Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
{
If the vehicle has been going the wrong way for too long, the function Respawn() is
called to put it back on the track facing in the right direction:
// it's been x resetTime seconds in the wrong
// way, let's respawn this thing!
Respawn();
}
} else if (!isAIControlled){
When this condition is met, the car is not going the wrong way and it is not an
AI-controlled vehicle so a call is made to the game controller to UpdateWrongWay(), tell-
ing it that we are not going the wrong way so that the UI may be updated accordingly:
GameController_MVD.Instance.UpdateWrongWay(false);
}
In racing games, one common method for keeping the game interesting is to employ
something called rubber banding. It gets its name from the type of effect that happens
when the top speed of racers is increased when they fall too far behind and decreased
when they get too far ahead—the players rubber band in front and behind the main
player.
Done with some subtlety, rubber banding can help to provide an exciting race
each time. When it is not handled well, the effect can be frustrating as the AI players
gain the lead each time the player starts getting ahead, so use it with caution! This
really is one of those unseen parts of the game that needs to be carefully balanced
but that, despite having such a strong impact on gameplay, most players will not even
notice exists.
To tell when it is time for an AI player to go faster and when it is time for that player
to go slower, the code here looks at myRacePosition to see where this player stands. If my =
RacePosition is greater than 3—meaning that this player is in fourth place or worse—then
the maximum acceleration rate of the vehicle, in the variable accelMax, is set to catch =
UpAccelMax to make it go faster. If the position of this player is first (myRacePosition<2),
then accelMax is set to the original acceleration rate held by originalAccelMax multiplied
by 0.25, slowing down the vehicle:
accelMax= originalAccelMax;
// do catch up if this car is falling behind in the race
if(isRaceRunning && isAIControlled)
{
if(myRacePosition>3)
{
// speed up
accelMax= catchUpAccelMax;
} else {
accelMax= originalAccelMax;
}
// first place, let's slow you down!
if(myRacePosition<2)
