BeamNG.drive
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| BeamNG.drive | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | BeamNG GmbH |
| Publisher(s) | BeamNG GmbH |
| Engine | Torque |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Vehicle simulation |
| Mode(s) | |
BeamNG.drive is a vehicle simulation video game developed and published by Bremen-based video game developer BeamNG. The game features unique soft-body physics, and was released into Steam Early Access for Microsoft Windows on 29 May 2015.
Development[edit]
On 28 May 2012, BeamNG released a YouTube video titled "Revolutionary soft-body physics in CryEngine3".[1] Originally, BeamNG.drive was to be based on CryEngine 3, but its use in a driving game uncovered numerous bugs, leading development to be rolled over to Torque.[2] BeamNG.drive relies heavily on coding in Lua, and uses packets of local data using the Lua network system while the game.
BeamNG's website, beamng.com, was opened on 8 May 2012, to begin rolling out news of their development of the simulator.[3]
The game was placed on an open vote on Steam Greenlight on 12 February 2014[4] and was greenlit eight days later.[5]
On 29 May 2015, the game was released to Steam Early Access.[6]
On 15 June 2018, BeamNG announced a partnership with Camshaft Software, developer of the vehicle tycoon game Automation, where they offered a promotional sale on 13 July 2018 for both games.[7] An update included the Automation Test Track environment, set in New Zealand (where Camshaft is based).
Gameplay[edit]
BeamNG.drive features six modes: Scenarios, which are missions that vary in complexity, difficulty, and goals; Campaign Mode, which is a collection of small scenarios pertaining to a specific theme; Free Roam Mode, where the player can drive (or crash) several different vehicles in an environment of choice; Time Trials, where the player selects the vehicle, the map, the course, and aims for the best time; Bus Routes, which puts the player behind the wheel of a bus, shuttling passengers along a specific route; and Light Runner mode, which is essentially a time trial, but in a setting reminiscent of Tron.
The game implements its soft-body physics to both control vehicle dynamics as well as to control the collisions between objects and vehicles.[8][9][10]
Physics[edit]
BeamNG.drive uses a real-time, soft-body dynamics physics structure to simulate its vehicles. Algorithms have been written for the physics equations to be carried out.[11] Vehicles in the game consist of a soft-body, node-beam structure, similar to the vehicle structure in Rigs of Rods. The physics engine simulates a network of interconnected nodes and beams which combine to form an invisible skeleton of a vehicle with realistic weights and masses. In terms of soft-body physics, vehicles realistically flex and deform as stresses to the skeleton, such as impacts from collisions, are applied. The game's engine constantly calculates physics equations and problems in real-time during gameplay.[12]
Reception[edit]
Jack Stewart of BBC mentioned that BeamNG.drive "has received interest from the film industry to model vehicle stunts, so that they can be prototyped and tested exhaustively – but cheaply – before a stunt driver smashes up a car on set."[10] Polygon's Nick Robinson lauded the game's simulated physics and user-created content support, leading him to create an ongoing video series for Polygon, "Car Boys", in which he and Griffin McElroy spotlighted new BeamNG.drive content each week.[13][14]
References[edit]
- ^ Reilly, Luke (30 September 2012). "The Most Impressive Physics Engine You've Never Seen". IGN. IGN Entertainment. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
- ^ "BeamNG and Torque3D". BeamNG. 27 January 2013. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
- ^ "new website". BeamNG. 8 May 2012. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
- ^ Savage, Phil (13 February 2014). "BeamNG.drive crashes onto Steam Greenlight". PC Gamer. Future US. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
- ^ "We have been greenlit!". BeamNG. 20 February 2014. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
- ^ "Steam Early Access release". BeamNG. 27 May 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
- ^ "Announcing Automation & BeamNG.drive collaboration!". BeamNG. 15 June 2018. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
- ^ Reilly, Luke (7 August 2013). "Finally, BeamNG's Soft-Body Physics Are Available to the Public". IGN. IGN Entertainment. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
- ^ Futter, Mike (5 August 2013). "BeamNG's Amazingly Realistic Car Crashes". Game Informer. GameStop. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
- ^ a b Stewart, Jack (3 July 2014). "Video-game wrecks get real". BBC. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
- ^ Stamatogiannakis, Lefteris (12 June 2014). "A faster selection algorithm". BeamNG. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
- ^ Fischer, Thomas (5 August 2013). "BeamNG DRIVE alpha release". GarageGames. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
- ^ Feldman, Brian. "Car Boys, the Hilarious and Terrifying Car-Crash Series, Is the Best Show".
- ^ Orlove, Raphael. "There Is Only One YouTube Channel Worth Watching And It's Car Boys".
