Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown first patch is here, promising major improvements
by Stefan L · tsaKT Racing has released the first major patch for Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown, aiming to fix the vast majority of the issues that affected the game’s launch earlier this month.
The update is available for download across all platforms, as of 8AM UTC today, 30th September. Alongside this, the servers are also undergoing maintenance, which started at the same time.
The key improvements are to do with stability, KT Racing hoping to fix the vast majority of the server errors, lobby and race disconnections and other issues affecting the online-only game. They’ve also sought for general improvements to the frame rate, while keeping the same graphics quality, and then there’s over 300 other miscellaneous fixes as well.
Here’s the full patch notes for Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown:
Servers/Networks
- Significant server/network improvements: fixed login errors, lobbies and races disconnections, save issues & other specific server-related problems.
- Fixed issue where meeting points and POI discovery were not saved
Performances/Stability
- Stability improvements (fixed various crashes and freezes)
- Performances improvements (increased global framerate while maintaining the same graphics quality)
Graphics/Interfaces(UX/UI)
- Added Master setting in graphical options
- Fixed graphical tearing issue
- Fix some cases of bad rendering in virtual garage when accessing pause menu
- PC Only: Removed displayed menus when enabling Nvidia Ansel
- Fixed various Live Events UI issues
- Fix a few “NoLoca” issues
- Fixed wrong display of turbo on the HUD.
Audio
- Improved environmental sounds
- Fixed incorrect audio in some languages
Compatibility
- Improved support for peripherals (steering wheels, shifters, etc.)
- Improved support for ultra-wide monitors
Misc
300+ miscellaneous minor bug fixes, as well as:
- Resolved cases of hardlock after the first race of the onboarding
- Fixed ELO not decreasing when abandoning ranked races
- Fixed suspension issues on various cars
- Prevented several cases where player could drive through NPCs in free roam
- Fixed cases where AI would drive in the opposite way after finishing a race.
- Improved pathfinding of GPS
- Removed incorrect indication of a race at lvl 3 that should not exist.
- Updated the price of special edition cars
Going forward, KT Racing is hoping to capture more of the essence of Test Drive Unlimited through the seasonal updates that will put more of the lifestyle aspects into the game. The studio released a dev diary that explored some of these topics, such as how they could look at introducing cross-play at some point down the line, but currently have other focus points.
Following launch server issues, KT and Nacon have also committed to giving some kind of compensation for affected players. It seems that they are still undecided as to the best way of doing this, though they are clear that there will not simply be a handout of Solar Coins currency or cosmetic items.
In our Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown review, I said, “After years and years of waiting, Test Drive Unlimited is back. Kind of. Solar Crown is an open world racer for gamers who don’t need constant gratification, but can be patient and work toward a key unlock and crowning car. It’s just a shame that the game at launch will require patience while KT Racing fix, improve and hopefully expand it to meet more of its potential.”
Source: Steam