On the "circuit track" issue, I think that Midtown Madness might be a step
in the right direction, given the wide-open (sorf of) map concept with no
fixed "circuit" to run.
Give us the ability to take a basic map like that (or, better yet, to MAKE a
basic map like that), and then add our own customizable waypoints to
determine what WE want the circuit to be, and that would be MUCH better than
what we've got now.
The nice thing about this would be that the maps don't have to all be city
maps like in Midtown madness; you could toss in some a "mountain roads"
track, a "seaside sections" track, a "rural farming" track -- all with with
multiple feeder routes, rural roads, dirt/gravel side roads, and some
interstate sections thrown in for good measure, and then let US determine
the routes via a waypoint editor. The waypoint editor could actually place
barricades and/or signage on the actual map (your choice, based on the type
of course you were designing). This would give you in-game visual cues to
make it easier to follow the route of your custom "circuit" (bad word, I
know).
Imagine a next-generation "Need for Speed"-type simulation with
Powerslide-caliber physics and a myriad of detailed maps along the lines of
what Midtown Madness has brought us, plus the aforementioned waypoint
editor, and I think you'd have to fight people off.
Make it customizable, give us the ability to easily add/design cars, plus
the ability to edit/create maps, AND decent online multiplayer support, and
I think that would keep a lot of us happy for a long time. And the
competition would have to come out with something pretty special to capture
more of the market segment.
Any of you developers out there listening? All of the elements are there
now, I think, but nobody has put it all together into one nice, neat
package.
If you build it, they will come.
-- John Bodin
Publisher, The IRL Insider Magazine
http://www.racesimcentral.net/
>>Sim ***world has done something similar to this with ICR2 and N2, but it
>>would be nice to see something that was DESIGNED for people to create
these
>>type of add-ons for.
>That would be great. I would certainly be lining up to use such a
>product to create a racing game.
>The thing I'm really sick of, especially in arcade racers, is
>circuit-only tracks. The new Test Drive Cycles is a perfect example.
>They talk about street-bike racing, traffic, cop chases - but there
>are no open-road tracks. Argh!
>And every day I (and millions of other people I'm sure) drive on roads
>that would make fantastic race tracks. Realistic, interesting, fun. If
>I see one more arcade racer with circuit tracks I think I'm gonna
>scream!
>Joe McGinn
>==========================================
>Staff Writer for the Sports *** Network
>http://www.racesimcentral.net/***.com/
>==========================================
