedes since it was the first facility site that I found with this data; they have the following facilities:
1.Test & development center - For us that would be similar as we currently develop blue prints then produce but they are making models and using CFD
2. Aerodynamics Office - We don't have this yet but this is Mercedes CFD department where they quickly see what potential an idea might have before moving into the wind tunnel.
3. Wind tunnel - taking the model & CFD data can confirming that you have increases in performance in areas that you were looking for ie. Aerodynamic increase. They also have set limit of test they can run in the wind tunnel per week; currently set at 65; which is still very high.
4. Manufacturing (Production)
5. Design Office
6. Race Support - Collecting of Data through simulations, track testing & Race weekends.
7. Simulator - Used for driver training, limited track set-up & Data collection about driving behavior and ability.
8.Race Bays - Where they build the cars as part of QA & lead up to next race weekend.

While we don't need all of these facilities it might be nice to add a few to help increase the effectiveness of our staff in some areas.

Overall I like the ideas Frank and in the long run I think we will have a better stronger game for the changes.

I bet nobody can guess which line made me smile most...

Regarding the 'loophole' aspect; would it be implemented differently for each division? Only, I can bet by week 3 word will get out what the loop is and the chase is lost.

Different loopholes per division / league would make it more interesting.

seems I have wasted money building another staff module!

I thought QA was commonly known?

Some good ideas there Robert. But for now there won't be any changes on the facilities. That's too big of a change at once. I'll announce it way in advance. While this system or update will be introduced once it's finished. With facilities I need to give managers time to plan ahead.

Dan, no. The rules are the same for everyone. If word gets out then that's just like normal F1. It will become easier (or more likely) to find the loophole the more it has been discovered by others. But even if you know there's a loophole, it doesn't mean that you can press a button to find out about it. Once enough people have discovered it it will be. But in the very beginning not at all.

Q&A vs QA

however, I would like to hire a spy to find out which team found which loophole and may be running a illegal car
a, to steal ideas and technologie and b, to black mail the manager
(to much criminal energy today *evil laugh*)

are there any consequences when you run an illegal part/car?

how can loopholes be found?

Nice update ideas Frank!

I think an important feature to also look at was the old Holiday mode - or to be able to set your test / qualy runs in advance (ie, like the timer mode we have now; but perhaps for the sessions ahead if we go away).

Something else I wondered - is there a way to show which car parts are used on certain stints? Would be a useful feature if each stint produced a small data list of lines showing one which chassis number / gearbox revision / suspension revision etc).

#8 by Dipl-Ing. Philip E., BSc
however, I would like to hire a spy to find out which team found which loophole and may be running a illegal car
a, to steal ideas and technologie and b, to black mail the manager
(to much criminal energy today *evil laugh*)

I can loan you mine, however he will need to fully understand how your team works so he can notice if there are any differences to the way others work.

#8 by Dipl-Ing. Philip E., BSc
are there any consequences when you run an illegal part/car?

I'd assume you would be thrown out of the race or put to the back in quali.

#8 by Dipl-Ing. Philip E., BSc
how can loopholes be found?

#1 by Frank Van Laere
Rules research
A new type of research that allows you to have your designers look into the rules and look for loopholes. Each rule set will have a real value, a potential value, and a multiplier which specifies how likely it is to find out the loophole. Not every rule will have a loophole each season (actually, only a few or no rules will have a loophole), which makes it exciting not knowing which loopholes have been found yet.