project cars Community Assisted Race Simulator (CARS) WAS in Development

[Ryzza5]

Note 2012 - (this first post is old and out of date, current builds are much more advanced)

 

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Looks like Slightly Mad Studios has released a BETA for it's shareholders. If you donate (minimum $10) you get access to the Beta and all future versions of the Beta until the final version is released (scheduled for November 2012). The amount you spend ends up being a discount on the final game as well.

 

C.A.R.S. WMD Portal

 

Details about the game and WMD concept

 

http://www.nogripracing.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=87

 

 

 

 

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For the benefit of all those who haven't joined yet:

 

 

You can upgrade from one level to the next at any time (until they stop accepting money) and pay the difference (upgrading from Junior to Team Member costs 15 Euro).

 

 

Welcome to Project CARS and WMD!

 

Firstly, thanks for your registration. We hope you'll purchase your "Tool Pack" to enjoy the project.

 

You're going to join a project which is in development, with a role to play in making sure the game gets finished to the very best level of quality. Your contribution is flexible, and can range from something very small to something much more significant, e.g.:

 

1. Testing builds and reporting bugs.

2. Making game design suggestions and critiques.

3. Producing screenshots and/or videos to help with marketing.

4. Producing logos or other art for the website/general marketing use.

5. Creating lighting settings for use in the game.

6. Creating replay camera sets for use in the game.

7. Scripting career events for use in the game.

 

..these are just random examples, many more things are possible, especially as we complete and release more advanced tools.

 

And now the really important bit: the WMD forum isn't a "normal" discussion forum. It's effectively the "virtual office" where game development is done. It's not a place for random discussions and arguments (albeit we do have an off topic forum :) ). It's also absolutely not the place for slagging off the game or development team without constructive suggestions for improvement. It's especially important to understand the "in development" part - many many things are buggy, not finished, or not even there at all. This is just a fact of development and it helps nobody if you get upset or angry about this and post a rant saying so. :)

 

We appreciate that it's an unusual system and will be hard for some to get used to. At the same time we won't tolerate members who don't follow the process. If a new member joins and dives in to the forum creating problems straight away then they will be removed immediately with their tool pack money refunded. Longer term members who break the rules will be warned initially, but if they continue to offend then their accounts will be removed also.

 

Sorry to put this so harshly but our job is to make the very best game possible in the time we have. We don't have the time (or frankly the inclination) to allow the forum to be polluted by rule breakers, as this just slows us down.

 

I should say in general btw that the process is working really well so far. The vast majority of members "get it" very quickly and we have a very constructive and positive environment. It's easy for negativity to creep in though, so we'll do our best to make sure that doesn't happen.

 

 

Car List as at 24 Aug 2012

 

This is a list of all the cars currently in or planned to be in project CARS. all the cars will have their progress state listed beside them and will be linked to their progress thread if it is available or the confirmation of inclusion if not.

 

for more information on car progress states click here

 

In Game Street Cars

- Ariel Atom 300 supercharged - (Beta1)

- Ariel Atom Mugen - (Beta1)

- Ariel Atom 500 V8 '11 - (Beta1)

- 2011 BAC Mono - (Beta1)

- Caterham Classic - (WIP)

- Caterham Superlight R500 - (Beta1)

- Gumpert Apollo S - (Beta1)

- Pagani Huayra - (Alpha2)

- Pagani Zonda R - (Beta1)

 

 

In Game Prototype Race Cars

- Asano LM11 TDX - Audi R18 TDI - (Beta2)

- Caterham SP/300.R - (Alpha1)

- 2011 Palmer Jaguar JP-LM - (Beta1)

- Racer L4-RS - Radical SR-3 - (Beta1)

- Racer V8-RS - Radical SR-8 - (Beta1)

 

 

In Game Touring Cars

- Asano X4 Touring - Audi A4 DTM '11 - (Beta2)

 

 

In Game Stockcars

- 1990 Caper Stock Car (Road) - Generic 1990's NASCAR - (Alpha2)

- 1990 Caper Stock Car (Oval) - Generic 1990's NASCAR - (Alpha2)

 

 

In Game Open Wheel Race cars

- 2011 Formula A - Generic Formula 1 - (Beta1)

- Formula B - Generic GP2 - (Beta2)

- 2012 Formula Rookie - 2011 Formula Ford 1600 - (Alpha1)

 

 

In Game Historic Open Wheel Race cars

- Lotus 49 Cosworth V8 - Lotus 49 - (Beta2)

- Lotus 78 Cosworth - Lotus 78 - (Beta2)

- Lotus 98T Renault Turbo - Lotus 98T - (Beta2)

 

 

In Game Go-Karts

- Kart - (Alpha1)

- SuperKart - (Alpha1)

 

 

 

 

Planned/Confirmed Street Cars

- 2012 1M Coupe - (Not Started Yet)

- 1966 Ford Mustang 2+2 fastback - (Not started yet) (foundation trade dress for 1966 Shelby GT350)

- 1972 Ford Escort RS1600 - (Not started yet)

- 2012 Ford Focus ST - (Not started yet)

- 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 - (Not started yet)

- Mitsubishi Evo VI Tommi Mäkinen Edition - (not started yet)

- Mitsubishi Evo IX FQ 360 - (Not started yet)

- Mitsubishi Evo X FQ 400 - (WIP)

- Pagani Zonda Cinque - (Not started yet)

 

 

Planned/Confirmed Prototype Cars

- 1999 BMW V12 LMR - (Not Started Yet)

 

 

Planned/Confirmed GT2 Cars

- 2012 BMW M3 E92 GT - (Not started yet)

 

 

Planned/Confirmed GT3 Cars

- 2012 BMW Z4 GT3 - (WIP)

- Ginetta G55 GT3 - (Not Started Yet)

 

 

Planned/Confirmed GT4 Cars

- Ginetta G50 - (Not Started Yet)

 

 

Planned/Confirmed Junior Racing Series Cars

- Ginetta G40 Junior - (Not Started Yet)

 

 

Planned/Confirmed Historic Race cars

- 1940 328 Touring Coupe - (Not started yet)

- 1967 Ford GT40 MK IV - (Not started yet)

- 1965 Lotus 40 (open-top sports car) - (Not started yet)

 

 

Planned/Confirmed Touring Cars

- 1978 BMW 320 Turbo Group 5 - (Not started yet)

- 1981 BMW M1 Procar - (WIP)

- 1991 BMW M3 Group A Touring Car - (Not started yet)

- 2012 BMW BTCC 3-series Touring Car - (Not started yet)

- 1980 Ford Capri (Group 5 – Team Zakspeed) - (Not started yet)

- 1988 Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth (Group A) - (Not started yet)

- 1997 Ford Mustang Cobra (SCCA Trans-Am) - (Not started yet)

- 2012 Ford Focus ST (BTCC) - (Not started yet)

 

 

Planned/Confirmed V8 Supercars

- 2013 Ford Falcon FG (Australian V8 Supercar Car of the Future) - (Not started yet)

 

 

Planned/Confirmed Stockcars

- 2012 Ford Fusion NASCAR Stock Car - (Not started yet)

 

 

Planned/Confirmed Open Wheel Race cars

- 2008 BMW F1.08 - (Not started yet)

- 2012 Formula Gulf 1000 - (Not started yet)

 

 

Planned/Confirmed Historic Open Wheel Race cars

- 1962 Lotus 25 (F1) - (Not started yet)

- 1965 Lotus 38 (Indy 500) - (Not started yet)

- 1970 Lotus 49C (F1) - (Not started yet)

- 1967 Lotus 51 (Formula Ford) - (Not started yet)

- 1968 Lotus 56 (Indy Car) - (Not started yet)

- 1970 Lotus 72 (F1) - (Not started yet)

 

- Unconfirmed Cars

Nothing in this list is guaranteed to make it into the game, but there is a good reason to think they will be in game if it is possible

- Aston Martin DBR9

- Tyrrell P34

 

 

 

 

Track list as at 24 August 2012

 

This will be an up to date list of all tracks currently present and planned, including real life names where applicable. I will also update with some pictures and a little description when time permits. See below for a more detailed description!

 

European Circuits

 

- Anhalt - Oschersleben [ATTACH=CONFIG]29980[/ATTACH]

- Azure Circuit - Monaco [ATTACH=CONFIG]29983[/ATTACH]

- Badenring - Hockenheim [ATTACH=CONFIG]29980[/ATTACH]

- Belgian Forest Circuit - Spa Francorchamps [ATTACH=CONFIG]29984[/ATTACH]

- Besos - Circuit de Catalunya [ATTACH=CONFIG]29986[/ATTACH]

- Bologna - Imola [ATTACH=CONFIG]29987[/ATTACH]

- Derby - Donington Park [ATTACH=CONFIG]29982[/ATTACH]

- Eifelwald - Nordschleife [ATTACH=CONFIG]29980[/ATTACH]

- Florence - Mugello [ATTACH=CONFIG]29987[/ATTACH]

- Heusden - Zolder [ATTACH=CONFIG]29984[/ATTACH]

- Loire 24 - Circuit de la Sarthe [ATTACH=CONFIG]29988[/ATTACH]

- Loire National - Bugatti Circuit [ATTACH=CONFIG]29988[/ATTACH]

- Milan - Monza [ATTACH=CONFIG]29987[/ATTACH]

- Moravia - Brno [ATTACH=CONFIG]29991[/ATTACH]

- Northampton - Silverstone [ATTACH=CONFIG]29982[/ATTACH]

 

 

American Circuits

 

- California Raceway - Willow Springs [ATTACH=CONFIG]29981[/ATTACH]

- Connecticut Hill GP - Watkins Glen [ATTACH=CONFIG]29981[/ATTACH]

- Monterey - Laguna Seca [ATTACH=CONFIG]29981[/ATTACH]

- Wisconsin Raceway - Road America [ATTACH=CONFIG]29981[/ATTACH]

 

 

Asian Circuits

 

- Jin Ding - Zhuhai [ATTACH=CONFIG]29992[/ATTACH]

- Sakitto - Suzuka [ATTACH=CONFIG]29993[/ATTACH]

 

 

Oceania Circuits

 

- Bathurst - Mount Panorama [ATTACH=CONFIG]29995[/ATTACH]

 

 

Historic Tracks

 

- Historic Badenring - Hockenheim (Pre 2002) [ATTACH=CONFIG]29980[/ATTACH]

- Rouen Les Essarts [ATTACH=CONFIG]29988[/ATTACH]

- Historic Milan - Monza (1967. GPL2.) [ATTACH=CONFIG]29987[/ATTACH]

 

Oval Tracks

 

- Concord - Charlotte Motor Speedway [ATTACH=CONFIG]29981[/ATTACH] **

- Delaware - Dover [ATTACH=CONFIG]29981[/ATTACH]

- Harrison Pike Raceway - Indianapolis Speedway[ATTACH=CONFIG]29981[/ATTACH] *

- Henrico - Richmond [ATTACH=CONFIG]29981[/ATTACH]

- Memphis - Bristol [ATTACH=CONFIG]29981[/ATTACH]

- Volusia - Daytona [ATTACH=CONFIG]29981[/ATTACH]***

 

Country Roads

 

- California Highway [ATTACH=CONFIG]29981[/ATTACH]

- Azure Coast [ATTACH=CONFIG]29983[/ATTACH]

 

Fictional Tracks

 

- Test Track

 

Planned/Confirmed Tracks

 

- Solitude Rennstrecke [ATTACH=CONFIG]29980[/ATTACH]

- Brands Hatch [ATTACH=CONFIG]29982[/ATTACH]

- Oulton Park [ATTACH=CONFIG]29982[/ATTACH]

- Snetterton [ATTACH=CONFIG]29982[/ATTACH]

- Cadwell Park [ATTACH=CONFIG]29982[/ATTACH]

- Ruapuna Park [ATTACH=CONFIG]29996[/ATTACH]

- Old Spa [ATTACH=CONFIG]29984[/ATTACH]

- Milan Oval [ATTACH=CONFIG]29987[/ATTACH]

- Macau [ATTACH=CONFIG]29997[/ATTACH]

 

In-game Kart Tracks;

 

- Chesterfield

- Glencairn

- Summerton

 

Green - Licensed

* - Not an exact replica? Infield not yet confirmed.

** - Fictional Infield.

*** - Real Infield.

[Eudemon]

This thing is looking incredible but remember this is destined or planned for the 3 platforms of PC, 360 and PS3 if I remember correctly and to be honest if you can invest then you should as if there's 1 thing this team know what to do, it is how to make a kickass racing simulator that not only looks good or handles but also sounds amazing. C.A.R.S is going to shake up gaming development and show how community involvement and listening can and will actually benefit your business and product.

 

Novel thinking it isn't but this unique approach as well as actually listening and not having some know nothing puppeteer publisher dictating everything that marketing says should be in, will produce an absolute belter of a game. :D

 

BRING IT ON!!

[Ozzmcom]

the shareholder thing doesn't end there . You actually gain a lot more if you keep donating they have created a whole new system for it which is very unique. I recommend everyone to go and check the site out.

[GTAMADDOG]

Looks good, I've been following it vaguely, haven't bought into it yet though, but some of the YouTube videos look great. Something to keep an eye on.

[Ryzza5]

I thought about buying the Junior package last night to learn a little more about it but then didn't want to be a cheapskate (since I expect this to be a properly good game) so I'm a Team WhatsItCalled now :D

 

 

If donators are the only ones who have access to the forums to make suggestions and give feedback, at least we don't have to worry about all those whining 7-year-olds (who are probably playing NFS The Run right now anyway) :lol:

 

And yes Diablo - they are building this game for PCs (DirectX 11) and then porting it back to DX9 and consoles.

[Eudemon]

Reading the Overview I can see this game/sim easily passing the 1m sales mark. I love the campaign progress they have except that you need to go via Drift to get to Rally. Grrr! :lol:

[Ryzza5]

Well, considering most rally courses require you to drift around hairpins I don't see that being a bad thing. But yeah, this might just be the best thing since TrackMania. :)

 

If you come onboard you can also ask them to change that requirement too :cheeky:

[Flo]

this is gonna be interesting, not going to buy the beta though.

 

edit: jay xbox 360 aswell.. cant wait

[The Compensator]

It looks awesome. This will be a very, very good game I hope.

[Ryzza5]

 

See the other videos here: VVV Automotive Tries Project CARS WMD Portal

[Ozzmcom]

I think I'm gonna get the management option soon , it looks very promising wish I had €2500 to spend on a game tho :P

[Flo]

shame about the sounds, obvious to tell that the company behind it is behind shift too.

[Ryzza5]

The sounds aren't that bad (still plenty of time for improvements). The big difference is that they're not doing what EA tell them to, but listening to those who have already contributed financially and who are posting on their forums. Depending on how much profit the game makes and how many people contribute, you should get a lot of your money back anyway.

[Flo]

true, also should have considerd that the game is still a year from aproximate release, plenty of times for improvement

 

 

question, i dont know verry much about this game, but will it be released in regular stores aswell?

[Ryzza5]

It will be on all major consoles so I would imagine so, but then there are micro-transactions as well (i.e. 50c for a car, $5 for a track, or something like that - the fees are VERY reasonable/small). But the game is also coming to consoles, so I'm not sure how that'll work.

 

See this PDF for more info: WMD CARS Overview (9.4MB)

[Ryzza5]

Now this is what you might call exciting:

 

We fully intend to have rally in the game guys. As of now it will most likely come as a later DLC pack so we can do it justice. We know what we have to beat (RBR) and we won't ship anything until we're better.

 

RBR of course is Richard Burns Rally, very old but undisputedly the best rally sim available.

[Eudemon]

Aiming high with that snippet as RBR is regarded as the best rally sim available and is constantly updated via it's community and is still played often even today.

[Ryzza5]

Some more posts I've come across today:

 

We're using a completely new self built tyre model from scratch chaps. The tyre model is the most important aspect of the feel.

 

We've also got a completely new engine in the background but are in two minds as to whether it will improve on what we have. The tyre model would be the same.

 

We also intend to develop this new tyre model a lot beyond adding things like flatspots and frills - we'll continue to hammer the low level code to improve it in terms of feel and efficiency.

 

We feed the core aspects of the FFB from the steering column. Which is directly fed by the front tyre reactions.

 

Everything is being worked on. We're about 12% through development.

 

The overriding aim is to produce the best simulator ever made, giving the majority of hardcore and mass punters what they want. We feel with this system we can raise the bar in most areas.

 

The motion is very good there. We will certainly match that but with nice explosions of shards breaking off the car at each impact, large panels etc ripping off and breaking into smaller pieces with further collisions.

 

This area will get a real push starting in about 6 weeks time.

 

 

 

Atm there's a big discussion regarding whether or not pCARS (Project CARS) should include some sort of Track Editor (ala Trackmania/ModNations) or Generator (ala Gran Turismo 5). Some only want official tracks for hardcore sim racing and less disbursement between online players regarding track options), whereas others want the community to be able to create and share tracks to increase the game's replay value, and to create awesome twisty P2P or rally tracks. I'm in the latter camp, but am trying to provide ideas that give players incentives to race official tracks often and use the editor for a break, while at the same time trying to make an editor sound feasible.

[The Compensator]

Looking forward to it. It seems very, very interesting so far!

[Camel]

It looks like they are trying to put everything they can think of into the game. Which sounds good but it's probably too much for them to do properly. *shrug*

 

Unless they have all the time and money in the world.

[Ozzmcom]

It looks like they are trying to put everything they can think of into the game. Which sounds good but it's probably too much for them to do properly. *shrug*

 

Unless they have all the time and money in the world.

they have all the time , though not sure about the money, but if people keep adding bits and pieces it might happen.

[Ryzza5]

Well they still have a year to go before their initial launch and they confirm that things like Rally will be DLC. It seems like there will be two version of the game, a free "base" version with not much content (buy DLC/microtransactions), and the proper title with a certain set of content, and you can expand from there. Consider the free version as a demo of sorts I guess.

 

The vibe on the forums is very good, and they already have a fair amount to offer as far as playtesting goes. They've also shown how quickly they can work and make progress, so I'm quite optimistic about this title.

 

There's also the chance that this game will also be quite mod-able, like GTR2 was.

[T3hReaper91]

 

 

Cars is just amazing :') Worth the purchase for such a great game.

[Ryzza5]

I presume that you got the cheaper monthly build option since you're only on build 86 - you'll have a lot more to play with in a few days (probably next Monday/Tuesday).

[T3hReaper91]

Yeah will be upgrading very soon though. This game is amazing already!