I´ve just received a very interesting message via the “Report News” feature, including what is supposed to be a first preview shot of ISI’s much anticipated successor to rFactor.
The shot is said to show Spa Francorchamps 1969 which adds up as Spa and a historic F1 car were hinted at by Gjon Camaj in an interview with SRT. Even though the picture isn’t very big and doesn’t show much more than scenery, the graphical quality surely looks impressive.
Keep in mind though, this is not confirmed by any means but likely enough real to be shared. The image was forwarded anonymously so if this turns out to be fake, it wasn’t me 
Edit: Several people confirmed that this is indeed a rFactor 2 shot released by Gjon Camaj!
Brad
March 3rd, 2009 at 03:59
yay looks pretty cool. reminds me of Racer environments.
luizfrj
March 3rd, 2009 at 04:02
Rfactor 2 with Dx10 and rain!
A dream?
UncleChuckle
March 3rd, 2009 at 04:19
rFactor with any sort of decent AI would be a minor miracle.
luizfrj
March 3rd, 2009 at 04:29
Yes I forgot AI…. one of the most important things….
Peter
March 3rd, 2009 at 04:34
Why do people care so much about AI. Where is the fun playing a computer where there is a whole online community out their.
Still is this screenshot real or not could be anyones guess.
LensFlare
March 3rd, 2009 at 04:46
Well, if that is rFactor2, that means they got their hands on a Spa-Francorchamps licence, as its old/previous/currents layouts are copyrighted.
Wonder if we’ll see the modern layout as well !
But something tells me it’s a fake.
the.cosmic.pope
March 3rd, 2009 at 04:53
LensFlare,
rFactor currently ships with Montreal, Barcelona, Silverstone and the Nurburgring GP circuit without a license.
LensFlare
March 3rd, 2009 at 04:54
If it is rFactor2, then there’s definitely no revolution in the graphics. This looks like iRacing or Race’07, but not more.
(of course, it’s a small screenshot, and we don’t get to see car, reflections, rain, and so on)
Just a feeling I have with this screenshot if it is real at all.
I guess ISI has some cleaning to make in their beta test team or something because if it’s real, they definitely have a mole :-)
fpol
March 3rd, 2009 at 04:56
Peter…did you see the public server vs League video below :) That’s why some still like AI.
FWIW, I race over at iRacing, so it’s not like I don’t race humans…but a well crafted AI can be alot of fun.
LensFlare
March 3rd, 2009 at 04:57
@Pope: maybe those tracks’ officials are not that touchy as the ones in Spa or Le Mans…
xilix
March 3rd, 2009 at 05:11
Gjon Camaj already said that DX10 was not on the development horizon for rF. So yes, luizfrj, keep dreaming.
Piddy
March 3rd, 2009 at 07:09
It’s real, Gjon posted it first in the rF2 facebook group.
ThugAngel
March 3rd, 2009 at 07:40
if it’s not in DX10 then i don’t think it’ll be even possible to do all the things he said he wanted to on SRT……
Vkt
March 3rd, 2009 at 08:23
what things?
ForzaBarca88
March 3rd, 2009 at 09:31
Excuse me? The current ISI engine graphically isnt even close to what can be done with DX9
So unless Gjon said he wants rf2 to look better than Crysis I’m sure ISI will manage.
Siggs
March 3rd, 2009 at 09:34
Am I one of the only one’s not to bitch? Sure, it may be fake, or not, but I see some epic, clean draw distances, what appear to be some realtime shadows on that truck, and hear some 60’s F1 cars roaring towards us
.
FuNK
March 3rd, 2009 at 09:40
I don’t know why you all are guessing and wishing and what ever…is this christmas!?
ok, let’s come to the truth: you all think dx10 or it’s successor are better than dx9?! I would say it’s totally false because dx10 is only one try to rise gfx-card sales and the new features are too few to really have any advantages of it ;)
all things like water-effects or real-time reflections are already possible and no matter of hardware any more ;)
and even dx9 is not really exhausted by any game you know
so in my opinion you should keep money and time for other things like better code or some features rFactor (1) didn’t have and for these kind of things you really don’t need dx10 :D
Mr. A
March 3rd, 2009 at 10:25
Lighting/shading seems to be improved, which is one of the most important aspects of making realistic looking graphics I believe.
Now just give us built in realfeel, better AI, rain, destructible/deformable track/objects), better damage modelling, better non-driving related physics and surround sound and I’ll be perfectly happy.
6e66o
March 3rd, 2009 at 10:47
Yay, love historic Racing Tracks
Agree with Mr.A, shading seems to be improved.
Now i cant wait to see how cars look.
Im hoping for dynamic environment mapping..
vali
March 3rd, 2009 at 11:29
I agree, better FFB is a must.
About DX9/DX10… I play Crysis in DX9 and its just great. I dont think we “need” DX10 to have good graphics, but it they decide to include them I will not complain
kingracer
March 3rd, 2009 at 13:29
the only reason why they released DX 10 is to get people onto vista
DRat
March 3rd, 2009 at 13:38
I suspect that rF2 will be DX9 compatible, since most of us still use Windows XP rather than Vista. It would not be prudent or realistic for a development team to base their product on a platform that has not been widely accepted by the gaming community.
six.degrees
March 3rd, 2009 at 13:53
Looks quite pretty, nicely lit and textured and everything. Can’t quite tell if it has fully dynamic self-shadowing though which imo is really important. Problem is no matter how pretty it looks out of the box it’s going to be down to modders again.. it’d be nice if there was a way of banning conversions really so we could start with a clean slate
stabiz
March 3rd, 2009 at 14:00
Oooh, this got me excited.
It certainly looks good enough for me.
Serg Funke
March 3rd, 2009 at 14:02
im not sure, but i think i see realtime shadows on the truck. but looks good for a sim. thats how sims should look like.
Pugamall
March 3rd, 2009 at 14:20
Although yes I would like to see dx10 type detail,for me its the feel of the game(ie everything comming together to create the athentic feel)
For me no matter what sims I play I seem to always come back to GTR2 because of that,yes it has many minor faults,but when I play an endurance race somwhere like virtuLM’s lemans 77/79 it has a atmosphere,with the blinding sun as it sets,the lighting comming on on the start and finish stright and the ambient noise on the pit stright,the lighting turning on round the circuit,the fact if I need a break I can pit and put the ai driver out and many other things.
Basicly its not the smartest of race sims but the package gives race atmosphere in my opinion and keeps pulling me back to the dated platform.
So as long as we move on to the next level in most of those areas I will be very happy
NightSt@lk3r
March 3rd, 2009 at 14:24
The image comes from a rFactor 2 Facebook group started by Gjon and was posted by Gjon.
Siggs
March 3rd, 2009 at 14:33
.
Can anyone make out the images in the bottom left? could be a rev counter, not sure, could just be a watermark
.
modbaraban
March 3rd, 2009 at 15:55
Chaz
March 3rd, 2009 at 16:24
ZoMg!!11!!11 A screenshot of a road, house, and pickup truck!!!
6e66o
March 3rd, 2009 at 16:38
This is more then a road,
its Spa-Francorchamps
DeDios
March 3rd, 2009 at 17:25
that’s great!! :D graphic side was already good imho, i hope will be great improvements about FFB, AI, weather, turbo support ecc…!! anyway that’s great, thanks Gjon!
samanthaUK
March 3rd, 2009 at 17:33
was expecting GRiD or the new Need For Speed Graphics, for RF2
the shot looks no better than the current gmotor2 engine games.
Paul Kelly
March 3rd, 2009 at 17:38
Peter:
People care about AI because the quality of public server races in rFactor is ATROCIOUS. Almost makes Xbox Live racing look professional.
If you’re not in a league, racing rFactor online is a disaster.
samanthaUK
March 3rd, 2009 at 17:53
well said Paul, not gonna name some servers that host the Megane’s, wreakfest
obmit
March 3rd, 2009 at 17:57
Is that it ? I must admit I was expecting a lot more from rFactor 2, really doesnt look any better than the GFX engine from the first game. Not a very good “teaser” for the new game at all. Lets just keep our collective fingers crossed that ISI manage to pull something spectacular out of the bag, or they wont be getting my money, not that they will care about that.
richiespeed
March 3rd, 2009 at 17:59
I am no advertiser or anything, but if you want great racing without being in a league join race2play. Its tonnes of races everyday, but you know everyone and there is a great community.
As far as this shot goes i am AMAZED! I thought rfactor 2 would never come…
6e66o
March 3rd, 2009 at 18:16
I think this picture doesnt show the full potential of rF2 graphics. (if thats even possible with a simple Screenshot)
I guess we still can expect some cool features to be revealed in addition to those allready mentioned by Gjon in Interviews.
Pugamall
March 3rd, 2009 at 18:47
By the amount of comments this topic has generated,it goes to show there is massive anticipation for this,and these little snippets or ‘leaks’ highten the anticipation for it,lol
I cant wait !
Well done Gjon
luizfrj
March 3rd, 2009 at 18:52
Ok… agree now about DX10… We have dirt, dirt2, grid, RacePro with DX9 and they are beautiful games….
So a good AI will be for me one of the important things of rfactor2….
And another question….
Whennn!!!!!!!!??????? Rfactor 2 come to us!
Serg Funke
March 3rd, 2009 at 19:00
rfactor 2 is still under construction. so thats not the final graphics. i think we have to wait a half year for rf2.
scca1981
March 3rd, 2009 at 19:22
Are you sure that screen isn’t from F1 Challenge?
Was expecting more than another gmotor game with the same old engine.
BariCZ
March 3rd, 2009 at 19:24
Please, dont forget, how rFactor looks when it was released and where is its graphic level now, after community modding…
Personally, I dont like kind of GRID or Race PRO graphic with plenty of blur, unrealistic colors and effects. So for me the submitted screen looks as it can be solid base for future graphic modding.
But I think we shouldnt judge it from one picture. Even when graphic (for me so important) isnt main aspect of race sim…
LensFlare
March 3rd, 2009 at 19:42
Looks like GPL with better textures, after all :)
XaliaS
March 3rd, 2009 at 19:43
Maybe it’s not all about graphics. To me this might show the sort or direction the official content might be wanting to take the game, whereas most of the existing racing games for the PC have clear ‘this is a racing circuit and sponsored cars’ written over it, rFactor 2 might be opting to stand out and promote the back road driving in a classic era (as well as full circuit layouts) and maybe introduce a little free roaming element into the mix? Nonetheless, it certainly is exciting to hear something about rFactor 2 after all this time.
ScHiRoCk
March 3rd, 2009 at 20:16
Doesnt look so mighty to me…
Siggs
March 3rd, 2009 at 20:21
It’s also a shame that this post has somewhat undermined the Targa Florio one…
Im still looking forward to that as well tho!
.
Paul Kelly
March 3rd, 2009 at 20:53
Who the hell cares how it looks? I want better offline AI and a much better driving model, eliminating the “black ice” braking and handling, before I want eye candy.
6e66o
March 3rd, 2009 at 21:23
I do care how it looks.
Even if its not the most important thing.
It´s not “either good physics OR good graphics”
I dont think its to much to ask for both
GeraArg
March 3rd, 2009 at 21:30
That screen looks “natural”
GRID and RACE Pro looks a game
Matthi
March 3rd, 2009 at 21:41
that screen looks great!
kapten_zoom
March 3rd, 2009 at 21:53
could not agree more with GeraArg! “naturalr” truely is the word and to me this is exactly what I want! I just wish I just never saw this picture because now i can barely wait! Keep it up ISI! After watching the SRT interview i have no worries that this would be anything other than a mindblowing game!
Regards kapten_zoom
Paul Kelly
March 3rd, 2009 at 21:55
True, 6e. But I’d rather have an average-looking game that drives and races like a dream than an optical wet dream that drives and races like crap.
The existing rFactor is not crap. Far from it. But it needs significant upgrades in force feedback, offline AI and driving model to keep pace with or exceed sims such as iRacing and Live For Speed.
So those issues are much more important to me than eye candy. :)
Siggs
March 3rd, 2009 at 22:16
Hehe, I’m sure he knows, but I wish Gjon Camaj could see the fuss his 1 screenshot is kicking up
.
Montoya
March 3rd, 2009 at 22:37
Fuss indeed..the server is stuggling a little to keep up with all the visits
samanthaUK
March 3rd, 2009 at 23:14
@ Montoya
Error establishing a database connection
Firefox
Montoya
March 4th, 2009 at 00:03
Hi Samantha
That’s server overload, there’s nothing to fix that in an instant. Sorry for the inconvience
RJC_pt
March 4th, 2009 at 01:59
I sincerly hope tha rf2 doesn’t look like nfs or racedriver at all. Those games its all about exagerated colors and way to mutch efects… nice textures, and realistic effects is the way to go…
jefcam
March 6th, 2009 at 10:44
I have contacted ISI if rfactor 2 will support rfactor tracks and car mods.
They replied that NO, rfactor 2 will not directly support rfactor 1 mods, but will make some tools which can facilitate this.
Personally i think that rfactor 2 SHOULD support rfactor1 mods!! It would be a trageic loss having all those beautiful cars and tracks in rfactorcentral.com lost!!
We should do something about this… i’have doubts if the tracks modders did for rf1 will do them again for rf2.
6e66o
March 6th, 2009 at 11:54
I´m pretty sure Modders will convert their mods to rF2.
They won´t be lost.
But you cant expect to simply drag and drop old mods into a “new” engine.
The Lonely
March 6th, 2009 at 15:11
The amount of poor quality mods out there means this is only a positive. Modders of sufficient quality should be able to convert their stuff over with out too much effort I imagine.