I don't post often, I haven't even played the game since upgrading my pc and moving to win7 towards the end of last year due to work commitments/lack of time, but I got to admit, I'm still waiting in there for the next version of LFS. I spent a lot of time in the past racing online, going as far back as 2003 and despite not being the best driver out there, I find it really enjoyable and don't feel cheated by the handling compared to other games- the sign of a good game/sim.
I think however, one thing that could happen which I think would quieten down the masses is for Scawen to post up a video showing a comparison of how the physics were and how they are at the moment, warts and all.
The main issue that a lot of people seem to have is that no news is bad news; they're getting squeaky bums.
Even though the team have delivered for the 24 quid that people have spent by running this forum, LFS World etc, in return a lot of people have invested their time and helping to keep the community going, even if it is now the hardcore remaining compared to a few years back.
So if something was shown i.e. the video showing a car taking a bend with the old physics and the same situation with the current build of the physics engine in place, it means that there are signs of life, plus also it will get publicity for LFS; in turn more people will start paying attention to it again. Maybe even get a few more new simmers in which then starts the warm up towards the time when S3 is released.
I'm crossing my fingers that Scawen will have his Eureka moment sometime this year and gets to grips with the physics so we can see where LFS stands against the competition and finally get back in to simmers' hearts again. Plus I want some new cars to skin!
I think however, one thing that could happen which I think would quieten down the masses is for Scawen to post up a video showing a comparison of how the physics were and how they are at the moment, warts and all.
The main issue that a lot of people seem to have is that no news is bad news; they're getting squeaky bums.
Even though the team have delivered for the 24 quid that people have spent by running this forum, LFS World etc, in return a lot of people have invested their time and helping to keep the community going, even if it is now the hardcore remaining compared to a few years back.
So if something was shown i.e. the video showing a car taking a bend with the old physics and the same situation with the current build of the physics engine in place, it means that there are signs of life, plus also it will get publicity for LFS; in turn more people will start paying attention to it again. Maybe even get a few more new simmers in which then starts the warm up towards the time when S3 is released.
I'm crossing my fingers that Scawen will have his Eureka moment sometime this year and gets to grips with the physics so we can see where LFS stands against the competition and finally get back in to simmers' hearts again. Plus I want some new cars to skin!
It's all good and well having the code in place for having normal maps, shaders, etc, etc, etc, but to implement them, it does take a bit of time from an artist's point of view. And also it can mean having to rebuild assets as the
If LFS were to get all these bells and whistles, and trust me, I would like to see it too, it would take time to implement.
But lets just play Devil's Advocate here...
Uprated lightmaps and maybe even look at how the GTA games handle realtime shadows- I was lucky enough to see the R* Rage engine before GTA IV was released, and even Chinatown Wars on the DS had dynamic shadows based on the collision boxes that were used for the buildings and props. This really does make a difference and would mean that Eric wouldn't have to bake out different lightmaps for the different times of day as a majority of the details would be created realtime.
Another method would be to have several lightmaps showing different times of day and maybe some kind of blend between them to show how shadows change direction and length.
This does open the possibilty of proper 24hr races- This would mean having to change the skyboxes and how they currently work but it would be worth it.
Use pixel shaders. BUT only where needed- you don't need every texture normal mapped- only surfaces that cannot be created very convincingly will use them. Specular maps would be a necessity and would help describe the materials used in the scene better.
Better Trees where possible. This isn't a tree growing simulation, so nothing too fancy, though it could show up alpha sorting issues as trees rely on layering alpha masked textures to create dense looking foliage.
Bloom could be used but only for for spot effects i.e. entering/exiting tunnels and if there are lighting changes.
For textures, Vertex Alpha blending- this ends the need for textures that blend between one type to another such as grass going to sand or you could have a worn out part of the road created seamlessly. It would help towards lowering the amount of materials needed which means more time can be spent on making the normals+spec maps.
There is the whole thing of doing nice reflections as well for wet tracks which has been mentioned, and uprated particle effects- but for the latter it's going to take some man hours to get them looking good.
If LFS were to get all these bells and whistles, and trust me, I would like to see it too, it would take time to implement.
But lets just play Devil's Advocate here...
Uprated lightmaps and maybe even look at how the GTA games handle realtime shadows- I was lucky enough to see the R* Rage engine before GTA IV was released, and even Chinatown Wars on the DS had dynamic shadows based on the collision boxes that were used for the buildings and props. This really does make a difference and would mean that Eric wouldn't have to bake out different lightmaps for the different times of day as a majority of the details would be created realtime.
Another method would be to have several lightmaps showing different times of day and maybe some kind of blend between them to show how shadows change direction and length.
This does open the possibilty of proper 24hr races- This would mean having to change the skyboxes and how they currently work but it would be worth it.
Use pixel shaders. BUT only where needed- you don't need every texture normal mapped- only surfaces that cannot be created very convincingly will use them. Specular maps would be a necessity and would help describe the materials used in the scene better.
Better Trees where possible. This isn't a tree growing simulation, so nothing too fancy, though it could show up alpha sorting issues as trees rely on layering alpha masked textures to create dense looking foliage.
Bloom could be used but only for for spot effects i.e. entering/exiting tunnels and if there are lighting changes.
For textures, Vertex Alpha blending- this ends the need for textures that blend between one type to another such as grass going to sand or you could have a worn out part of the road created seamlessly. It would help towards lowering the amount of materials needed which means more time can be spent on making the normals+spec maps.
There is the whole thing of doing nice reflections as well for wet tracks which has been mentioned, and uprated particle effects- but for the latter it's going to take some man hours to get them looking good.
Tescos Havant, Hants
Petrol: 111.9
diesel: 115.9
Them and Asda Walmart Havant are about the same, as soon as I go over the border to West Sussex, the prices get mental- the petrol stations on the A27 are still as high as 119.9 and the Texaco in Rose Green, near Bognor is in the 120's.
And it's going to get worse guys, once the supermarket wars die down, I can see us reaching £1.30 within several months... my other half is planning on an LPG conversion for her Mondeo ST200 (2.5ltr N/A, 205bhp) as it's pretty thirsty, especially if I don't drive like an old granny and I might do the same with my Escort RS2000 though it's not as bad as it's got a 2ltr engine, can get ok fuel consumption at times.
Petrol: 111.9
diesel: 115.9
Them and Asda Walmart Havant are about the same, as soon as I go over the border to West Sussex, the prices get mental- the petrol stations on the A27 are still as high as 119.9 and the Texaco in Rose Green, near Bognor is in the 120's.
And it's going to get worse guys, once the supermarket wars die down, I can see us reaching £1.30 within several months... my other half is planning on an LPG conversion for her Mondeo ST200 (2.5ltr N/A, 205bhp) as it's pretty thirsty, especially if I don't drive like an old granny and I might do the same with my Escort RS2000 though it's not as bad as it's got a 2ltr engine, can get ok fuel consumption at times.
Spa's pitlane exits shortly after a hairpin, though I doubt that's what you guys are meaning but the pit lane does follow the inside of the bend, which is a bit of a pig and makes the pit stop a lot slower than it would be otherwise.
Exiting on a hairpin is ok as long as it's on the outside of the corner as it doubles up as a run off area (as long as no poor sod is exiting when the driver faffing it up approaching the bend
) The entrance to the pits are ok, although I sometimes clip the wall as it bends to the left before the speed limiter zone, but that's mostly me being an oaf and not a design flaw.
Thanks for the replies Scawen, you can't please everyone fella but I think that at least by having these last few posts it makes LFS team work a bit more transparent which in turn stops the fanbois from making undue assumptions.
I think that is the scary thing about producing a game/sim within the public's eye, they expect things to go smoothly and within a timespan that seems right to them, not the somewhat chaotic process which a lot of games/sims end up going in to due to unforeseen circumstances.
I've done my fair share of crunch times within the industry and it's taken it out of me after working my nuts off on a 1-2 year project, you guys should be applauded for keeping going for the last 8 years- hopefully once this latest hurdle is jumped you guys can have a well deserved break for a bit and regroup for whatever is next in store for LFS.
keep up the good work guys
I think that is the scary thing about producing a game/sim within the public's eye, they expect things to go smoothly and within a timespan that seems right to them, not the somewhat chaotic process which a lot of games/sims end up going in to due to unforeseen circumstances.
I've done my fair share of crunch times within the industry and it's taken it out of me after working my nuts off on a 1-2 year project, you guys should be applauded for keeping going for the last 8 years- hopefully once this latest hurdle is jumped you guys can have a well deserved break for a bit and regroup for whatever is next in store for LFS.
keep up the good work guys
A for me, got a bog roll holder that works better that way. plus I think it looks better in the A position rather than b... b looks like it's trying to hide behind itself...
3 sheets for each wipe, have a good fart, if I follow through wipe again lol
3 sheets for each wipe, have a good fart, if I follow through wipe again lol
I reckon that Stefan GP should be allowed in- one thing that could help them and another team who are struggling the most financially is that they are only allowed one car on the grid, at least then they are still getting on the grid and developing the car and able to fulfil sponsorship deals, etc.
End of the season, if either teams make it through to the end and can prove they're financially sound for the following season, give them full privileges.
End of the day, it'll be nice to have a bigger grid, means more battles and possible upsets, more interesting races as there will be more cars for the front markers to lap which can usually create drama and shows how good the leading drivers are.
I still remember back in the early-mid 90s where there were massive grids, I know that the likes of the Forti team and Minardi who were massively off the pace but did blood some of the top drivers such as fisi, badoer, del la rosa, etc just to name a few off the top of my head.
End of the season, if either teams make it through to the end and can prove they're financially sound for the following season, give them full privileges.
End of the day, it'll be nice to have a bigger grid, means more battles and possible upsets, more interesting races as there will be more cars for the front markers to lap which can usually create drama and shows how good the leading drivers are.
I still remember back in the early-mid 90s where there were massive grids, I know that the likes of the Forti team and Minardi who were massively off the pace but did blood some of the top drivers such as fisi, badoer, del la rosa, etc just to name a few off the top of my head.
My headache has just got worse looking at that!
Gotta admit I do love the more cleaner lines of the early/mid 90s F1 cars, especially the Ferraris as they tended to have fairly uncluttered liveries compared to the opposition so you could appreciate the shapes of the car better.
I've voted yes because of the fact that I get a lot of satisfaction out of LFS and despite paying £24 quid or whatever it was I paid to get S2, I want to show my support to the team.
I'm not looking at it as a bribe to the devs to get releases out quicker, updated art assets or anything like that, more a case of the guys actually seeing that their hard work is being appreciated via the £12 a year that each player would be contributing
And let's face it, we've got a lot of game for £24 as it is i.e. several tracks/variations, a shiteload of cars and when moderated properly, a corking multiplayer mode.
I'm not looking at it as a bribe to the devs to get releases out quicker, updated art assets or anything like that, more a case of the guys actually seeing that their hard work is being appreciated via the £12 a year that each player would be contributing
And let's face it, we've got a lot of game for £24 as it is i.e. several tracks/variations, a shiteload of cars and when moderated properly, a corking multiplayer mode.
An alternative is just to have the pit exit on the straight as it was, but kink the track on the opening straight slightly to accomodate it- have it so that when the drivers coming out of the pits have got up to the same average speed as the rest of the grid, you are close to the braking point.
It's just a case of making sure that there's enough of a run up coming out of the pit lane speed restriction zone to the exit so that the pitted drivers can get their speed up.
Solves the problem of drivers coming out of the pits and interfering with the race and the pit lane isn't ridiculously long.
It's just a case of making sure that there's enough of a run up coming out of the pit lane speed restriction zone to the exit so that the pitted drivers can get their speed up.
Solves the problem of drivers coming out of the pits and interfering with the race and the pit lane isn't ridiculously long.
if it did happen I reckon it would be used like an additive i.e. you'd still have a majority of the meat product being real animal and the lab grown meat is used to pad it out a bit.
In theory this means that there's a happy medium and hopefully because 100% real meat products would be sought after, the price of livestock will go up thus earning farmers more money- plus if there's less need for grazing land, the excess can be used for growing crops or other food stuffs.
I would have no problem eating the lab grown meat as long as the taste and texture is as close to the real thing as possible and I know it's at least as safe as eating the real thing.
In theory this means that there's a happy medium and hopefully because 100% real meat products would be sought after, the price of livestock will go up thus earning farmers more money- plus if there's less need for grazing land, the excess can be used for growing crops or other food stuffs.
I would have no problem eating the lab grown meat as long as the taste and texture is as close to the real thing as possible and I know it's at least as safe as eating the real thing.
aye missed it too, a belated Happy Birthday Scawen
haha I think I might give up on my starion project skin project, that looks bang on that
Might be of use for anyone having problems getting all servers up in MP...
Hi Guys
I've had a few problems since upgrading to Z25, main one being not having any servers come up via UDP connection.
I've been using the Virgin Broadband PC Guard software that came free with the internet package, which although allowed LFS to access the net to look for servers, hadn't updated itself to allow UDP (SP?) connections.
As soon as I disabled this and used the Windows XP firewall, the problem went and I could connect easily enough.
So if you are having issues and using a 3rd party firewall and not too technically minded, like myself, try doing the above and see what happens
Cheers
I've had a few problems since upgrading to Z25, main one being not having any servers come up via UDP connection.
I've been using the Virgin Broadband PC Guard software that came free with the internet package, which although allowed LFS to access the net to look for servers, hadn't updated itself to allow UDP (SP?) connections.
As soon as I disabled this and used the Windows XP firewall, the problem went and I could connect easily enough.
So if you are having issues and using a 3rd party firewall and not too technically minded, like myself, try doing the above and see what happens
Cheers
sorry I've not replied sooner, been over at the other half's
I just did the ping test and got 29ms ping, 14ms jitter but no packet loss with a b rating- this is at 22:45, I then went in to LFS, did a search using both the connection options on the right of the bottom set of filters.
All I am getting up are cruise and some other servers, but non of the std ones like Redline Racing, Fat Oil Drifting, etc.
I've been using a patched up Z25 i.e. using the final beta demo, which then downloaded the updates to be Z25, I have even resorted to doing a clean install but still getting exactly the same problem.
My brother is using this pc for World of WarCrack and he's had no problems with connecting to the servers, etc.
I'm really getting fed up now as all I can do is race on sodding cruise servers when all I want to do is go racing. And maybe a bit of drifting if I'm not feeling the love.
I just did the ping test and got 29ms ping, 14ms jitter but no packet loss with a b rating- this is at 22:45, I then went in to LFS, did a search using both the connection options on the right of the bottom set of filters.
All I am getting up are cruise and some other servers, but non of the std ones like Redline Racing, Fat Oil Drifting, etc.
I've been using a patched up Z25 i.e. using the final beta demo, which then downloaded the updates to be Z25, I have even resorted to doing a clean install but still getting exactly the same problem.
My brother is using this pc for World of WarCrack and he's had no problems with connecting to the servers, etc.
I'm really getting fed up now as all I can do is race on sodding cruise servers when all I want to do is go racing. And maybe a bit of drifting if I'm not feeling the love.
I've had a similar problem, I've got a Virgin Media cable modem with ethernet cable going straight to pc from it.
I've found that since installing Z25 I've only had the redline racing servers come up once and fox junkies/oval junkies once or twice, and the amount of servers I've had appear on the list have gone right down with lots of No Reply errors coming up when LFS is looking for them.
I've played around with all the settings i.e. nobbing off empty and private servers, taking off cruise, etc but still not getting anywhere near the same amount of servers pre Z25.
This is really doing my head in as I miss my blasts on fox junkies and redline before heading to work or bed and getting all antsy...
I've found that since installing Z25 I've only had the redline racing servers come up once and fox junkies/oval junkies once or twice, and the amount of servers I've had appear on the list have gone right down with lots of No Reply errors coming up when LFS is looking for them.
I've played around with all the settings i.e. nobbing off empty and private servers, taking off cruise, etc but still not getting anywhere near the same amount of servers pre Z25.
This is really doing my head in as I miss my blasts on fox junkies and redline before heading to work or bed and getting all antsy...
http://yfrog.com/1kwestyorksshow1lt0j
http://yfrog.com/1jrsoctownleygb0j
this is my pride and joy, a 1996 Ford Escort RS2000 mk6. 150bhp FWD. Was modified with the angel eyes and 17" alloys but I've now gone back to standard as 15s are more fun to drive with, and the lights were faulty. Also got a Superflow cat back exhaust which keeps splitting at the middle box, hoping to change it at some point.
Hoping to get her back on the road within the next few months and sell my other car, a 1999 mondeo TD 1.8. Which I'm not showing because it's a shit heap lol
http://yfrog.com/1jrsoctownleygb0j
this is my pride and joy, a 1996 Ford Escort RS2000 mk6. 150bhp FWD. Was modified with the angel eyes and 17" alloys but I've now gone back to standard as 15s are more fun to drive with, and the lights were faulty. Also got a Superflow cat back exhaust which keeps splitting at the middle box, hoping to change it at some point.
Hoping to get her back on the road within the next few months and sell my other car, a 1999 mondeo TD 1.8. Which I'm not showing because it's a shit heap lol
haha nice
Croft is another circuit that I've been to where you can get proper close, was at the Ford RS OC show there 2 years' ago and was seriously close to the track on the last sequence of hairpins- close enough get a view of a bloke in an Escort Cosworth grimace when his turbo packed in lol. then managed to get in to the pit area and see the damage for myself- was ace! btw checked out the footage on ITV last night, seems that I was bit further over to the left of that pic- the tv camera covering the final bend was to the left of me, and the pit entance was almost directly opposite where we were sitting
Also had a cracking view of Surtees as well and about half of the pit straight.Damn, in that first shot I think I was just a few feet to the left or right on the viewing bank with my bro, gf and nephew
Was the second time I'd been to a race meet, was amazing to be so close to the action
And the clio race made me laugh with all the cars coming off at Surtees bend
And like I said on the RS2000-16v forum, the Formula Renaults make the same noise as my farts when they went over the rumble strips on the outside of Surtees :P Kept making my girlfriend and me laugh when it was happening
Niels: You've hit the nail on the head
+1
I think this thread needs to be closed, at least until we get more information as all most of us are doing is bitching over trivialities and speculation.
+1
I think this thread needs to be closed, at least until we get more information as all most of us are doing is bitching over trivialities and speculation.
nice start, those headlights need to be shrunk down height wise as they're overlapping the pop up lights which looks odd
apart from that and the CF being too big it's coming along alright
apart from that and the CF being too big it's coming along alright
I wonder if that's my mate's old mk5?
Makes me want to get my mk6 RS2k back on the road again now lol.
sorry for the hijack heh
Cheers fella
had another fiddle today, just getting bits done on it- got bored and started doing the wide body version as well and colour variations. I've actually uploaded a set of skins for the XRG up on the main server for giggles online
Anyways, here's some pimpage, not sure if I want to call these finished yet, may do some Mitsubishi decals and see if I can get the paint jobs more accurate- they're just me playing around with adjustment layers till they made me a happy puppy
now if only paint jobs were so easy, my RS2000 would be back on the road already lol. http://yfrog.com/12chunkieggstarionj
http://yfrog.com/09starionwidebodypimpagej
hope you like so far
Good first attempt
quite looking forward to seeing what you do with this
mitsubishi starion skin for XRG
hi guys
I've got a feeling that this may have been done several times over in the past, but I'm currently ill with swine flu so wanted a break from my current project. I've noticed and read from various threads that the Xrg bears such a close resemblance to the Starion, I'd do a tribute skin to find out how close I could get it.
I used the Master Skinnerz 2048x2048 AO pass texture as a base and hand drew all the components.
Current aim is just to do the skin, but if I get chance, I may update the rear lights and possibly interior door cards and seats- all depends on what's possible whilst still conforming to the geometry of the car.
What's left on the skin: adding some general wear and tear and may do the bonnet scoop. Possibly redo the rear pillar vents, get them more closer to the real thing.
anyways enjoy
http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/6318/starionpimp.jpg
I've got a feeling that this may have been done several times over in the past, but I'm currently ill with swine flu so wanted a break from my current project. I've noticed and read from various threads that the Xrg bears such a close resemblance to the Starion, I'd do a tribute skin to find out how close I could get it.
I used the Master Skinnerz 2048x2048 AO pass texture as a base and hand drew all the components.
Current aim is just to do the skin, but if I get chance, I may update the rear lights and possibly interior door cards and seats- all depends on what's possible whilst still conforming to the geometry of the car.
What's left on the skin: adding some general wear and tear and may do the bonnet scoop. Possibly redo the rear pillar vents, get them more closer to the real thing.
anyways enjoy
http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/6318/starionpimp.jpg
FGED GREDG RDFGDR GSFDG