Based on this post I put the current packs against the new class packs. Mind that in the current set up all the + packs have the also the cars of low packs (I didn't show this here for brevity). It seems that isn't going to be the case anymore as some high pack cars are moved to low packs.

Legend: Yellow = unchanged, Green = added, red = removed.

• D: added Leaf & KTM. Fun low D cars, nothing special.
• D+: removed all existing cars, added a whole bunch. Esp. 370Z Neon Ed. and Taycan are nice additions.
• C: Added 3 and moves 2 from C+ to C. Nothing special, nothing terrible.
• C+: Removed 2 and moved 2 down to C. 2 stay the same and added quite a lot. Some good stuff e.g. Gen2, Hussarya 33 and Gallardo.
• B: Removed 3, Added 6. Decent low B, but nothing special. Elva possibly the best.
• B+: Removed all current 2 (incl. GS) but added 10, which are mostly good cars.
• A: Added 4, pretty okay for a low A pack.
• A+: Removed all current 3 (Arguably LaFerrari is problematic) but added 7 decent to good ones.
• S: Removed all current except Centenario, added 7, some pretty okay (Veneno, GT-R Neon)
• S+: Added 8, some quite decent or quite good (Battista is a TD king, Divo quite good, Owl crazy acceleration). I doubt if the Chiron Super Sport 300+ is a mistake and should be the Pur Sport, as it requires a key.

Overall some nice additions. Of the removed cars, I think some OG cars shouldn't be removed (Corvette GS, LaFerrari, Vulcano, Lykan) but all of these are available in the Legend Store (and most other packs, assuming those don't change). LaFerrari might the biggest issue because it appears mostly for tokens in the store.

One VERY important caution! As there are in many packs MORE cars, this will impact the drop rates!!! Don't expect you can unlock some cars easily. Since there are no cars added >2025 the requirements to unlock are higher, for most 6* A cars it's 70 bps and S cars 85 bps! So it can take quite a while before you have enough bps. But at least you can get them for free.

I am curious if this will also affect the ad/free and limited time packs, but since those aren't mentioned explicitly I guess not. It's still a good change, but it's important to not expect miracles from them.

https://preview.redd.it/8zxcvrnplquh1.png?width=806&format=png&auto=webp&s=d3c94bcb29877d350174f49c8e7f130b12386a4a

https://preview.redd.it/orvy5x4rlquh1.png?width=806&format=png&auto=webp&s=5b0d831997fee0e9100e37a7d0e439bcc3021e0a

https://preview.redd.it/fhfxdyoslquh1.png?width=806&format=png&auto=webp&s=8e6502276d46a289ac4e179db0dbfac01d6d8263

NSX line should be yellow...

https://preview.redd.it/o2k3njiylquh1.png?width=806&format=png&auto=webp&s=38b9e132ed6df07bc47fdaa570404878f01ec604

https://preview.redd.it/y2hl2hm0mquh1.png?width=806&format=png&auto=webp&s=35b5d18078dcb4c352a2889c88e7a1361ac08f8a

https://preview.redd.it/936g1jv1mquh1.png?width=806&format=png&auto=webp&s=86eca32e5469190b8b88241d0445aa4d2a326bc3

https://preview.redd.it/y6x2u4e3mquh1.png?width=806&format=png&auto=webp&s=84d51d00bfcf5437053e382124b610b91d3e0b6e

https://preview.redd.it/yfq5mrz4mquh1.png?width=806&format=png&auto=webp&s=e525716ae4c46c52d417a083345025369b228160

https://preview.redd.it/xufftkc6mquh1.png?width=806&format=png&auto=webp&s=d0776a733732ef5575cca26ec03a72b6c18912cd

I am working on a progressive rock concept album called "The Cartographer". The album is about The Cartographer who wants to map the universe. It turns out to be a more personal journey and the planets he visit function as metaphors in this journey. In terms of genre the most simplistic way I an explain it to people less versed into heavy prog rock "Pink Floyd meets Metallica" (think of bands like Rush, King Crimson, Haken, Neal Morse). An EP is released earlier this year to get an idea of the music, you can find links to it here: www.soundatlas.nl

For the artwork I have the following things to consider:

• I like the Franco-Belgian graphic novels style, manga or US comics is not necessarily excluded but I would have to see examples.
• The cover would depict the main character, the cat and the ship. We can discuss the details of course.
• I will get a license to use the artwork for the album, T-Shirt, sheet music book, website/social media and potential other merchandise.
• I have a reasonable budget for small artists, of course we can discuss that. Obviously the artist will be credited as well.
• Depending on the budget, I would also like some kind of map that shows the journey. The album cover is most important of course.
• It has to be human made, no AI involved at all. This is essential as it also involves my credibility as an aspiring musician (which isn't AI generated either).
• The album is planned for release early 2027. So it would have to be done by the end of the year.

Interested? Don't DM me, post a reply here with a link to portfolio or examples and if possible a cost indication. If I think we could work together, I will make further contact.

For those who have all the EVO parts: there's a trade cap of 1500 tokens. A tickets is worth 250 tokens. If you trade 8 tickets at once, you would still only get 1500 tokens, not 2000. When you get the first 4 parts after first race you do in stage 2, trade those for 1000 tokens. Do the race again to get the next 4 and trade for another 1000 tokens. That way you'll get 2000 tokens.

I only did the event just yet so I couldn't warn before, I saw an image from someone (I think it was on Facebook) showing he happily traded for 1500 tokens (I didn't know the conversion rate). But he lost 500... I hope others didn't but at least those who read this know.

PS: this will be a problem when there's a rerun for cars like the Chiron and one would get more surplus tickets. I don't know the conversion rate for those, image you get 4 tickets at once, that's probably more than 1500 tokens worth. You can only get 1500 in that case since trading is all or nothing.

I wrote this to support. It's long and I don't have high hopes. But I just feel I need to let them know. Also I might suggest things others think differently about. It's on personal title, but I think most will agree for a great deal. I also don't mind if you copy this text and also send it with some alterations (I've tried to give my message a bit of extra weight by exploiting the goodwill I get on this reddit):

"First of all, to the support employee reading this: this is not personal. This is aimed at management. As Faith No More once sang, "It's a dirty job and someone's gotta do it". So I'm not "shooting the messenger".

Wow Gameloft management, you outdid yourself. I'm not sure if you realize it, but you're alienating players at a fast tempo. Now let me state that I'm a veteran with a really good garage, so the changes don't hurt me a lot personally. But I'm a respected member of the subreddit r/asphalt9 so I see how it hurts players.

A while back you said the economy issues would be adressed. Instead of improving things, you've made things worse. All kinds of wooly words couldn't fix it. It's all marketing/management bla bla. Especially for players on no-ad devices things have gotten worse.

Now this update you thought, let's refresh the Gauntlet garage. In itself that's not a terrible idea. But you did it at such short notice players were unable to prepare. Even the change from Clash to Gauntlet was done better (and that was already handled poorly). Not only that, not adding the keys for key cars is a slap in the face of players. Nor is it to have an empty promise it will be discussed and will MAYBE change next update. That is THREE months later!

I understand that this game exists ultimately to create revenue. Keep the stockholders happy. Management couldn't care less about the game I fear. But I still have the hope the team actually working on the game do care. As a developer myself, I can't imagine a real developer would be happy to treat players like this.

There needs to be a healthy balance. So sure there are elements of the game that urge players to spend. The game is not made out of thin air. But you've been going downhill this year. You can't keep nerfing the game. You not only need paying players - you also need the F2P players. To keep the game viable you can't lean on a smaller group of veteran and whales, you need a large group. Because you're really doing a good job at chasing the F2P players away - heck, even veterans and whales. And you can't communicate your way out of it with empty promises.

So, listen to a dedicated veteran with some credibility on Reddit. This is what I think you should do:

1. Have a grace period for the old Gauntlet store items, so players that were close to getting a Devel key or something else can get it. Or have events that aren't insanely demanding where people can get these cars in reasonable way. Tip: don't be too frugal.
2. Add the keys for the key cars to the Gauntlet store. Not adding those is, I can't put it else, plain stupid. Of course the playerbase is angry. Don't wait 3 months. Do it now.
3. Really fix the economy issues. Increase credits heist, have good ad multipliers (8x and up) and reinstate 20 claims on no-ad platforms. Also have weekly car hunts back, those were ideal for grinding credits, parts and trade coins.
4. Have some kind of generous make up thing. Don't be frugal. Show the players you care.
5. And if you want to nerf: nerf the constant influx of new cars. This update TEN new cars. It's completely unnecessary. Really. Nobody wants a 718 Pac-Man edition, just give a decal for crying out loud. And if you add cars, be a bit realistic. I love the new JDM's, but Skyline GT-R R34 almost 400 km/h and the Supra MK IV 360 km/h? That's just ridiculous. You can save money by adding less cars, and do more reruns of old cars. Win-win I would think.

I mean it: your management is walking on thin ice. Sure do P2W events, but have ALSO F2P friendly events and options alongside. Happy players keep playing. Unhappy players hit the uninstall button. And they're gone. It's not rocket science, you can't keep squeezing out players.

I understand: you're just a support employee. You have to go through all the angry messages. It's not your fault. It's management. I hope you will pass it on to them. They have to know how players feel about this."

My "sreglov" account is still banned, so my thought from this account. Also on vacation so it took a bit longer to write it all (took notes in between moments 🤣). Now, there's a lot to unpack, so let's start with the new cars.

RX-7

Mid Class D, between the Civic Type-R and Taycan.

Comparable to the Countach 25th Anniversary: slightly slower, slightly better acceleration, better handling and slightly better nitro.

Not particularly impressive. The top speed is decent, acceleration is respectable and handling is okay, but the low nitro is just ridiculous. Looks nice though, but I suspect it'll mainly collect dust.

Available in Spotlight.

Aella-60

Mid/high Class C, between the 718 Cayman GT4 and C63.

Comparable to the C63: almost the same top speed, slightly lower acceleration, slightly better handling and almost identical nitro.

Another fairly average car. It doesn't really have any glaring weaknesses, but nothing stands out either. It's also a completely new name to me, a restomod based on the Ferrari 360 Modena.

Available in LP & DS.

Lucid Air Sapphire

The new Class C king, overtaking the Z GT4.

It doesn't really have a direct comparison. The combination of relatively high top speed and excellent acceleration is something we haven't really seen in Class C yet.

That's exactly what defines the car: great top speed and acceleration, balanced by mediocre handling and nitro. Definitely a skill-focused car.

Available later this update.

Porsche 911 GT3 RS (2023)

Low Class B, between the Artura and AF8.

The closest comparison is the GT MK II. It has similarly low top speed, although the GT3 RS trades some acceleration for better handling while keeping comparable nitro.

Agile, but simply too slow for Class B.

And honestly... who asked for yet another 911? We're up to ten now!

Available in MP.

Supra RZ MK IV

Mid/high Class B, between the 917 Living Legend and Apollo N.

Comparable to the One77 with similar top speed, slightly better acceleration, but lower handling and nitro. Why it still has a lower rank is beyond me.

Its placement also feels wildly unrealistic. In real life the Supra tops out roughly 100 km/h lower, so personally I'd expect it somewhere in Class D. That said... I like the car, so I'll happily take it.

Available in Spotlight.

718 Cayman Pac-Man Edition

High Class B, between the GT MK IV and W12.

The closest comparison is probably the Evija, although that has lower top speed and better nitro. I'm not convinced that justifies the higher rank.

The trend of recycling existing cars with fixed decals is getting a bit ridiculous. It's not as if this update was short on genuinely new cars.... we're getting ten already.

Available later this update.

Toyota GT-One Road Version (TS020)

High Class A, between the Asfanè and AT96.

The Citroën GT comes closest, despite being ranked much lower. It's slightly slower but compensates with better acceleration, noticeably better handling and slightly better nitro.

Another Le Mans-inspired car, although it lacks acceleration.

Available later this update.

Skyline GT-R R34

High Class A, pushing the P72 out of Elite.

It shines in top speed and handling, but acceleration is only slightly above average and the low nitro will make it challenging to maintain speed. Great for skilled players I expect.

Available in Spotlight.

Hennessey Venom GT

Low S-Class, between the ME412 and Trion.

Comparable to the Trion, with the biggest difference being the significantly lower nitro.

Fun fact: despite its performance, it's actually based on the Lotus Elise/Exige and is officially registered as a modified Lotus Exige.

Available in DS.

Tushek Aeon R

High S-Class, replacing the Jesko Absolut in Elite (which conveniently moves to the Gauntlet Store).

Hard to find a real comparison. Its biggest strength is acceleration. However, for a top-tier S-Class car the top speed isn't particularly impressive, while average handling and low nitro keep it from looking overpowered.

Available in DS.

New track

My first impressions are very positive. I really like the atmosphere, the long straights and that insane 360° section. I'm also curious about the Nitro Gate game mode. Asphalt 8 had something similar and it was a lot of fun.

New cars

Ten new cars is a lot, although spread over three seasons it's somewhat understandable. Still, seven of them become available during the first season alone.

I've said it before: I'd rather see fewer new cars and more reruns. As a veteran I can keep up, but newer players must be feeling completely overwhelmed. Making more existing cars available would do far more for the health of the game than adding another ten cars every update.

Some of the stat inflation is also getting difficult to take seriously. The Skyline GT-R R34 approaching 400 km/h? The Supra doing well over 360 km/h? I love seeing these cars added, but stretching their real-life performance this far feels unnecessary.

Another thing that stands out is the low nitro efficiency. Four cars sit below 40 (RX-7, R34, Venom GT and Aeon R), while only four have genuinely decent nitro values around 67.

Finally, there's the ongoing rank inflation. More and more cars are being pushed into Elite simply to make them feel exciting. The Lucid Air Sapphire, Skyline R34 and Aeon R are good examples. The problem is: where does it stop? Since launch, the top end of most classes has increased by roughly 10–20%, and that doesn't seem sustainable.

EVO

It's pretty obvious GL doesn't want too many players getting the C11 EVO. Requiring 265 blueprints is a huge ask when the C11 itself was only obtainable at 1★ through MP. Unless players spend Wild Cards, most will have it at 1★ (if they even have it!). And judging by the stats, the EVO doesn't even look particularly interesting.

Rewards

The MP and Gauntlet reward changes will probably generate the biggest discussion.

Adding more cars to the Gauntlet Store is great. Replacing existing ones... not so much. There's still some speculation, but judging by the long list I'm expecting replacements rather than additions, especially since several current Gauntlet cars are featured in upcoming events.

The new selection certainly includes some excellent car (especially the Divo, Nevera and Jesko Absolut) but plenty of players have been saving for cars like the Devel. If those disappear, I don't think the community will be very happy. There are also rumours that keys are being removed, which would make the change even worse.

The MP reward changes are less controversial, although making a low Class B car the Platinum reward feels rather underwhelming.

Special Events

As usual, there's plenty to do. Next Tuesday brings the JDM Turbofest Spotlight featuring the three new Japanese cars, together with the C11 EVO.

A week later the Drive Syndicate starts. It's a "big" DS with the new track and three new cars: the Aella-60, Venom GT and Aeon R. Interestingly, the S-Class car appears before the A-Class car. For F2P players I expect the Aeon R to be extremely difficult unless the new relay setup is particularly generous.

There's also a rerun of the AMG GT Black Series, followed by an SE for the TS900 with some very demanding support cars. Finally, the Asfanè gets a Special Hunt.

Overall, this update feels heavily geared toward veteran players. Spotlight should at least allow everyone to unlock the new cars, but DS will likely only be manageable through the early stages even for veterans. The Special Hunt is an enormous grind, although the reward may well justify it.

Hunts & TLEs

Four car hunts (F40, LFA, Zonda HP and Kepler), plus the Evija Star/Epic Hunt. At least there's a hunt throughout.

The TLE lineup is okay, although nothing really stands out unless the Birthday event somehow includes a free Jesko key (if they want to please community, give it for free... as if...)

Personal goals

• Unlock all three Spotlight cars (really eager to get them all!!!)
• Will do the C11 se, but won't go EVO for the first time. The investment simply isn't worth it.
• Unlock the Aella-60 and Venom GT through DS. The Aeon R depends on how expensive the later stages become (if I can get it for 30k, I might consider it0.
• Star up the Tushek through the SE.
• Gold max the Asfanè through the Special Hunt.

Overall

Positives

• Nice selection of new cars.
• Great-looking new track.
• Plenty of content.

Negatives

• Too many new cars.
• Continued rank inflation.
• Challenging events aimed mostly at veterans.
• Questionable Gauntlet changes.
• No meaningful improvements to the game's economy.

The overall mood in the community has been pretty negative for a while now, yet this update doesn't really address any of the underlying issues.

Improving the economy isn't rocket science: give players more ways to earn credits, slow down the pace of new car releases and add a few more accessible events. Instead, this update mostly doubles down on the existing formula - missed opportunity if you ask me.

This is the first video from my recently released EP. It features Jinian Wilde (formerly of the David Cross Band) on vocals.

The EP is a teaser for the full album, set to be released in early 2027. *The Cartographer* is a concept album about the crazy idea of someone mapping out the univers. It turns out to be a more personal journey touching on topics like purpose, existence, depression and religion within a sci-fi setting.

Superposition is about the fact things are often black and white - we often exist somewhere "in between". It's one of the heavier songs and reprises parts of the first songs.

So a few months ago my FB account was hacked. Account was about 20 years old, many friends, a page for my music project. After uploading my ID a few times (with some blurred data like social security number) my account was blocked. It turns out you shouldn't blur this tuff out - mind that my government supplies advices this and even supplies an official app I used. Now that hack was partly my fault: I didn't have MFA and I hadn't changed my password in a while (it was leaked apparantly). The hackers tried to post crypto scam ads (I used my music project page to post ads in the past). Via Appeals Centre Europe I made an appeal, and ACE judged in my favor. Facebook seems not to give a crap about this and just ignores it.

In the meantime, I made a new FB account and started building up my friends etc. I released an EP for my music project and made a new music project page (I waited hoping for a restore). And this morning I login and get a message my account is suspended. Need to verify I'm human by watching in a camera and follow some arrows. In about an hour I get a mail that my account is closed definitively.

Now when I check the "account integrity" they mention that they can close pages from the same person/entity that is already closed. Since I made a page for my band (about the same name, pointing to the same url) I suspect that is the reason.

What stings is the pure arrogance: not only do they make it impossible to contact them, they just decide and that's it. They ignore he ACE decision. All that is left seems legal steps.

Any experiences of people that have 'survived' similar issues, and how? Or is it just hopeless?

https://preview.redd.it/mnyg4n85m0ah1.png?width=1502&format=png&auto=webp&s=65112f3a9df2fa3dcef520a70ae8bce82462c5af

To celebrate my 50th birthday, exactly today I've released the EP of my upcoming album. And I'm very happy with it!

About the music: guitar oriented heavier prog. I'm influenced by artists like Rush, King Crimson, Haken, Neal Morse - but don't shy away from pop or metal influences.

About the EP/album: the EP is the album in "small". The Catographer is a concept album telling the story of someone who wants to map out the universe but it turns out to be a more personal journey. The planets he visits functions as methaphores. In 6 songs (and 2 bonus) you're taken in broad strokes into the world of the cartographer. It's a semi-autobiographical sci-fi adaption of a deconstruction journey.

About the musicians: I'm very happy that Jinian Wilde takes the role as the "Cartographer". His voice is amazing and fits the music perfectly. He earned his credits as singer in for example the David Cross Band. On Crisis of Being next to Jin Sally Minnear (you might know her from her work with Dave's Brons & Bainbridge) takes up the vocals. On the same song Matt Steady plays a killer solo. On An Absurd Idea Tom Rice drums and the regular version of Sleepwalker Paradise my sister Esther plays bass. I (Marc) play guitar, bass, keys and did the programming. Music all by Marc, lyrics Marc & Jin. Since I'm from The Netherlands this makes it a Dutch/British collaboration.

About the songs:

1. Overture - Atlas Sive Cosmographicae: this 6,5 minute instrumental takes the listern through many musical themes that occur on the EP and album. Much care has been take to create a coherent whole. It starts calm, with epic melodies, and via prog extravaganza ends with a musical question mark. Tagline: "the journey begins".
2. An Absurd Idea: here the "Cartographer" is introduced. Why did he take on this endeavour? A catchy chorus and proggy middle section form an adventurous song. Tagline: "In a corner of the universe, we try to make sense".
3. Sleepwalkers Paradise: one of the more "poppy" songs. Very accessible, entirly in 4/4 while still having a deeper layer. It's about people ignoring feelings of pain and grief. The song features also a "crowd choir" of submitted "la la la's". Tagline: "the joy of grief".
4. Crisis of Being (Abridged version): this songs begins as a melancholic ballad, with Jin and Sally alternating verse/chorus. It's a sad, introspective song, but also has hope in it. The middle section has an amazing solo by Matt Steady. It's a shorter and slightly calmer version than the album version. Tagline: "Among the flow of pain / there is enough, to go on".
5. Atlas and Mercator: a short instrumental playful intermezzo, the protoganists cat (Mercator) plays in the ship (Atlas). Lots of crazy odd time stuff with references to other songs. EP only release. Tagline: "Atlas and Mercator".
6. Superposition/Redemption Arc: a 10 minute mash-up of the last two songs of the album, to make the EP a well rounded whole. Superposition is a heavier riff oriented track with still very catch vocal lines. It refers to the state between 0 and 1 in Quantum Physics, which is used as a metaphore for the protoganist that found a new balance that leaves room for the "in between" states we often are in. The instrumental ending of Redemption Arc (referencing the first part of the Overture) and an a capella reprise of the album track Children of Eden conclude this track and hopefully keep you wanting for more... Tagline: "In this stat, in between, who we are, who we seem".
7. Sleepwalkes Paradise (Metal version): an energetic metal version of Seepwalkers Paradise.
8. Sleepwalkers Paradise (Acoustic Epic version): a more modest version of this song, slightly more melancholic due to open chord voicings. Has an "epic" ending ft. the crowd choir.

The EP is now available on Bandcamp, and will available later this week on streaming services (this takes a bit longer via the distribution channel). A lyric video for Superposition is planned for release later week.

Link to Bandcamp: https://soundatlas.bandcamp.com/album/the-cartographer-epreuve

The album is planned for release late 2026/early 2027 and will feature 14 songs clocking in at just under 80 minutes.

I hope the EP finds it's way too people that like this kind of music (maybe other people who just love making music)!!! If you know someone that might like, feel free to share it!!! Also let me know what you think of it, any constructive feedback is helpful and can improve the final album.