Vi segnaliamo una interessante novità persino gratuita disponibile nella sua ultima release ufficiale: si tratta del particolare Rigs of Rods, un ottimo simulatore di trucks, ovvero quegli enormi camion elaborati che partecipano ai grandi raid del deserto. Sul sito ufficiale trovate il download, screenshots e video di anteprima. Da provare...
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I started developping RoR in august 2005, out of frustration from the low
quality of physics in most recent driving games titles. My favourite driving
simulators were Indy500 (1990), Carmageddon (1997) and
1nsane (2001). We're in 2006 now and I don't think you can find better game
physics on the shelves.
So I started this as a challenge. I enjoyed a lot a small bridge building game
called Pontifex, because of its simple, yet realistic physics, based on
interconnected beams. So I had the idea to build chassis and wheels with the
same physics. This allows the chassis and wheels to realistically flex under
stress, with the added benefit of a built-in and realistic damage model. The
downside is the large CPU power required to simulate the whole vehicle.
I chose the truck theme because the usual fast and expensive car theme is
boring, and I wanted something different. Also, trucks usually experience
various weight conditions and experience more chassis stress, that the physics
model can model, and allow lots of exotic axles configurations, loading
mechanisms, cranes and trailers.
This game would be nothing without the powerfull Ogre 3D library, that allowed
me, from the very beginning of the project, to have a professional-looking 3D
rendering, using simple and efficient API and at the same time giving me access
to the most advanced rendering techniques. And it's LGPL too!
Now I continue developping RoR at a regular pace, adding features depending on
my mood. I do this on my free time, I have a good job elsewhere and don't plan
to embrace a game career. I do this just for fun. I have no commercial plan yet
for RoR.
In the future, the big features I plan to add in the long term are a complete
truck builder (which would be very interesting since because of the physics
model you model the structural characteristics of the chassis and not just the
appearance of the cab) and a mission-oriented gameplay.
If some people want to help me, I'm good at programming but not at modeling. I
will welcome propositions of good-looking buildings/town models (original
content, not plundered somewhere else). Of course, modders are welcome, and I
started a wiki documenting the trucks format for those that can't wait for the
truck builder.
