Grid: the ultimate crash

[UPSLynx]

So I downloaded the demo for a racing game called GRID. It's by codemasters - the guys who are responsible for the "never really 100% right" racing games (but still typically fun to play). This is the same team that does the Colin McRae and Race Driver series.

Recently they released a game called DiRT. Very sweet game, uses a new engine of theirs that's got all kinds of beautiful eye candy. Most effective are the lighting, blur, and sound effects (engine noise actually reverberates off of close walls, and you can hear it bounce back into the car when you drive in-car. Incredible effect).

Here's a taste:

http://www.itsrigged.org/images/detail.jpg
http://www.itsrigged.org/images/blur.jpg

Plus, the damage modeling is second to none:
http://www.itsrigged.org/images/crash.jpg


But it's an offroad and rally racing game, so it's definitely not for everyone.

However, GRID is a bit more standard fare.

It's based on circuit touring car and street racing. So I've played with the demo some, and I'm pleased to say that while it's not a hardcore sime (like GTR or Grand Prix Legends), it's "close enough" and very fun. The brilliant sound reverb isn't there - but I suspect that's because it's a demo.

Some examples:
http://www.itsrigged.org/images/bridge.jpg

http://www.itsrigged.org/images/low.jpg

Anyways, the excellent damage modeling is still there. In fact, it's been upped a bit. And the replay presentation is breathtaking. I caused a crash that was so epic, so spectacular, I had to whip up a quick video and get it online.

Here is that video

<object width="400" height="300">


<embed src="http://www.vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1047526&server=www.vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></object>
ULTIMATE crash in GRID (http://www.vimeo.com/1047526?pg=embed&sec=1047526) from Robert Miller (http://www.vimeo.com/user495551?pg=embed&sec=1047526) on Vimeo (http://vimeo.com?pg=embed&sec=1047526).


THAT'S how you do it.
:cool2:

[primesuspect]

That damage modeling is incredible......

[Zanthian]

Wow, i might just download the demo on XBox Live now.

[UPSLynx]

I love how the green double 0 car gets OBLITERATED below my car in the slow-mo.

The damage modeling is literally second to none. Texture work dynamically changes to "scratch texture" based on hits, but the actual car structure is completely deformable. But unlike other games that sport such a system, this one bases deformation off of strong and weak points on a car frame (rather than the everything just bends like crazy approach others do). There's very little clipping, the metal almost always bends out of the way.

And the damage greatly effects performance. Last night I was playing online and took a turn too fast, hit the outside wall with my right front tire. The axle bent beneath the car, so my tire was angled at a slope from top to bottom, causing the car to have a slight pull right. Later I spun and hit the same point on the car. The tire bent inward even more, to the point where I couldn't turn it. At that point, as you can imagine, I was screwed.

Very cool tech. Definitely check out the demo if your PC has the juice. Or, grab it on console. It's fun to play around with.

[Zuntar]

Video doesn't play at work (stupid superscout), but the pics look sweet!!

[UPSLynx]

Not sure if it makes a difference, but I posted the video on YouTube as well.

Vimeo may be a little web 2.0 heavy for some at-work browsers, I know it is at my work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n57wEPZKoo8

[UPSWeezer]

I watched the car get smashed under you about a thousand times now. Still laughing...

[TBonZ]

I would have been really impressed if the wing mounted on the trunk had of actually broken off.

[UPSLynx]

I would have been really impressed if the wing mounted on the trunk had of actually broken off.

You know, I've read that winds do break off, but I haven't seen it yet. Could be the fact that it's an incomplete build. For damage modeling that good, it would be a shame if that's not included in the full release.

[UPSWeezer]

I'm almost finished downloading it. Can't wait. I don't even know if my computer can run it though.

[Harudath]

Looks great, although I don't think I'll be getting it any time soon :tongue: I think this will be the beginning of more to come

[UPSLynx]

Looks great, although I don't think I'll be getting it any time soon :tongue: I think this will be the beginning of more to come

More than likely. I have a knack for twisting metal, and I never play racing games without Fraps open.

[UPSWeezer]

OK ive got it up and running. Ill get some sweet crashes on as soon as some happen. Just need to remember to have fraps on.