Vehicle Ignition System Changes

this sounds awesome.
1. for the first question, while most things, like headlights, tend to be off>low>high, I feel like having this be off>acc>on>acc>off works better, because it follows the intuitive positions of the keys, and for 3 positions it's not too clunky. (if I'd programmed the headlights, I probably would have made them off>low>high>low>off as well.)
2. my only request is to the art team: for the "boot" screen on the wendover, make it do a really long-winded screen "test" procedure before showing any information, to add to the spaceship feel (0:54)

3. I like the idea of having to hold for the starter to run, it makes inputs feel more direct rather than "computer, start this car for me!", and also adds to the distinction between cars. a vivace you hop in, bump the starter, and it runs, the semi you'll have to crank for a few seconds to get it running.

 

1. Automatic cars should not start unless they are in neutral/park
2. What about the possibility of bump-starting manual cars?
Everything else seems about right imo, it reminds me a lot of the implementation in ETS/ATS. Hit once to turn the key to eletronics, high it again to crank the truck, you are just adding the fact that you gotta hold to crank like you would have to in a real car.

 

1. OFF -> ACC ONLY -> ON -> OFF -> ACC ONLY -> ON would probably be better. I can't really see myself going back to accessories mode irl, you just bring the key all the way back. In some cars it even disallows you to go back to accessories from ON, sends you back to OFF automatically.

2. I can't think of something that's really needed to be fair. Maybe an electrics output of the ignition state to animate props (i.e. keys)? so OFF would be 0, ACC would be 1, ON would be 2 and starter would be 3. Could be a great opportunity to add car-specific key models (might even be used for carrer animations and all that, considering you buy cars you could get some sort of spinning animation of said car key) and use them in the key barrel. You could argue that that's entirely not needed though.

3. I feel like the V tapping/holding mechanic is perfect as-is. Easy to understand and intuitive. Great stuff!

That's all for me

 

The only thing I noticed is that the brake lights dont engage with the key in off - in real life they do, as well as that headlights will work (though this will trigger an interior chime while the door is open).

 

1. I prefer the looping back option OFF -> ACC ONLY -> ON -> OFF -> ACC ONLY -> ON
2. Nothing that I can think of at the moment
3. I love the fact that you have to hold V to start, like Zoll said it fells less like a computer doing it for you

 

1. Would there be a functional difference between ACC and on other than the engine running (and dash screens)? I'm almost wondering if the "hold-V" system could be used for the acc->on state switch on all cars including EVs? Else I don't really have a strong preference. off->acc->on->off fits better with the way high beams currently work, but the other way makes shutting down the car more "progressive" if that makes sense?
2. I know it's more of a racecar thing, but wondering if there would be any way to assign the starter to a separate key from the ignition?
Also to add to srockzz idea, if some sort of interlock system is added, it could be interesting if it was made optional (all or nothing). So newer cars require the car the be in Park, Neutral, or the clutch fully (or mostly) in, but older cars/race cars do whatever.
3. Would be pretty cool. I imagine there will be some ways to adjust how long a car takes to start (jbeam wise)?

Also wondering how it's going to be handled for preexisting mods? Especially since it sounds like it's going to be part of the vehicle controller now? I imagine just sensical default values, that all vehicles made before the change will default to?

 

1. I personaly prefer first option. Maybe it be good idea to add second choice in game options?
2. I think it will be fun to add even more realism to this system. For example, if the engine is cold then starting the engine will be harder and take more time, especially old diesels. Adding option to heat glow plugs would be cool too.
3. I think it's add more realism, so I like it.

 

1. The first full loop is fine IMo.
2. Would it be possible to have a starter chime that some cars have irl? Or is that falling under the manufacture/country specific debate. Also I agree with Szycha when they say having temp affecting starting time. That old cold diesel start would be fun to replicate.
3. Hold is perfect. Always disliked how games just had you press a button. That little bit of realism is cool.

 

Off>ACC>On then Hold V to Start would be best in my opinion. Then back to Off again if you press it once more.

 

id love the option to have the different ignition states set to different inputs to make it easier for us to make a custom "fake" key for our sim rigs. This also goes for all other auxilliary inputs like headlights and Sirens... irl as a emergency vehicle you dont drive to the scene with your siren on the whole time as it would be annoying af and less safe, but at the moment i cant really simulate that becaause if i turn off the siren it also killes the lights (Blaulicht idk the english word). The flight simulator DCS has a very well thought out key binding settings menu i recomend taking a look at that...

 

Maybe with multiple improper uses of the starter it can slowly loose its durability like the clutch system? Also a probability on old cars for the starter to skip instead of grabbing as well would be a nice touch. To expand, I guess improper use can be two key pressed too fast can trigger the starter to skip, causing the grinding noise that everyone loves. Cold starts gonna suck

 

Maybe a small thing to add:
When you turn ignition on irl, the lights, radio, gauges leds, etc..(all electric things) turn off for a little time during ignition, until motor starting. (or have a little power loss instead)
Can you reproduce this ingame?

 

That would be good to fill in that 'No Texture' part of the startup. Maybe for the more modern cars just show a slow Manufacture logo that fades out? I know on old cars since it draws so much power there's usually the flicker with each revolution on the starter. Would be satisfying to see implemented.

 

Very interesting... a few things I would like to make note of.

1. I think like... probably the better part of 95% of vehicles on the road today use OFF>ACC>ON>START like you made mention of, so a cyclic OFF>ACC>ON>ACC>OFF would probably work fine... maybe even implement a "long press" state to just skip over ACC mode in either direction as most players probably won't use the ACC state all too often.

2. With this new ACC mode, it may be fruitful to have a new GUI button made up that can better communicate what state you are in rather than the current on off button we have now. I can see that it is glowing/flashing but that's so subtle. Maybe light a ring up around the outside a different color depending what state your in? I dunno... just something that's a bit more obvious "why car not go vrum".

3. You showed off that the car doesn't have the brake lights work when the key is off... this may just be a gap in my knowledge with modern vehicles (my newest car is a 95) so anyone, feel free to fill me in... but do modern cars not have functional lights/brake lights when the key is in the off position? All of my stuff is functional, but then again my stuff is all 25+ years old... vehicle standards have shifted a lot since then.

4. To add onto that... perhaps a new tag should be added to things in the JBeam to identify what ignition state they can and can't operate in? So... for example... even on old old cars like my junk, the lights, brake lights, and 4 ways will work (well... the 4 ways should always work... I think that's regulatory) but the turn signals won't work when the cars are off... so lights, brakes can have an functional ignition state of 0 and turn signals need a functional ignition state of 2 (for on)... 4 ways can just be an override added into the game as those should work no matter what. If the tag is not included, then it should just be assumed that it functions in all states (to keep compatibility?... I'm just spit balling here)

5. I won't really comment on screen states as I have no experience with any of that, however I will point out that what you have now I think it already great. Maybe adding in a "boot up" state where the gauges cycle or it plays a little animated video that can be added in would possibly really add to the realism.

6. Starters. In real life, as you are aware, they really only have 2 modes of functionality. Some need you to hold the starter till the vehicle starts. Some are one touch and done and the car will take care of it itself. I think that another tag could be used to denote what type of starter it has. I also DO NOT think it should be in the engine section (which I originally wrote here but then deleted as I thought about it) as it would be the vehicles electrical system and NOT the actual starter that give this functionality. So technically... if you change the engine... it should still have that one touch start functionality (if done correctly in the real world anyways). This way old cars you have to hold... new cars just one tap and you go. Again... adding to that realism bit.

Final note... these are just my ideas/opinions.

 

Id say it shoundt really be a vote, but one solid system where you can choose your own!
Like could be usefull to go back to ACC if your on like some tow truck.

 

Then dont code it in, make the car behave as a car would if you start it in gear, and im sure at least some people will figure it out why their car launches forward when they start it in gear, without their "foot" on the brake. Maybe it can be a loading screen tip too

 

off-acc-on-acc-off is just about what most average cars do, i'd bet that would be the best to implement...
however, there should be a small exception for brake lights to behave independently from ignition, (i can't say all) but most cars i've met engage brake lights even if there's no key in ignition, to keep them operable in case of a ignition malfunction, however if its too complicated to implement i'd say to not bother and its a small detail

 

Another nice feature to implement, if possible:
The engine startup duration, according to engine/environment temperature.

More cold= more longer startup
More hot= easier and faster startup

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Yeah, my most recent car is a S4 Avant from 2002 and i can see the power loss on startup on this car (and on all my past cars)
But i've see that most modern cars (past 2010) don't have this power loss.
Maybe devs can split this ignition system in two ways: for modern vehicles and for old vehicles.

This is a little comparaison too see what i'm meaning:

Modern, from 2010 to Today: (zero power loss on startup)


Old: from older cars of the game to end of 2000s: (big or total power loss on startup)
(59s)
(1m54s)



In conclusion:
On most recent cars from 2000 to 2009, the light are voluntarily disabled to bring all to power to engine starting.
on very old cars, before 90s it seem to be a voltage drop, in term of how the engine eat the power to his startup.
--- Post updated ---
Another thing to implement, if possible: The engine startup duration, according to engine/environment temperature.
More cold= more longer startup
More Hot= easier and faster startup
--- Post updated ---
Another thing to implement, if possible. The engine startup duration, according to engine/environment temperature.
More cold= more longer startup
More hot= easier and faster startup
--- Post updated ---
Another nice feature to implement, if possible:
Variable engine startup duration, according to engine/environment temperature.

More cold= more longer startup
More hot= easier and faster startup