Torture Testing AMS2 v1.6 - Is This the Best Update Yet for Sim Racing Fans?

#assettocorsa #simracing
Experience Automobilista 2's version 1.6 public build with a thrilling race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park! I take the Ligier LMP2 car head-to-head against IMSA Hypercars and GT3s in changing weather conditions. Watch as the track shifts from dry to wet and back again, putting AMS2's physics and dynamic weather system to the test. See how this sim handles intense multi-class racing with evolving conditions. Don't miss this immersive racing adventure!
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My rig:
CPU (AMD Ryzen 9 3900x): www.amd.com/en...
Video Card (MSi Radeon RX 6800 XT GAMING X TRIO 16G): www.msi.com/Gr...
Cockpit / Sim Rig (Next Level Racing F-GT Elite): nextlevelracin...
Motion Platform / Seat Mover (Next Level Racing Motion Platform V3): nextlevelracin...
Cockpit Motion Simulator (Next Level Racing Motion Plus): nextlevelracin...
Monitors (ASUS VG279QM): www.asus.com/c...
Button Box: simracing4u.my...
Direct Drive Wheelbase (Fanatec CSL DD with Boost Kit): fanatec.com/us...
Primary Wheel (Fanatec McLaren GT3 V2): fanatec.com/eu...
Pedals (Fanatec Clubsport V3 Inverted): fanatec.com/eu...
Sequential Shifter and Handbrake (SG Combo Pro Black): sg-racing.co.uk/
H-Pattern Shifter (SHH Newt Black): www.shiftershh...
VR Headset (Oculus Rift CV1): www.oculus.com/

[@wibblewabblewoo6249]

RF2, LMU, AC, ACC, R3E, AMS2… I’m genuinely in love with them all at the moment 🤪

[@bobbaganush17]

great list rennsport isn't bad and is free

[@wibblewabblewoo6249]

@ haven’t tried that yet! ☺️

[@Sideways_Singh]

Try gt7

[@benjamin-jp93]

I bought ams2 on the 1.6 release day during the steam autumn sale so it was perfect timing. I play on steam deck single player (saving for my first racing rig) and having an absolute blast with it. Best driving game I've played in years! 🙌

[@tenbob1973]

Same! I bought v1.6 in the winter sale, and proceeded to buy the Season Pass, Endurance Pack and Le Mans DLC. Also on Steamdeck and it is sublime. Was desperate to have a racing game (sorry, SIM!) on my deck and this fills that void and then some. Stunning.

[@ReverendSimRacing]

Now THIS ive been waiting for, popcorn out 🍿🍿 lets rock Mike lets rock 👍👍

[@FlameDragon72]

It's great to see how much better the AI has got with multiclass racing and overtaking slower classes. Well done, Reiza

[@RandyDubin]

I am beyond happy that CTMP is finally in a modern racing game not associated with NASCAR. It's an amazing track and the fact that it's not in many modern racing sims is astonishing to me. I wish it would come to GT7 at some point, but I doubt it.

[@hMint]

As a canadian and basically local since CTMP is a short 1 hour drive from me. I'm very happy it's in AMS2

[@lachlan156]

I've loved this track since my rfactor 1 days. Driving the gt3 gen 1 porsche is my favourite combination at the moment

[@t0x1cde6t]

v1.6 is just awesome, now with a much improved FFB implementation, thank you, been waiting for a long time for this. I only race using my triple 4K setup (less mucking around) but I dusted off my Pimax Crystal and... Hours disappeared over the last two evenings i'm completely immersed in this game. This is now go-to VR title for sim racing. It’s like a new game completely. I think it is as good as it can get for VR sim racing (right now), it is the sharpest looking racing sim on any platform but to get the most of the AM2 v1.6 VR experience, imagine using a Pimax Crystal Super and a RTX 5090.... More cars and more tracks please!

[@talon1706]

I have a 4090 and a Varjo Aero and it is absolutely awesome in VR. I've been neglecting my other sims.

[@Watevaman]

Full disclosure, haven't finished this one hour video yet (50 minutes after upload, surprise), but I have driven the update. It's amazing, I love it. It's not the ALMS game I wished for growing up, but damn, playing a full IMSA field around Sebring feels great. The GT3 "floatiness" issue seems to have been corrected, the game looks great, the AI fights like GTR2 AI, and it just feels so good now. Definitely my go-to for hopping in now.

[@extremeencounter7458]

Eh, as someone who only played 7 original hours years ago, the first thing I noticed when driving the GT3 Audi on this update was just how easily it slipped out, and then how impossible it was to correct. Hatches felt great, but I’m convinced that something isn’t right

[@tonygee3284]

Dropped i racing I'm hooked on AMS 2

[@TheCameltotem]

Been very critical of AMS 2 before but honestly 1.6 is game changing for real this time. Tyre slip can be discussed endlessly but now atleast there is no funky weird driving behaviours, it all feels like it should!

[@DobieMeltfire]

This makes me glad we are able to adjust the AI's wet weather skill. It will be ideal to tone it down to around 85-95%

[@carcassryzu]

awesome vid, mike. love your work. and what a great race. you are spot on with yourviews on the sim from my end.

[@Smoked_Cheddar]

I think one thing I noticed here, your braking is superb. I've driven this car, and shredded the right front tire. by 10 laps i was cooked. I can see why people like the LMP 2. Like you, i'll keep AC for other things, but IMSA racing, this is it. Hey VRC! Get your mods to AMS2.

[@gallinho7268]

Try turning down the brake pressure in the advanced setup for the car. I turned it down to about 83% and I could brake hard without locking

[@Smoked_Cheddar]

@gallinho7268 thanks for the tip!

[@Lasukie]

This track + fall + imsa preset is bliss The fall textures are absolutely outstanding

[@studlydudly]

The AI flashing Mike!

[@rickswanracing3139]

I actually had never played AMS2 until about two days ago. I run LMU and IRacing… I have to say the AI racing, and the graphics in AMS are great. And as you mentioned… starting an AI race is like… two clicks. I can’t wait to start doing some POV content and streams myself in the coming few days.

[@VMVarge]

This game does not get enough credit. An amazing scenario and the physics are getting closer To LMU

[@XCougar85X]

Nice video Mike. Big ACC fanboy here who finally tried AMS2 last weekend so i never felt the previous versions of the game but AMS2 felt so much more visceral than ACC. Only briefly tested it on a controller for now as i sold my wheel an i was very very impressed. One thing i don't like to much is the insane amount of DLC's and their costs. But i may get that older Indycar/Cart pack those cars were awesome on roadcources.

[@nicklibby3784]

Quick tip on the DLCs. The way they are sold is a little weird and unclear + confusing and you save over 100$ to $200 if you buy them a specific way ......also - TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SALES NOW!!! You'll want to get the 2020-2022 Season Pass ($49.99 right now on sale , usually $100) instead of just the Racin USA bundle ($20). The season pass comes with all the racing USA DLC + 8 or 9 track packs and some awesome cars. Basically for $50 on sale right now you can get $130+ worth of DLC. And it is worth it. It's like 60% of all the DLCs. Just make sure after you get the season pass you read what you buy next. For some reason once you get the season pass it shows you don't own the premium track and premium expansion packs ( their descriptions will tell you that owning both is the same as owning the 2022 season pass though. Steam just shows it as unowned). You'll just have to look at the content that those 2 "unowned" packs have and then realize that you do own them because the steam store will correctly show you own all of those tracks and cars individually since reizas sells those content individually and in those 2 premium packs. So just remember that the season pass is the same as owning the 2 premium packs even though steam doesn't show you own the packs but only shows you own the content of those packs individually. I know, confusing. But point is you don't actually have to spend those ridiculous amounts of money for the DLCs. It looks daunting seeing the dlc list for the first time, but if you get the 2020-2022 season pass it is just only $50 for everything, which basically 70% of all DLC now. Reiza just lists the dlc on store a weird way and it's confusing and not clear what is what until you click on the DLCs and read what it contains. Also last IMPORTANT TIP. Once you get the 2020-2022 season pass, your steam store will show you s new bundle by Reiza for the season pass holders to get all the 2023 dlc for $50. Basically you can get all the DLC for $100 right now on sale, as long you buy the 2020-2022 season pass first, then get the "All inclusive Bundle for Season Pass holders" for the rest of the DLC. So yeah, it's basically $100 for all dlc on sale now. Or during off sale it would cost like $300-$400 for all DLC.

[@XCougar85X]

@nicklibby3784 Thanks, noticed that indeed. Thanks for the in depth reply. Still find the price quite hefty, so i will have a look at perhaps buying individual packs. Like the US pack combo for like 15euros as i don't really want/need all the DLC's in those season packs. I'll just note what i want and then look for the cheapest way to bundle those. Also bought MotoGP24 and Ride 5 so i need to spread my costs a bit :p

[@nicklibby3784]

@@XCougar85X haha, I understand. I didn't get all the dlc at once myself either. It definitely adds up to a hefty price all at once. But you'll easily have enough content with the formula USA pack to keep you very well occupied until the next steam sales comes along for sure - if you did want more. ( next is Christmas sale, then new years sale, then Chinese new years sale, then spring sale, then summer 4th of July etc. etc. something like that if I remember correctly. Lol, so no need to rush if you want more). The formula USA pack is definitely worth it though. I HIGHLY recommend. Probably my 2nd favorite DLC, behind the Formula Hi tech (1992 & 1993 F1 cars). Also the historic track packs are a must for me with the old F1 cars. It's just hard to find these old formula cars & historic tracks in other Sims as high quality as AMS 2 and especially with the variety of cars and tracks + all the awesome weather, AI and features of ams 2.

[@bobfunk5055]

Your crew chief is possessed, bizarrely, sometimes I can hear 2 voices with a slight delay @37:38

[@monoxidedark]

Came here to specifically see if anyone else noticed this. I heard it at several points. Very weird.

[@mdm.trackshots]

It sounds like the crew chief sound wasn‘t filtered out by the mic so it got recorded as voice again

[@noahz2275]

​@@mdm.trackshots definitely what happened

[@stefanoviaggio8096]

Formula and prototype are incredible in AMS2 ❤

[@scaryguy]

Great video as always!!!🤘

[@speedgoat7496]

Spot on Mike! Reiza know what they are doing. AMS2 is a god send for the busy man, the worker or dad who only has an hour a day at max. UI is great. Setup is great. Ability to skin cars and recreate old or new sports championships is amazing. Ps: AC is way too time consuming. I use iRacing for online and ams2 when I want to relax :)

[@Bullshiy77]

Reiza know where they are and thats what makes them great

[@Racingfan101]

Noticed just adding cas sharpening with reshade makes it look much better.

[@BrendanFoley-BRF]

Add cShade DLAA followed by cShade RCAS (robust contrast adaptive sharpening). It cleans up many jaggies missed by antialiasing and improves overall image quality!

[@Racingfan101]

@BrendanFoley-BRF thanks will try

[@DanDiMaggio]

I 100% understand Mike language!

[@fluff5800]

These cars sound awesome!

[@Bluth53]

Autobot #10000 here enjoying your online/offline ramblings ;P

[@ulaserdogan5577]

I congratulate all the employees. If the ranking system comes, it will be among the best

[@Papparonie]

Do you mind sharing what AI aggression you’re using?

[@MegaF1guy]

Finally AMS 2 is a game I can play. Prior to patch 1.6, ams2 was unplayable in my opinion. That floaty feeling in the steering (I tried all kinds of ffb files to fix the steering) and the extremely unpredictable handling was a deal breaker for me. Looks like in version 1.6 they fixed all that. Now I can't stop playing it. 😎😎😎😎😎😎😎

[@PRSilva13]

Hey Mike, nice race! Which FFB profile are using in game? I'm reconnecting with AMS2 again and experimenting with Default FFB and a custom profile

[@SimRacing604]

@@PRSilva13 thanks! I’m using the Default. I did switch to a custom profile about a year ago, but for testing I like to keep it consistent with what most users would experience.

[@PRSilva13]

@SimRacing604 thanks for the reply!

[@Duvstep910]

tried the update yesterday by taking the Alpine around the ring; lol the new physics instantly caught me out but it was super easy getting used to it. I love that this sim just boots up and works and I can drive a very varied selection of cars. Loving the new UI too. Now on to mastering setups lol Edit: is that the default spotter or a external program?

[@hydro5168]

It's an app called crew chief, totally free and imo is a must for sim racing

[@DiscoStu30]

Can you share your fanatec FFB settings?...i'm struggling to get decent feeling.

[@jonasclementdk]

Gain max 65 or so. 30 FX. 50-60 damping. Default+. 20NDP and INT to taste 1-3 in the base settings. All the other filters off.

[@SilverMainCS]

hi mike , just wondering what would you recommend for ai settings , sometimes i find the cars behind me do not react to my position on the track and punt me off , whats ur recomendations

[@fadtidmbdmb]

what are your shader settings, looks good?

[@SimRacing604]

1:08 GT3, not LMP3

[@BadWallaby]

I need to upgrade my cpu lol. The Ryzen 5 3600 is struggling with more than 10 cars AI 😅

[@MrMaverick2981]

No, i can run it with 40 cars (ai). Its no problem for the ryzen 5 3600

[@Werferharfer]

Does anyone knows if they are going go add a IMSA Set/Build to the Championship Mode? or do we need to do ourself?

[@hitthepainting]

How'd you get 45 opponents? I only manage to get a max of 32

[@wwvvww573]

With 1.6 you can have up to 47 AI

[@Weyco23]

@@wwvvww573If you have at least 12GB of RAM, less than that, max is 32.

[@wwvvww573]

@@Weyco23 Oh yeah, true. That's the issue for him. I was thinking he didn't try 1.6 yet

[@XPLOSIVization]

Not going to lie im abit disappointed with the A.I updates, Sure the physics feel much better and the new cars are great, but im still having A.I issues where they are bunching up robotically (a inch from each others bumpers) and rarely overtaking each other, They also get in the way with blue flags (slow down in the middle of the track or on the racing line, instead of pulling to the side and letting you overtake)

[@ObeyMlambo]

this AI is feisty, what %age difficulty were they

[@vlum1]

After owning AMS2 for years now I was waiting for this update to finally dive into it but... the sim just doesn't recognize my controls (neither the TS-PC-Racer 488 wheel nor the CSR Elite pedals). Maybe someone knows a solution, thx. (Went through the forums, tried all the suggestions but no luck there.) Thx for the video Mike!

[@GM_Sanjit_Ramesh]

did you make sure to assign the right controls to your wheel? I had to manually assign turn left, right, etc, before calibrating. Also under preset, you can select I forget what I use either "generic direct drive" or something like that

[@vlum1]

@@GM_Sanjit_Ramesh Yeah thx, did that but even though the wheel is listed it wouldn't be recognized, neither does it allow me to assign controls...

[@fluff5800]

Does happen to me sometimes, fixes: (1) unplug and plug the usb to the pc while in the game, (2) go to assignment tab, and bind gas brake and clutch, and the wheel, (3) only then i click on calibrate pedal and wheels. Hope this helps!

[@vlum1]

@@fluff5800 Thx, been messing around to get it going but only little prgress. Seems to register the pedals but just doesn't like the wheel... Will keep trying.

[@vlum1]

@@fluff5800 OK, just in case anyone else is struggling, here's the solution... I had to set the wheel preset to "Custom", only then it was detected only to find out that now all of a sudden my gas pedal wasn't calibrated correctly (Fanatec CSR Elite). Had to exit/restart the game and try ~20 times for it to finally catch. Can't believe that after all these years Reiza hasn't addressed this common issue. It's not that the TM PS-TC Racer nor the pedal set are any unknown bs hardware, hell there's even a preset called "TS-PC Racer" and still one has to select "Custom" instead to get things (hardly) working... Really annoying & disappointing Reiza! Stole me a lot of time and dampened my enthusiasm to actually engage in the sim. Thx for the suggestions anyways, guys!

[@Sean-ps3ec]

I cant get all 3 of my monitors lined up properly using the in game triple screen setup no matter how hard I try. The right side monitor is always off half an inch where the middle of the windshield would be and it drives me crazy, so I just dont bother with this game

[@DSaw78]

Look up Trauma Team Racing, he has a how-to on fixing triples with this game. Mine are near perfect now.

[@fadtidmbdmb]

time to get 5800x3d and a 4090, no more lag

[@ibrahimturan28]

Today at Spielberg with lambourghini hurricane it was BAD just iceskating not a single grip. From 20 laps only 5 times were timelaps

[@NoInsurance]

Hey buddy, now we need to warm up the tires first in quali, it can take a couple laps to get good. Race, likewise, we need to be careful at lap one, specially if the live track settings are "default progressing" 😉

[@ibrahimturan28]

@NoInsurance yes warming tires 😅. See you Ingame somewhere 😂

[@extremeencounter7458]

@@NoInsuranceSomething’s off with the GT3’s, my grip shouldn’t be getting WORSE lap by lap to the point where it’s just losing grip and passing the point of no return as if it were iRacing

[@RacingWithChuck27]

It’s more of a hotlapper for me. CART cars, group c was my go to before 1.5

[@mw9020]

It would be a decent game for me if ffb was not that gritty. Can't find solution for it so far (tried some Custom profiles and they somewhat remove grittiness but those take too much of the feedback then). Any hints of how to improve it would be great. AC still rules by far.

[@GaragebuiltOriginal]

What wheel are you using?

[@kronos711]

Opposite end of the spectrum from you personally. I have a weak wheel and AMS2's FFB just makes it feel much more alive than any other sims ffb (except rF2 but there's nothing to do there)

[@TheMash84]

I found RR superior in terms of ffb and physics in several situations compared to AC, weirdly.

[@atlantic_love]

When AMS2 has online F1 leagies as good as iracing, let me know.

[@jonasclementdk]

CAi run an F1 league lined up with the irl season where possible. Not sure how much they’ll be running during F1 off season. Great bunch of drivers in there.

[@CamTooling]

The AI is still so bad. Absolutely cannot do wheel to wheel with the player, either they immediately fold or they just turn into you. Late to let you pass and hesitates to pass you in blue flag situations. They clump and drive in formation for some reason, they move around like robots too. Contact with them feels like bumping into a tank. They can magically gain speed and grip when they feel like attacking. There’s a long list on why the AI is dogsh*t and overhyped. I shouldn’t have trusted the fanboys. Physics and content updates are good, UI is ok, AI and replay are abysmal

[@RacingWithChuck27]

They needed to wait, maybe another 6-7 months, bugs galore… 😮

[@aogsimracing5663]

The cars feel so much better than prior to the update. Something that really kept me from taking AMS2 seriously, was the floaty, disconnected feeling. Most of that has been addressed with this release, although not consistent as you mentioned. This game has now shifted from an occasional use title to something I'll probably jump into more often and definitely when I want a great looking race with AI. With LFM and RCO can get a good fix of online multiplayer as well if I choose. Also happy with the CANCON with the inclusion of Mosport. :)

[@gsam_dad5540]

Why is AMS2 AI so persistently criticized? AC, ACC, RF2 & RRRE Ai are horrible by comparison & haven't been improved in years. Stop with this nonsense about AMS2 AI, it's the only sim that has improved constantly but you KZbinrs seem to grudgingly cut it any slack. Quire frankly I think you're all afraid of upsetting your hero the irritatingly lisping Jimmy Broadbent who openly hates the sim, sad egotist that he is...grow up & evaluate honestly, it's more than enough to have Gamer Muscle et all sucking up the almighty "Jimmer"... yawn

[@extremeencounter7458]

Well someone’s butthurt about Jimmy lmao