> To be blunt, Francois, who gives a toss about having the ability to go
> "anywhere" in a racing sim? The idea is, after all, to stay on the circuit!! I
> for one would prefer development time and money be given to something of
> benefit....which does not include having the ability to go "anywhere". A
> wonderful feature for a first-person shooter...but not for a racing sim.
That capability is just a side effect of our requirements
to reuse track designs for different types of racing.
For example, AMA Superbike and SCCA Trans-Am. ;)
So we don't use the simpler "Canyon Racer" techniques
usual in games in order to get the most reuse from the
large effort expended to model every track.
Each series we do will potentially use each facility a little
differently. One example that springs to mind are the course
differences used between AMA Superbike, SCCA Trans-Am and
oval racing, all at Pikes Peak International Raceway.
AFAIK so far, two different pit areas are used at Road Atlanta,
etc., etc. On the licensing side, a first rate depiction
of a facility makes it much easier to license. We've had
some very nice comments from track owners.
The different events use more or less of the ovals,
more or less of the infield, more or less of the
pit in/out roads, etc. Since I expect to have to
use some of those runnoff areas (and take my penalty ;),
I'm glad we have them available...
The street courses in SCCA Trans-Am are a big job
and will be more akin to the canyon racers that
people are used to.
Keeping up with the tracks is a big job too.
I hear that Sear's Point bulldozed a large hill
in thier infield recently.
--
Matthew V. Jessick Motorsims
Vehicle Dynamics Engineer (972)910-8866 Ext.125, Fax: (972)910-8216
