Further to the news post on the 26th February, I have now confirmed that Google Chrome v133 - specifically 133.0.6943.49 - seems to have bugs which caused a variety of issues in the game when people tried to navigate between pages quickly. The subsequent v133 patch releases, and v134 do not seem to have these issues.
Therefore, I am:
In summary, if you are having any issues with pages loading slowly or getting stuck and are using Google Chrome v133, then please update or use another browser. Thank you!
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Thank you for your patience, the server move and accompanying upgrade has now been completed.
Whilst the internet DNS records update, you may need to use a temporary URL to access the game, however this shouldn't be necessary after 24 hours.
This work is important in maintaining the game going forwards, helps provide a better foundation for the mobile app and should ultimately mean snappier performance and improved capability for more players.
I'll be monitoring for any oddities, but otherwise please see the Bug Reporting feature available in-game. This can be found from within the Support section.
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As touched on in the last member update, the games server is due an upgrade.
Whilst preparation is underway, the game is planned to move onto the new server on:
I’m not sure when on that date it will be just yet, but probably around 10:00 GMT. I will post a message on the game shortly before the downtime as is usual.
During this move, the game will need to be taken down for an extended period, possibly lasting up to a couple of hours. I am taking steps to avoid any unnecessary gaps in gameplay.
As the game will move servers, there may be a temporary need to facilitate access whilst the different parts of the internet update. However, I don’t believe that people should have to manage for long without! More details will be provided later, as relevant if this is needed for some people.
This work is important in maintaining the game going forwards, helps provide a better foundation for the mobile app and should ultimately mean snappier performance and improved capability for more players.
Thank you in anticipation for your patience and understanding!
Andrew
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Whilst my focus is on the mobile app and associated work, I almost caught up on Members Choice packs* and Gold Members Packs. I did also want to give a sprinkling of other content to say thank you for your support whilst I make this happen. So say hello to two more road-rally events and a new job too!
* Well I would've done had it not been for a problematic Google Chrome web browser update...
Welcome to the 26th Members Choice Pack! If you are familiar with the previous packs, then this one is a bit different, with it being the first to include a "MotorNation's Choice". This is basically a vehicle that I will choose, which typically will be something that I feel fits well into the game or fulfils a particular "need". Here it is a new vehicle that ties in with a previous one, to provide something that I've been meaning to add for quite some time! Black Cab jobs! A.K.A. Hackney Carriages.
So, where to luv?
1991 GDM Whirlwind 4.3 :
What can only be described as a sports truck! Sacrifice a load of off-road capability with its low ride, maintain the 4WD system and add a good dose of Turbo-excess to create the fastest production truck of 1991!
1997 Verdhent Tigris 1.6 :
Based on a popular supermini, this small coupe offers a splash of style with sensible running costs.
1967 VoltPogen Nr.2 1.5 Panel Van :
The first generation of a cultural icon, a blank canvas utilised across the world for both the ordinary and the extra-ordinary.
1991 Nesson Foglia 1.0 :
(Bonus) Based on reliable Japanese supermini underpinnings, the cutesy styling found plenty of admirers across the world, despite being exclusive to the Japanese market.
1997 MWH CamelCab 2.5 Series II :
(MotorNation's Choice) Pitched to replace the classic London "Black Cab" it never quite made it. Despite being arguably better on paper, a lack of visual flair and character meant it never quite captured the soul of the original.
This pack features four vehicles belonging to, or have been previously owned by, members of the community.
1991 Portsmouth Lidar 2.0 RS :
The most performance orientated model from this brand since the muscle car era, this 2+2 sports coupe was a joint effort between US & Japanese manufacturers.
1993 Dash Devotee 5.2 LE :
This mid-size pickup could be specified with a V8 engine under the hood, as is the case here. More bizarrely, an earlier version could also be specified as a convertible...
2000 Verdhent Astrum 2.2 16v RSi :
Whilst it doesn’t have a turbo, they say there is no replacement for displacement. Despite its compact size, it unusually had a 2.2 litre engine under the bonnet, ensuring it had plenty of poke.
1986 Nesson TX-20 1.8 Turbo:
Whilst this generation is lesser known in pop-culture, it features everything desirable from the later models, plus is the second car in this pack to feature pop-up headlights. The most important aspect, obviously.
As usual, the above vehicles may be available new or secondhand in the classifieds, as appropriate, from time to time!
All players can access these vehicles.
A massive thank you to those that have contributed towards getting these in-game!
These work similarly to the "Private Hire" taxi jobs, but whilst they don't pay mileage - they pay a little more. These are the sort of the taxis that you get from a taxi rank rather than making a booking for. The older car that has been in the game for some time are, of course, also the famous "London Cab" that are only second to the famous big red Routemaster double-decker buses from a similar era!
As mentioned, I wanted to add this as soon as the traditional Black Cab was added to the game, so it's nice that the job is finally here - along with it's more modern sibling.
A couple of long-requested lower vehicle class rally events:
Group 4 Reunion Rally
Featuring a B class limit, this rally event is inspired by 1970s rally legends.
Amateur Rally
This C class limited event is otherwise open to pretty much anything. Slap a number on the side of your car, and do your best!
As mentioned above, when I’m not doing business-as-usual activities, my primary focus is now on the mobile app. As part of this, there have been several significant platform changes made behind the scenes to build the foundations not only for this, but for the game going forwards.
Unfortunately, one thing that significantly delayed this release (& took up a lot of my time & energy) was seemingly a bug within version 133 of the Google Chrome browser which meant that some of the game's styles (text & box shadows, gradients and especially with overlaid elements) could cause CPU spikes on devices using this browser version when pages were loaded in rapid and repeated succession.
Workarounds for this are presently in place, but as the previous version of Chrome and the subsequent patch release hinting at fixes relating to the issues I identified, I’m hoping that some of these less desirable workarounds can be reversed. I’ll advise as relevant in due course, which if that is the case, then I’ll drop the support for this version of Google Chrome.
This is the worst browser related issue I've seen since the days of Internet Explorer 6...
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