We still have some concerns, chiefly that the game will be decidedly less free than its PC counterpart. But with the promised track editing and sharing features, it still sounds like it could be a worthy purchase when it's released later this year.
We still have some concerns, chiefly that the game will be decidedly less free than its PC counterpart. But with the promised track editing and sharing features, it still sounds like it could be a worthy purchase when it's released later this year.
Reader Comments (37)
Posted: Aug 1st 2008 1:29PM (Unverified) said
It looks pretty much exactly like the pc version, cool.
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Posted: Aug 1st 2008 1:49PM (Unverified) said
I'm not. Have you played any of the PC Trackmanias? They're designed to run on the lowest end PCs.
However, they do this by sacrificing a lot of things you expect in a racing game...like COLLISION DETECTION. So, as you can see in the video, you'll just clip through another racer...which for me, immediately removes any immersion with the game.
The track editor on the PC is also a bitch to work with. It's never been fixed, and I doubt the switch to the DS is prompting them to do so, since they're obviously just recycling the some non-colliding engine.
If you want a handheld racing game with no collision, then by all means, feel free to be excited. If you don't like the idea of starting a race where all 4 players start off literally inside each others' cars, well, then there's quite honestly nothing to see here.
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However, they do this by sacrificing a lot of things you expect in a racing game...like COLLISION DETECTION. So, as you can see in the video, you'll just clip through another racer...which for me, immediately removes any immersion with the game.
The track editor on the PC is also a bitch to work with. It's never been fixed, and I doubt the switch to the DS is prompting them to do so, since they're obviously just recycling the some non-colliding engine.
If you want a handheld racing game with no collision, then by all means, feel free to be excited. If you don't like the idea of starting a race where all 4 players start off literally inside each others' cars, well, then there's quite honestly nothing to see here.
Posted: Aug 1st 2008 1:55PM aMac said
Trackmania is so much more than a racing game...
Normal racing games bore me to tears but the craziness of Trackmania's tracks makes it great. I've played TM for a while now, and never raced against another person either. Forget that. All I want are crazy tracks and time trials.
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Normal racing games bore me to tears but the craziness of Trackmania's tracks makes it great. I've played TM for a while now, and never raced against another person either. Forget that. All I want are crazy tracks and time trials.
Posted: Aug 1st 2008 1:57PM (Unverified) said
The idea behind Trackmania is that you're racing with the time itself.Even on Multiplayer, the other players are essentially just your "ghosts".That way people don't win races through luck(i.e. Knocking others out).That's why there's no collision.
If you want to get anywhere near gold time you need to MASTER each track.
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If you want to get anywhere near gold time you need to MASTER each track.
Posted: Aug 1st 2008 2:05PM FernandoRocker said
OhJustsomeRandomGuy
I doubt you have played the game on PC. Are you talking about colision detection on multiplayer?
"Although in multiplayer games multiple cars race on the same track, they cannot actually collide or otherwise influence each other."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trackmania
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I doubt you have played the game on PC. Are you talking about colision detection on multiplayer?
"Although in multiplayer games multiple cars race on the same track, they cannot actually collide or otherwise influence each other."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trackmania
Posted: Aug 1st 2008 2:55PM (Unverified) said
Why do you only use your reading ability selectively, Fernando?
Quote from my original post: "since they're obviously just recycling the some non-colliding engine."
I know that there's no collision in the PC version! I came out and said it. Way to quote something that restates my point, genius.
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Quote from my original post: "since they're obviously just recycling the some non-colliding engine."
I know that there's no collision in the PC version! I came out and said it. Way to quote something that restates my point, genius.
Posted: Aug 1st 2008 4:07PM (Unverified) said
Who put sand in your vag?
Would the game be as fun if it was slower? Collision detection takes a lot of processing power. Sacrificing it is the reason that you can get the decent-looking textured game to run as well on the system specs that they do. With all the craziness of the tracks and the physics, figuring out all the collision math during the race would slow the game to crawl.
If you'd bothered to read and not get bent over one guy saying that it didn't appeal to ME, while pointing out that it might appeal to others, you'd see that I wasn't harshing the game. I was pointing out why exactly it was able to run so quickly for the benefit of people who actually like collision in their racing games.
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Would the game be as fun if it was slower? Collision detection takes a lot of processing power. Sacrificing it is the reason that you can get the decent-looking textured game to run as well on the system specs that they do. With all the craziness of the tracks and the physics, figuring out all the collision math during the race would slow the game to crawl.
If you'd bothered to read and not get bent over one guy saying that it didn't appeal to ME, while pointing out that it might appeal to others, you'd see that I wasn't harshing the game. I was pointing out why exactly it was able to run so quickly for the benefit of people who actually like collision in their racing games.
Posted: Aug 1st 2008 1:39PM FredFredrickson said
Man, when is this coming out? I'm definitely going to get this, at the very least just to play around with the editor. Looks awesome!
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Posted: Aug 1st 2008 1:40PM (Unverified) said
It looks surprisingly good for a DS game.
A non-N developer that's pushing DS's graphics to the limit!? I must be dreaming.
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A non-N developer that's pushing DS's graphics to the limit!? I must be dreaming.
Posted: Aug 1st 2008 7:23PM Levi Partridge said
Personally, I'd say more non Nintendo developers try to push the DS hardware more than Nintendo itself. But then again, I'm not really that interested in sweet graphics when choosing what DS games to play.
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Posted: Aug 1st 2008 1:55PM Rax Dakkar said
Like everyone else, I'm amazed at how close this comes to the PC version. Definitely now on my radar.
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Posted: Aug 1st 2008 2:00PM (Unverified) said
To me Track Mania reminds me of how I used to play hot wheels as a kid where I would try to make ramps and road out of anything... Can wait for the ds game to come out.
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Posted: Aug 1st 2008 2:08PM (Unverified) said
"We still have some concerns, chiefly that the game will be decidedly less free than its PC counterpart."
DS gaming and PC gaming are very different. How could you expect it to be free? Either way I am looking forward to this a lot. Looks very slick for a DS game.
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DS gaming and PC gaming are very different. How could you expect it to be free? Either way I am looking forward to this a lot. Looks very slick for a DS game.
Posted: Aug 1st 2008 2:26PM (Unverified) said
Easily the best thing I've come across on joystiq this year. Awesome.
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Posted: Aug 1st 2008 4:48PM (Unverified) said
Really sucks that it won't have online. I seriously doubt anyone I know will get this game, so the local race and share feature will end up being pointless for me.
It looks good, but without any means for sharing or racing online, a lot of the potential is wasted.
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It looks good, but without any means for sharing or racing online, a lot of the potential is wasted.
Posted: Aug 1st 2008 4:54PM (Unverified) said
Posted: Aug 1st 2008 6:04PM (Unverified) said
Will this have cross platform multiplayer?
That would be awesome - esp. if you could set up a PC to be a spectator and get full PC graphics of your race...
*/dreams*
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That would be awesome - esp. if you could set up a PC to be a spectator and get full PC graphics of your race...
*/dreams*
Posted: Aug 1st 2008 8:16PM (Unverified) said
Having a handheld version of this game comes very close to sublime perfection. I am thoroughly enjoying TMUF (yes, it's so damn good I paid for it) and it's addicting, both single player and multiplayer (damn you platformE! I cannot win even the lowly bronze medal on that track).
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Posted: Aug 1st 2008 9:03PM Iceman346 said
"We still have some concerns, chiefly that the game will be decidedly
less free than its PC counterpart."
Only the nations/nations forever versions are free and these only
include the stadium environment. The full game (Trackmania United
Forever) with all track types isn't free
Reply
less free than its PC counterpart."
Only the nations/nations forever versions are free and these only
include the stadium environment. The full game (Trackmania United
Forever) with all track types isn't free
Posted: Aug 2nd 2008 5:00AM Omega2k3 said
While it is just a 'limited' portion, you can still have a HUGE amount of custom tracks, and now you can even use custom models without buying the full version. There's not much incentive to upgrade.
This looks like the thing I've been waiting for. I can support a developer I think deserves it, but without feeling like I'm paying for some new scenery.
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This looks like the thing I've been waiting for. I can support a developer I think deserves it, but without feeling like I'm paying for some new scenery.
Posted: Aug 2nd 2008 12:57AM ThornedVenom said
Everytime awesome footage comes out, my wallet cries.
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Posted: Aug 2nd 2008 9:53AM (Unverified) said
Politically correct with the 1 token black DS in it.
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Posted: Aug 2nd 2008 10:39AM (Unverified) said
Wow. very impressive.
I wanted to buy CivDS until it's not so great reviews... i think i'll wait for this instead...
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I wanted to buy CivDS until it's not so great reviews... i think i'll wait for this instead...
Posted: Aug 8th 2008 6:48PM (Unverified) said
the only thing I dont like is the customization. You won't be able to have completely different car models like in PC (sadface), that means no AE86 Trueno for me... :'(
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