GPSM - Race Simulation . Overtaking & Accidents

This week, I'm finally starting to get some good work done on the race simulation part of Grand Prix Super Manager.

I've added basic overtaking to the game which, depending on many different variables, has currently has 4 outcomes ( a successful pass, an unsuccessful pass, a slight off circuit moment and a big crash). I'll eventually add more.

I've also added the possibilities of a random accident, with the probability depending on the weather, tyres, car condition, driver command, driver abilities. The current possible results are: locked tyres, a moment going off the circuit or a complete spin or crash. (Again, more will be added).

The bodywork and some parts of the car will also be damaged to a random amount after a crash.

Grand Prix Super Manager, Update

I'm back working on my F1 management game.
Unfortunately, progress has been very slow again, as I've been very busy. To be honest, I can't say when this will be finished as I don't have a lot of time to work on it, and there's a long way to go.

I've been working on the race simulation part, and mainly the overtaking, updating the car condition and the transition between the qualifying and the race.  As well as the in-race messaging system, which will provide text updates of what is happening in the race to the user (although the graphical display of the text isn't complete).

The screenshot shows a race in progress and some temporary output in the debug console.

Grand Prix Super Manager

Just a small update.

Yesterday and today, I'm back working on Grand Prix Super Manager.  

As mentioned before, I'm working on the grand prix weekend engine. 

I've implemented weather conditions, and lap times worked out from the tyre choice / condition, driver skills and car condition.

The screen below will look different in the final game, but it shows lap times, and the effects of having the wrong tyre (even though the times need to be changed). Also, I haven't implemented AI yet, for when the teams send out their drivers.

Grand Prix Hero. Follow the leader

Since the last post, I've only got back to working on my games today and have been working on Grand Prix Hero.

I've now got the computer cars to follow the checkpoints exactly, and all face the correct way!  Obviously, I'll want to make their movement feel more natural, but I'd like to work on other parts of the game first.

This is not my first time trying to make a racing game.  

The first one was in Klick & Play when I was 13 or 14, where 2 player controlled cars would race around a small circuit that fitted inside the screen.

I then 3 attempts using Blitzmax (screenshots below), although at the time my programming skills were far too low for an ambitious project like this:

An early blitzmax game (2006?).  I managed to create a level editor, but I gave-up after not being able to get the computer car movement correct.

I even did an expirement with a 3D game last year in BlitzMax.  I made the circuit myself and was quite pleased, even though the feel of the circuit (and look) felt like driving on ice.  I gave up after realising my 3D modelling and texturing skills weren't up to the job.

Grand Prix Hero. They Move!

After a weekend rest, I'm back working on my games.

Today, I've worked on Grand Prix Hero for two hours.  

The computer cars now move around the circuit, following the checkpoints, although I haven't sorted out the computer cars rotation yet.

blackberry

Over at the monkey forums.  I found this link https://bdsc.webapps.blackberry.com/android/bpaa/https://bdsc.webapps.blackberry.com/android/bpaa/ which packages Android games for the Blackberry PlayBook and BlackBerry 10 OS.  I will have to give it a try and report my findings.

website down

My website is down for 24 hours, due to 'high MySQL server load" (ie the forum) that's the problem with having a forum on a free host.

I might have to suspend the forum. I will have a think about it.