F1 2001 Patch 1 Released

EA and ISI have just released their first major update for F1 2001, featuring improvements in graphical performance, force feedback and a number of tweaks, fixes and other improvements.

Here are the highlighted changes:

Improved graphics performance in general on all video cards.
Improved compatibility with nVidia Geforce 2 and 3 based video cards.
Force Feedback effects.
Fixed a bug that caused split axis mode to function incorrectly with Logitech devices.
Improved computer controlled drivers behaviour.
Updated 2001 grid data for the Italian, United States & Japanese grand prix.
Improved tyre wear modeling and added tyre temps to the TYRE PRESSURE AND CAMBER page of VEHICLE SETUP.
Implemented sound effects for back fires.
Added a warning message to inform users that they should save their vehicle setup prior to exiting the VEHICLE SETUP page in order to avoid losing their changes upon returning to this page.
Added player file options enabling advanced users to experiment with texture compression, the rendering of particle effects in the mirrors, and MIP mapping. For full details of these options please download and/or read the document F1 2001 Advanced Options.doc.
Adjusted the camera for the TV Cockpit view.
Added shadows to the TV Cockpit view. Note that the option for SHADOWS as found within the WORLD page, accessed by selecting OPTIONS from the MAIN MENU and then DISPLAY, must be set to Medium or higher for the added shadows to be displayed.

You can download the patch from the files page.

Here is the text from the patch readme.txt:

F1 2001 DEVELOPMENT UPDATE #1 (ENGLISH)

Thankyou for downloading this unsupported update for F1 2001. Unlike the release version of F1 which you have purchased from Electronic Arts Inc., this update is direct from the games development team and as such is provided \”as is\” without warranties or support of any kind from Electronic Arts Inc., its subsidiaries and divisions.

This update is essentially an open beta release from the development team to end users of the game. The purpose of the release is to provide end users that have contacted the development team with a response to some of the questions and suggestions that have been made.

Depending on the nature of and time allowing, further suggestions may be actioned via future releases from the development team. Please provide any feedback regarding this development update using the form provided within the Developer section at www.easportsf1.com.

This update will upgrade the following files:

f1_2001.exe
F1Config.exe
\Save\default.cfg
\Options\f12k1.osc
\Options\gizmoP.mas
\Options\options.mas
\Season01\game.gdb
\Season01\Tracks\Australia\Australia.aiw
\Season01\Tracks\Austria\Austria.aiw
\Season01\Tracks\Belgium\Belgium.aiw
\Season01\Tracks\Brazil\Brazil.aiw
\Season01\Tracks\Canada\Canada.aiw
\Season01\Tracks\Europe\Europe.aiw
\Season01\Tracks\France\France.aiw
\Season01\Tracks\Germany\Germany.aiw
\Season01\Tracks\GreatBritain\GreatBritain.aiw
\Season01\Tracks\Hungary\Hungary.aiw
\Season01\Tracks\Japan\Japan.aiw
\Season01\Tracks\Malaysia\Malaysia.aiw
\Season01\Tracks\Monaco\Monaco.aiw
\Season01\Tracks\SanMarino\SanMarino.aiw
\Season01\Tracks\Spain\Spain.aiw
\Season01\Tracks\UnitedStates\UnitedStates.aiw
\Season01\Vehicles\Prost\TEAM.MAS

Regardless of whether you have the European (1.0.2.4.) or United States (1.0.4.5.) executable this will be upgraded to version 1.0.7.4.

If you ever wish to revert back to your original version after installing this update, you should manually copy the files above and keep them in a backup directory, before installing the update. Should you uninstall this update, you will need to reinstate your backed up files or reinstall F1 2001 in it’s entirety in order to run F1 2001 successfully.

Note also that we highly recommend that you create a new player profile after installing this update. Vehicle setups from your current player profile, may be transferred to your new player profile by copying the files located in \save\youroldprofilename\settings into \save\yournewprofilename\settings, after you have created your new profile.

Here is a complete summary of the benefits of this update:

� Improved graphics performance in general on all video cards.

� Issues that seriously impacted performance and/or caused mirrors to be displayed incorrectly on certain nVIDIA Geforce 2 and 3 based video cards using the latest (21.83) official WHQL certified drivers have been resolved.

We recommend all Geforce users to upgrade to the aforementioned drivers, which can be found at www.nvidia.com.

Whilst we recommend Geforce users to upgrade to the aforementioned 21.83 drivers, we are aware that certain issues with regards to Full Scene Anti Aliasing (FSAA) support as detailed below are unresolved at this time. Please note the following with regards to FSAA support for nVIDIA Geforce cards that support this feature and F1 2001.

� It is possible to run F1 2001 in any of the 16 bit modes with FSAA enabled as detailed below.

� It is not possible to run F1 2001 in any 32 bit display mode with FSAA enabled. F1 2001 runs perfectly fine but FSAA does not get applied regardless of it being forced within the Detonator application as detailed below.

� FSAA support should not be enabled using the advanced options of the F1 2001 3D Setup/F1 Config program. This may cause F1 2001 to function incorrectly, forcing you to reset your machine.

In summary, to run F1 2001 with FSAA support, ensure that F1 2001 is configured to use a 16 bit display mode using the F1 3D Setup/F1 Config program and then set FSAA mode to be enabled by default on your video card using the Detonator application as follows:

� Open the ‘Display Properties’ options and click the ‘Settings’ tab.
� Click the ‘Advanced’ button located near the lower right corner of the ‘Display Properties’ panel which will open the ‘nVIDIA Geforce 3 Properties’ options.
� Click the ‘Geforce 3’ tab.
� Click the ‘Additional Properties’ button near the lower left corner of the ‘nVIDIA
Geforce 3 Properties’ options.
� Click the button to ‘Manually select the antialiasing mode’.
� Click the level of antialiasing you want (2x, Quincunx (3x) or 4x.
� Now click the ‘OK’ button, until you exit the ‘Display Properties’ options.

nVIDIA, EA and ISI are aware of the issues with regards to FSAA as detailed above and are working to resolve them. These issues may however not be resolved in full until the next official release of the Detonator application.

� Force Feedback effects.
An option now exists on the CONTROLS page allowing you to access an all new FORCE FEEDBACK page. This page has options for FORCE FEEDBACK TYPE, FORCE FEEDBACK EFFECTS and FORCE FEEDBACK STRENGTH enabling you to configure your force feedback enabled game controller just the way you want it and most importantly with force effects enabled.

The following force feedback equipped game controllers have been tested:

Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback Joystick (Gameport)
Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback II Joystick (USB)
Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback Wheel (Gameport)
Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback II Wheel (USB)
LogitechWingman Rumblepad
Logitech Wingman Formula Force GP
Logitech Wingman GT Force
Logitech Momo Force
Saitek Cyborg 3D Force
Saitek R440 Wheel
Ball Racing Simulators GP 500

When using certain wheels such as the Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback Wheel (Gameport version only), or the Logitech Momo Force, FORCE FEEDBACK STRENGTH must be set negative as opposed to positive. Adjust the option on the FORCE FEEDBACK page to the left to ensure that the forces generated by your wheel are the right way around as intended.

Advanced users wishing to tweak the feel of their controller at an engineering level should download and/or read the document F1 2001 Advanced Options.doc.

� Fixed a bug that caused split axis mode to function incorrectly with certain older game controllers such as the Logitech Wingman Formula Force devices.

� Improved computer controlled drivers behaviour.

� Updated 2001 grid data for the Italian, United States & Japanese grand prix.

� Improved tyre wear modeling and added tyre temps to the TYRE PRESSURE AND CAMBER page of VEHICLE SETUP.

� Implemented sound effects for back fires.

� Added a warning message to inform users that they should save their vehicle setup prior to exiting the VEHICLE SETUP page in order to avoid losing their changes upon returning to this page.

� Added player file options enabling advanced users to experiment with texture compression, the rendering of particle effects in the mirrors, and MIP mapping. For full details of these options please download and/or read the document F1 2001 Advanced Options.doc.

� Adjusted the camera for the TV Cockpit view.

� Added shadows to the TV Cockpit view. Note that the option for SHADOWS as found within the WORLD page, accessed by selecting OPTIONS from the MAIN MENU and then DISPLAY, must be set to Medium or higher for the added shadows to be displayed.

In addition to the above, if you are playing the European version of F1 (1.0.2.4.), please note the following additional benefits of this upgrade:

� Added support for Windows 95 (revision B).
F1 2001 will now run under Windows 95 (Revision B). Please note however that in order for DirectX 8.0 and in turn F1 2001 to function correctly under Windows 95 (Revision B) you must install the following Microsoft updates:

DCOM for Windows 95
Windows Socket 2 Update
Microsoft DUN 1.3 & Winsock 2 Year 2000 Update

Ideally, these updates should be installed prior to installing F1 2001 and DirectX 8.0. The updates can at Microsoft’s web site using the specific URL’s below.

www.microsoft.com/com/resources/downloads.asp
www.microsoft.com/windows95/downloads/contents/wuadmintools/s_wunetworkingt
ools/w95sockets2/

� Fixed a bug that caused the second occurrence of NAME not to be spoken, in the TV Speech phrase ‘NAME shares the lead with NAME’.

� Fixed a bug that caused the grid walk sequence to summarise the grid order based on Warmup results as opposed to those from Qualifying.

� Fixed several bugs effecting multiplayer games, including camera issues when exiting the pit lane and an occasional crash when joining games.

� Fixed a bug that prevented replays being recorded in GRAND PRIX race sessions.

� Improved Qualifying AI with regards to avoiding traffic.

� Fixed a bug which caused the rules for Championship games to overwrite those set for other game modes.

� Fixed a big which caused the right side of the cockpit L.C.D. to appear black when driving the Prost AP04.

Finally, on behalf of everyone on the F1 team, I would like to take this opportunity to
personally thank you for buying F1 2001. Without your purchase many of us on the
development team would probably have boring day jobs that couldn’t possibly
challenge or motivate us the way creating F1 has/does. We hope that you will enjoy
many hours of pushing the limits and driving the wheels of your chosen drive.

And last of all, an extra thanks goes to all the fans we have personally met
this year (you know who you are) and have had the pleasure to discuss the game,
embarass ourselves driving badly (James still isn’t allowed to forget Indianapolis ;) or
simply exchange pleasantries. Discussing the game and meeting new fans are huge
motivators for all of us and we hope you’ll all continue to support our games in the
future.

Gotta sign off now, ‘the bone’ has just put up todays LAN game, time to turn some
more laps…

James