Thursday, April 30, 2009

Comparison Cost Performance of Level-R/Project torque

Comparison Cost Performance of Level-R and Project torque


PC' s spec will be ruined just 4-5 years because it is too rapidly renovted every PC parts.
Considering to play Level-R with confortable, need PC with Core 2 quad/2GB/Vram512MB/at least.those specs would be 80000-100000JPY.(800-1000US)

Level-R : Free of Charge / but need Real money to play real car: Per 700jpy to 2500yen , depends on degree of addictiveness. also, simultaneous number of player is 8 ppl maximum now ,(TA have 16ppl)


On the other hand, compare PS3 Game. for example;
Most cheapest PS3 in the shop : 35978JPY (11NOV2006.)
Gran Tourismo 5p :4980JPY:Cat 70 all inclusive (13DEX2007~)
Simultaneous number of people on-line per race: 16 ppl

total: 40958
Play station 2 had released 4Mar2000 ,so It tooks 6 years to update new version of Play station. Also, from GranTourismo 4 prologue (Dec2003)to 5prologue (13DEC07), It had passed four years (but minor update sometimes).

So, conclusion is, Level-R cost performance is no good for consumer game hardware like P.S 3?

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Russian Version "Скорость Онлайн" β test will coming soon!

Accordning our information, Russian version of so-called Level-R game will be launched soon.
It is not sure they will have own direct contract with Invictus, or licensed product through Gamepot(level-R) or Aeria (project torque) .

The publisher in Russia is "Nival Network"
The title will be ; "Скорость Онлайн"
Also check it here.
http://www.zzima.com/
http://www.zzima.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1003478#post1003478
http://forums.goha.ru/showthread.php?t=287513
http://www.rosinvest.com/news/533380/

Actually I cannot use Russian, so some1 please translate those Russian text news, thanks.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Why Level-R Japan falling down?

I was surely remember that Level-R had been started with desire and expected so much from many β test player when they launched Closed /Open β on Dec2006 and APR2007. on the same year 2007 Project torque had started closed beta on August 2007 and open/ commercial release on October 18.

On the first stage of its Open beta on Level-R , it was so expected and hustled from many player. but. maybe June2007, game balance had been changed more childish dynamics altough they informed it was "realistic-tendency" network race game more than "fun-taste driving game"(e.g. drift city).

On 4-gamer net ,Director of Level-R Naonari Kaga comments this policy change ,making level-R more arcade like than real phisics for more Child player.(『リアル志向で進めるか,カジュアルに留めて万人向けにするか』 )
http://www.4gamer.net/games/021/G002189/20081020030/

Director Kaga said:
most of request from customer are " real-trend phisics" and "improvment of Tuning system". becayse Level-R is the simulation-trend and those core player requests so.

(加賀氏: 一番多かったのは「リアルにしてほしい」というものでした。もう一歩進めて「チューンの幅を広げたい」というものも多かったですね。Level-Rはシミュレータ寄りのゲームですので,やはりコアなプレイヤーから車の挙動についての要望が多かったように思います。)

4Gamer said; But..Is it problem that realistic trend makes newbies and light user/player avoids playing the game?
(4Gamer: でもリアルに寄せすぎると,新規のプレイヤーやライトゲーマーにとって,取っつきにくくなってしまいますよね。)

Mr Kaga said; Yes you are right. Most of player were workers around 20-30 years old workers (when open beta starts). But,,,,situation become change that more and more primary and junior high, high school player after the summer vacation (notice summer 2008). If I were Primary or Junior high school student I would feel Level-R is hard to control for me. (so we decided Level-R downgrade)

(加賀氏: そうなんですよね。Level-Rのプレイヤーは,もともと20代後半の社会人男性が中心だったのですが,今年の夏休みくらいから高校生どころか小中学生に至るまで層が広がったんです。
 じゃあ,そういった方々がリアルなシミュレータを楽しめるのかというと,少々難しいかなあという疑問が出てきてしまったんです。僕自身を振り返ってみても,小中学生の頃だったら難しく思うだろうなあ,と。)

4Gamer said; Those hard control issue makes less player to participate in, although this game is free-to-play to encourage participation in.
(4Gamer: せっかく基本無料でハードルが低いのに,別の部分で引き上げてしまっているかもしれないと。)


加賀氏:
 その点に関して,Invictus Gamesのリードクリエイターとも非常に頭を悩ませまして。彼が日本に来たときには,日本のゲームセンターに連れて行ってレースゲームを片っ端からやら せてみたんですよ。「日本ではこういう挙動が好まれる」とか,「このタイトルはドリフトが楽しいから人気なんだ」とか逐一分析しました。
 世界でも地域によって好まれる部分が違うので,ニッチ的に一極集中するのか,誰でも遊べる無料オンラインゲームとして幅を広げるのか,実のところ着地点はまだ悩んでいるところです。これも最重要課題ですね。

So, the conclusion is, they ignores Core player and not free-to-play player, but they think importance on Child and free-to-play nerds and make LevelR more easier. Their policy change makes many ppl disappointed of Japanese player. Most of tester of Level-R Japan had been irretated also because there had no news about commercial release on Japanese edition til October 2008, although they were waiting and playing it from 2006Dec. It was over 1 year and half test. During long-term beta test on Japan, Project Torque had many Japanese immigrant who they were playing Level-R because they have more "real" car than Japanese edition. So, Level-R Japan had no longer been expected by those heavy supporter" and their fate falling down.

It was said that there are some regional distribution terms and condition toward each publisher. e.g. Gamepot for Japam market and Gamigo for German/Swiss/Austria, and Joyzone for China, and Aeria for north american market. Level-R would fellow those regional publishment contract on the other hand Aeria would ignored of those regional terms and condition? It is not "world" version Level-R, It is north American version of Level-R.

Actually the advantage of regional restricted service' makes less lag so it is suitable for ghost off races. Ghost off race is more excited than suck ghost-On races time attack. To promote cool pass, and cover up the gap between high spec car and low spec car on the Ghost-off race, better to intruduce "reverse pole position system which lower car must be front line and fast car last low to promote "cool pass".
PT can buy some performance increasing backpack by RP(PP) and nitro2-4 can buy with AP only, on the other hand Level-R Japan can buy Nitro by RP and performance backpack for CP(AP) only. I think level-R decision about item is reasonable to promote ghost off race with thrill and tension.

My personal opinion to revival on Level-R Japan as follows;

1. Back to the Basic, back to the realistic-tendency race game! (PT's VS Sim mode nowadays seems as if it is poor ex-Drift-mode ) . Open β tester who are most expected for Level-R wanted for "real tendency Engine when it was so in early stage of Open beta!.

2. Introducuction of G.S system , same like Aeria and Gamigo to ban overrule player easily
to keep the fairplay order. The management Gamepot are too lazy against overrule player , multiple computer user with XP/RP farmer and hate speecher. The Gamepot GM, they cannot control order of game morality. Especially, leave those farmer alone, the game will ruins because of "No-money-pay player. Thay have too much time to play , on the other hand, paid player tend to be less log-in hours so they will lose those "free-of charge car " user. So paid player left the game and only kids remains to stay level-R Japan.

3. Need renovation of BBS. Abolish BBS today and should be change same system like Aeria and Gamigo which can promote discussion to collect "customer's voice"!

4. There are too many non-charged player (mostly they are jobless tards or school kids) and PP(RP)farmers, so they should abolish non-real car as far as possible. Introduce real Lambo Miura ,Porsche 996 , Ford Mustang or Lancia Delta Intergrale and abolish upper-level those fantasy cars. It is nonsense and think little of cusomer who buy in-game-money that some PP-fantasy car driven by Jobless can easily beat real money-cost car who paid real money. It seems absurd and unable to maintain management. Who want slowr Real car in game with real money than faster fake fantasy with in-game-money(RP) car?

4.Need More significant real car for Japanese market e.g. Nissan R35 Spec-V , Acura Advanced Sports Car Concept(Prototype Honda NSX:already it had cancelled of its developement), and Lexus LF-A which they would be possible to compete with other class-6 car Panama(a.k.a Fake Porsche 996) or Corvette C6 LS2 , and concept camaro. It is absurd that we can buy fastest performance car by RP(PP) and it defeats AP(CP) car easily.

Cf: Lap time for Nurburgring North track (german)

Anyway, It is not only Level-R problem but also Project Torque which they will have strong competitor of Need For Speed World Online. It was said that they did closed beta on Taiwan on last March and will be release summer or autumun 2009. They already checked the problem of Level-Rs so it is hard to think they do same mistake like them?
http://www.nfspc.tw/nfswo/

Mazda Xedos Out!

24th of Apr 2008, suddenly Mazda Xedos6 V6 (a.k.a Eunos 500) had released out on Project Torque in the United States.

Spec is as follows
Prix:699AP class1.3?
217kph/145hp/9.00sec/50m/00%(stock)
236kph/177hp/7.39sec/45m/40% (Upgrade 4)


10APR09, Honda Civic Type-R Ep-3 (2004) had released out on Project torque as well.
This car had already released on Level-R German by Gamigo on 23DEC2008.

Class 4.1/ AP 1299
234kph/212hp/6.63sec/37m/00%(stock)
257kph/265hp/5.59sec/33m/40%(Upgrade 4)


14thFeb2009, Honda S2000 had released on Project Torque.
This car also had already been in Level-R Germany by Gamigo on 16Dec2008.
Class4. 2 /AP 1299
244kph/250hp/5.76sec/41m/00%
274kph/299hp/4.41sec/38m/40%


18thDecember2009 Honda NSX Type-R (2002)had released on Project Torque as a item of Mystery box. Now it is sales in the shop.
Also sales in the Level-R German by Gamigo have this car.

Class 5.2 AP 2399
280kph/290hp/4.79sec/31.88m/00%
299kph/344hp/3.90sec/28.26m/40%


I created the car list which stock condition and full-upgraded status as follows;
http://sites.google.com/site/levelrptcar/

Comparison those four version of Level-R and Project torque.

Checked the minimum requested Spec of each version as follows;

Actually Japanese and Chinese (simplified/Complecated charactor) uses 2 bytes letters, on the other hand Germany and English uses 1 bites letters.

Project Torque(North American region/Eleanor/Commercial release):Windows XP or Vista 32
http://project-torque.aeriagames.com/info/sysreq
(Same when they are on Daiane)

Level-R(Germany, Austria, Swiss/Eleanor/Commercial release)Windows XP or Vista
http://levelr-wiki.gamigo.de/index.php/Systemanforderungen
(Same when they are on Diane)

Level-R(China/Eleneor/finished closed beta 1 and 2, now open beta 1 and soonly commercial release start ):Windows XP or Vista
http://lr.joyzone.com.cn/green_hand_01.html
(Same when they are on Diane)

Both three version above is okay for Vista 32 from when they are Diane, but, only Original Level-R in Japan they officially annouced Vista is not out of warranty.Also they said Windows XP 64 bit is out of warranty. So, problem is not between Windows XP or Vista, but it is 32 bit or 64 bit?

Level-R(Japan:Diane3/Commercial release): Japanese Ime-Microsoft Windows XP
※XP-Server version,XP 64bit, and Windows Vista is out of warranty.
http://www.level-r.jp/live/about_start02.aspx

Next generation server "Fiona" on PT soom?

I did read in the system chat that a GM talk about new server "Fiona" , the next patch after Eleanor.

I forgot the server name of "B" r, but anyway after that they did updated to Cleo, Diane, and Eleneor.

They said as follows;
*3-5 licensed cars.
*New Fantasy car "Cobra"
*All the mission record will be reset
*Mission will have given three qualifies, Bronze, Silver, Gold.
*Those who complete 32 missions on Gold, they will get award.
*Team battle mode will be equipped, called King of the hill

Same G.M also said d few weeks ago he implies 9 real car are now under consideration and waiting for official license. Also one fantasy car on "european type car"

Formula Car on Level-R China???

Few months I hadn't updated some news about each version of Level-R series and Project torque.

Now there are some news about Level-R china Version which implies Formula Car.
Actually FIA have much interesting for improvement of China market to obtain F-1 new supporter so I guess it is a part of Promotion for F-1 or other formular car race tied up with Level-R China and Thinkpad(by Renovo, ex-IBM)? The exhibission had held on Shanghai 2008. It is not personal site, it is Official Site of Level-R China version by Joyzone!
Quote; http://lr.joyzone.com.cn/event/sh_f1/index.html
(If i have a time I wll translate it later)

http://lr.joyzone.com.cn/new-243/lr4850.html
自1950年第一场Formula One 赛事诞生至今,已经历经了近60年的风雨。F1赛车也从最初的雏形发展至今。随着赛事的不断发展,FIA(法文全称Federation Internationale de 1’Automobile,国际汽车联合会)对赛车的规定越来越完善,F1赛车也逐渐成为一只武装到牙齿的野兽。




(1950年第一场Formula One 比赛中的战车)

历经近60的科技对抗后如今的 Formula One全面进化为顶尖科技的产物,在性能飞速攀升的同时,对赛车手的身体素质与车辆驾驶技术需求同样与日俱增。对于这样一辆高端的战车,普通人也往往只有透过赛道缓冲区与隔离带远远的凝视。

(2009年的Formula One 战车)


对于F1车迷来说,恐怕最大的心愿都是亲自驾驶F1在赛道上驰骋一番,但由于诸多的因素通常只能望洋兴叹。一些 车迷选择在游戏中过把手瘾。撇开GPL这类在国内玩家较为稀有的不谈,无论是常青树EA F1 challenge还是LFS、RF之流,都有十分不错的驾驶手感。
尽管单机赛车游戏不论在物理引擎还是在画面上都有着网络游戏无可比拟的优势,但对于赛车这种强调对抗性的竞技游戏,人与人的对抗才是灵魂因素。
随着 Formula One 大奖赛上海站的到来,在拟真类赛车网游《极限飚车》中出现了一辆全仿真的F1赛车。这也是全球首款拥有仿真F1赛车的网络赛车游戏,这对广大的F1车迷及赛车游戏爱好者无疑是个天大的喜讯。

《极限飚车》作为一款超仿真赛车网游,拥有各类经典车型及高端车辆的版权。但F1赛车的出现在全球还属首次,是由匈牙利开发方Invicuts专为《极限飚车》中国区而制作。车辆以真实F1赛车为参照原型,在部分细节上甚至能看到一些熟悉的元素。
游戏中的F1与Mclaren 车队在2008赛季上海站所使用的战车mp4-23的前鼻翼空气动力套件部分相同。

Mclaren车队的mp4-23战车(2008上海国际赛车场)

Mclaren车队的mp4-23战车(2008上海国际赛车场)

Mclaren车队的mp4-23战车(2008上海国际赛车场)

游戏中的仿真F1赛车

游戏中的仿真F1赛车

游戏中的仿真F1赛车

本次在《极限飚车》中登场的F1战车不仅在外形上高度仿真,性能特点也同样与真实F1赛车一脉相承。游戏中车辆马力高达718匹,极速可达347公 里每小时,0-100KPH加速只需1.84秒。与需要专业驾驶技能的真实F1不同的是,考虑到游戏玩家并非专业车手,开发方特地减少了一些不必要的难 度,只将最精华的特质保留下来让玩家感受F1的精粹。这样的车辆是否正是你想要的?为何游戏中会出现F1赛车?想去现场体验F1?想体验最新的F1车辆?谜底即将揭晓,敬请关注《极限飚车》最新动态!
http://lr.joyzone.com.cn/new-243/lr4861.html
2009年4月17日—19日 或许是上海国际赛车场最后一次为F1赛事响起引擎的轰鸣声
F1给Thinkpad的灵感
经典的F1运动诞生以来即追求人类体能与驾驭机械的极限,而这种突破精神使得其在今日依然激动人心。纵观ThinkPad近17年的发展,也正经历着不断自我挑战和创新的历史。
在 过去17年的发展中,ThinkPad曾多次在F1赛车运动中获取灵感,成就了一次又一次的技术创新。2003年推出的“安全气囊”APS主动式硬盘保护 技术、2006年的镁制防滚架(Roll Cage),这些来自F1赛车的设计灵感无疑都大幅提高了移动计算的行业标准。有趣的是,对安全的高度重视同样也是F1赛车运动发展中的焦点。
2009年,全新的KERS动能回收系统,全新的空气动力学规则,无一不是F1再一次向高科技的巅峰发起挑战的证明。与Mclaren车队走在一起的Lenovo通过强有力的计算平台,支撑着Mclaren车队克服困难向着胜利迈进。


Thinkpad展台驰骋在虚拟世界的 ThinkPad 方程式
如何让普罗大众也能轻易的感受到联想技术在方程式赛车中的重要作用?面对着这样一个难题,解决方案也油然而生——为什么不充分使用计算机技术来在虚拟世界中打造一台属于联想的 ThinkPad 方程式?
优秀的计划同样也需要适当的执行,擅长技术的联想在赛车模拟的领域并没有太多的经验。而想要拥有一台令人信服的虚拟方程式赛车必须得找一个与联想在技术领域的地位一般对赛车模拟有丰富经验的伙伴才行。
而放眼国内,唯一可以为联想提供赛车模拟专业支持的公司,也只有天纵网络可以满足这样的需求 —— 在短短一个月时间内,打造一台原创的 ThinkPad 虚拟方程式赛车,并且同样提供出可以供方程式赛车自由驰骋的赛道。



专为方程式设计的MOMO方向盘


玩家体验区
《极限飚车》带来的超仿真F1赛车
天纵网络拥有《飚车》和《极限飚车》两款网络赛车 游戏。它们不是卡通化的卡丁车游戏,也没有过分超现实的特殊物品。他们是真正意义上的驾驶游戏。与联想合作的 ThinkPad 方程式是在新的极限飚车平台之上实现的,强大的底层物理特性为完美的在虚拟世界中呈现出方程式赛车提供了有力的保障。
正如现实中设计一款方程式赛 车困难重重。在虚拟世界中重现方程式赛车的特性也非常具有挑战性。750ps的马力是日常家用轿车的8倍,0-100公里每小时的加速时间少于2秒,而从 每小时100公里时速刹车到静止只需要16米的距离。往往不被大多数驾驶模拟所关注的空气动力学特性也在对方程式赛车的模拟中起到至关重要的地位。



极限体验
F1在联想和天纵网络的合作之下,各种问题都被一一解决。在F1上海站的现场,任何对方程式赛车有兴趣的朋友都可以在《极限飚车》F1特别版本中一探自己的驾驶身手!现场举办的虚拟赛事不但有精美奖品,更有可以随时登录《极限飚车》游戏服务器的特殊VIP游戏帐号相送。喜爱赛车,更想亲自尝试驾驶方程式赛车的你,不妨来上海国际赛车场亲自体验以下F1的激情吧!
Some photo on Shanghai promo for Level-R China by Joyzone
http://news.17173.com/content/2009-04-20/20090420105832253,1.shtml
http://news.17173.com/content/2009-04-20/20090420105832253,3.shtml