Vroom Goes the Engine

New Physics Model = Awesome crashes

As much as we may love racing simulations, there's always a special place in our hearts for witnessing spectacular, heart-stopping crash scenes and explosions. The crew over at Papyrus realizes this, and has created an entirely new physics model to satisfy our demolition derby needs.

The new, more realistic N3 physics model is being touted as revolutionary in the world of racing sims, and is sure to be the big draw of the game. N2 had a limited, 2D physics model which, while the most realistic model three years ago, is severely limited, especially during crashes.

The crew over at Papyrus started with a clean slate when designing their physics model for N3. They started with a model of a stock car, complete with a full working model of stock car suspension, and then they modeled all the forces that could affect a car out on the racetrack in all three dimensions.

This model should allow for the most realistic racing to date. Collisions will have the potential of sending cars airborne and will make for some awesome, mind-numbing crashes. The car's weight transfer from front to rear will be more pronounced than in N2 - letting off the gas too quickly will shift weight to the front, make the car lose traction in the rear and cause a spin. Getting on the throttle hard will shift weight to the rear and reduce your steering response.

Because of the new model, the learning curve is likely to be much steeper for N3. When a car is traveling at upwards of 200 mph, there are many aerodynamic effects that drivers will need to get used to (much like in real-life), and small control movements will cause severe reactions in the car that "arcade-style" games tend to minimize. The small bumping that we were used to in N2 will probably be more deadly in N3 because it can cause weight transfers that will quickly send you (or the other guy!) into the wall. While not for the faint of heart, this game should be very satisfying for the hardcore racer. I would expect Papyrus to add an "arcade" racing mode similar to the one in N2 to make life easier on rookies.

But even with all the jazzy new physics models, how realistic could it be? Well, read the next page to find out.