Development Update #39
Hello, this update shows the new battle race type, new fast travel system, and cockpit camera free-look/orbit.
The AI is driving a GTT R34 with a BSK body kit, and the player is driving an RB26DETT-swapped S15 with a full EC-I Veilside kit and single turbo conversion.
The AI has been improved since last time it was shown, it wiggles a lot less now and overtakes much more cleanly. This AI is a 9999 rep AI, and the player only has about 3000 rep, so it's a bit chaotic in this race; this is easily the most aggressive it gets. The AI will continue to be tweaked to become more sophisticated, but it’s a hard balance when tuning the aggression. If the AI avoids all or most collisions with the player, it becomes very easy for the player to push the AI around, which ruins the intensity. With that said, I still have some ideas I need to implement and try out, so it will continue to improve.
The new fast travel system uses loader trucks that you can find in different spots around the map (there are currently 4 in the Mount Haruna map, typically located on out-of-bounds roads). You drive up to one and fast travel to a set location for a small fee. This is how fast traveling will work going forward on all maps. Larger maps will have more trucks/fast travel points and the ability to choose which set position you fast travel to. This is much more natural and faster than the old system. The old fast travel system from the Prologue has been completely removed.
Cockpit camera free-look is possible with the mouse and joystick, and can only be used when stationary or at low speeds. Right now, it can't be used during cutscenes such as race start sequences, but that’s something I’d like to explore when I have a bit more time.
Not featured in the video: AI drivers will now occasionally send you text messages during a race if they fall far behind you, offering you money to restart the race.
The new Oi Wharf map is making good progress, it’ll be ready within a few months at this rate. It will be the next map added to the Private Alpha and will act a bit like a hub world.
Testing for the Private Alpha will start in the next few weeks. There is still no specific date, but it’s getting really, really close now. There are a few remaining things to work on, but it’s mostly just making sure everything works as intended. I don’t know how long testing will take before the Patreon release is available for everyone, but I’ll keep you all updated once testing begins.
Work that remains, in order of current priority:
Lots of small bug fixes
Full car body kit customization option — needs its own menu and logic
New crews (Endless Appeal and G-Company are fully playable with their new car models; other crews will come in a few weeks. Doing the minimum amount needed to enter testing as fast as possible.)
See you all in 2 weeks!