This is the first WIP of my "Vehicle Playground" project. I'm using a raycast suspension approach but I wanted to do it from scratch so I'm not using the VehicleBody and VehicleWheel classes.
Goal is to have an open map where you can drift around, do donuts and smash some boxes but I don't aim for realism.

Right now I'm using only a single raycast suspension but if I get this working properly (there are some issues right now) I will go for a multi raycast system.

Resources (not all but some of them):

This is more of an explanation for an approach used in their game without going into details so there is a lot missing but it is a good start:
YouTube Video

This is a more in-depth explanation for vehicle physics in games and how to implement them:
https://nccastaff.bournemouth.ac.uk/jmacey/MastersProject/MSc12/Srisuchat/Thesis.pdf

Also a vehicle project in Godot with some resources linked:
https://godotforums.org/discussion/25935/gdsim-driving-simulator-prototype

Another great video I found:
Youtube Video

Btw: even if this project is wip there is no guarantee for any updates and most of my projects are unfinished...

Wow, impressing ! I have no idea how to do this with Godot but I will sure have a look at your links =)

@Asthalis said: Wow, impressing ! I have no idea how to do this with Godot but I will sure have a look at your links =)

Thanks! Its actually not that hard because I still use the physics engine and just calculate where to apply which force on the RigidBody (the chassis of the car).

  • Nemo replied to this.

    Modeled a new car (Godot screenshot).

    Thanks a lot for the link to the thesis about vehicle physics in games, it's really interesting, instructive... and inspiring ;)

    @cybereality said: Wow, this is looking amazing! Thanks!

    @Asthalis said: Thanks a lot for the link to the thesis about vehicle physics in games, it's really interesting, instructive... and inspiring ;)

    Np. Its really well written and right now the most important source for my game :D I will update my first post if I find more resources like this!

    4 days later

    Just some random drift screenshots. Still a lot to do but I like to take screenshots xD

    This keeps getting better and better =) Maybe you could include a test track where the driver must be as fast as possible. From the base you have, I guess there are many possibilities...

    Are you going to let us try it out? =)

    Also the abstract of the linked master's thesis begins "Car racing games are a lot of fun." Really? Is that legal? That must be why mine's not finished.

    @Asthalis said: Maybe you could include a test track where the driver must be as fast as possible.

    A short race track is definitely on my to-do list!

    @Erich_L said: Are you going to let us try it out? =)

    Also the abstract of the linked master's thesis begins "Car racing games are a lot of fun." Really? Is that legal? That must be why mine's not finished.

    About testing. There is a reason why I only post screenshots but once I'm happy with the base of the game there probably will be a way to test it.

    I don't think that it's illegal to use the thesis. Not sure if it would be enough to be copyrighted. I mean you cannot copyright basic physics formulas. But if someone knows how this is handled by law please tell me.

    I only use the physics formulas and not the pseudo code 1:1 so I think there is no problem but it would be interesting to know how much you can use and when there is a copyright infringement.

    Yes, it's usually fine to use code or pseudo code from papers (provided they did not reserve the rights, they sometimes do, but usually for college academic stuff it's fair game, but do double check).

    Anyhow, he was making a joke. That it would be illegal to start your master's thesis with the opening line: "Car racing games are a lot of fun.". Don't really think that could be a criminal offense, but I wouldn't be surprised to hear if the student got kicked out of school, or at least suspended, for that joke.

    @cybereality said: Yes, it's usually fine to use code or pseudo code from papers (provided they did not reserve the rights, they sometimes do, but usually for college academic stuff it's fair game, but do double check).

    Yeah that would make sense because why would you publish a "how to implement/do x" paper if you don't want people to use it.

    @cybereality said: Anyhow, he was making a joke. That it would be illegal to start your master's thesis with the opening line: "Car racing games are a lot of fun.".

    Oh, then I misunderstood him. Thanks for the clarification :D

    Well, software patents are a thing in some places, thankfully not most places tho.

    Yes, like for example, the original FXAA algorithm was copyrighted by Nvidia. Even though the creator wrote a paper and released the code on Github, it was bound by Nvidia's proprietary license. Later they decided to open source an older version of the algorithm, but the newest version is still owned by Nvidia.

    However, if you read the paper and wrote your own implementation based on the idea, I don't think they own that. They would if they received a software patent, which is possible in the US, but AFAIK Nvidia did not do this in this case with FXAA.

    So if you look at the pseudo code in the original paper and write your own shader based on that, it should be 100% legal. Again, I am just talking about FXAA because I researched it. Every project is different, so you have to look for yourself.

    Btw: I can only watch the video on Youtube. The embedded one does not start :( Does anyone know why?

    Looks awesome! The video is working for me. Are you using NoScript or other security plug-ins?