Inside BugBear's studio in Finland - New Ridge Racer Unbounded action

[RVR72GV]

Okay, here's my first impression: Better than Split/Second, despite of lacking of custom controller mapping, they set the default one closely to default Flatout control. I think I shouldn't have underestimated this game from the very first time.

Much better if you know how to master the ridiculous drifting method (still much better than S/S). I still don't understand why a lot of people complaining about it's being ridiculously difficult, though. I found it in par with FO2/FOUC (especially with the fact that you're driving against 11 other cars in SP, S/S is much harder, one random crashes and no hope for 1st position).

The only annoying thing is that the track editor isn't working properly in the PC version (it always crashes while entering basic TE). Already reported it to Bugbear.

[Purple44]

Okay, here's my first impression: Better than Split/Second, despite of lacking of custom controller mapping, they set the default one closely to default Flatout control. I think I shouldn't have underestimated this game from the very first time.

Much better if you know how to master the ridiculous drifting method (still much better than S/S). I still don't understand why a lot of people complaining about it's being ridiculously difficult, though. I found it in par with FO2/FOUC (especially with the fact that you're driving against 11 other cars in SP, S/S is much harder, one random crashes and no hope for 1st position).

The only annoying thing is that the track editor isn't working properly in the PC version (it always crashes while entering basic TE). Already reported it to Bugbear.

You getting zlib errors with the track editor? There a post like that over at Steam RRU forum, too.


You saying you can not remap your buttons on a pad? Not good.


Edit: Look like bugbear looking into this:

Twitter says:

Bugbear - Looks like we have a PC patch issue preventing the City Creator from launching. Working on it, will update when resolved.

https://twitter.com/#!/bugbeargames/status/185653299993780225

[RVR72GV]

You saying you can not remap your buttons on a pad? Not good.

No. There are only 4-5 preset KB configs and X360 gamepad. No steering wheel support, either. Boo.

Otherwise, you'd better try something like Joy2Key or Xpadder. It should works.

[KSFR]

RVR72GV,
Well i guess we dont want the same thing*, but since i get that you played the game, would you compare it to Flatout?

*I want a FO, you want a RR 

[Purple44]

I want 12 player racing online.

So far this year it been a bust. Flatout 3 says it can do 12 player online but had major issues with just 4 players online. Codemasters let us down with only 8 players online with Dirt Showdown. And now Bugbear says 12 players online with Ridge Racer Unbounded is to tough to do. 

[Heddly]

Until there is wheel support and a workable track editor I will not buy it. It amazes me how many new games are lacking in wheel support.

Purple44, what games do you know of that have more than 8 players online? I have iRacing and rFactor and rFactor 2. I don't know how many other games are out there, I'd like to know what games you like with 12 players. It surely is nice with more plays. 

[Purple44]

GRID!!!!! Blur with 20 players was good too, but being console port, Blur die off online after 2 months. Could not get a 20 player host going anymore. Needed 4 players in the lobby to start one.

And we should of had GRID 2 out before DIRT 3. Codemasters should of been able to do 12 players online with DIRT Showdown if they wanted too. Codemasters done 12 players with GIRD and F1. And this year Codemasters shooting for 16 players online with F1 2012.

[Heddly]

Forgot Grid since it is offline now. I did not buy Blur because of the wheel support. I guess the internet capabilities have a lot to do with it. 

[GulBroz]

-----
Hmmm, reading that article, Ridge Racer Unbounded was haeding for a bad review, until:

After several days of this, it's fair to say I was ready to throw Ridge Racer Unbounded under the nearest bus and then hijack the same bus and crash it into the game's weeping relatives. Then, just as I was about to rip it to shreds, one of the game's publicists said, "You're not using the drift button like a handbrake, are you?"
-----

I'm still fighting with the drift button, and I'm sorry to say that, but on PC it feels like it's a hand-brake button... unless I missed something?

If you press it while turning, then you start drifting but you also start loosing speed... I found no way I can hold it pressed during all the drift without ending still...

And 2 things that p***** me off:
1) the install process: I bought the disk 'cause I don't like waiting for steam to download all its stuff... So I started installation, and after a few minutes (>10) looking at a progress bar that did not progress at all (and AFAIR, no network activity either) I cancelled, then launch setup again and pick "repair" (there was no more "install" option)... and guess what... it started downloaded the whole game from steam (while displaying it was installing from disk...) 
2) only support for xbox controller, with only 2 presets you can't customize... Fortunately, XBOX 360 Controller Emulator is working, so I can use my non-xbox(c) controller and remap the commands as I want...

[RVR72GV]

RVR72GV,
Well i guess we dont want the same thing*, but since i get that you played the game, would you compare it to Flatout?

*I want a FO, you want a RR 

Go and play DiRT Showdown then.

Seriously, I am sick of this fanboy attitude since I've betrayed Ridge Racer's fanboys in common.

[Purple44]

There hope for RRU yet.


http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2625823&page=2

Thank you for narrowing this down.

It seems that the game blindly uses the first XInput compatible controller it finds.

I'm very sorry for these input issues, we didn't have much resources available for doing the PC version, and our input system is not very easy to work with. I was also assuming that we did support steering wheels, since I saw one at a guys desk once.

I will try to do my best on Monday to to get some people allocated to doing a proper input system with custom layouts, anything else is clearly not acceptable on PC IMO. But I'm not in position to promise anything, so don't thank me yet.

Fred from Bugbear

*************************************************

Go Fred!!


Seem another PC racing game got release before it was ready. Is this Bugbear fault or publisher fault?

[Heddly]

That's great news. 

I was wondering what is contained in the game folder that may be moddable.

[Purple44]

Here a new video from

Ridge Racer Unbounded first look part 3 Domination Races 


Player reviews are mix on RRU, some like RRU a lot, some say it OK, some not liking it at all. Definitely need to get the hang of RRU drifting and how to use your power up boost.

If you are mostly an offline player and like racing with a 360 pad, then you might like RRU. There is a demo coming if want to try before buying RRU.

If your mainly an online racer like me, if Bugbear does not patch in wheel support, remapping of buttons and text chat online and other things to make online better real soon, online label to be dead in 2 months. Like what happen to Blur.

[Heddly]

www.facebook.com/bugbeargames
=========================================================
We're on live chat tomorrow, drop by if you want to ask anything!
Do not forget tomorrow's Q&A session with Joonas Laakso!

We will discuss about the following themes :
Basic Features : amount of cars, personal favorite cars
City Creator : amount of available blocks, amount of objects
Soundtrack : how the track list was decided
Dev Team : total number of persons that were managed in the game, funny stories during game development.

The chat will take place on Ustream from 3PM to 5PM CET, the feed will be also accessible from this facebook page.

BugBear on Ustream

[Purple44]

Was talking to Heddly and we got this time conversion:

3:00pm CET ( Central Europe time ) would be 9:00am eastern, 6:00am pacific time.