Crowdfunding for PT accomplished.

Finally, the crowdfunding for Project torque rivive is accomplished by the many backer who donate the campaign!
https://projecttorque.racing/product/project-torque/#wpneo-tab-baker_list
IT is not sure but someone said it is at leaset about 2 to 4 weeks to relaunch the game itself.
Also it maybe no real car for license contract issue.
Anyway, congrats!

Project Torque CrowdFunding

It has passed already 10 years since Level/R start the service and 5 years since LeverlR/Heatonline discontinued. During these period, some users try to start new community and crowd fund for leverl-R like game like Tuning Evolution and so on but it is finally failed. this year, 12th of JULY 2019 it is announced for Project torque crowdfund on the web i witnessed on FB. They need $10000 to buying the publishing right.
https://steamcommunity.com/games/1112400/announcements/detail/2536008342723904427
FB https://www.facebook.com/ProjectTorqueRacing/
Stream community https://steamcommunity.com/games/1112400/announcements/detail/1592502868843934659
But stream community they call it Go Fast ONline. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1112400/Go_Fast_Online/
I wonder the issue of territorial license and licensed cars, server maintainance cost. Anyway I hope It will be well back with like Creo version. They should omit Sumo mode or archade ,and fun mode which ruined Level-R.
*クラウドファンドは、失敗した場合は諸経費を除いて払い戻しされますので、この際昔のLRの住人の方は試されてはいかがでしょうか？ 現在のところ、4500＄/＄10000とのことで、進捗50％との事です。

Kickstartar campaign of Street Tuning Evolution.

It has passed one year and half since Heat Online had closed their service
https://heatonline.wordpress.com/

And These years there  are some small movement to take back levelR/project torque/Heat Online.

One of the famous campaign is Street Tuning Evolution kick startar campaign.   During the movie of kickstartar campaign of the Street Tuning Evolution , there are some LevelR movie, track  and cars though they emphasiss on it is new SLRR. with "UNREAL ENGINE4"


other youtube video bout STE https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Street+tuning+evolution)


the campaign had cancelled because of less fund, 538 backers $23788/$150000
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/473961744/street-tuning-evolution

811 people 34689usd/150000USD
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/street-tuning-evolution-car-building-racing

On the facebook still some ppl want to take back Levelr or more.....

Level R German closed?

According to the HEAT Online official forum, Level-R EU run by Gamigo Hamburg will shut down their Level-R server ;(Feb-10-2012 11:08)
http://heatonline.com/index.php?option=com_agora&task=topic&id=1883&Itemid=93
http://assets.cdn.gamigo.com/maintenance/de/forum/showthread.php?t=16138

Personally, It means it is no profitable to run Level-R service for publishers that is the reason why they all shut down altough they spent huge investment on it. So-called Owa-con.
I sometimes suggested that this game free-to-play nerd cars is faster than money-paid real car.

So, the so-called refugees where do they go? Maybe heat online? Im not sure.When Speed online Russian server service had closed, they did account transfer. It is good idea.
http://migration.heatonline.com/

http://heatonline.com/index.php?option=com_agora&task=topic&id=1228&Itemid=93
German Level-R server they didnt procedure account transfer for Japanese when Level-R original server Japan closed ,although They did "welcome campaign" for ex-PT players.


If Heat online will accept account transfer for ex-Project Torque and Level-R Japan players they will have more and more player.

IP Ban Rebel Alliance ?

It had passed 9 months since I had made a post. These years I no longer play n follow the issue of Level-R, I got to know new statement in April by Invictus.
-----quote :http://www.invictus.hu/news/ip-ban-rebel-alliance-----
IP Ban Rebel Alliance
Issued: 14 April 2011
Invictus Ltd. has decided to free Level-R and its look-alike variants from the chains of the IP Ban.
"When we started Level-R with Gamepot Inc. in Japan back in 2005 we had no idea where it will grow. All our contracts were IP-limited and it worked well until one of the operators broke the rules. After a long fight players were the ones who suffered the most. And it was our company to drive the nails into them according to legal regulation. Now rights are back in our hands and we would like to ask our players forgiveness with a present they have always desired: free access to their game." said Ákos Diviánszky, the producer of Level-R at Invictus-Games Ltd.

It is a hard job as the current exclusive licenses are still in effect. - some of them for years!
So Invictus-Games is calling this Rebel Alliance into being - Invictus-Games offer all joining operators free access to the so far unlicensed territories. In addition members of the alliance grant free access to each others exclusive territories.
The first operator joining the Rebel Alliance is Innologin Ltd. with Heat Online. Shared territories will certainly introduce race between operators - to protect them Invictus-Games will limit server location and if requested, language selection.
-----quote end-----


There are too many question in their annoucements.
Im not sure which company they refer to ? All our contracts were IP-limited and it worked well until one of the operators broke the rules. Maybe, A*** game e******* in the United States or not ?

Now rights are back in our hands;
It can assumed that So-net/Gamepot withdraw from Level-R and they would finished the contract with Invictus, judging from the So-net IR releases I will show as follows . I dont have any primary sources which the contract between Gamepot (the rightholder except north America, (2005-2010?)) and Invictus(developper2005-) had finished or not.

・2010.06.26 so-net IR release of 2009.
http://www.so-net.ne.jp/corporation/IR/individual/presentation/pdf/20100626.pdf
P30 Level-R description http://levelrs-projecttorque.blogspot.com/2010/07/so-net-ir-press-release-and-level-r.html

・2010.07.31 So-net commentary IR release
http://www.so-net.ne.jp/corporation/IR/event/individual/pdf/20100731.pdf
Page 30. they still introduce about Level-R

・2010.10.27 Secondary/midium IR release
http://www.so-net.ne.jp/corporation/IR/library/presentation/pdf/10_2q_handout.pdf
P17”不採算タイトルからの撤退”(Withdrawal from a games which have no profit)
P18-20 Level-R no longer in their line up in the page

・2011.05.09.　IR release report on March 2011
http://www.so-net.ne.jp/corporation/IR/library/presentation/pdf/10_4q_handout.pdf
P24 ”不採算タイトルからの撤退”(Withdrawal from a games which have no profit)
P25-29 Level-R no longer in their line up in the page

There are still question about the gampot and level R. The other publishers which they had contracted and published level-R in their local servers, they still use Gamepot logomark. As far as I know the last cooperate/distribute contract procedure between Gamepot and Unalis. (Taipei/Taiwan company) http://lvr.unalis.com.tw/ and Gamepot commits the contract. Also, those Level-R's website, they still use Gamepot logomark, except North America server of Heat-online.

Checking each Level-R official sites, they still use Gamepot logomark too.
・European Championship Level-R　http://levelr.gamigo.com/
http://levelr.gamigo.com/images/gamepot_logo.jpg



・Taiwan Level-R called "R進化”（Level-R Evolution） they use Gamepot logomark too.
http://lvr.unalis.com.tw/
http://lvr.unalis.com.tw/images/index/cop.jpg






・Russian Level-R called Speed Online (Скорость Онлайн) use Gamepot logomark too.
http://www.zzima.com/so/
http://www.zzima.com/files/upload/12069.png




・Indonesian Level-R called "fast black, they use Gamepot logomark too.
http://www.onelife.web.id/fastblack/front.php
http://www.onelife.web.id/fastblack/images/companies.png




・Level-R Thailand , which is already closed, still use Gamepot logomark.
http://levelx.winner.co.th/guide/ShowGuide.asp?id=15

IP Ban Rebel Alliance
It would Invictus's ambitious to deprive customer from local exclusive license holder present days. To joining IP ban Rabel Allience it promotes small local market player join to the big market servers. I think no one want to play small local server unless they have no ip-ban restrictions. For local publishers, the allience is bad for their profit. It seems that Invictus name being mad unless Invictus should buy up or pay back money which local publisher invested so far, if they claim IP Ban Rebel Alliance. The Rebel alliance seems the sneak trap by Invictus for the invictus of the Invictus for their profit.


Finally, I no longer plays and follows the issue of Level-R. My loving STi Impreza on Project Torque wasn't transfered to EU Server when Gamigo level-R lifted the ip-block for Japanese. The game is no longer worth playing because it becomes too childish and arcade like and no fun, no exciting to race. . So It may last post about this Level-R blog

Original Opening Movie of Level-R.

 It was sure that Level-R was the one of great game till Creo version so far. The game got super-high reputation with cool opening movie. If they still have Creo version phisics with many real cars it would be great game and It still attracts many racers. But...Finally matured Japanese player and the game market answered NO to level-R. Thank you for Gampepot and Invictus giving us the wonderful opportunities. Also Thank you all who following my blog so far.

Heat Online around the world?

On 17th August Heat Online will starts their open beta test.

This is the announcement on Facebook Heat Online Page...but we cannot judge who announces this? Innologin or Invcictus? Still lack of information of company details.

HEAT Online Official opening time around the word: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?year=2010&month=8&day=17&hour=10&min=0&sec=0&p1=50

The Fixed Time World Clock

www.timeanddate.com

This World Clock shows what time will be in cities all over the world at a given time in past or future

They announces HEAT Online Official opening time around the word" ,although they had annouced Heat online it is only for United States, Canada, and Mexico at the "officiall" website without any detailed company informations. Those announce makes another misunderstandings against players around the world.


Now It reminds us what another company did;

08/09/2007Aerea announceed that project torque closed beta, only for Last Chaos User.
Thank you for your interest in the United States Closed Beta for Project Torque, the brand new MMORG (Massive Multiplayer Online Racing Game). (cache)

09/21/2007Aeria Games to Open the Closed Beta of Project Torque to the Public
California, U.S.A. (September 21, 2007) – Aeria Games announced today that the closed beta for Project Torque has been opened up to the public (.........omits..........) Project Torque is one of the first MMORGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Racing Game) to hit North America. (.doc)

HEAT ONLINE, new North America service

http://www.invictus-games.com/downloads.html?view=17

29 July 2010 Today Invictus-Games Ltd. made an arrangement with Innologin Ltd. so that players in North America can access a Level-R service as the existing service running under the local title "Project Torque" is ending on 30 July 2010. "Heat Online" is going to be available in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

http://www.heat-online.net/



Innologin :Domain serch.
Domain Name: HEAT-ONLINE.NET
Registrar: GODADDY.COM, INC.
Whois Server: whois.godaddy.com
Referral URL: http://registrar.godaddy.com
Name Server: NS1.SAXONSOFT.HU
Name Server: NS2.SAXONSOFT.HU
Status: clientDeleteProhibited
Status: clientRenewProhibited
Status: clientTransferProhibited
Status: clientUpdateProhibited
Updated Date: 27-jul-2010
Creation Date: 27-jul-2010
Expiration Date: 27-jul-2011

The company would be Hungaryan? Im not sure detail of the company infomation.

Here is the Game's hell report about Heat online as follows;
http://www.gamershell.com/companies/innologin_ltd_/752284.html
-------quote------

Company: Innologin Ltd.
Date: 30 Jul 2010
Innologin Ltd. is pleased to announce the release of HEAT Online, thier new free-to-play MMORG (Massively Multiplayer Online Racing Game) for players in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

HEAT Online is offering an exciting and fun alternative besides other upcoming new games like Need for Speed World.

The Beta version of HEAT Online is set to launch in middle of August 2010.

About the game
Players can race against thousands of fellow players across the streets of Tokyo, on the racetracks of Germany or the Hungarian and Mexican off-road tracks, in the English countryside, on the rooftops of Shanghai and many more.
The game developer, Invictus' latest game engine offers a realistic real-time damage model. The vehicles are user-customizable both in appearance and performance. Racers win points with racing, they can buy items in-game and tune their ride.
This game does not require professional driving skills; we’d like to see players having fun!

It is FREE TO DOWNLOAD and FREE TO PLAY. It means there is NO subscription fee. Almost all items in the item mall are available for free (for points earned by playing the game) but players can also get them fast for real money what Innologin spend on improving the service and the game further.

Players can try new game modes like SUMO with cars in the Open Beta. Furthermore, players will have the usual race mode on circuit tracks, street racing, drift mode with drift cars, stock car racing mode with specialized tracks and more to come later…


Other game features
Racing Crews (teams)
Crew Tournaments and ladders
In-game item mall for cars and upgrades
Championships, cups & Events
Single player career mode
Community features

System requirements
CPU: 1800 MHz single core (P4)
Memory: 768 Mb
GFX Card: Ati 9600 / GeFORCE 6600
Internet: 128 kbps in/out

URL:
http://www.heat-online.net

See ya on the track!

Copyright (C) 2010 Innologin Ltd.

-----quote end-----

From the official page , we can now judges.
1. Sumo mode on PT beta February.
2. No real car image there. Only fantasy cars image shown in their screen shot.(30/07/2010 19;17GMT+7)
3. NO company detail information, no adress and so on. It means, the management would be noob.

Just a assumption of the future N.A service?

New announcement on Invictus page on 24th of July 2010.
http://www.invictus-games.com/level-r.html
http://www.invictus-games.com/downloads.html?view=13
Aeria Games Entertainment Inc., USA, has decided to stop the North American service of the game on 30 July 2010. Invictus Games Ltd. is evaluating the possibilities for providing access to the game in North America.


Here is the territory of level-R territorial map.

Darkpurple:Gamepot Tokyo (Service already closed Feb2010)
Grey:Aeria Calfornia (Service will close End of July 2010)
Purple:Joyzone Shanghai (Service cancelled)
Red :Gamigo Humburg
Uncolored: Gamigo under the Gamepot approval of ip-lift up
Green: Nival Network: St.Petersburg
Charcoal:One life Jakarta.
Dark Charcoar: Winner Online Bangkok (Service cancelled)
Orange: Unalis Taipei

so, there are some assumption as follows;

1.If Invictus start N.A service by themselves?
As far as we know Gamepot's global license is not incruded North America. So ofcourse Invictus have right to run themselves. But....it is concerning that they don't have enough know-how to publish/run Network game management.

In project Torque official forum , there are a rumor about Project torque Ⅱ without any trustable sources.
http://forums.aeriagames.com/viewtopic.php?t=887755


2.If Invictus sell N.A right to other publisher.
a: to other new publisher
ofcourse Invictus have right to sell NA service so new publisher would start PT or Level-R or other new name? I dunnno some company contact with them?

b; to Gamepot ?
If gamepot get N.A rights from Invictus, they would start N.A service? Actually Gamepot still hold a global license where there are no local contracted publisher except North America (see unpainted area in the map above). In this case, Gamepot might start new wide-territory service which incrudes North America and "the rest of world"? Those case, Gamigo need to do account transfer to new service. The concerning things is, Gamepot already failed and ruined Level-R.

*There are tons of blame Gamigo or Invictus makes Level-R childish, is wrong. It is Gamepot policy change make it childish.　Current childish upgrades(or so-called downgrades) trend had already been decided by Gamepot.It is not Invictus or Gamigo.
*Why Level-R Japan falling down?

c; to Gamigo ?
Now Gamigo have contract with Gamepot for German, Swiss, Austria,　United Kingdom, France, Spain, and Poland.　It seems just a temporary agreement about" the rest of world"　where there are no publisher which Gamepot doesn't contract with.
In this case, Gamigo have double contract with Gamepot for present licensed territory, and newly contract with Invictus for North America. This situation will happns more complecated situation.


3.Invictus just lift up ip-ban of Gamigo Level-R for North American player?
Those case, Invictus actually give N.A right freely to Gamigo? I dont think Gamepot feel complicated situation altough they have no position to protest about N.A right? This situation will happns more complecated situation like 2-c case?


Im not sure how they will decides near the future.

So-net IR press release and Level-R

There are Investor Relations paper by So-net.
http://www.so-net.ne.jp/corporation/IR/individual/presentation/pdf/20100626.pdf
(See PDF page 30)
http://www.4gamer.net/games/044/G004471/20100511042/



The IR report said Gamepot contract with German, Russia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Taiwan. The paper omits China Mainland service and ofcourse North American service (North American service is not subject to Gamepot license. Gamepot does have global license except North America.)
----Quote-----
現地パブリッシャーへのライセンス/パートナーシップ
License/Partnership contract to local publishers

Level-R　
© 2006-2010 Invictus Games Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Exclusive License. © Gamepot Inc, All Rights Reserved.

ドイツ：（EU地域において、5か国語で配信中）　German :5Languages in EU region)
ロシア　（Russia)
インドネシア　（Indonesia)
タイ　（Thailand)
台湾　（Taiwan)
----Quote end-----

German (now EU) service (they write Invictus and Gamepot allright reserved)

http://levelrs-projecttorque.blogspot.com/2009/11/when-they-got-worldwide-license-who.html
Russia service (they write Invictus and Gamepot allright reserved)

http://www.gamepot.co.jp/pdf/press_release/090630_lr.pdf
http://levelrs-projecttorque.blogspot.com/2009/04/russian-version-test-will-coming-soon.html

Indonesia service (they write Invictus and Gamepot allright reserved)

http://levelrs-projecttorque.blogspot.com/2009/11/fast-black-indonesia-version.html

Thailand service (I dont know why they doesnt write Invictus or Gamepot allrightreserved?)

http://levelrs-projecttorque.blogspot.com/2010/02/level-x-thailand-version-of-level-r.html

Taiwan service (they write Invictus and Gamepot allright reserved)

http://levelrs-projecttorque.blogspot.com/2010/07/taiwan-version-of-level-r-coming-soon.html

In invictus Level-R official website they also omitted Communist China mainland service by Joizone.
Invictus level-R site cache on 3th of May 2010

Still Maximum Limit race (Level-R) Joyzone Shanghai website exists. But It seems that the website haven't already revised from January 2010 and actually not active?
(they doesn't write Invictus and Gamepot allright reserved)

http://lr.joyzone.com.cn/
http://www.joyzone.com.cn/

http://www.joyzone.com.cn/product_2.html


In this page, they introduce Invicus and Gamepot. But no copyright description.


*Postscript on 24Jul2010
Although official Level-R Commuinst China page exists, now I confirmed that Level-R was deleted from Joyzone membership registlation pages. I guess they give up level-R service in China mainland because low interenet inflastructire?
http://member.joyzone.com.cn/　（Joyzone membership registlation page cache　）


In the IR, they introduce Thailand service, though Thaliand service also temporary closed because of low inflastructure of interenet enviroment in Thailand which makes lag issue and problem in game.
http://levelx.winner.co.th/ShowMessage.asp?id=203&type=7

It is odd that it is not so big difference of interenet enviroment between Indonesia and Thailand. But only Thailand postphone the services.

Taiwan version of Level-R coming soon!

Taiwan Level-R will come soon. They had already finished technical test on July and will start Closed beta from August. The Taiwan Publisher Unalis ,cooporate/contract with Gamepot/Invictus, same like Russia, Indonesia, Thailand, and EU version. (Norh America region is not incruded territory of Gamepot.)

here is Chinese news text and no remarkable explanation and no difference with other Level-R explanation. just use web translation. Only the things we need to know is the day when they start closed beta.

From 7th~ 10th of July 2010 they did pre-technical test for VIP customer.
They annonces they will start closed beta from August 2010.

Taiwan Level-R Official site :http://lvr.unalis.com.tw/event/2010/0611/vip.html
Taiwan Level-R Facebook http://www.facebook.com/LevelR

Source:
2010-06-11 http://www.gamebase.com.tw/news/news_content.php?sno=89794978
2010-07-06 http://www.gamebase.com.tw/news/news_content.php?sno=90091024
2010-07-13 http://www.gamebase.com.tw/news/news_content.php?sno=90365066

　競速線上遊戲《Level-R》正式進軍台灣，松崗科技於 7 月 10 日舉行VIP精英試駕，對於《Level-R》的精緻的畫面、精準的操控系統、改裝系統以及豐富的線上遊戲模式，與會玩家們紛紛表示「不虛此行」。

VIP級的玩家禮遇、VIP級的遊戲體驗，見面會現場熱鬧非凡
　 　《Level-R》是由日本知名遊戲公司Gamepot旗下的工作室Invictus所開發製作而成的實感賽車遊戲，是唯一同時擁有七家車廠原廠授權和 全球特色賽道，包括TOYOTA、NISSAN、SUBARU、MAZDA、MITSUBISHI MOTORS、BMW、Volkswagen等，其中更擁有為數眾多、受到台灣玩家熱烈喜愛的日系名車，目前遊戲已被翻譯成9種語言，深受到歐美和亞洲各 國競速玩家的熱烈喜愛。

　 　慕名而來的VIP玩家當中，有熱愛賽車遊戲長達八年的林小弟弟、有經營賽車遊戲社群的站長、修車廠老闆等，讓現場舉行的連線友誼賽便成一場相當熱絡的冠 軍爭奪賽，除了提供餐點供VIP玩家「補給」，前三名還有UP+點卡可以拿；為讓遊戲有更多貼心的功能，松崗科技現場舉行Q&A，詳細紀錄了每一 位玩家的試玩心得，期待在遊戲上市時給所有國人一個全新的賽車體驗。

豐富多變的遊戲選擇、八月邀您共創彎道風雲
　 　《Level-R》目前擁有18種世界地圖、90張賽道以及超過40輛以上的明星車款，像是有「東瀛戰神」之稱的GT-R R35、知名漫畫「頭文字D」主角所乘駕的經典車款AE86、電影變形金剛中大黃蜂的設計原型車款等都將在遊戲當中亮相供玩家駕馭；除此之外，遊戲中設計 了11種以上豐富的遊戲模式，預計今年 8 月進行CB測試，邀您共創彎道新風雲。

本篇新聞相關連結：

※活動網站

• LEVEL-R形象
• 原廠名車由您駕馭
• 慕名而來的VIP精英
• 熱絡的精英賽

We remember the announcement by Gamigo Product manager about the territory "rest the world".

So if there are Taiwan player in Gamigo Level-R they would move the account to Taiwan Level-R and should be ip-block them. They ofcourse knew who use Taiwan ip so dont decieve it like PT does.


http://levelr.gamigo.de/forum/showthread.php?t=7258
----------quote ----------
Dear Community,

gamigo negotiated a deal with Gamepot concerning all territories which currently do not have local services, but are covered by Gamepot’s worldwide license (excluding North America). From today everybody out of a non-licensed territory is able to access the gamigo Level-R server.

Should Gamepot find a local publisher in your region, we will move the whole account with all cars, level etc. to this new service. Nobody needs to be afraid that the situation like with Project Torque will happen again. We ensure you that no one will lose their account.

I am really happy that we are able to offer this solution to you and I hope everybody will have fun on our server.

Best regards
The Level R Team
----------quote end----------

And,,,If I were to be employee of Gamepot, I should have suggest to buy right for U.S service and start new service level-R incruding U.S, Japan, and rest the world except the area which already have local publisher e.g. German or Russia and so on. We knows ,Gamepot Japan have global rights except north america basically. "The rest of world" is just a temporary procedure where there are no local publisher contract with Gamepot.

In this situation, Gamigo level-R would back to one of the small local publisher which provide ther level-R service within five countries German,Swiss,Austria, UK.France, Spain and poland?

again,
---------------------------------------
Should Gamepot find a local publisher in your region, we will move the whole account with all cars, level etc. to this new service. Nobody needs to be afraid that the situation like with Project Torque will happen again. We ensure you that no one will lose their account.
--------------------------------------



By the way, Communist China mainland(PRC :中華人民共和國） versin of Level-R（except Hongkong,Macau, and Republic of China 中華民國) stop their closed /open beta service and cancelled the commercial release? I dunno what it happned? It doesnt work.

Project Torque will close their North America service

Aeria Game Entertainent US annouced that they will close their Project Torque Service in North America.

-----Quote from Project torque official forum-----

Project Torque Notice- Servers will be closing

Announcement end: 16 Jul 2010 16:59

Hello,

It brings me great sadness to be the one to announce this to you all.
We are all aware that Project Torque has not been what it used to this past several months. The drop off of players has left a very noticeable impact on us in all areas.


We (Invictus & Aeria Games) had ultimately put a lot of faith in the Julia build to help us grow the community back to what it used to be. Although we had seen some improvements (some older and newer players returning to the game!), it is simply not happening as fast as we had hoped.

Sadly to say, despite our best of efforts we are no longer able to support the game. We have put together a schedule for the remainder of the month that will lead into the server final shut down.

The final burnout schedule:
July 15th 2010: Shut down of both the in game and web item malls from making purchases of AP Items. RP currency will still be usable during this time. During this time we will be unlocking just about all unreleased items and running nonstop events in the game for prizes. This includes the unreleased cars that have yet to make it into the game.

July 17th through August 2nd: Daily events will be run that give out numerous prizes and locked items that have not yet been released in PT.

August 2nd 2010: Complete shutdown of the game servers.

August 3rd 2010: Closing down of PT Forums.

Compensation plans:
We do plan on creating special promotional offers during this time frame as compensation to the few and proud users left in our great community. Some include a 100% AP refund for users who have spent in the last 90 days. A 200 AP gift for all current Active PT players (most likely a email with key redemption process) and possible setup of special packages from our current lineup of games that may include items from each title. We know a few play our other titles like Wolf Team and we will let you know as soon as information is available on these packages. We will be posting a separate thread up once we complete all the details of these offers. Rest assured we will take care of you all as best we can!

Personal note from GM_1Fastcrx:
As most of you know I have been a GM for this great game for over 2 years now and I loved every minute of it! Yes some of you were a pain! But it didn’t matter we all had a blast together and respected one another throughout the thick and thin, the ups and downs, and the flat out just terrible times. I know I’m an optimistic voice to some here; it saddens me to be the bearer of such terrible news and disappoint you in doing so with this post. It is something I never thought I would have to present to this great community. I do not enjoy one second of creating this post.

We all had nothing but hope for Project Torque here at Aeria Games, and to this day still believe that Invictus has a great game and that it will get the recognition it deserves one day. Again you are all aware of the hardships that we have endured throughout the past 2 years. There are a strong few that are still here and have stuck to it since the beginning. I really must say that even in the darkness that has shadowed PT in the last two years there is still light in the end of it all. We have all gained new friendships, memories, and overall exciting experiences.

I could not have asked for a better community to be a part of and a better game to be a GM for. I thank each and every one of you for your continued support! You ultimately were the ones responsible for this games success and progress. The game will now be back in Invictus’s hands, in the hopes that they will excel Project Torque to new heights and continue to progress the game.

---------------------------------------------------------

I just wondering the statement by the GM.
The game will now be back in Invictus’s hands, in the hopes that they will excel Project Torque to new heights and continue to progress the game.

This statement means, still Aeria holds PT right on North America and if possible, in the future, they will re-start Project Torque again ? Level-R original (in Japan) gamepot still hold their licenses to sell the game abroad. I dont know what they wanna say from this short statement
---fix on 15Jul2010---
I misunderstood that the sentence "The game will now be back in Invictus’s hands, " to ""The game will NOT back in Invictus’s hands,
so, this announce means Aeria will return their North American right to Invictus. We dont know who succeed this North American rights. Invictus hold the North American license for the future publisher or for themselves? Invictus give it to Gamepot? or sell it to Gamigo? Now I cant imagine what would happens.
---fixed end----


Actually, it is not only ip-ban issue but also free to play nerd issue same like Level-R Japan. Ofcourse ip-block against non-North american ip makes lessen PT player. But , originally, those non-north Amercan player is not legally welcomed players ,considering licency issues. It is easy to understand another example that if you enter United States without proper permission or entry visa, you will be repelled from United States because violation of immigration law. It is same situation with PT.

US Project Torque allowed to use multiple account/PC-farming play/ time attack play which it dispromotes to purchase Aeria Points. They dont care for customers who paid real money, and they fellow guest players opinion who should not insist claims game.　Alloed multiple account/PC-farming makes customer feel it is stupid to pay for game.
(customer is the people who pay real money on game. I dont think non-paid player is not customer,they are but just a guest player.)

At the early of the stage when PT had launched I suggest that stop no farmer (I forgot where was my post sorry) , and some other customer suggest same, but Pt allowed those dummy account play.

sockpuppets
http://forums.aeriagames.com/viewtopic.php?p=671417#671417
Server-side app to cut out farmers
http://forums.aeriagames.com/viewtopic.php?p=400374#400374
Against dummy accounts.
http://forums.aeriagames.com/viewtopic.php?p=1158181#1158181

http://forums.aeriagames.com/viewtopic.php?t=827655


But..I also concerning about some issue on Level-R. One is high spec RP cars and the other is GT car.

Now, Class 6 or class7 area all RP cars and it is difficult to understand who want to buy class-5 real car?
Personally, I think no need high level RP-car. Or high level RP car should be available only by real money.No need to care for guest player who have much time to practice. also, GT-car should be bought ony by customer and no need for guest player.

By the way, I post about the contract issue on Gamigo forum, some PT players who dont know the history of Level-R(JP), they blame my post is propaganda or lies on Project torque forum without any logical explain. But it is appear they are still misleading the situation. if they have enough education they would realize what it happned this 9 months. I dont hate and blame anyone for personal issues . But I hate and blame against LIER and agitator with propaganda. Actually, Aeria GM already admitted Gamigo have global right except north america. But they still keep negativa propaganda campain, is weild.

Dear a GS on Project Torque
You comment on PT forum , you insist0 that I hate you, is wrong. I have nothihg hatered or compalin against you with any personal issue. But you did mislead customer with propaganda in Aeria Forum and the chat, especially, ip-block issue. It is better to cease stupid propaganda, is too misery and it makes bad reputation on you.

I am one of the oldcomer who played level-R from technical test 2006 , earlier than you.　 I can check press release by US, Japan and Chinese text so I can have more press release than US players. Also, I am who I test closed beta of Project torque for Last Chaos user Aug 2007, and I announced Project Torque to Japanese Player to promote Japanese player immigrate to PT.　

History of Level-R (Japan) in early days

Sometimes I heard misunderstandings from PT or LR-RU player that LevelR was built based on Project Torque. But it is wrong and Project Torque was built based on Level-R.


2005.07.07 Gamepot, Pangya publisher, agreed License agreement with Invictus Hungary, which support network-enforced version of CRC2005 in Asia.
(「パンヤ」のゲームポットがハンガリーのInvictus社とライセンス契約を締結　「CRC 2005」のネット機能強化版をアジア圏で展開)
http://www.4gamer.net/games/021/G002189/20050707175341/

2006.12.11 Gamepot annouced technical tester for online race game Level-R.
(ゲームポット，オンラインレース「Level-R」の技術テスト参加者を募集開始)
http://www.4gamer.net/games/021/G002189/20061211175839/

2006.12.15-17 Level-R Alpha test (techinical test)

Pre-release experienced report of Level-R ,which is expected network car race game.
(期待のオンラインレースゲーム「Level-R」，先行体験レポート)
http://www.4gamer.net/games/021/G002189/20061214213652/

Interview with Tamas Kozak, CEO of Invictus ,Level-R developper.
(「Level-R」開発元Invictus Games CEO，Tamas Kozak氏のオンラインゲームへの取り組みと決意)
http://www.4gamer.net/games/021/G002189/20061226204126/

Preview for Level-R technical test .
オンラインレースゲーム「Level-R」“技術テスト”プレビューを掲載
http://www.4gamer.net/review/level_r/level_r.shtml

2007.02.02-16 Closed beta
Gamepot annnounced Closed beta tester for Level-R network game. 1000 people allowance for 4Gamer reader.
(オンラインレースゲーム「Level-R」のクローズドβテスター募集開始。4Gamer読者枠は1000名)
http://www.4gamer.net/games/021/G002189/20070119155845/

Closed beta reports for Level-R
(オンラインレースゲーム「Level-R」，CBTプレイレポートを掲載)
http://www.4gamer.net/news/history/2007.02/20070227190549detail.html


2007.04.20 ~2008.10.20 Open beta
Level-R Open beta starts 27th of April
(オンラインレースゲーム「Level-R」，4月27日にオープンβテストを開始)
http://www.4gamer.net/games/021/G002189/20070420190326/

2007.06.08. Gamepot agreed Doublefusion about In-game-advetrisement.
ゲームポット，米ダブルフュージョン社とゲーム内広告配信契約を締結
http://www.4gamer.net/games/021/G002189/20070608202051/

(2007.08.09 Aeria US starts Project Torque closed beta hit for North America)

2007.10.19.Level-R series 2007 Championship, first prize 1000000JPY
「Level-R」，優勝賞金100万円のイベント「Level-R Series 2007」を開催
http://www.4gamer.net/games/021/G002189/20071019052/

2008.10.21 Commercial service starts
http://www.4gamer.net/games/021/G002189/20081015008/

2010.03.15 Commercial service closed.

*By the way Project torque starts Closed beta for Last Chaos player on August2008, which is just a English translation version of Level-R which have Japanese chat-macro-voice "Yoroshiku" ,"Gomenna-sai","Butsukenai-deyo" "Yatta" "Butsukenai-deyo"and so on
http://forums.aeriagames.com/viewtopic.php?t=29322

Other license news between Gamepot/Invictus and other publisher.

2007.02.27 License agreement to Joyzone mainland for China mainland service
http://www.4gamer.net/games/021/G002189/20070227202522/

(2008.02.25 Gamepot had sold to So-net group)

2008.05.15 License agreement to Gamigo for German+2 service
http://www.4gamer.net/games/021/G002189/20080515035/

2008.06.02.So-net IR paper edition 2008
http://www.so-net.ne.jp/corporation/IR/individual/presentation/pdf/20080602.pdf

2009.06.06.So-net IR paper edition 2009
http://shares.dreamhosters.com/flv/090606-so-net/090606-so-net.pdf　（PDF P40)
Explain about Global sales (Except north America)

2009.06.30 License agreement to ZZMA for Russi+ex-CIS service
http://www.4gamer.net/games/021/G002189/20090630036/

2009 ? Onelife for Indonesia service to one life for Indonesian service.

2009.12.19.License agreement to Winner online for Thai service
http://www.youphuket.com/index.php?topic=1546.0

2010.05. License agreement to Uralis for Taiwan service.

Disclosure the story of LevelR finish in Japan by Gamepot employee?

This is a blog, written by a man named Lumir Ariceルミル・アリス who insist he/she was used to be employee for Gamepot Fantasy Earth. He or she wrote about Level-R's situation six months before they cease their domestic service in Japan on February. Im not sure this "disclosure" is 100% correct or not. Anyway it is very interesting writing so I just copy and paste.The blog was written on 22nd of August 2009.

I wish If I have a time I will translate this. But please use web-translator if you want to know now.

---Quote-----
詳しくはこの辺で長々と語っています。
http://fesns.com/?m=pc&a=page_fh_diary&target_c_diary_id=...
私のSNS、2009/08/22の記事。

この隠している件というのが、もう発表されているLevel-Rというコンテンツ

The issue not in public was about Level-R which already annouced finishing the service.

  儲からないことをやる意味は無い。
  でもそれだったらさっさと締めるべきでしょ？
  近々辞めることは確定しているけど、ユーザーにとってはどうでもいい理由
  で辞められないなら課金アイテムは止めるべきでしょ？


FEZしか知らない人に一言言っておきますが、L-R（略称）のその時の
  現状は酷いものでした。
  イベント一切為し、メンテはするけど再起動だけ、バグ対応なし、サポート
  対応もほぼなし。アップデートはバグ修正も含めてなし。
  これでいわゆる本来はサービスした報酬となる課金アイテムの売り上げ
  だけは引き続き行っているわけです。


  子供でもわかる仕事の定義として、お金を払った結果、お客はそれに
  見合ったサービスを受ける。
  またはサービスを受けた結果、その分お金を支払う。
  当たり前の話です。
  ゲームサーバーを開いている、というだけで維持費はかかりますから
  ある意味、サービスの提供はしている、とはいえますが、だったらそれこそ
  御社じゃなくてもいい、となります。


  当たり前のサービスを放棄して、上の方でごちゃごちゃある大人の事情で
  すぐにはサービス終了出来ないから、開きっぱなしで課金だけさせておいて
  放置しておこう、というのはサービス業としてみたらありえない事態です。



  でもまぁ、そんなことは社員の当時言えないわけですよ。
  で、そんなときに「L-Rってサービスどうなってるの？」という質問を受けて
  私は正確に事を話せないのなら、せめてサービスは今後も安定して
  行われますよ、ということを伝えたいと思いました。
  結局はいずれ近い未来にサービス終了告知となる訳ですから、意味が
  ないんですが、終わるか終わらないか、という不安の中ゲームをする
  くらいならば、私が適当なことを言った、ということで後で責められるくらい
  のことはしてでも「安心して」ゲームをして欲しいと思い、答えた訳です。



  まぁその中の内容に会社的にアウトな話題が含まれていて怒られた訳
  ですが、今までの実績を考慮してなのか、お咎めを受ける程度で特に
  実質的な懲罰はありませんでした。



  そのお咎めの際に社長室の室長の方と話をした訳ですが…。
  「この話はこの二人だけの話ではあるけれども、会社の一員・代表として
  私は今この場でも責任をもって話させてもらっている」というような前置き
  がありつつ、前回の注意冒頭にあったような事も言われつつ、
  「あなたは社会的にいらない存在だよ」といわれた後、
  「感情的な表現があったけど、辞めてもらいたいわけじゃない」と言われ、
  じゃあ辞めるか、と思った次第です。



  会社の代表としてそういうことをいうか、と思った。
  まぁ密室内の会話なので、言った本人は全否定するか、または
  そういうつもりで言ったんじゃない、そういう意味ではない、とか言い訳
  しそうですし、信用されるという意味では向こうでしょうが。





  そんなこんなで今に至ります。
  適当な日記が多い＋痛い記事などもある私のSNSですが、2009/07以降
  は適度な暴露話もちらほらあるので、興味のある人は適当にどうぞ。





  ※消された場合、FEZ自体の復帰は未定です。
  ただ運営にもう少し現状を見直して欲しい、という趣旨ですので、
  BANされた後、現状が改善されるようであれば無論出戻りもあります。



  連絡が取れなくなりますが、適当にキャラは作って連絡用＋追加話を
  思い出せば書き記す用に残そうとは思います。

  また今回はFEZ運営を中心にゲームポットを総評しましたが、CABALや
  ラテール、終了が決まってしまったけれどもヤン魂のように頑張っている
  タイトルもあります。
  現状、酷さが良く見えるタイトルがFEZだったというだけの話です。
  ここを見た人が直接的に他のタイトルへ迷惑を掛けることはお控え下さい。
  （既に私が掛けているじゃないか！と怒られそうですが）

http://www14.atwiki.jp/briah/pages/1261.html

In-game advertisement

By the way I cannot read the post which I made comment on Aeria forum,,,, Was I banned from Aeria Forum?
http://forums.aeriagames.com/viewtopic.php?t=791639&start=10
http://forums.aeriagames.com/viewtopic.php?p=6523327#6523327


I just post about in-game-advertizement by Doublefusion and press release for Gamepot or Aeria.

Aeria and Gamepot had contract with Doublefusion about in-game advertisement.
http://www.doublefusion.com/

Aeria-Doublefusion
http://www.doublefusion.com/press/html/Project_Torque_10_07.htm

Gamepot-Doublefusion
http://www.gamepot.co.jp/pdf/ir_release/070608_game_add%20.pdf
http://61.215.215.34/games/021/G002189/20070608202051/
http://61.215.215.34/games/021/G002189/20080327040/


Im not sure the contract still effective or not.

New car release future list?

After Julia release on PT website we can check some new real car candidate list

Anyway need more real car for customer (who pay money) and abolish high performance fake (fantasy) car for unpaid player. We don't need class 6 and class 7 RP car. They doesn't respect customer who pay money and give advantage against unpaid player.

2007.Nissan GT-R R-35　（4WD)
BMW M3　GTR
2009.BMW 125i　E82　（FR)
2009.BMW 335i E90
2008. Honda Accord EX-L
2005. Toyota Celica SSⅡ　2005　（FF)
Oldsmovile

DMG VAN？

Just for Fun on Class-5 World

To equalise the oppotunity, chance and potential of each car, I suggest a special regulation for Touring car championship of class 5. In the long run I want to add for class 4 if possible.
If you have your idea please advise me. (by the way under this regulation no Wangan race)

Harpoon without Aero/nor Upgrade
268/430/4.57/34/0
Spada Forte with Full Styling parts/No Upgrade
251/338/4.49/38/7
R-33 GT-R with Full Styling parts + Stage 3 each Engine, ECU and Transmission
264/342/4.45/37/7
Lancer Evolution with Full Styling parts + Stage 1 each Engine, ECU and Transmission
265/305/4.56/36/7
Impreza WRX Sti with Full Styling parts + Stage 2 each Engine, ECU and Transmission
269/342/4.65/31/7
Rx-7 FD3S with Full Styling parts + Stage 2 each Engine, ECU and Transmission
271/312/4.52/35/7
NSX-R NA1 with Full Styling parts/No Upgrade ? (need more date to consider balance again, maybe need to add some stage of engine ecu and transmission)
283/297/4.66/32/7

Neglect of Customer and advantage for Free to play nerd

Sometimes I saw those kind of post which suggest RP car is too fast than AP car.

Pt Class3 cobra
cobras are to fast for class 3
http://forums.aeriagames.com/viewtopic.php?t=821621

*Add:
http://forums.aeriagames.com/viewtopic.php?t=872945&start=400#row1


When Speid forte was sold on Level-R Japan they doesn't add Lancer Evolution's Stage 5 Upgrade.

On those situation, who want to buy AP/GP car ? most of CUSTOMER (who pay real money on it) feel their decision is neglect of customer.


I used to play LevelR or Project torque and I paid some money to buy some real car which is ofcourse not possible to buy by PP/RP awards. But...everytime I questioned the situation and feel uneasiness. Most of cases those real car have less advantage against fantasy-"PP/RP" car. So, It refrains paying real money on Game. Also, those situation, free-play nerd ruins the game.

class7 Morello (RP)
class6 Panama (RP)
corvette.

Class5.3 Harpoon /Spied Forte (RP) Buggy evo. Camaro Concept
Class5.2 NSX-R FD3S
Class5.1 Lancer Evolution, Impreza, GT-R33

Class4 Phoenix H400 ,MR2, RX8, Stallion
Class3　Cobra Coupe （RP)　EG6　FC3S　
Class2　
class1 Corall spire GTI > AE86

so people dont think to buy class2-class5 real money car because it is enough they just farm RP at Wangan and buy panama or morello and it beats real money car..

So. Aeria, Gamigo, Gamepot consider little benefit for the "customer" who pay money and they give advantages against free-to-play "guest" ,usually they are stupid poor or jobless or school kids?

Personally, I sugegest that all RP-car should be downgraded or only Class 1 RP car shuold be retain and abolish all non-class 1 RP car.

Real track of Level-R on Google Earth/Map

It has passed almost two years since I post "Real Track of Project Torque on Google Earth" on Project torque official forum. I forgot of my post so to remind of this post i copy and re-designed version here.


Tokyo　Citytour/Broadway/etc...

Zoom up for more detailed imageTokyo City Tour/Broadway/etc... mapw


Tokyo Wangan Highway（東京湾岸線）

Zoom up for more detailed imageTokyo Wangan Highway を表示


Tanzawa (YabitsuTougeヤビツ峠)

Zoom up for more detailed imageTanzawa (Yabitsu) を表示


Kanagawa mountains (神奈川　山）？
As I comment in the previous post here, the old sign boad is in Kyoto and not Kanagawa. New map shows it would be Yamakita-area of northwest of Kanagawa Prefecture. Jut my impression this place remind me of somewhere in Kanagawa e.g. Hakone and tanzawa and so on. But Im not sure this is real track or not. There are some possiblitty this map is just a assembled map from various place and parts.
Hint have two:
1. Local map sign board - This is Yamakita-Area northwest of Kanagawa Prefecture.
JR Gotenba-Line Matsuda Railway Stn and so on
Miho-lake, Miyagase-lake and Hatano-City (incruding Yabitsu)
（The Photo quote from here）


より大きな地図で Yamakita-Area を表示


(Btw, the old sign board was already replaced new one, old one at Chii-i Village in kyoto)
　


2.Sengen-Shrine浅間神社. (Tanzawa also have same-name shrine)
　


San Fransisco Marina (United States)

Zoom up for more detailed imageSan Fransisco Marina を表示

England - I didnt know the correct locations and it is not sure the map is real track.
There are the hint where it is, from the traffic sign on B-road/B-road Rally.


The traffic sign shows
A36(or A38?) to north Downtown
A45 Suerb to South . Checking the Road on U.K A36 and A45,

Check google map here. It may dummy traffic sign....
Blue=A38 Red=A45 Yellow=A36

Zoom up for more detailed image LR/PT B-road rally hint A36/A45 を表示


If you know other track informatoin please dont hesitate to inform us!

・Germany Circuit http://levelr-wiki.gamigo.de/index.php/Rundkurs
Although we only knows it is in Germany, official site of Level-R china explains it is in Hamburg

・Calfornia race track
　 Although we only knows it is in Calfornia,　official site of Level-R china explains it locates north of Los Angels http://lr.joyzone.com.cn/web/gamedate_5_2.html

・Construction Area http://levelr-wiki.gamigo.de/index.php/Construction_Area
Although we only knows it is in Australia, officual site of Level-R china explains it is in Merborune. http://lr.joyzone.com.cn/web/gamedate_5_5.html

・Serpentine Touge　we only knows it is in France
・Hanger
･Airport
・Python Creek
・Shanghai Rooftop
・Joburg Building
・Iceland
・Xmas Track
・Mr X Island

Ugly aftermaｒket "Extreme" parts

I remember "Project Torque beta" held on Feb2010,there are some ugly aftermarket parts list e.g.Bigger Engine,After Burner,UFO,Doll,Horn which I hate.
Especially,Bigger Engine and After Burner which increasing the car accelation and top speed. so if those stupid parts introduced in the future it will be standard using ugly outer parts and It gives much frustration against serious players. Those two most ugly parts increasing car potential should be removed.

Those Urgy "extreme parts" had alrady stated on 2008 (4Gamer net)




The text below is roughly translation from original text in Japanese to English.
(4Gamer net) 20Oct2008

Mr, Kaga; Yes, We will planning to introduce new lobby system which enables to show hundreds of player's cars in the same lobby and each car move their own till the end of this year (*2008)
(加賀氏：　ええ。いわゆるロビーに数百人のプレイヤーがいて，それぞれの車が動いているのを見ることができる，と。これを来年内に実装する予定で調整しています。)


Interviewer (of 4 gamer net) ; Is it possible to introduce the (new) lobby system ?It is interesting plan though.
(4Gamer：　面白そうな試みだとは思いますが，本当に実現できるんですか？)

Mr,Kaga:There are many problem to solve. Biggest problem is that present gaming engine cannot calculate rendering hundreds of cars simlutaniously at the same lobby. In additon, original system we doesn't expected we will put hundred of cars in the same place. we need to rewrite network-code.
Altough many discussion makes it bigger future planning, if the future lobby system completed
the attractive of level-R world might be expanded, esecially dress-up would become important.
(加賀氏：　さまざまな問題がありました。一番の問題は，ゲームエンジンが何百台もの車を同時にレンダリングできないことです。また，もともとの設計で何百台も同じ場所に集めるのは想定していなかったことなので，ネットワークコードも書き直さなければなりません。
　そんなこんなで結構壮大なプロジェクトになってしまったのですが，実現すればLevel-Rのゲームの幅が大きく広がります。とくに車のドレスアップという要素が，今まで以上に重要になる可能性が出てきます。

Interviewer (of 4 gamer net) :Um....there might be a player who want to appeal his/her original car (in a future lobby system?)
(4Gamer：　なるほど。人に見せるために，自分の車を視覚的に強化していくプレイヤーも出てくるということですか。)


Mr,Kaga:Most of the players tuned for increasing the the performance of the car. However, it is expected that the enforcing the element of community by adding this new vector not only of fast but also appearance.
加賀氏：
　そうです。今までですと，車のパフォーマンス，すなわち能力値を上げていくプレイヤーがほとんどでした。しかし「速い」という以外に「魅せる」というベクトルを付加することで，コミュニティ要素が強くなっていくと考えています。


Some people blamig Gamigo about downgraded upgrade. I think it is not fair blame on Gamigo. Most of failure incruding Sim-cade issue by Gamepot ,personally I think.
reference: why Level-R Japan falling down?

What about China version of level-R?

What about China version?
Few days ago I checked Invictus page and Invictus omites the description of Chinese Leve-R called 极限飚车 from the page ((cach ) I checked official cite of Chinese level-R 极限飚车, the website still open, but official forum are deleted?　They did long-terms closed beta also and postponed commercial release .So their commercial release had cancelled?　I dont know what it happns.

Official Chinse Level-R
http://lr.joyzone.com.cn/

Official Forum of Chinese Level-R　玩家論伝　（link doesnt work)
http://lr.bbs.joyzone.com.cn/