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Update information |
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v3.5 is Windows Vista and XP compatible. The hardwareID under Vista will no longer be reset after each restart of the computer. Due to the new folder structure of Windows Vista the set-up and replay folders have been moved to the users My documents folder under a sub-folder Virtual RC Racing.
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Dual Play over the internet |
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VRC now features true Dual Play over the internet, so you can race anyone in the world head-to-head over the internet now! Dual Play over LAN is no longer supported and therefore Dual Play over LAN using the Hamachi VPN utility is no longer possible. The Dual Player Club button on the VRC website is no longer available.
Dual Play uses a chat-room to set up a double player session with another VRC user. The chat-room is used to invite another player for a dual player session, or to be invited yourself. Player information like preferred track and racing class, and the ping time is displayed in the chat-room as well.
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The replay functionality has been redesigned, replay files can now be saved after any run, online, (race, dialy challenge and dual play) or offline. But the real good news is that the AI cars are now included in the replay file which makes it a lot more interesting to watch. The framerate has gone up from 18 to 25 fps, and the car sound quality is a lot smoother and natural than before. Use TV Mode (F2) and then the numeric keys to watch any of the other cars. With F3 a maximum of 10 different camera's can be selected to view the cars around the track!
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Integrated VRC File Updater |
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With v3.5 VRC has introduced the VRC File updater. Although it is not a fully automatic feature, it can be easily triggered from the main menu screen by clicking on the 'Check VRC files' button at the left bottom corner. This program will automatically update all your program files, including any newer version of the tracks that are installed on your computer. The VRC Updater will also update itself in case a new version is released.
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| W E B S I T E (UPDATE DECEMBER 2006) |
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The website has been changed and extended in many areas. The most important changes and new features are listed below.
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The new VRC Club structure lets VRC members create their own local clubs, invite their friends and organize their own races. In this way you can race on your own level, and at the leasure of your own time zone! The VRC Club manager has some easy to use managament tools to run the club, like a template to quickly organize events, membership control, and fast communication with the club members.
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Interested in racing against other VRC members over the internet? The new Dual Player Club is your new meeting place to meet other VRC racers who are also interested in racing over the internet. Simply download and install the Hamachi VPN utility, create a network name and password, and register it to your VRC account. When you are logged on to the the VRC website your name will show up on the list in the Dual Player Club so other members can easily invite you for an on-line dual player session.
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You can now upgrade your hardware license so you can run VRC on up to 3 pc's with just one account. Ideal for those who travel a lot and want to be able to race VRC on their notebook while they are away. Or for families, have one account and let the whole family race. The Hardware License Upgrade is not linked to the number of tracks, so whether you have 5 or 15 tracks, the price is the same for everyone. Available from the VRC e-shop.
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It is now possible to change your password. This new feature can be found in your Personal menu. This feature cannot be used to retrieve your password as you need to enter your old password in order for the new password to be accepted.
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Version 3.2 will feature in-game VRC account registration and adjustable AI car
speed and track grip levels.
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In-game VRC account registration |
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To simplify sign-up for a VRC account this has now been integrated in the game itself.
A new tab 'Create account' has been added to the Game options section. From here
you enter your name, city and country, your (valid) e-mail address and your login
and password. When you have installed VRC from a VRC game pack on CD-Rom yo can
also enter the special key-code here to register the tracks and your license to
your newly created VRC account. The password can be displayed or hidden so you will
always be able to view your login and password that you are using for the VRC website.
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VRC is now available in 6 languages: English - French - German - Italian - Spanish
- Dutch. Under Free downloads you can download either the complete installation
package in your prefered language, or upgrade from v3 to v3.2 by selecting the upgrade
package in your prefered language. More language sets will be made available when
ready!
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In v3.2 you will be able to adjust the speed of the AI cars for your offline practice.
This is particular helpful for beginners as they can adjust the speed to their own
skill level and gradually increase the speed as they progress.
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Adjustable track grip level |
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It is now possible to adjust the track grip as well, so you can practice under low
grip as well as very high grip conditions. For on-line competitions track grip conditions
will also vary from event to event and even from round to round in an event. The
track grip conditions for each individual round will be made public only when the
round is being ran, so you never know what the track is going to be like. Another
challenge to find the right set-up to cope with the conditions. Making the on-line
competitions even more interesting and challenging...
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The website has been changed and extended in many areas. The most important changes
and new features are listed below.
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You can no longer sign up for a VRC account from the VRC website but only from the
game itself. This will greatly simplify the sign-up procedure and assures that the
login name and password in both the VRC game and in your VRC account on the website
are identical. VRC users who have purchased VRC on a CD-Rom can enter the key-code
during the sign-up to register the tracks to their account.
When you try to create a new account because you have forgotten your login name
and/or password, you will now be guided through several questions to verify that
you are not trying to create a second VRC account. This must be avoided at all times.
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Track conditions can change per round... |
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With the adjustable AI car speed and track grip the racing conditions during events
can now be changed by the race organizer. The actual track grip will be made visible
on the event page only during the actual round. So before you go and race you should
verify track conditions and do some off-line practice to find the right set-up for
the new conditions. The Daily Challenge runs will always be under the same 100%
racing conditions.
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Dual player for LAN and VPN |
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Dual Player mode enables head to head racing with your friend. This version is designed
to be played over LAN (Local Area Network) or with a direct connection with a crossed
cable. This Dual Player version also works over the internet using the Hamachi VPN
tool to create a virtual local are network. This is a VERY simple utility and is
freeware, it can be installed in seconds. Create your own network, assign a password
and send this information to the friends you want to race against in Dual Player
mode. Hamachi even comes with a small chat window, so you can discuss set-ups or
what track to race. Depending on the bandwidth of the connection you could even
add 2 or 3 AI cars to your session! When playing Dual Player over the internet car-to-car
collissions will be less precise as there is no latency compensation built into
this version.
The Hamachi VPN creator tool can be downloaded from
here.
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From the on-line racers this is probably the most significant feature. We were aware
that it was actually possible to manipulate the game speed by adjusting certain
Windows timers. It would have been possible to kind of slow the game and the race
time down, which would of course make it easier to race, especially in traffic.
With a few exceptions in the Daily Challenge competitions we are pretty sure that
none of the regular racers has cheated in the online competitions, at least not
to an extend that he could benefit.
Version 3 has a redesigned timer system which should prevent such �hacks� of happening
again. Competitions should be fair and square!
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Several changes have been made to the physics engine to further improve the handling
of the car. A brand new tire model is in test phase right now but didn�t make it
for this release. An update can be expected in Spring 2006.
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To make it easier to find your password we have added the option to show or hide
your password in the game. So in case you don�t remember your password for your
VRC account, simply start the game and look it up under �Game options� in �Online
options�.
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On-line racing conditions will have a new variable in the future, grip conditions
may change from round to round. Daily Challenge runs will always be raced under
100% grip conditions. The grip conditions can be varied for off-line practice so
you can practice and find a good set-up before you do your on-line run.
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Set-up changes during racing |
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You can only change your set-up in the game while you are in the pitlane on your
refuel spot (yellow circle). The top menu bar will then become active.
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Exiting a race after finish |
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At the end of an on-line run (either competition or a Daily Challenge run) you can
only end your run by driving into the pitlane and then hit escape.
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The website has been changed and extended in many areas. The most important changes
and new features are listed below.
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We have added several checks to avoid that VRC users who have already had a VRC
account will sign up for a second account. This has been the cause of many connection
problems because a second or even a third account was created. You should also realize
that the VRC tracks and licenses that you have purchased cannot be transferred to
another account. So NEVER create a second account, there is always a possibility
to retrieve your password (see also �Hide password� feature).
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Daily Challenge results are no longer displayed on the opening page as this was
one of the main reasons of the slow down of the site. The Daily Challenge results
are now only displayed on the specific track page, so you need to visit the track
page to see your results. We have also provide a direct link from the VRC game to
the track page, just click on 'Change track' to see the link.
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VRC tracks and licenses will also be made available from VRC dealers. The CD-Rom
has special product key-code which is used to register the tracks and the license
to you VRC account. This key-code can be entered in your Personal menu under �My
purchases�. The key-code can only be used once and is NOT transferable to other
accounts.
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Also the site has been overhauled to support several languages. Once a language
is completed, or at a level where we think it will be appreciated by the racers
who prefer to see it in their own language, it will be released. Members can set
the preferred language in the �Personal menu� under �My settings�. The language
can be selected at the right top of the home page. Also e-mail notifications will
eventually be sent out in several languages. As you can imagine it will take some
time to be completed for all languages.
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Visit all the VRC tracks from around the world! This Tour will give you a very nice
overview of the tracks we have already created and published and what is to come�
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AI cars (computer opponents) |
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This is the most important change that you will find in v.2. You can now select
to race against up to 9 computer opponent cars. We call these cars AI cars as they
use Artificial Intelligence to race around the track and to anticipate the behavior
of other cars to make smart passing moves or to make room if you want to pass. You
will soon find the AI cars to behave like real opponents, in fact maybe you like
them even better as at least they don�t T-bone you deliberately. If they can avoid
you they will, but sometimes there is just not enough time for them to react! Racing
with the AI cars will increase your real r/c racing skills and how to handle traffic,
and is of course great fun!
You can select the number of AI car opponents in the ‘Race options‘ window
before you start an offline practice session. You can select 2 levels of AI cars,
Club and Expert. On average the Club AI cars are about a second slower than the
Expert AI cars.
AI cars will now be part of the Daily Challenge (free) and Online events to enhance
the r/c racing experience even further.
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All the tracks have been reworked and now inlude the data to enable the AI cars
and 10 TV cams. Besides these inclusions, the track properties have been modified.
The grip and tire wear levels have been adjusted to get closer to the values experienced
on the real tracks. So expect the tracks to be slightly different in this respect.
You therefore will have to re-download all the tracks. The old tracks will NOT work
any longer with VRC v.2.
You can re-download all your previously purchased tracks from your Personal menu
under ‘My tracks‘. As you have already purchased these tracks, re-downloading
is FREE.
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The rostrum view zoom mode has been vastly improved to give a much more natural
‘rostrum‘ feel. The zoom has 2 adjustments, near zoom and far zoom. These
zoom adjustments allow you to customize your view to your personal liking. The zoom
positions will automatically be stored for your next run.
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The TV view mode has been added. This view can be used during offline practice to
view the AI cars race each other (kind of a demo mode) or to view your car during
a replay. Use F2 to change the view mode to ‘TV view‘. With F4 or by pressing
any of the numeric keys (1 through 0) you can select the AI car you want to follow
around the track. The 0 car is the player car. The car will be followed around the
track with 2 or 3 TV cams automatically. With F3 you can select another fixed TV
cam. Each track has 10 different TV cams to choose from. You could actually also
drive your own car (the nbr. 0 player car) from a different position using the TV
cams.
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The physics engine that controls how the car behaves on the track, also responsible
for the AI car behavior and collision, has been dramatically improved. Car response
is even more realistic now, as is the collision detection. And very important, the
stability has improved and the frame rate more than doubled!
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VRC now offers the possibility to develop your drifting skills! Drifter cars can
be selected only when selecting one of the generic chassis and any of the Extreme
drifter set-ups. These cars not only use the special drifter tires, they also use
a special set-up to improve the drifting performance, like a special high bottom
torque engine (not very suitable for normal racing) and special differential settings.
You can also use any of the other brand cars and then select the drifter tires from
the Set-up dialog box. Drifting is a real challenge to master. It will vastly improve
your car control and this could be very useful when you have to race in the wet
one day. And drifting is great fun� Select for in stance the Cincinnati or Kakegawa
track, they are great tracks for drifting!
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Version 2 has a complete new menu interface. The functionality however has not changed.
In ‘Game options‘ and ‘Online Options - Physics‘ you will now
see any proxy server settings if you use them. They are automatically detected if
you have these set for your Internet Explorer browser. Under ‘Race Options‘
you now have the option to select ‘VRC USB controllers‘ as input device.
VRC will release a pistol-grip and a stick controller in the near future, both will
only be sold through VRC dealers. Standard joysticks also fall under this selection.
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Pitstops can no longer be done at full speed. Only when the car speed is under 20
km/h the yellow circle (indicating your pitstop position) will be displayed and
only then you can refuel (F key) or change tires (T key). It is no longer possible
to work on your set-up anywhere on the track. You have to bring the car in to the
pitlane for the Set-up icons on the top of your screen to be clickable.
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Daily Challenges (free service) |
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For all daily challenge runs you will now have to race against a number of AI cars,
the number may vary from track to track. This will of course add to the challenge
of scoring a good result. As also the track grip and tire wear levels have been
adjusted, all the previous Daily Challenge scores are no longer valid and have been
moved to our archive. Going for the track records starts all over again, for all
racers and on all tracks�
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Online competitions (Racing license or credits required) |
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Online competitions (events) will now be raced with AI cars! The VRC Race Director
decides per event and per round the number of AI cars opponents, and the level.
Race events will now become a lot more interesting and challenging! Handling traffic
and avoiding crashes will add to the racing pressure an will get your andrenaline
really pumping�
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A new feature added to online competitions is that your internet connection will
be checked when you start your race. If the internet connection fails you will receive
a warning and your run will be aborted automatically so you can check your internet
connection. That run will then NOT count as a (lost) run.
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We have decided to change the price structure. The track price is increased to $
9.95, but now comes standard with 4 Racing Credits (value $ 4.00). The VRC Racing
Licenses have been lowered 33%. There will be no reimbursements for previously purchased
Racing Licenses, nor will previously purchased tracks be charged extra when re-downloaded.
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Restricted number of installations |
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Only 1 installation of Virtual RC Racing is allowed. Before to install VRC you must
decide on which computer you want to install VRC. You will be allowed to change
your installation 1 time per month.
We have implemented this restriction as our database analysis has indicated that
there are many VRC member accounts that have multiple installations. In case of
installation problems you can always contact VRC to discuss to be allowed a second
installation within the time period of 1 month (email to support@virtualrc.com).
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The website has been changed and extended in many areas. The most important changes
and new features are listed below.
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The Track page is now the center point of the action. On the track page you will
find all the relevant information about the track, including a track specific forum,
Daily Challenge results, present, future and past race events on that track, track
specific set-ups and even videos about the track. There will (eventually) also be
a link to the track �show-case� page with more pictures and information.
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When you sign up for a particular event you will now see a count-down clock in the
left menu, indicating how many days, hours, minutes and seconds till your next event
starts. You will also find the count-down clock on all event pages. During the event
you can see how much time is remaining for each round, or a count down to the start
of the next round. This works on absolute time, and is independent of your time-zone
setting.
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The forums are now split in ‘Racing, Set-ups and Track discussions‘ and
‘Troubleshooting‘. We ask you to respect this and not post typical troubleshooting
or comments in the ‘Racing, Set-ups and Track discussions‘ section, or
visa versa. Forum posts that are obviously in the wrong section will be removed
without further notice.
Each track has now its own specific forum to discuss set-ups and race tactics for
that particular track.
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To accommodate racers from non-PayPal countries and those who prefer not to work
with PayPal we will shortly be able to process credit cards, Visa and Master cards
at first, later American Express and other cards will follow. Virtual RC Racing
soft- and hardware products will also be made available from selected VRC dealers
around the world as well as through Kyosho outlets.
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