World Sports Car Article/Interview in the current issue of Edge Uk Magazine....a must read.
idav
I've just bought the latest issue of the UK's best Computer magazine - Edge.
It has an excellent interview and preview with the programmers of the game -
Chris and Tony West.
I thought you'd like to read the article...and I've also included the
captions from underneath the pictures.
This is shaping up to be a mightly impressive simulation.
idav.
*
World Sports Cars.
It's probably fair to say the world of racing games is suffering from mild
schizophrenia, with realsitic racers and simulations fighting a continual
battle for supremacy.
Right now, realism based racing is the dominant, more outgoing and possibly
more stable personality - one adored by casual and racing enthusiastics
alike.
The racing simulation's possesive relationship over the PC market goes back
generations of course. Developers keen to recreate the closest thing to a
racing car with a cathode ray tube for a windscreen have always required the
computing power only a PC can deliver.
Its a highly competitive scene where Papyrus' Grand Prix Legends enjoys a
commanding position over the field, though Geoff Crammond's Grand Prix 3 is
threatening to slipstream into the lead any day soon.
But there is a new team in the paddock.
Twins Chris and Tony West have taken a day off from working on WSCars and
have arrived at Edge's office to show off their latest venture.
Their last published game was 1994's Street Racer on the SNES.
Passionate for cars and all things motor-sport realted from their earliest
memories, little has changed in adulthood. A couple of Lotuses were sitting
in the drive way after developing a James Bond title for Doamrk in the 80's,
while the proceeds from Street Racer purchased a pair of Ferrari 348's.
They were subsequently sold to fund the development of WSCars.
WSCars is a high-end simulation of World Sports Cars. Details of which cars
and international circuits are to be included remain unconfirmed at this
stage - publisher Empire is looking into licenses - but expect a
comprehensive list when the game ships.
Right now the brother's have other things to worry about.
Unquestionably the foundation of a racing sim is its dynamics model. WSC's
has been 5 years in the making, starting life as a simple kinematic demo and
evolving into one of th emost accurate, elaborate examples around.
"It seems every racing sim that comes out claims to have real physics" says
Chris,"but as yet only GPL has anything that could really be called real. We
feel the level of detail that GPL showed in its handling should be the norm
as opposed to th eexception in racing sims and that is what we are aiming
for."
"All aspects of the car model are dealt with in a physically correct way.
The suspention geometry is modelled so changes in camber, etc, are all real.
Force Feedback effects use realvalues and the tyre model uses the latest
developments from the Society of Automotive Engineers. The nice thing about
doing everything in a physically correct way is if you change something in
the car, not only will you feel a change in th eway it drives, but you will
see the effect on the car, so if oyu adjust the camber or suspension link
lengths you will see it change onscreen."
And before you ask, the model also includes the implimentation of
aerodynamic values to create downforce. Of course, everything is full
adjustable...spring rates, bumpstops, arm length and positioning, rollbar,
damping, ride height and all other aspects of vehicle suspension can be
tinkered with.
Similarly, engine and transmission realted features such as torque values
and gear ratios are also modifiable.
"Everything has been modeled correctly, the gearbox, clutch - everything has
a wear factor and can be damaged or broken, so if you are doing a very long
race you have to keep an eye on that...that bit might fail and will then
affect the pit stops later on.
The pits. A part of racing so often overlooked, but which the wests are
about to bring into th elimelight with considerable force.
"One of the big features of the game is going to be the pit stops, I don't
know if you remember Pitstop 2...its still one of the only games that allows
you control over the pit stops which is something we really want to bring up
to date.
If you come in for a pit stop, it will be up to you to pick up an air wrench
and plug it in, to get the car up on its jack, to take the wheels off, to
put new one's back on and you'll be able to perform all manner of tasks such
as changing fluid levels, refuelling, changing the driver, replacing disk
pads, tune the engine, even down to a bucket and sponge that you can clean
the windscreen with."
"The advantage we have over F1 games is that they have an 8 second pit stop
and you can't have interactivity there, whereas in WSCars races they can be
in there for half-an-hour....even the shorter one's take 2 -5 minutes...so
you can really get involved."
If nothing else, these stops act like a mini-game whcih reflects the Wests
past spent delving into genres other than just serious simulations,
however..there ARE serious gameplay implications.
"Its going to be up to you to know whats wrong with your car, what needs
fixing and what needs checking, so its a kind of game within a game and I
think it will be one of the strong features of the title. Its probably going
to seperate it from other racing games."
But there are many other features that distinguish WSC from the competition.
"All the cars are modelled inside and out and are panel based, so if
something opens up on the real car and detaches it does on
ours. The player can remove all the body panels if he wishes and drive the
car with no bodywork. This allows for some nice damage effects as well as
making the cars feel more real and not simply like a box on wheels. So if
your flying down the straight and your body panel comes loose it can fly
off."
While they await news on the licensing issues that affects the content of
the
final game, the twins are already one step ahead.
"We have designed WSCars to be the basis for a whole series of expansion and
add-on-packs, obviously you will get all the car packs and track packs, but
these can be ANY cars from F1 to go-carts and the tracks could be any from
Le Mans to Daytona. We plan to do some of these ourselves and rely on the
FANS to provide the rest by releasing the format and editors on the
Internet. The possibilities are enormous."
End.
Captions.
"The level of detail on the cars is mightly impressive - close in and notice
that the wheels are perfectly modelled, along with an intricate brake
assembly...expect to take control off all parameters during a pit stop."
"You can start the car by going through the electrics/starter motor routine.
A clutch is included and audio will match the visual quality."
"The engine is made up of its own seperate components so that when you fire
up the exhaust vibrates, the torque twists...ect"
Phew...so there you go.!!
Two interesting points.......the pitstops and the release of editors on the
Internet.
Like to read what you think.
BTW...the photo's are excellent.
Ian.
Chris Bloom
It is the first I have heard of the "Open" format which will
encourage third party add-ons.
GP3, N4, WSC all on the way, and of course the never ending
enjoyment of GPL. They are gonna have to do something about
extending this 24 hour day we have to put up with!
Chris
* Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet's Discussion Network *
The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet - Free!
Ed Solheim
at:
http://home.c2i.net/igplc/wsc(
The are big in size.. but they *are* worth it!
Enjoy!
--
All the best,
Ed Solheim
The GPLEA
Bruce Kennewell
:-)
--
Regards,
Bruce Kennewell,
Canberra, Australia.
---------------------------
Bruce Kennewell <bru...@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
news:392e71d2$1...@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
> I haven't salivated over the prospect of a game release since the
> announcement, and first AVI, of Grand Prix Legends.
> Now, after these schots and idav's little write-up, I'm drooling all over
> the bloody desk!
>
> --
> Regards,
> Bruce Kennewell,
> Canberra, Australia.
> ---------------------------
>
> Ed Solheim <ed_solheim[SPAM-GUARD]@c2i.net> wrote in message
> news:SOBX4.989$R7.1...@juliett.dax.net...
Bruce Kennewell
Matthew B.Knutsen
Down, boy!
:-D
Matt
Bruce Kennewell <bru...@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
news:392e71d2$1...@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
Goy Larsen
"Matthew B.Knutsen" wrote:
>
> *also wiping my keyboard*
>
> Down, boy!
For some reason I'm not that surprised to see you excited about this one
:-)
Beers and cheers
(uncle) Goy
"Team Mirage" http://www.teammirage.com/
"The Pits" http://www.theuspits.com/
* Spam is for losers who can't get business any other way *
"Spamkiller" http://www.spamkiller.com
m.seery
This sounds absolutely superb. I have had high expectactations for this sim
but the prospect of actually taking control of pitstops and having to be
analytical about the state of the car at any stage is more than I could ever
have dreamed about.
This sim would be absolutely complete if there was a feature to enable
multiple drivers for one car and the ability to swap over at pitstops,
Imagine doing an annual Le Mans or Daytona 24 in real time with several
drivers per team. ( even the Mondello Park 24 hour 2CV race would be fun
for GPLF3 drivers <G>). Come to that, pity the poor guy who stuffs the car
at 22 hours ;-). We could have maybe an Aussie, a West/East coast Yank and a
Euro or 2 per team to take over as time zones dictate. Maybe this is a
bridge too far but I can dream on for now........
MS
"Bruce Kennewell" <bru...@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
news:392e...@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
> In fact, perhaps the acronym "WSC" *REALLY* stands for "West's Sports
Cars"?
> :-)
>
idav
Glad you enjoyed the article.....I agree with you all in that the sim sounds
very promising indeed.
The part on the pitstops is interesting and the comparison with Pitstop 2.
Problem is I can't remember if I've played P2...what did you have to do in
the pits.?
Can anybody give me a refresher here.?
The possibility of an editor being released sounds great, I spend far more
time playing GP2 than GPL, for me the fun is downloading a new track and
giving it a work out.
In truth, I'm not that keen on GPL, for my level its too bloody
frustrating....but 99% of my dislike is probably because I'm totally shighte
at it.
Ah well.
As for Nascar.....anybody ever played Scalextric.?
Ian.
Peter Holt
wrote:
>
>This sim would be absolutely complete if there was a feature to enable
>multiple drivers for one car and the ability to swap over at pitstops,
>Imagine doing an annual Le Mans or Daytona 24 in real time with several
>drivers per team. ( even the Mondello Park 24 hour 2CV race would be fun
>for GPLF3 drivers <G>). Come to that, pity the poor guy who stuffs the car
>at 22 hours ;-). We could have maybe an Aussie, a West/East coast Yank and a
>Euro or 2 per team to take over as time zones dictate. Maybe this is a
>bridge too far but I can dream on for now........
>
>
close contact with the West brothers, and this is exactly what they
are planning.
Peter Holt
Ed Solheim
> Problem is I can't remember if I've played P2...what did you have to do in
> the pits.?
> Can anybody give me a refresher here.?
Ohhh... Pitstop *II* (you should have seen the first one! :))
Those pitsops routines were *very* slim.... but added a new dimension to the
race... :)
Have basicly happend wah that one you drove into the pit-lane.. the car
would go into auto-pilot and drive to your "pit-stall" / garage... a new
screen popped up and gave you an overhead view of the car an one "sprite" of
a pitman, that you had to "manouver" (read: direct) to the tire you wanted
to change.. After pressing the button.. a little sound was played and voilà;
fresh rubbers...
Once you had changed the tires you wanted, you clicked on done... and you
got thrown back on track again...
Ed_
Olav K. Malmin
I remember that, but the pitstops took ages, one tire at the time and
then fuel. I really didn't like it. Of course if everybody have to do
it during a online race it would be a bit hectic and equal for everyone.
--
Olav K. Malmin
remove spam when replying
Jo Helsen
>RAS,
>
>Glad you enjoyed the article.....I agree with you all in that the sim sounds
>very promising indeed.
>
>The part on the pitstops is interesting and the comparison with Pitstop 2.
>
>Problem is I can't remember if I've played P2...what did you have to do in
>the pits.?
>
>Can anybody give me a refresher here.?
Played it on a C64 emulator a few months ago. Could also have been Pitstop I,
though.. It involved selecting the members of the pitcrew and controlling them
while picking up and fitting the wheels, and refuelling.
JoH
------- The best way to accelerate a Mac is 9.81 m/s2 --------
--------------------------------------------------------------
Chris
Chris
--
--------------------------------------------------
http://www.the.saints.btinternet.co.uk
idav wrote in message ...
Chris Bloom
also run on someting considerably slower.
Chris
In article <8goojl$nom$1...@uranium.btinternet.com>, "Chris"
<is...@btinternet.com> wrote:
>Sounds mightily hard on the processor. Wonder what minimum
specs will be.
>
>Chris
>
>--
m.seery
develop the game.
MS
"Chris Bloom" > Apparently it will run with most options on a 450 but should
Kai Fuller
event on the net if you ask me. The NROS deal was cool too, but wasn't as
cool. Now if we could do this all on-line, that would be cool :)
Peter Holt <ph...@bigpond.com> wrote in message
news:pkcvisgs5405v25b4...@4ax.com...
Kai Fuller
extent, since this is endurance racing, I don't know to what extent.
Looking at some of the topics on High Gear, they talk about a lot of
different parts of your car being able to be worn out due to excessive use
during the race, so I'd assume that tire wear will also be very detailed,
but I'll do my best to find out. I suggest you direct your question to the
moderated (Less Ego Stroking and non-GPL centric :) ) WSC webboard @
www.simracingnews.com
Bruce Kennewell <bru...@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
news:392f...@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
> That should have included the words "to ask" between "like" and
"somebody"!
>
> --
> Regards,
> Bruce Kennewell,
> Canberra, Australia.
> ---------------------------
>
> Bruce Kennewell <bru...@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
> news:392f...@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
> > There is one question at the forefront of my mind that I would like
> somebody
> > who has an "in" with the Wests......
> >
> > Will they be modelling tyre wear....particularly flat-spotting caused by
> > spinning and the physical effects of same?
> >
> > --
> > Regards,
> > Bruce Kennewell,
> > Canberra, Australia.
> > ---------------------------
> >
> > m.seery <m.s...@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
> > news:B3NX4.169$si6....@news6-win.server.ntlworld.com...
> > > Boy oh boy.
> > >
> > > This sounds absolutely superb. I have had high expectactations for
this
> > sim
> > > but the prospect of actually taking control of pitstops and having to
be
> > > analytical about the state of the car at any stage is more than I
could
> > ever
> > > have dreamed about.
> > >
> > > This sim would be absolutely complete if there was a feature to enable
> > > multiple drivers for one car and the ability to swap over at pitstops,
> > > Imagine doing an annual Le Mans or Daytona 24 in real time with
several
> > > drivers per team. ( even the Mondello Park 24 hour 2CV race would be
> fun
> > > for GPLF3 drivers <G>). Come to that, pity the poor guy who stuffs the
> car
> > > at 22 hours ;-). We could have maybe an Aussie, a West/East coast Yank
> and
> > a
> > > Euro or 2 per team to take over as time zones dictate. Maybe this is a
> > > bridge too far but I can dream on for now........
> > >
> > >
Bruce Kennewell
--
Regards,
Bruce Kennewell,
Canberra, Australia.
---------------------------
Matthew B.Knutsen <ma...@cheekracing.com> wrote in message
news:nCKX4.13663$C9.2...@news1.online.no...
> *also wiping my keyboard*
>
> Down, boy!
>
> :-D
>
> Matt
Bruce Kennewell
who has an "in" with the Wests......
Will they be modelling tyre wear....particularly flat-spotting caused by
spinning and the physical effects of same?
--
Regards,
Bruce Kennewell,
Canberra, Australia.
---------------------------
m.seery <m.s...@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:B3NX4.169$si6....@news6-win.server.ntlworld.com...
> Boy oh boy.
>
> This sounds absolutely superb. I have had high expectactations for this
sim
> but the prospect of actually taking control of pitstops and having to be
> analytical about the state of the car at any stage is more than I could
ever
> have dreamed about.
>
> This sim would be absolutely complete if there was a feature to enable
> multiple drivers for one car and the ability to swap over at pitstops,
> Imagine doing an annual Le Mans or Daytona 24 in real time with several
> drivers per team. ( even the Mondello Park 24 hour 2CV race would be fun
> for GPLF3 drivers <G>). Come to that, pity the poor guy who stuffs the car
> at 22 hours ;-). We could have maybe an Aussie, a West/East coast Yank and
a
> Euro or 2 per team to take over as time zones dictate. Maybe this is a
> bridge too far but I can dream on for now........
>
>
> MS
> "Bruce Kennewell" <bru...@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
> news:392e...@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
> > In fact, perhaps the acronym "WSC" *REALLY* stands for "West's Sports
> Cars"?
> > :-)
> >
> > --
> > Regards,
> > Bruce Kennewell,
> > Canberra, Australia.
> > ---------------------------
> >
Bruce Kennewell
--
Regards,
Bruce Kennewell,
Canberra, Australia.
---------------------------
Bruce Kennewell <bru...@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
news:392f...@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
Bruce Kennewell
the gaming sites.
--
Regards,
Bruce Kennewell,
Canberra, Australia.
---------------------------
m.seery <m.s...@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:DSUX4.714$si6....@news6-win.server.ntlworld.com...
Dave Henrie
pitstops...two players racing could see each other on their own screen
and could see what your own car looked like if your competitor was
nearby.
dave henrie
Bruce Kennewell
communication with the developers can raise the question, 'twould be nice to
find out.
Oh....and I have learnt long ago to never assume ANYTHING when it comes to
games in development!
--
Regards,
Bruce Kennewell,
Canberra, Australia.
---------------------------
Kai Fuller <ka...@olypen.com> wrote in message
news:C9%X4.127493$MB.24...@news6.giganews.com...
> I would think that tyre wear as well as tire wear will be modeled to some
> extent, since this is endurance racing, I don't know to what extent.
>
> Looking at some of the topics on High Gear, they talk about a lot of
> different parts of your car being able to be worn out due to excessive use
> during the race, so I'd assume that tire wear will also be very detailed,
> but I'll do my best to find out. I suggest you direct your question to
the
> moderated (Less Ego Stroking and non-GPL centric :) ) WSC webboard @
> www.simracingnews.com
>
> Bruce Kennewell <bru...@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
> news:392f...@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
> > That should have included the words "to ask" between "like" and
> "somebody"!
> >
> > --
> > Regards,
> > Bruce Kennewell,
> > Canberra, Australia.
> > ---------------------------
> >
> > Bruce Kennewell <bru...@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
> > news:392f...@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
> > > There is one question at the forefront of my mind that I would like
> > somebody
> > > who has an "in" with the Wests......
> > >
> > > Will they be modelling tyre wear....particularly flat-spotting caused
by
> > > spinning and the physical effects of same?
> > >
> > > --
> > > Regards,
> > > Bruce Kennewell,
> > > Canberra, Australia.
> > > ---------------------------
> > >
> > > m.seery <m.s...@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
> > > > > --
> > > > > Regards,
> > > > > Bruce Kennewell,
> > > > > Canberra, Australia.
> > > > > ---------------------------
> > > > >
> > > > > Bruce Kennewell <bru...@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
> > > > > news:392e71d2$1...@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
> > > > > > I haven't salivated over the prospect of a game release since
the
> > > > > > announcement, and first AVI, of Grand Prix Legends.
> > > > > > Now, after these schots and idav's little write-up, I'm drooling
> all
> > > > over
> > > > > > the bloody desk!
> > > > > >
> > > > > > --
> > > > > > Regards,
> > > > > > Bruce Kennewell,
> > > > > > Canberra, Australia.
> > > > > > ---------------------------
> > > > > >
Kai Fuller
Bruce Kennewell <bru...@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
news:3930...@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
Marc J. Nelson
;o)
Cheers!
Marc
Bruce Kennewell
--
Regards,
Bruce Kennewell,
Canberra, Australia.
---------------------------
Marc J. Nelson <ma...@sim-racing.com> wrote in message
news:3931F822...@sim-racing.com...
Marc J. Nelson
Bruce Kennewell
--
Regards,
Bruce Kennewell,
Canberra, Australia.
---------------------------
Marc J. Nelson <ma...@sim-racing.com> wrote in message
news:39324174...@sim-racing.com...