Le Mans Ultimate raced onto Steam Early Access exactly three weeks ago today. It was a promising start, but the early access build suffered from a few teething issues, with players experiencing bugs and glitches. This is to be expected however, as the early access version doesn't represent the final build.
Hotfixes have already addressed several issues, but today sees the launch of Le Mans Ultimate’s first major patch update.
Le Mans Ultimate's first major patch update out now
Available to download now on Steam, Le Mans Ultimate’s first patch update brings an array of bug fixes and improvements for the user interface, input devices, setups, AI, and online features. Numerous circuits and cars have also been updated.
Notably, online race stars have been changed so that cars can no longer move on the grid and LMDh cars now correctly switch to EV mode at the start of a pit stop. Weather settings now save and load correctly, and it’s no longer possible to use more tyres than players have available. Several game crashes have also been resolved.
"We will get there, we will get to the bottom of things"
It’s a step in the right direction, but this is the first of several updates planned for Le Mans Ultimate in the near future. Studio 397 confirmed that work on the next patch is already underway.
“Some of you may be disappointed that your issues and problems may not have been fixed in this round of updates – but rest assured we are already working on our next patch the moment this one lands. We will get there, we will get to the bottom of things,” Studio 397 wrote in a blog post.
“This is just the start for us – we know we have a long way to go as we work towards getting on top of the list, but with this latest update we aim to remove some of our known issues, enabling you to enjoy your time on track even more.”
Looking ahead, Motorsport Games CEO Stephen Hood hinted that console ports “make sense” and that 2024 content “won’t be drip fed” in a recent interview with RacingGames.
For more details, you can check out the full patch notes below.
Le Mans Ultimate update 1 patch notes
General Updates
- Fixed a crash when TGM option is enabled, often affecting triple screen users due to the default key combination
- Fixed a crash type when joining/leaving a multiplayer server
- Fixed dynamic rain drops not rendering on car surface
- Changed online race starts so that cars can no longer move on the grid
- Added additional logging for some issues, including loading getting stuck at 48% and joining servers to help us diagnose potential fixes
- LMDh cars now correctly switch to EV mode at the start of a pit stop
- Removed foreign characters from controller names that caused errors reading the file
- Removed the possibility of getting in an enteral loop of practice results in single-player
- Adjusted default Post Effects setting to Low to improve performance across a wider variety of hardware
- Weather settings now save and load correctly
- Player is no longer able to use more tyres then they have available
- Fixed low starting virtual energy causing pit stops to be requested when they shouldn’t be
- Fixed an issue causing Head Physics to be locked to a maximum of 10%
- Increased rate of windscreen cleaning at pit stops
- Increased strength of terrain ambient occlusion, for occluded areas in overcast lighting.
- Fixed some issues where shadows would not work correctly on TV cameras. Minor improvements to shadows in general.
UI
- Moved Tyre Manager and Setup menu option to the top navigation bar in race events for easier user access
- Car wireframes have been removed and replaced with a top-down view of the car you are driving
- Added virtual fuel and fuel capacity to setup screen
- Fixed some areas of the game not translating to localised languages
- Updated Triple Screen multiview tool graphics
- Removed non-functional FFB settings
- Special curb effect
- Steer resistance effects
- Car specific FFB
Input Devices
- Added Asetek wheel default presets
- Fixed default steering angle on Moza profiles
- Adjusted Moza R9 Wheel base preset – fixed inverted steering
- Use Simultaneous Shift Up & Down Neutral Activation now off by default
- Updated G920 profile with corrected FFB settings and updated default assignments
- Fixed Steering Torque Sensitivity Description and updated allowed range to be 100% to 200%.
AI
- AI will now be placed on the grid in class order on events with no qualifying
- AI now use proper race strategy in race only SP sessions
- Improved AI tyre compound prediction at start of race
Online
- Users are now prevented from driving off during pre-race countdown
- Added an error notification for registering for an event when it’s full after we have started servers – please register at least 6 minutes before a session to be guaranteed a space
- Those who have not validated their email will now receive a message to do so when trying to go online
- There is now a countdown to the race start in monitor
- Also removed the scary retire message if you are on grid
- Fixed an issue of previously registered drivers showing up in other event pages
- Fixed sometimes being sent to the wrong event when leaving a practice server
- On race monitor screen you can now see the info for all sessions on the left
- Event cards no longer appear blank on first launch
- Updates to the online profile should now sync across multiple machines
- Fixed some track maps being inverted on event cards
- Time remaining in a race now updates live when time scaled are events are run online
- Safety car has been removed from being displayed as an available car on the event ticker
- Weird numbers in chat near the end of an online race removed
Circuits
- Bahrain International Circuit
- Removed rain from default weather
- Fixed undercar shadows not applying to terrain decals
- AI: minor updates, keep AI off curbs at penultimate turn.
- Fixed some track limits errors
- Fuji Raceway
- Improved Mt Fuji material
- Updated advertisements
- Removed rain from default weather
- Fixed undercar shadows not applying to terrain decals
- Fixed incorrect brake markers at T1
- Fixed floating props in pit garages
- Minor terrain material updates
- AI: Major review improved main driving line
- Fixed some track limits errors
- Circuit de la Sarthe (Le Mans)
- Fixed undercar shadows not applying to terrain decals
- AI: Minor revisions
- Fixed some track limits errors
- Prevented dust effects on some surfaces which should not have them
- Autodromo Nazionale Monza
- Moved Pit Box 5 which was in empty garage to occupied garage
- Added missing TV screen on pitwall platform
- Updated pit entry/out signs to standard WEC assets
- Fixed undercar shadows not applying to terrain decals
- AI: Minor revisions, stop AI overdriving at 2 Variante.
- Fixed some track limits errors (Parabolica and slightly more lenient at Turn 1)
- Small fixes to roadlines
- Algarve International Circuit (Portimão)
- Fixed undercar shadows not applying to terrain decals
- AI: Fixed slow downs onto main straight
- AI: Minor revisions
- Fixed some track limits errors
- Sebring International Raceway
- Removed invisible collision barriers at main pit lane entry and IMSA pitlane entry
- Fixed undercar shadows not applying to terrain decals
- AI: Improved pit path
- AI: Minor tweaks, stop AI over-driving some corners
- Minor tweaks to track limits
- Spa Francorchamps
- Minor track limit revisions including T1 review
- AI: Fixed AI clipping pit wall on initial entry
Vehicles
GTE
- Aston Martin Vantage GTE
- Removed push decal from door
- Fixed number plates on 55 and 98 THOR WEC
- Optimised shadow objects
- Fixed missing mirrors in cockpit
- Fixed hole in floor
- Fixed headlights not reflecting in puddles
- Updated headlight glow
- Updated flag display
- Corrected fuel estimate, was too low
- Added gear change restrictions, so going from N to R cannot be activated above 5km/h and going from N to 1st cannot be activated above 80km/h
- Corvette C8.R GTE
- Fixed issue with brake calipers
- Added windscreen wear
- Added rain light
- Flag display settings
- Fixed headlights not reflecting in puddles
- Optimised shadow objects
- Removed KM/H from HUD
- Corrected fuel estimate, was too low
- Add gear change restrictions, so going from N to R cannot be activated above 5km/h and going from N to 1st cannot be activated above 80km/h
- Ferrari 488 GTE EVO
- Optimised shadow mesh
- Fixed issue with brake calipers
- Fixed missing rear wing end plate
- Added rain light
- Add gear change restrictions, so going from N to R cannot be activated above 5km/h and going from N to 1st cannot be activated above 80km/h
- Added 12.5kg of weight penalty for non Le Mans tracks
- Porsche 911 RSR-19 GTE
- Fixed gap in centre mirror that could be seen on onboard cameras
- Fixed mesh issue below driver side door
- Fixed position lights not showing on certain LODs
- Fixed headlights not showing in puddles
- Made rain light a lot brighter
- Fixed issue with brake calipers
- Flag display settings
- Adjusted cockpit camera position
- Moved flag display higher up
- Optimised all driver related meshes
- Increased headlight glow brightness
- Added custom colours to headlights
- Corrected fuel estimate, was too low
- Add gear change restrictions, so going from N to R cannot be activated above 5km/h and going from N to 1st cannot be activated above 80km/h
LMP2
- Oreca 07 LMP2
- Optimised shadow mesh
- Fixed rain tire textures not showing
- Fixed headlights not showing in puddles
- Fixed brake lights not showing
- Updated flag display
- Corrected fuel estimate, was too low
- Change gearbox downshift protection rpm threshold down to 8300rpm
Hypercar
- Cadillac V-Series.R LMDh
- Updated flag display
- Fixed left and right mirrors not being adjustable
- Fixed headlights not showing in puddles
- Added extra 10mm of range for rear 3rd packer settings
- Ferrari 499P LMH
- Fixed gap in centre mirror that could be seen on onboard cameras
- Fixed rim blur
- Fixed strange shadows on track in cockpit view
- Fixed headlights not showing in puddles
- Fixed typo in default setups
- Glickenhaus SCG 007 LMH
- Fixed two objects poking out of cockpit, were visible from external views
- Fixed font so “R” shows in non english languages
- Fixed rear camera being too bright
- Fixed headlights not showing in puddles
- Fixed headlight glow not showing
- Updated flag display
- Exterior on-throttle sample sound update and slightly increased volume
- Peugeot 9X8 LMH
- Fixed rim animation
- Updated wiper animation and textures
- Updated LOD uvw maps
- Flag display settings
- Centred camera
- Optimised shadow mesh
- Made headlights reflect in puddles
- Changed default setups
- Porsche 963 LMDh
- Updated rim material
- Fixed low body LOD
- Fixed setting change title and text
- Removed arrows from detail mesh
- Added blue pit light for car #5
- Added red pit light for car #75
- Adjusted emissives labels
- Optimised shadow mesh
- Updated rim smoothing
- Added rain light
- Updated flag display
- Made headlights reflect in puddles
- Added extra 10mm of range for rear 3rd packer settings
- Small onboard engine sound sample bugfix
- Toyota GR010 LMH
- Updated cockpit materials
- Fixed number plate clipping on certain LOD levels
- Fixed issue with brake calipers
- Flag display settings
- Fixed cockpit view position
- Moved flag display up
- Made headlights reflect in puddles
- Lowered HUD and flag display glow
- Changed default setups
- RCD class filter correction
- Reduced onboard MGU volume
- Vanwall Vandervell 680 LMH
- Added rainlight
- Updated collision mesh
- Updated wiper animation
- Fixed brake light
- Updated flag display
- Updated brakes textures and meshes, updated current LODs and added missing LODs
- Optimised shadow mesh
- Optimised LODs
- Added interior glow mesh
- Made headlights reflect in puddles
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