A Must See For Car Nuts! Automation.

[DJMRDARK]

Foreword: I am not affiliated with these guys in ANY way. But I REALLY believe in what they are trying to do and I feel the market they are targeting is TOTALLY ignored. I've wanted something like this for YEARS and I bet many of you have as well. Enjoy.



Automation - The Car Company Tycoon Game




What is Automation?

In the upcoming game Automation you will be placed in control of a newly founded car company starting in the post-war era of 1946. You will be responsible for designing your cars from scratch - from the chassis and the engine to its body styling. Your goal is to meet the needs of different markets and various types of buyers. You will need to research new technology to keep ahead of your competitors and expand your company.

While there have been numerous great racing games focused on the thrill of racing, there have been very few about the cars themselves. This is where Automation is different.

Not only will you get the freedom to design cars that look how you want, but you will also be responsible for the technical aspects such as creating your own engines. Benchmark your creations and watch their components in action while you are provided with realistic specifications and performance figures.
Easy to understand descriptions will help you optimise your car, even without prior car knowledge.

There have been several car company games made before, but we feel that they never reached the depth that car enthusiasts have wanted.

Who are we?

We are Camshaft Software, a small company with a core of two people; Caswal Parker, the Lead Programmer and Andrew Lamb, the Lead 3D Artist. We are both professionally trained in our respective fields and actively take part in the vibrant Melbourne independent games community.

We also get additional assistance from several people in areas with more specialised skills:

Jayelinda Suridge – Games Engine Programmer -http://jayelinda.com/kee
Bernardo Del Castillo – 2D/3D Artist/Programmer -http://bdelcast.daportfolio.com/
Stephan Schutze – Sound Design/Recording -http://www.stephanschutze.com/

We are both car enthusiasts, Caswal owns a Suzuki Cappuccino, while Andrew has got a Mazda MX-5, and against all probability neither of us are hairdressers! We both do our own mechanical work and modifications, and try to get to a trackday whenever we can.


Current Progress:

In the past 16 months we have developed the underlying technology for the Engine and Car Design features, and can currently design 4-cylinder powered hatchbacks in great detail, from the engine to a completed car. The tools we now have implemented allow us to add content for any real-world car or engine design you can imagine. Even with just this small slice of the game we have had a great response from the car enthusiast community, as well as coverage in various media.


What is RocketHub?

RocketHub is our means of providing initial preorders of Automation. It is not an investment or a charity. It is an exchange: funds from fans and people who want to preorder a copy of the game. These preorders are used to fuel the development of the game, allowing it to be completed much quicker and to a higher standard.

Other games such as Natural Selection 2 and Minecraft havesuccessfully used similar preorder models.


Why do we need your help, and what would we spend your money on?:

While we spend almost all our free time working on Automation, progress is still slower than we would like as we still need to work day jobs to cover our living costs. It would be a fantastic opportunity to get the funds to allow us to work full time on Automation for the next year.

Although we are both skilled in our respective fields, when it comes to sound design and 2D graphics design we are no experts. Howeverwe do have access to some very talented people in these areas that do occasional contract work for us, and we would like to utilise their skills more. There are also a multitude of technical costs associated with games development. For example for equipment and software, as well as legal and administrative costs for the company. We want to make certain we do everything right.

If we do not reach our goal, we will still push on to get the game done but it will take significantly longer and some planned features may need to be cut.


Preorder Details:

Preordering allows you to not only save $10 off the final price of the game, but also grants access to extra content once the demo is released. All games and preorders will be distributed by digital download.

We will be releasing the car and engine design aspect as a demo ahead of the game for our community to tinker with and get a taste of what Automation is all about. Allowing people to design, build and share their car designs before the game is complete.

The demo will be restricted in content (to only 4-cylinder hatchbacks) whereas if you have preordered you will get access to all content as we complete it. As more content is added(for example V8 engines, or convertibles) the preorder price will incrementally be raised until it reaches the final sale price of $30 once the game is completed.


Check out the latest developments:

* Website: http://automationgame.com
* Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/AutomationGame
* Twitter: http://twitter.com/AutomationGame
* Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/AutomationGame

http://www.rockethub.com/projects/27...ny-tycoon-game

[AudibahnA4]

This actually looks like it could be some what interesting

[cougar]

Okay armchair CEO's, now's your chance.

[vortexblue]

IIRC, This guy is on Vortex/ TCL...

*found it*
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...-Im-Working-on

[DJMRDARK]

Good find. The armchair CEOs hang out in TCL though, and not the gaming forum. Hopefully posting this here will give these guys better exposure.

[corradokreep]

THIS IS FREAKING AWESOME!!!!!!!

I will buy this game as SOON as it comes out.

(Yes I only watched the first half minute, but that was long enough).

Ever since I played GT2 back in the day, I've wanted a game like this.

My only question though is this...

What do you DO with the designed cars? Can you drive them? Do you run a dealership? Is it like a tycoon game? If you just designed them, it'd be kinda useless.

I'd like to see a tycoon type game with this level of detail, mainly focused on you designing the cars and sending them away to be sold. (You wouldn't have much to do with selling them.) Maybe with a very basic road test/stress circuit.

EDIT: Read the wiki, I understand better now. It's pretty much exactly like I hoped for.

[Jan PL S6]

[Iroczgirl]

Great! I can be in charge of my own Studebaker company.

[AudibahnA4]

THIS IS FREAKING AWESOME!!!!!!!

I will buy this game as SOON as it comes out.

(Yes I only watched the first half minute, but that was long enough).

Ever since I played GT2 back in the day, I've wanted a game like this.

My only question though is this...

What do you DO with the designed cars? Can you drive them? Do you run a dealership? Is it like a tycoon game? If you just designed them, it'd be kinda useless.

I'd like to see a tycoon type game with this level of detail, mainly focused on you designing the cars and sending them away to be sold. (You wouldn't have much to do with selling them.) Maybe with a very basic road test/stress circuit.

EDIT: Read the wiki, I understand better now. It's pretty much exactly like I hoped for.

I agree I would buy it if they give you the chance to do more then just design the cars.

[Cousin Eddie]

This looks pretty cool.

[aoj2108]

those two guys are my heroes

[chrismkay3]

in and watching, i love business games!

[Daffyflyer]

Hi, I'm the co-founder and artist on this project.

Happy to answer any questions anyone might want to ask us

[DJMRDARK]

Excellent! First....THANK YOU for working on a game such as this! I've been looking for one like this for years. I can't believe no one thought of this before.


1. When do you think it will be complete?

2. Will it be PC only or available on Mac and the iOS devices as well?

3. And what are the limits when it comes to designing something? Could we design an inline eight cylinder with 8 speed transmission, AWD and wrap in it a sportscar shell?

4. What is the grand vision for the game and it's scope?

[GiacGtiAgain]

anyone else here greatly doubting this claim?

"Foreword: I am not affiliated with these guys in ANY way. "

[DJMRDARK]

anyone else here greatly doubting this claim?

"Foreword: I am not affiliated with these guys in ANY way. "

Doubt whatever you want. I've been here long enough for people to know what I do for a living.

[Daffyflyer]

anyone else here greatly doubting this claim?

"Foreword: I am not affiliated with these guys in ANY way. "

Well, its my project and I have no idea who he is, so unless its someone I know under a different name then he is indeed nothing to do with us.

I found this thread through the magic of google alerts, that lets us know when people are talking about us

[Daffyflyer]

Excellent! First....THANK YOU for working on a game such as this! I've been looking for one like this for years. I can't believe no one thought of this before.


1. When do you think it will be complete?

2. Will it be PC only or available on Mac and the iOS devices as well?

3. And what are the limits when it comes to designing something? Could we design an inline eight cylinder with 8 speed transmission, AWD and wrap in it a sportscar shell?

4. What is the grand vision for the game and it's scope?

1. Depends how well preorders go to be honest..

2. PC only

3. Most real world possible designs could be done, we won't have inline 8s at first though (might be added later)

4. A complete simulation of running a car company, from designing and producing, to expanding into new markets, competing against other companies etc. - see the old games "Detroit" or "Car Tycoon" (only not as bad...)

[butterface]

This is pretty ****ing rad. Congrats on the concept and its coming to fruition.

[92skirmishgti]

Wow guys, great idea and execution!

What will be available as far a engine options, layout, and drivetrain?

Will I design the engine as far a bore and stroke and CR, or will it be a pre determined set of engines I choose from?

When will I be able to pre order the game?

I'm going to have a ton more question I can't think of now so I will be prying and looking foreword to other questions and answers as well..

on me and once again great job gentlemen!



Can I be a tester?

[Black Jetta GT]

Hi, I'm the co-founder and artist on this project.

Happy to answer any questions anyone might want to ask us

Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions, this will be a hotly anticipated game amongst the gearheads!

Would the parts selections be based roughly on whats available in the real world? For example, instead of offering a generic ' supercharger', would the game offer a variety of designs (Roots, twin screw, etc)?

Wheels and tires can also dramatically affect handling, NVH and fuel economy, from the video demo it looks like you can vary the tire width and ratio, will those changes be reflected in the final cars performance as well?

And finally, can I race or drive my car design? It would be pretty cool to be able to enter my car and race it in an open class race or maybe a Formula race. Anyhow, the game looks amazing so far, youve got lots of people interested!

[Daffyflyer]

Wow guys, great idea and execution!

What will be available as far a engine options, layout, and drivetrain?

Will I design the engine as far a bore and stroke and CR, or will it be a pre determined set of engines I choose from?

When will I be able to pre order the game?

I'm going to have a ton more question I can't think of now so I will be prying and looking foreword to other questions and answers as well..

on me and once again great job gentlemen!



Can I be a tester?

Thanks

Answers for you below


1: See this thread - http://automationgame.com/phpBB3/vie...php?f=15&t=137
2: Engine design is quite detailed and a major part of designing a car, you'll choose bore/stroke, internals, head configuration, compression, cams, fuel system, tuning, exhaust etc etc.
See this video for us messing around with the car design process


3: You can preorder it right now, here - http://www.rockethub.com/projects/27...ny-tycoon-game

4: We don't need any more testers right now, but apply here and we'll consider you when we do - http://automationgame.com/BetaApplication

[Daffyflyer]

Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions, this will be a hotly anticipated game amongst the gearheads!

Would the parts selections be based roughly on whats available in the real world? For example, instead of offering a generic ' supercharger', would the game offer a variety of designs (Roots, twin screw, etc)?

Wheels and tires can also dramatically affect handling, NVH and fuel economy, from the video demo it looks like you can vary the tire width and ratio, will those changes be reflected in the final cars performance as well?

And finally, can I race or drive my car design? It would be pretty cool to be able to enter my car and race it in an open class race or maybe a Formula race. Anyhow, the game looks amazing so far, youve got lots of people interested!

1: Oh yes, that kind of thing will go into a fair amount of depth, we haven't done forced induction yet, but there will be quite a few options. See the video I posted above for a bit of an overview of the design process
2: Yes, they will effect the performance of the car in many ways
3: No, you can't drive it sadly, far too much work for a small team like us to pull off - possible expansion will have you managing a factory race team (if we're sucessfull enough to do expansions)

[Mikedav]

Looks like it has huge potential.....I'd buy it.

[Jettaboy1884]

Very Cool.

Subscribed!

[Dr. Woo]

Okay armchair CEO's, now's your chance.

Exactly!

[Daffyflyer]

I'd buy it.

You CAN

[barry2952]

Too bad it's not Mac based.

[rawk]

Too bad it's not Mac based.

Its pretty painless these days running PC apps on a MAC, tons of ways to do it.

Great program guys, looks very interesting!

[Daffyflyer]

Too bad it's not Mac based.

If your mac is new enough to run Automation its also new enough to dual boot Windows

[MCTB]

If your mac is new enough to run Automation its also new enough to dual boot Windows

I was excited and then immediately disappointed. I have no interest in running anything Windows on my Mac. What a bummer. On the bright side, Im going to be starting my Masters next week and if I could run this, I would have spent more time on this than studying...

[DJMRDARK]

1. Depends how well preorders go to be honest..

2. PC only

3. Most real world possible designs could be done, we won't have inline 8s at first though (might be added later)

4. A complete simulation of running a car company, from designing and producing, to expanding into new markets, competing against other companies etc. - see the old games "Detroit" or "Car Tycoon" (only not as bad...)

I know you guys have limited resources, but a Mac version for OS X or iOS is becoming a must have these days. That would put you in the Mac software store, which is a real boost for small developers.

Granted, Mac users can dual boot. But most of us don't like doing that.

[A.Wilder]

oh boo hoo, snubbed by the macsters

[DJMRDARK]

oh boo hoo, snubbed by the macsters

What exactly is wrong with wanting a Mac version for Mac users?

[barry2952]

What exactly is wrong with wanting a Mac version for Mac users?

Nothing.