means we should be seeing a demo version as well. Beta testers are
reporting that the physics have really matured in the final beta -- it took
two patches from Ratbag to get there, though, proving their desire to make
this as realistic as possible.
Other details I've heard:
- Ratbag will be including a pack/unpack utility on the CD, allowing you to
access the files and data to make alterations -- this is being included to
allow you to tweak things like horsepower settings and such. The unpack
utility will also be required to paint the cars (the skins are embedded, but
you should be able to unpack/repack everything easily); the skin files are
supposed to be either pcx or tga format, so painting should be a snap with
something like Paint Shop Pro.
- There will be no replay option -- time constraints got in the way, so we
won't be seeing replays. This feature may be added in via a future patch or
add-on pack for DTR; if not, it will definitely be included in DTR2.
- The cars themselves are easily recognizable, but the names won't match
their real-world equivalents. A $19.99 title doesn't leave much room for
licencing fees, so that was just something that had to be sacrificed. Given
the modularity of the game and the pack/unpack utilities that are included,
I would bet that fan sites will be springing up with patches that will fix
this.
- Tracks are modeled after some easily-recognizable real-world equivalents,
but the names/locations have been changed due to the aforementioned
licencing issues. There are reportedly at least one or two recognizable
names, too.
- I haven't heard much about late testing in online multiplayer mode, but
reports indicated that the first beta had some serious bugs. Given how good
Powerslide is for online play, I'm sure that Ratbag will get this part right
before final release, but none of my beta tester contacts have given me any
feedback about the last couple of day's worth of online testing.
- There are a few real-world dirt track racers involved in beta testing --
their opinions run the spectrum, it seems. I've heard much debate among
these racers-cum-testers as to whether DTR qualifies as a full simulation
(like GPL) or if it's still too arcade-like (closer to SCGT or Viper
Racing), but everybody agrees that it's a ton of fun, and it's definitely
the best attempt at a dirt track simulation to date. If DTR doesn't make it
to the store shelves as a full-blown sim, there may be some follow-on tweaks
and advanced options editors from a "Friends of Ratbag"-type group.
All in all, it sounds like Ratbag is serious about bringing us a serious
dirt track simulation. Bring on the demo!
-- JB