Invictus: CRC 2005 is finished, we are just implementing the localized texts and expanding the modding features. The planned release date in Europe is 20 May 2005.

SRW: How difficult was it to implement realistic vehicle responses to different styles of terrain (i.e. ice, tarmac, off road etc), and how well do you think you have done this?

Invictus: Originally we thought it would be an easy job, but when we invited our real word rally driver friends, we realized that we were far from the realistic handling we wanted.
You may be aware of that Invictus is sponsoring a local Rally team, and the rally drivers assisted in handling and car behavior set up. Now, we and the rally racers are both happy with the handling and the cars.

SRW: What car setup options are there on offer?

Invictus: There are six plus one categories that you can customize on your car. These are chassis, suspension, engine, transmission, brake and drivetrain and the extra category is tires.

In each category you start with the factory stock equipment and you are given the opportunity to unlock three tuned stages for each category, for each car during the career. The higher stages give you more freedom, or better performance alongside more preset settings for those who don't like to or don't know how to tune their cars.

Tire choice is crucial so you're allowed to choose from five different types, from tarmac race treads to studded snow tires. There are several types of surfaces on each track you'll race on.

It's very important to prepare the car for the track since you need different setups for a fast tarmac track - like the German races - and an off-road or rally event.
For detailed info you can see the "Tips" section on the car setup screen. It explains the most important aspects of setting up and racing CRC's cars correctly.

SRW: What's the maximum number of cars that can race at one time?

Invictus: The maximum number of cars at one time in 8, since the track's, the damage system, and the net-code are optimized for 8 cars and players.

SRW: How modifyable is the game?

Invictus: CRC 2005 supports a wide variety of modding, and we are expanding the list of features that are modifyable.

You don't need programming skills to add your own skin, you just need to copy your .png or .dds file into the skin folder of the car and the game will automatically use it.

The game is prepared to support add-on gamemodes as well. Just write your own game-mode, and copy the java file into classes/gamemodes/src folder, and the game will automatically use it. Should you not want to distribute its source file, just send over the class file to your friends. (classes/gamemodes/yourgamemode.class )

Invictus will also release example game mode files in java format, so that amateur programmers can also modify and create their own version and distribute it over the net.

If you think your add-on car, music, skin, or gamemode should be available for everyone, send it over to Invictus, and we'll put your files into Invictus LIVE!, so that everyone can download and install it by a mouse click.

Thanks to Invictus for taking the time out for this interview with SimRacingWorld. Cross Racing Championship is due out on May 20 2005, and you can follow its progress on our game profile.

Pages: 1, 2