open-world AI Drivers - Games

Man, there's some kind of primal terror from being chased, especially when you know there's no one nearby that can help you. Any thoughts about interception behaviors other than ramming? Maybe having them throw mud or some other kind of opaque substance onto your windshield to limit your vision and hopefully making you crash? Or the gang setting traps on the road to try and get you? I'm also curious to see if the final product (however far down the road that might be) has any "quiet" moments - a constant chase will probably lose its edge pretty quickly, however moments where you're constantly looking over your shoulder - maybe where you're forced to leave the safety of your car - would be really tense and scary.

Added stress of overheating engines or limited fuel would be neat

I don't like racing games at all, but as someone who lives outside the city has to drive home through a complete darkness almost daily, I dig that so much. Impressive work on both the AI and the atmosphere right here.

I saw something about this posted elsewhere a while ago and it looks amazing, driving games aren't usually something i enjoy but there's something about this i like the look of quite a lot. The atmosphere has been done very well. It's not very clear in what you've shown, but how easy is it to see the people in the car chasing the player? I think having them shrouded in darkness and barely able to be seen most of the time would add to the creepyness of it.

I can imagine an anxiety attack type of fast horror music that could be used for this, when you see a distant spotlight coming your way. These "pig" like four men being seen in the background just screams: YOU'RE FUCKED

Those Sodium-vapor street lights in the mist makes me reminisce of home. I already love this game. [img]https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7211/6927493168_b1362907a2_b.jpg[/img] Pic related my hometown

Could've fooled me.

Hey everyone, been quite overwhelmed by the attention generated through the RPS, Kotaku and PCGamer articles. On my way to Prague to chat about this with an old buddy - we were classmates at the Art Academy - who has an indie studio named Amanita Design. So, just to let you know I'm not jumping ship or anything, and will be back online in a couple days :) [QUOTE=laserpanda;51369278]RPS did a story on it: [url]https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/11/14/driving-survival-horror-game/[/url][/QUOTE] Yeah, they kind of made a "horror" game out of it... and now, some people are saying:''but, this is not a horror game - it's boring..." :D

[QUOTE=SoulChallenge;51384742]Hey everyone, been quite overwhelmed by the attention generated through the RPS, Kotaku and PCGamer articles. On my way to Prague to chat about this with an old buddy - we were classmates at the Art Academy - who has an indie studio named Amanita Design. So, just to let you know I'm not jumping ship or anything, and will be back online in a couple days :) Yeah, they kind of made a "horror" game out of it... and now, some people are saying:''but, this is not a horror game - it's boring..." :D[/QUOTE] Don't worry bud. Just finish the game the way you want it to be.

[QUOTE=SoulChallenge;51384742]Hey everyone, been quite overwhelmed by the attention generated through the RPS, Kotaku and PCGamer articles. On my way to Prague to chat about this with an old buddy - we were classmates at the Art Academy - who has an indie studio named Amanita Design. So, just to let you know I'm not jumping ship or anything, and will be back online in a couple days :) Yeah, they kind of made a "horror" game out of it... and now, some people are saying:''but, this is not a horror game - it's boring..." :D[/QUOTE] Go with YOUR vision of what this game should be because I can tell your beautiful creative brain is all this needs

[QUOTE=SoulChallenge;51384742]Hey everyone, been quite overwhelmed by the attention generated through the RPS, Kotaku and PCGamer articles. On my way to Prague to chat about this with an old buddy - we were classmates at the Art Academy - who has an indie studio named Amanita Design. So, just to let you know I'm not jumping ship or anything, and will be back online in a couple days :) Yeah, they kind of made a "horror" game out of it... and now, some people are saying:''but, this is not a horror game - it's boring..." :D[/QUOTE] RPS likes to tell developers what they are and what they do, and what they make. You are making the game, RPS is not. Let yourself decide what it is, let your fans decide what it becomes.

It's probably more that I'm disconcerted by the fact that associating this game with existing genres creates expectations, which seems to be apparent when reading the comments below these articles. On the other hand I'm really pleased that it's described as something fresh and yet unseen - which goes along my general endeavor. Just surprised how inert the prerequisites defining each genre seem to be and forecast that this project will probably be a "genre" of its own because I never worked within conventions. And it's really great to read your words of support concerning those matters :smile: [QUOTE=paul simon;51364934]If you showed these gifs to a larger audience, you'd probably generate tons of hype so be careful with that, or people may end up with unrealistic expectations :)[/QUOTE] Yeah, kind of what happened last week resulting in 1.3M views & 800 comments on reddit. Having followed the whole hype till launch story with NMS, I'm certainly trying to be extra careful. [QUOTE=Crumpet;51364999]The vibe is created so perfectly what the hell[/QUOTE] :smile: Thanks! [QUOTE=Hamaflavian;51366564]So what is this, a car-themed horror game? I dig it.[/QUOTE] I'm happy you like it :smile: It's a socio-critical post-apo car-themed thriller/drama :scream: [QUOTE=RearAdmiral;51372125]Man, there's some kind of primal terror from being chased, especially when you know there's no one nearby that can help you. Any thoughts about interception behaviors other than ramming? Maybe having them throw mud or some other kind of opaque substance onto your windshield to limit your vision and hopefully making you crash? Or the gang setting traps on the road to try and get you? I'm also curious to see if the final product (however far down the road that might be) has any "quiet" moments - a constant chase will probably lose its edge pretty quickly, however moments where you're constantly looking over your shoulder - maybe where you're forced to leave the safety of your car - would be really tense and scary.[/QUOTE] Yes, very well said, that "primal terror" you're describing seems to be at the heart of it. Concerning alternate interception behaviors, for now I'm trying to stick to solid driving abilities coupled with the most efficient stopping maneuvers. If results of beta-testing show they're not sufficient, we could implement additional tactics. About having "quiet moments", definitely. There could also be some kind of safe zones where you won't get chased (should you manage to get there undetected). [QUOTE=Squeegy Mackoy;51373710]Added stress of overheating engines or limited fuel would be neat[/QUOTE] Limited fuel is something that would make sense in the game's context. Just have to figure out a refueling system that would not be too annoying -> avoiding getting stranded without fuel and be forced to just wait there before they get you. [QUOTE=VintageCat;51374141]I don't like racing games at all, but as someone who lives outside the city has to drive home through a complete darkness almost daily, I dig that so much. Impressive work on both the AI and the atmosphere right here.[/QUOTE] Thanks a lot! Also, racing won't be compulsory. [QUOTE=nightlord;51374175]I saw something about this posted elsewhere a while ago and it looks amazing, driving games aren't usually something i enjoy but there's something about this i like the look of quite a lot. The atmosphere has been done very well. It's not very clear in what you've shown, but how easy is it to see the people in the car chasing the player? I think having them shrouded in darkness and barely able to be seen most of the time would add to the creepyness of it.[/QUOTE] Thanks :smile: It's still to be tested which approach would best amplify the creepiness. On one hand, seeing those faces in the rear-view mirror has it's own strength, although, being placeholders, they look a bit goofy right now. [QUOTE=The bird Man;51374303]I can imagine an anxiety attack type of fast horror music that could be used for this, when you see a distant spotlight coming your way. These "pig" like four men being seen in the background just screams: YOU'RE FUCKED[/QUOTE] That's actually a good alternative - instead of "game over" or "you have died" it would be "you're fucked" :dance: [QUOTE=booster;51376090]Those Sodium-vapor street lights in the mist makes me reminisce of home. I already love this game. [img]https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7211/6927493168_b1362907a2_b.jpg[/img] Pic related my hometown[/QUOTE] Nice! Love the atmosphere. I'm actually planning to have a heavily industrialized region which would feel similar :smile:

You may already know some of the info - here's quite a detailed article about the game's background and sources of inspiration :smile: : [URL="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/nov/29/driving-game-escape-secret-police-communist-czechoslovakia-i1980s"]https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/nov/29/driving-game-escape-secret-police-communist-czechoslovakia-i1980s[/URL]

All the very best for 2017! :smile: [img]http://i.imgur.com/mjN0DHq.jpg[/img]

Always awesome seeing this thread getting bumped and seeing more progress done.

that tree doesn't look too happy

Excellent stuff man!

Some fantastic work here, looks incredible! AI certainly looks very very well done and the overall art style has a great post-apoc look to it. Hope to see more!

aside from the success of your game I really hope you get hired on to a bigger company as an art director because you absolutely know what is up when it comes to making a game look good. you've got a real artistic talent and i hope it brings you loads of success

[QUOTE=GrizzlyBear;51619599]Always awesome seeing this thread getting bumped and seeing more progress done.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Stopper;51622730]Excellent stuff man![/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Sweeney;51623752]Some fantastic work here, looks incredible! AI certainly looks very very well done and the overall art style has a great post-apoc look to it. Hope to see more![/QUOTE] Really great to read the positive reactions! [QUOTE=krakadict;51621554]that tree doesn't look too happy[/QUOTE] Haha :ohno:, I didn't even notice those sad-faced trees. If you mean those: [img]http://i.imgur.com/9azwUEC.jpg[/img] Here's a little more :smile: [img]http://i.imgur.com/x08IoKs.gif[/img] [QUOTE=69105;51631009]aside from the success of your game I really hope you get hired on to a bigger company as an art director because you absolutely know what is up when it comes to making a game look good. you've got a real artistic talent and i hope it brings you loads of success[/QUOTE] That's very kind of you. Thank you.

[QUOTE=SoulChallenge;51656654]Here's a little more :smile: [img]http://i.imgur.com/x08IoKs.gif[/img][/QUOTE] Oh my god I love this

[QUOTE=SoulChallenge;51656654]Really great to read the positive reactions! Haha :ohno:, I didn't even notice those sad-faced trees. If you mean those: [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/9azwUEC.jpg[/IMG] [/QUOTE] [url]http://imgur.com/a/0bW5y[/url] it's even in the gif right at the end :dead:

[QUOTE=krakadict;51656807][url]http://imgur.com/a/0bW5y[/url] it's even in the gif right at the end :dead:[/QUOTE] Oh, OK, you spotted her :smile:. That's Alma, a potential passenger NPC. Still a work in progress.

[QUOTE=SoulChallenge;51656883]Oh, OK, you spotted her :smile:. That's Alma, a potential passenger NPC. Still a work in progress.[/QUOTE] Wait what I don't see anyone :tinfoil:

[QUOTE=SoulChallenge;51656654] Here's a little more :smile: [img]http://i.imgur.com/x08IoKs.gif[/img] [/QUOTE] Will those meters eventually work (if they don't already)?

They look functional already

Oh yeah, looking closer they are. Couldn't tell at first from the car shaking.

[QUOTE=SoulChallenge;51619590]All the very best for 2017! :smile: [img]http://i.imgur.com/mjN0DHq.jpg[/img][/QUOTE] Wow from this and the gif, on my phone atleast, they absolutely look real. Its really unsettling and I love it. Do the tail/brakelights on the car light up the environment red? I think looking in the rear-view mirror and seeing everything in that red color is pretty spooky.

so is it going some sort of My summer car - like game where you have an objective all while surviving? Improve and customize your old car/pickup/truck to escape this hell? Makes it stronger or faster?

[QUOTE=ApertureXS200;51660626]so is it going some sort of My summer car - like game where you have an objective all while surviving? Improve and customize your old car/pickup/truck to escape this hell? Makes it stronger or faster?[/QUOTE] I expect its more like the MGS of car games. in the darkness of night you must do your best to navigate while avoiding chasers. Headlights are necessary to see where you are going but can be seen by enemies, starting a chase.