Polyphony Digital is trying to win back the fans
GT7 got off to a rocky start due to the lack of in-game rewards and the aggressive push toward microtransactions. Responding to criticism, the developers appear to be trying to win back the hearts of their fans by releasing a sizeable free content update.
Update 1.13 brings a welcome collection of new content, but it goes beyond the new track, cars and events, as they have refined the under-the-hood physics, too.
The new cars are the Subaru BRZ GT300 ’21 (Purchasable at Brand Central), the Subaru BRZ S ’21 (Purchasable at Brand Central) and the Suzuki Cappuccino (EA11R) ’91 (Purchasable from the Used Cars dealership.) Nothing too exciting, but free is free, right?
The new track is a bit of a misnomer, as it’s actually just a new layout for an existing track – the Spa-Francorchamps 24h Layout. We could be mistaken, but the only difference seems to be the pit lane is longer? It’s a bit of a cop-out, to be honest, especially when the track is undergoing extensive changes at the moment.
There have also been a few events added for racing at Spa:
- European Sunday Cup 500
- Japanese Clubman Cup 550
- World Touring Car 800
Additionally, there have been loads of UI tweaks and minor quality of life improvements, but we’ll highlight some of the more significant ones:
- A racing etiquette video is now played when entering ‘Sport’ mode for the first time. This video introduces important driving recommendations for competing in races.
Online race lobbies are often the scene of first corner pile-ups and some questionable overtaking attempts, so anything that can improve this is welcome!
- Car Behaviour: Adjusted the geometry calculations algorithm for the suspension. This has resulted in improved traction for rear-wheel-drive cars and lessened reactions to weight transfer.
While some have been able to manage the new car physics, many struggle to control rear-wheel-drive cars, as once the rear of a car steps out it becomes almost impossible to catch the slide and it results in the car making a beeline for the nearest wall. With the above improvement to the game, perhaps this has been addressed?
- Adjusted the brake pressure control for all four brakes when entering a corner. As a result, the braking distance is reduced in general.
Self-explanatory, but this should be worth a significant gain in terms of lap times.
Here’s the full list of patch notes for those interested:
Main Features Implemented
1. Cars
- The following three new cars have been added:
・ Subaru BRZ GT300 ’21 (Purchasable at Brand Central;)
・ Subaru BRZ S ’21 (Purchasable at Brand Central;)
・ Suzuki Cappuccino (EA11R) ’91 (Purchasable from 26 April at the Used Cars dealership.)
2. Tracks
- Spa-Francorchamps 24h Layout has been added.
3. World Circuits
- The following three events have been added at Spa-Francorchamps:
・European Sunday Cup 500
・Japanese Clubman Cup 550
・World Touring Car 800
4. Scapes
- The “Gassho-style Houses in Ainokura” and “Cherry Blossoms at Night” locations have been added to the featured section of Scapes;
- A slideshow option has been added to Auto-Demo.
Other Improvements and Adjustments
1. Title Screen
-“Topic News” is now shown in the centre of the screen.
2. Used Cars Dealership
- A “New” label is now displayed for new cars available to buy that day;
- The Suzuki Cappuccino (EA11R) ’91 will be on sale from 26 April as the “HOT” car.
3. Legend Cars Dealership
- A “New Stock” label is now displayed for new cars available to buy that day.
4. Garage
- “Wide Body” is now displayed on all cars in your garage that have been modified with a wide body;
- An engine start-up sound now plays when changing cars.
5. Race Screen
- For races with time limits, moved the remaining time display to the center of the screen and adjusted the design.
6. Rival Cars (AI)
- Adjusted the driving line of rival cars at the Nürburgring.
7. Sport
- It is now possible to enter some events by renting Event-Specified Cars, or with Garage Cars;
- Videos are now played before the Finals of the Nations Cup and Manufacturers Cup.
- The following information is now displayed in the Event Screen displayed before each race:
・Tire Wear Rate
・Fuel Consumption Rate
・Temperature
・Start Type
・Required Tires (Only displayed if set)
・Required Pit Stop (Only displayed if set)
- A racing etiquette video is now played when entering Sport mode for the first time. This video introduces important driving recommendations for competing in races;
- Added a “Race Details” screen. The following information can be checked from the “Race Details” icon on the right of the race entry screen.
・Basic Information
・Qualifying Settings
・Race Settings
・Penalty Settings
・Driving Option Restrictions
・Regulations
8. Livery Editor
- Added a “Default Decal Color” in Editor Settings. “White” or “Newest Color Used” are now selectable and by selecting Newest Color Used the newest color that was last used will be selected.
9. Replay
- Added the option to filter by genre or artist when selecting a Music Replay song;
- For new replays, it is now possible to fast forward to the next lap.
10. Car Settings
- Fixed an issue wherein the name of a Settings Sheet would disappear;
- Fixed a Performance Points (PP) issue that would occur due to a Power Restrictor adjustment;
- Fixed an issue wherein Performance Points (PP) would not be added correctly if certain settings or operations were performed. (The Performance Points may not calculate correctly in certain conditions such as if high-grip tires are added to some cars.)
11. Car Behavior
- Adjusted the geometry calculations algorithm for the suspension. This has resulted in improved traction for rear-wheel drive cars and lessened reactions to weight transfer;
- Adjusted the relationship between the controller inputs (Analogue stick, R2 button, Accelerator pedal on a steering wheel controller) and the position of the throttle.
- Adjusted the steering speed of the analogue stick;
- Adjusted the force feedback in the following steering wheel controllers:
・Fanatec® Podium
・Fanatec® GT DD Pro
・Fanatec® GT DD Pro + BoostKit
- Adjusted the brake pressure control for all four brakes when entering a corner. As a result, the braking distance is reduced in general;
12. Settings (Controller Settings)
- The strength of the trigger effect can now be adjusted from the Quick Menu displayed during a race, or from [Settings] > [Controller Settings] in the Pause Menu. Trigger effect 1P (Accelerator) and Trigger effect 1P (Brakes) can both be set to Off, Weak or Strong;
- Changed the upper limit of the Controller Steering Speed Correction from 7 to 10 in [Settings] > [Controller Settings] > [Controller Steering Sensitivity] in the race Quick Menu, and Pause Menu.
13. Settings (Sound Volume)
- The following eight sound options can now be adjusted from [Settings] > [Sound Volume] in the race Quick Menu and Pause Menu:
・ Race Sound Mode (Balanced BGM and Sound / Enhanced Sound / Race BGM Focus)
・ Play Race BGM (On / Off)
・ Race BGM (Volume)
・ Race Sound Effects (Volume)
・ Player Engine Noise (Volume)
・ Transmission Noise (Volume)
・ Tyre Squeals (Volume)
・ Rivals Engine Noise (Volume)
14. GT Auto
- Fixed an issue wherein it would be possible to perform an oil change on a car that didn’t require one.
15. Cars
- Fixed various issues with the following four cars:
・Honda Fit Hybrid ’14: the car’s body color would not be applied to some parts on the underside;
・Jeep Willys MB ’45: the interior paint would not be applied when set;
・Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition (FK8) ’20: the decal graphic would become distorted when the decal was added from [Custom Parts] > [Front] > [Type A] in the livery editor;
・Ferrari 458 Italia ’09: the number decal would appear distorted when added to a car with a wide body modification.
16. Others
- Various other issues have been addressed.
