KARTSIM BLOG #1
5 YEARS IN THE MAKING
Welcome to the first in a series of KartSim blog posts and dev diary/gameplay videos taking you all the way to the launch of KartSim during the 1st Quarter, 2012. First up is a gameplay video showing a lap around Oakleigh, with a short interview on the video with the game’s developer, Zach Griffin…
Hi Zach, Can you explain just exactly what we are seeing here?
The video is 100% unedited real-time footage taken straight from an onboard camera mounted on the sidepod of the kart. With the driver display switched off to better show the front end steering working, the footage shows a lap being driven around the Oakleigh Go Kart Racing Club Circuit. As the onboard camera is mounted to the sidepod which is loose for setup reasons, we’re also seeing quite a lot of movement due to the vibrations and bumps on the circuit making the sidepod shake independently of the chassis.
It seems in certain parts of the lap that the kart starts to bounce violently, what’s happening there?
This is what you call ‘hopping’. When the Centre of Mass of the kart is too high, or the rear track is set too narrow or even when the kart is driven incorrectly, the outside rear wheel can start to tip over and suddenly lose the grip it had. This causes the inside rear wheel to come crashing down back onto the track and the kart starts to regain the grip it had. The process then repeats itself, causing the kart to ‘hop’. Because the chassis is simulated using a real-time FEM model, it behaves exactly as it would in real life.
One last question for you: Is this the quality we can expect from the final product?
Absolutely! In fact the quality will be even higher once the assets are given their final pass. As this video represents an Alpha build, some of the assets, particularly the sounds and some of the trees will be completely redone prior to shipping. It’s worth noting that I modeled and textured this track about 4 years ago, so all the new tracks will be of an even higher quality. Fans of the game are in for something spectacular!
Stay tuned for KartSim BLOG #2 next week!
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Damn, I’d actually forgotten about this sim until I got your email.
It’s looking great & I’m impressed to see the level of simulation going into the physics model. Hoenstly, physics wins over graphics in any simulation. That being said, the grahics look AWESOME – what kind of machine are we going to need to run the game?
I too had forgotten about registering my interest in this, but it does look awesome. The physical modelling does appear to be incredibly realistic, and the graphics look very good too. This could be the ‘Grand Prix Legends’ of karting sims! Keep up the good work, guys!
Hey guys,
Looks awesome and I’ve been waiting for this for a long long time.
Some questions, suggestions:
- How easy will it be to add custom content? Even a simple track editor for non-3D builders could be huge fun. Have a huge (parking?)area and create a track by placing tyres etc etc. Generally’s track editor is GREAT.
- Will this feature Formula Karts too like http://www.f1karts.co.uk/news.php that one?
Also, is it possible to join the team in any way? I do 3D and photography work. I could send in grungemaps which could be very useful for textures. I have a 21mp DSLR pro cam. Could provide some nice textures/photo’s.
Lemme know guys!
will it have full support for logitech´s wheels?
will be modifiable? (custom kart models, skins and tracks)
the sound it´s bad, im looking forward for the next sounds, the physics seemed tight, i liked them, altrought sometimes you went over the grass and did not slipped, loved the graphics, hope to see further release and you got a sell for sure!
Awesome to see KartSim is not too far away. Please, please give us this game! Look forward to seeing some other tracks.
As noted above, need to ensure the grass / gravel is realistic and has a real effect on the karts handling.
Can’t wait to have this tool during the winter season!!
I will keep an eye on the news!
I am so glad to see that the project is still running and keeping to its orginal objective of beain a SIM game. We are a mechanical design engineering company who design parts for Kart teams, motorbikes and anything that requires specilised metal components. It would be good to see if certain parts can be manufactured or designed in the game just like in the F1 games. We work with Topsolid, Solid works Mastercam etc and can help in the design of parts.
Finally some progress! Great work guys. What tracks are you looking to have in the Q1 2012 release?
What sort of engines have been programmed?
Cant wait for this. Great job mate looking great!
Very nice looking sim. Impressed that you’re using FEM, and I can appreciate the flex in the chassis in the video.
I have three boys running the kid kart class (Comer C-50), and have not yet found any sim to model their karts. Is this something you’d consider in this title?
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