New iGP: Update

We're working hard on getting the new iGP finished as soon as possible. We hope to have closed Alpha testing (with a few invited individuals) beginning in January 2016, with Beta testing starting soon after that.

In this blog I just wanted to show you the changes that have been made to the Race preparation screens shown in the last blog, based on your feedback. The new features implemented in race preparation since the last blog are as follows:

• Fuel was a hot talking point in the last blog. Fuel values have been returned to liters, but with a lap prediction count which updates in real-time as you adjust the fuel levels
• You also requested greater setup variety, so Aerodynamics in car setup has been converted to Wing Level, with a wide range of values, re-introducing skill in to car setups
• Five practice laps are now allowed instead of three
• Also to add depth, weather has been re-introduced in to practice, and the current conditions can be seen on the "Try setup" button
• Drivers now give textual commentary and feedback to the manager on their setup and strategy preferences
• Car compatibility with the circuit is shown on the Race tab - e.g. if you have a car which is great at producing downforce, it will rate highly at circuits with fast corners
• Tyre compounds are now colour-coded for clarity
• There is a total laps estimate displayed beneath the strategy page - this shows how long all the stints of your strategy combined are estimated to last
• Fuel levels for each stint are now automatically adjusted if you change the number of stints, saving time
• The + and - buttons on the number spinners accelerate as you hold them down, making it easier to make big changes quickly

Here are the screenshots:

We'll be keeping other areas of the game under wraps until testing begins in a few weeks, as we have many other significant announcements to make. Thanks to everyone for being so direct with us in your feedback and what you want to see from the new iGP. It has made some of our decisions easier and is now helping to steer development, which for the longest time was carried out in private. This cycle of feedback and improvement will only continue once the Beta is launched, before things become a bit more steady after the live launch.