News:

Herr Otto Partz says you're all nothing but pipsqueaks!

Main Menu
Menu

Show posts

This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.

Show posts Menu

Messages - netsoftware

#1
Hi, guys!

Quote from: Svenne
As a Stunts fan, I'd love to see this. I have a few ideas for it:
Improved graphics: Since you'll be writing it from scratch, why not add some more detail? I'd rather see a successor to Stunts than a remake. Examples are textures (of course), real transparency and maybe soft-body physics like this.
It's going to be a mix of Stunts and Trackmania, so you'll see some improvements...

  • textures - yes, on cars and tracks elements...
  • real transparency - forget it, it's a mobile game... and any transparency needs double repaint, and down the framerate
  • soft-body physics - it's cool thing, but not for now... it's not important for gameplay and we have a lot to do without this cool addition...  ::)




Quote from: Svenne
Two track editors: I also want a more sofisticated track editor, with more levels, and terrain editor. However, since people also wanted a simpler editor, why not have two of them?
Hahahaaa... may be three? Why not? We have 100 free of work programmers who need to do something... so I'll tell them... ;)
Sorry, but for this game will be only one editor... and no terrain edit abilities... guys, it's mobile game... and we have no budget to make such things, and belive me or not - THIS IS NOT REALLY NEEDED!  ::)





Quote from: Svenne
Gameplay: One of the ideas in the topic was easier gameplay. I'd say yes, to an extent. Keep all the realism from the PC game, but add more speed tolerance; 40 mph should be ok. Easier handling shouldn't be needed as long as you don't want to use auto-throttle, wich is an absolute no-no.
As I say before... we will make mix of Stunts and Trackmania... no one need car simulator on mobile, 'couse there is no "wheel" or "keyboard" at least - we have stupid "mobile keys"  :'(






Quote from: Svenne
Single/multiplayer: A multiplayer funtion via bluetooth would be great. However, the game should also have a singleplayer funtion, since you cannot always play against other people.
About bluetooth... we will think. But first is going to be another kind of multiplayer... guess what? ;)




Quote from: Svenne
Car names: Regarding names of cars, I think you should keep the old one. I doubt Ferrari or Porsche ever will find about this game, and even if they do, I doubt even Ferrari would care the slightest. At least as long as you keep the game free of charge ;)
Quote from: Duplode
Unfortunately I don't believe Netsoftware is developing a free game - it is not much of a viable model for mobile games...
Hmmmm... we plan to release 2 version of game... one, lets call it TM1 - will be free (may be with real cars names, may be not), and second one TM2 will be with sms activation (changed names, but I bet you will recognize em easy...)!





Quote from: Duplode
BTW, judging from their Wolfenstein clone I think Netsoftware will do a fair job in improving graphics.
It's not a just a clone, you should play it to see the difference, go http://wap.bunker3d.com or http://www.laboratory3d.com or http://www.castle3d.com and download free trial version of this trilogy game. But of cource we have made a game by inspire from original Wolf3D ;) John Romero like it too ;D


--
Nick,
NETSOFTWARE.
#2
We didn't planned Android version but everything is possible... who knows ;)
#3
CTG, what currently is so funny to you? I've got notification about your strange post... and desided to see it... isn't it funny? Btw, game is in development and in a month we will release free demo to test our technology...
#4
Hi, everybody!

Our project is going well... but we need more info from you!  ???

Want to ask you about replays... for example do you need
simple replay of racing with ability to change few preseted
cam position
or you need some options like a video player:
<<   and   >>  and  ||  and   <<< and >>>

And may be needed some tools to edit replay... cut not needed
fragments or something more... like manual select cam position?


--
Nick,
NETSOFTWARE.

#5
Hi, everybody!

As I say, we will not use real name of cars "prototypes"
(cars we used to inspire us...), so lets see what we have:


1) Maxi BWM             (BMW Mini Cooper)
2) Homer H2O             (Hummer H1)
3) Zero Formula          (Formula F1)
4) Limbo                   (Lamborghini Countach)
5) Call 911                   (Porsche 911)
6) Classic                   (Delahaye)
7) Boogie Type 49          (Bugatti Type 49, 1929)
8 ) Heavy Kalmare            (Chevy Camaro 1968, Chevrolet Camaro)
9) Sub Impression WRC         (Subaru Impreza WRC)
10) Henry ShallBuy TG500           (Ford Shelby GT500, 2010)
11) Toyoda Super TFT-HQ           (Toyota Supra FT-HS)

Need your opinions... please... =)



--
Nick,
NETSOFTWARE.
#6
Hi!

QuoteHave I ever replied to this topic? Nope...
Go netsoftware, we need mobile Stunts!

Thanks a lot!

Also you can make a vote in the begining of the forum... ;)
And you can buy it - when the game will be done... :)



QuoteI think it depends on how easy multiplayer is.
If connection to aother user is hard to obtain,
maybe a Single player mode would be necessary...

It will be used another mechanism of multiplayer
options... somesing like this u can see at TrackMania...
But can't make full description till it will be done... sorry...




QuoteI probably wouldn't play a game on mobile phone at all,
but I think the importance of single player depends on
the functionality of the multiplayer side. If it's some-
times not possible to "get a game", then it's a problem.

Of cource it's will be able to do... even if u have
no connection u can play any track... and u will be
not alone ;)




QuoteIt would also be annoying if it wasn't
possible to practice or test tracks.

QuoteStunts as it is has no real single player mode with storyline.
It has opponents, but they don't matter to me. I've had plenty
of fun just fighting with myself on the tracks.

It's will be OFFLINE mode - where u can do anything you want to...
and as I say... even not alone on track... so you can practice and
test all cars right when you want it... ;)



So as I can see, storyline is not base element at all...
and if we make it not so film-alike... it will be enough?





Thanks for support us by answering!



--
Nickolay,
NETSOFTWARE.
#7
Hello, everybody!

Good news... game developing in progress... but we still
have no final design document and final game conception...
becouse we dont want to make just another game... we
want make GAME THAT MATTER! So... and not so easy...

We have done all car models and we done BMW Mini, not Beatle...
may be Beatle will be done till release if everything will be fine... ;)

Also... we have list of all elements of tracks... and good news...
you will be able to make track right on your mobile in map editor!
Crazy, but it's true... also we planing to make ability to upload
maps to server... and of cource download maps from server.

Also will be a lot of other things... can't talk about this right now...

We decided to make a crazy physics as we have in Stunts and
TrackMania series... so you will be enjoy your ride and fly... ;)

SO... IT'S A STRANGE NEWS... WE DESIDED NOT TO MAKE A SINGLEPLAYER MODE
AT ALL... NO STORYLINE... NO AI OPPONENTS... NO LOCAL SCORES...

BUT... WE DESIDED TO MAKE THIS GAME VERY-VERY MULTIPLAYER...
as I say before... can't tell all stuff we planned, but it's going to be
more MULTIPLAYER racing than u ever play in your mobile phone...

Also about release date... still cant say anything, but TBA... so...
we make this game for free... and want to make it good... not till
some date... till some release date... it's not about money!

Of cource we needed money to make this game be good, update it,
and may be make next parts or next games - but its not a target
for now... we want to make this game ROCKS!!! So hope you will wait...
It's worth wait for...

We would like to know... how much singlplayer means for u... and
will u play game on mobile that have no real singlplayer... but have
a lot multiplayer modes and stuffs... do you?



Every answer matter... Thanks!



--
Nickolay,
NETSOFTWARE.
#8
Quote from: Krys TOFF on February 04, 2009, 12:40:45 PM
Quote from: netsoftware
No under-hill roads or tunnel corners but
we have more other nice things in game!!!
...
Also it will be problems with map editing on mobile
editor (I still hope we make it...) so we desided not
to do mountains and lakes at all...

I think everybody here understand the technical limitations of mobile games. Too bad, but logical.

Personaly me, don't think it so too bad as you say... becouse there is a lot other fun stuff still are and as for me...
What you prefer to keep in game landscape with hills or loop/driller for example? So I think speed (framerate) of
game is more important than hills... and about corners - It's good idea - we keep it in mind, but not for first game... ;)





QuoteFormula 1 => Zero Formula
Subaru Impreza => Subito Imprezione

Someone have more ideas? ;) Let's make a brainstorm!!!  ::)




QuoteOther cars suggested, among the most famous ones :

Aston Martin DB7 was in plans, but we not select it to release list...

Wolksvagen Beetle is very cool car, as a New Beetle... but may be Mini is more fun? It's BMW by the way... ;)

Citroen DS is very beautiful car... I even have photos with it at the street of Paris... but it's look like Porsche 911
from back (don't forget about low-poly models...) so... we will keep it in mind too...

May be it's good idea make a poll (vote or topic) about Wolksvagen Beetle/New Beetle vs BMW Mini?





QuoteSame thing can be done for opponent names (will there be opponents ?) :
It would be good to Skid Vicous of course, but why not names based on famous real (ex-)drivers like Alain Prozit, Ayrton Sendup, Juan-Manuel Fandango, Michael Schoolowner, ...

May be you can give us a full list of famouse drivers to prototype in our game? May be
anybody can help us too? May be we can use art's with looks like faces of this drivers...
what do you think about it?




Quote20 tracks is good, beeing able to get more by download and create your own and save them is even better.

We will try... still can't promice that... (of courece if I made a promo... I tell you 1000 tracks and online community/downloads/ratings... but we just discuss ideas for game here...)

--
Nick,
NETSOFTWARE.
#9
Quote
Quote>> What about other ideas I suggested like
>> under-hill roads ? Or, at least, tunnel corners ?
> When I've got disign doc, I'll propose you all
> tracks features... list of all road elemets... OK?

No under-hill roads or tunnel corners but
we have more other nice things in game!!!

Now list is done, but still unstable... I'll show you
close to realisation in game... or right when first
demo will be avilable to download... OK?

There is 22 elements for now... (elements
mean road for example, not only a big
construction like loop or driller...)  ;)

There is a great idea of megatricks to
make on map... but can't say for now...  :-X



Quote> Extra levels of elevation... Stunts only has two levels.

Not by terrain, but smth going to be cool as different
high buildings and different high bridges...
so some kind of elevation will be avilable ;)

Landscape is a big problem on mobile... and doesn't looks
good... but we make gameplay fun enouth not to think about
hills and lakes...

Also it will be problems with map editing on mobile
editor (I still hope we make it...) so we desided not
to do mountains and lakes at all...




Quote> I'd love to play it if it can be ran in a rather old Motorola V220 ;)

Sorry but it's impossible... this is 3D game on
JSR184... i think your mobile not support it...



QuoteAnyway, main idea i the sentence above :
"Races are linked together with a story, cars and tracks
(and may be new enemy-players) are unlocked progresively."
but for sure it's difficult to apply to a small mobile
phone game...  To make it the smallest size possible,
maybe you should use just an image and some texte below
it to explain the "story" part.

Text is not a problem... problem that main part of mobile players
never read it at all... it make 'em only to hate skiping it... as for
images... we have a lot of another images to keep in game, so
even small images will taka place and not so nessesery as skin
on cars for example... also if this img will be small - no one will
like em... and we will spend time on unneded work...

About story... I think it must be very simple but have a lot of
gameplay elements... I mean not to discribe the childhood of
hero... but have a 6 (for now...) styles of racing types open
directly to storyline...

Couse I think I remember, that John Carmack say (about Doom1
game), "WHO NEED STORY IN A PORN MOVIE?"  ;D


Also we will have free access to all modes without storyline,
couse not all 6 types will be pleasure for everyone... there is
people witch like only checkpoint style racing or free ride... so...



People... also we planing 11 cars in garage for now...
but can't promise that all will be available in final version...

CARS PROTOTYPE LIST:

1 ) Mini
2 ) Hummer
3 ) Formula F1
4 ) Lamborghini (Countach or Diablo?)
5 ) Porsche 911
6 ) Delahaye (*)
7 ) Bugatti 1929 (*)
8 ) Chevy Camaro 1968 002
9 ) Subaru
10 ) Ford-Shelby-GT500 2010
11 ) Toyota FT-HS (2010 Supra)


You can discuss this list... if you have more great idea
of cars for it... just say it and prove it... and we can
agree to change it... but you have not much time to do this...
when cars will be done - we will not change em...
even i your proposition will be awesome!  :o


It will be only looks like cars... no brands,
or may be anyone  have money to licence?

So please help us make good names for this cars...
For example... "Mini BMW" can be "Maxi BWM"
Hummer H1 can be Homer H1  (as Simpsons father)
or Buzzer H1 (as synonim to word Hummer...)
Lamborghini Diablo can be Limbo Of Demon...  :D



Also we plan to make some skins available for each car...

Can't say nothing about how much will be tracks in game...
but I think more than 20 tracks... and may be players will be
able to download new one from our site... (may be!)





THANKS FOR SUPPORT US!

And hope you continue to do this with you responces and advices...
A lot of ideas disscussed here are already in design document of game!  ::)



--
Nick,
NETSOFTWARE.


#10
Hi!

Quote
QuoteYour idea about monthly new official NETSOFTWARE track released for free download is nice! I think about something like this, but there is a problems with all ecosystem of mobile tracks download and keeping in mobile memory... so we will discuss it but still can't say anything for sure...
It should be technically possible for modern phones that have RAM (microSD for most of them, memory stick duo for Sony, ...). And if track infos are only id of track element and coordinates on the landscape grid, it should be a very small download (a few kb). Goal is to have a very small file and that game engine recreate the track from it.
I mean there is not problem where to keep, problem that this is java game... and there is some limits to keep it's data... and limits about it's size... and othet technical limits... But we try to solve this problem... Anyway tracks will be not so big size... and I have some ideas how to solve this problems with limits... for example keep in memory only 10 downloaded tracks at a time and gamer can use this 10 slots to save any tracks from site... for example... ;)



Quote
Quoteand added on the official website would make then an official competition and would bring people on your website
QuoteOfficial competition would bring people on our website? Hahaaa... do you realy think it's gona work on mobile games? I hope so...
Anyway, people who play on mobile phones only are very versatile, this idea would help the game staying a "keeper" and not a play and erase game like many others. Goal is to create a fan basis that will keep playing at least 1 year after the game launch, which would be an exploit for a phone game I think.
Also, maybe 1 month is too long. As you said, phone players are very different from PC players. Let's say a track each 2 weeks.
This idea can try to help the game staying a "keeper" and not a "play and erase" game like many others... I say... ;)
If it will be possible we try to make this game close to TrackMania online community... of cource with limits of mobile gaming and possibilities... and online ratings is a one step to this direction... And releases of new free official tracks must me at least once a week! For mobile gamers it's a long time... you right!



QuoteIt's in "Krys Toff's competitions" part of the forum. The main idea is to combine a story with Stunts. Like Race Driver 2 for example. Races are linked together with a story, cars and tracks are unlocked progresively.
Races are linked together with a story, cars and tracks (and may be new enemy-players) are unlocked progresively.
Nice idea... But may be more kind of challenges (that match this game style) you know?



QuoteI'm not sure, but you could look at the "Stunts Career" subforum (developed by Krys TOFF). Maybe there are some ideas there.
About Krys TOFF topic (http://forum.stunts.hu/index.php?topic=1803.0) may be you can help adopt this for mobile game... couse I'm not a very skilled driver and don't know all this ruls and competitions... so If you have some free time and ICQ...  ::)



Nick.

#11
QuoteLet's say a code system. Race finished generates a code that contains track info (name mainly I think), car used, opponent if there's one or no opponent, and, of course, the time.
Race finished generates a code that contains data and send it to online server to total scoresboard?




QuoteThis system exists for Moto pipsqueak DS for example.
I don't hear about it? What is this? And I can't find anything about even on Google...  :o





QuoteProblem will be with user-designed track... Best would be to have possibility to save track and replay on phone's micro-SD (or another card, depending of phone brand) card, then it's easy to transfert it to PC through USB connection of the phone and share them.
I'm sure there will be quite small amount of people with will do something like this... belive me, mobile gamers is a big difference to PC games... and CONSOLE gamers... and MicriSD, USB... a lot of mobiles are still on a stoneage... so...





QuoteAlso, a monthly new official NetSoftware track released for free download and added on the official website would make then an official competition and would bring people on your website, where you can post ads for your other phone games. I'm sure some of us would be happy to design tracks for you, at least I would be.
Your idea about monthly new official NETSOFTWARE track released for free download is nice! I think about something like this, but there is a problems with all ecosystem of mobile tracks download and keeping in mobile memory... so we will discuss it but still can't say anything for sure...





Quoteand added on the official website would make then an official competition and would bring people on your website
Official competition would bring people on our website? Hahaaa... do you realy think it's gona work on mobile games? I hope so...





Quote
QuoteDifferent kind of challenges - what do you like?
I'm not sure, but you could look at the "Stunts Career" subforum (developed by Krys TOFF). Maybe there are some ideas there.
I can't find "Stunts Career" subforum - can you help me, please...  ???





Quote
QuoteCan you tell, how to make the game more social on mobile phones? Online scores ratings?
Online score rankings is a great idea for a start. And competitions like ours! See "http://stunts.hu/zak/"
Online score rankings is possible... we have it on our www.inside-me.com - but here it will be more difficult, couse there is a lot of options to compare and keep...





QuoteSomething which was once popular in the Stunts community was "Live Racing" - we met in a chatroom, someone made a track, uploaded it and then we had 10 minutes to drive as well as possible (noRH or RH, mostly noRH), and send back a replay to the host. The host then published our finishing times in the chatroom. Maybe something like that could be done.
It's impossible for mobile... it's not good idea to make something big - just for few people use it several times... couse mobile sending of replays it's not an easy to do... I think online scoretable is more userfull and clear to unddarstanding... imho...





Big thanks for everyone,
who keep helping us...


Nick.
#12
Hi, everyone!

QuoteWhat about other ideas I suggested like under-hill roads? Or, at least, tunnel corners?
When I've got disign doc, I'll propose you all tracks features... list of all road elemets... OK? ;)



QuoteExtra levels of elevation... Stunts only has two levels.
I'm not sure it will be userfull to make maps and make engine if we use more levels... it's make some difficults for map design... what easy for PC hard on MOBILE... so... I'm not sure... and not sure it's make such big fun as make big problems...



QuoteAlso, think in gameplay modes of course: if you make opponents, some of them must be a lot better than the ones in Stunts. Perhaps some different kind of challenges you can try? But of course pure racing for the high score list is the core of Stunts.
About opponents... it's possible, but about AI can't say nothing... we try make some AI personalities with different skills if it will be possible to do...
Different kind of challenges - what do you like?


QuoteA good deal of my love for Stunts has come from playing it side by side with friends, taking turns to try a track and get the best score. Later, the online competitions have come. I think if I always had to play it all alone, I would have stopped playing many years ago. I don't know if it's possible somehow to make the game more social on mobile phones.
Can you tell, how to make the game more social on mobile phones? Online scores ratings? Online multiplayer impossible becouse of networks problems... it's imposible to do about lags... (even TrackMania don't done this, waht to say about networks of mobile operators...)




Quote...with online multiplayer mode, without sudden crash, rather damage ratio...
It's impossible! We have one online game (http://www.inside-me.com) - but to make it real time online - we have to made special server and protocol and some changes in gameplay... but lags get us even in this situation! :(




QuoteAnd let's add that crash put nitro amount back to zero.
Crash put nitro amount back to zero is a good idea... will divenetly must try it... ;)





Hey.... fans... whrere are you? Have anything to say, or ideas?  :o




Nick.
#13
WOW... Thanks everyone who responce...


We'll try to give you a multi-lap possibility
(for "round" tracks only of course)
    ;)


> Best would be to have CP (checkpoint) possibility, but
> optionnal. That is, no CP required to make the track valid
> just a start and a finish would be required.

I just mean this when I write above about freedom to drive...
And optional checkpoints is good idea...





> And mine too.   Ideally one would have two kinds of CPs,
> one that would be crossed only from a single direction
> (for regular tracks) and another that could be crossed
> by both directions And of course, the possibility to
> have no CPs too...

Good idea have two kinds of CPs... regular and crossroad...

thanks a lot!




> It would be fine if the nitro just: a) had a max limit
> and b) waned slowly after being accumulated, so the
> player wouldn't be able to just hold it forever.


About "nitro" you accumulate boost by completing tricks
and spend it by press X button... also nitor will automaticly
slowly disapears if you not using it...
to make people
spend it - not only collect... ;)



> You might want to make the handling easier for the
> mobile phone version, or people's arms will suffer.

Of cource we try to make it easy...




> But the next question is: what about replay handling?

> No replay handling I think. Just a replay viewing.

> So... only NORH races!


NoRH... or with replay handling... or something other...
I cant say right now for sure... but we want to make
a tricks with time...




> It would be lovely to see a multiplayer Stunts
> with original physics and old school graphics
> someday

Everithing is possible... but market must want this game...
Now games have a textured poligons and a lot of other things...
and if we make game totaly like Stunts we can fail in sales...
But during our game development I promice to make it
as close to Stunts as it'll be possible!
:)




> kinda like the multiplayer wolfenstein idea
> suggested by john carmack in the wolf3d source
> release notes that has not yet been realized.

About Bluetooth MP... may be it's possible... but only if
game get success and we make a next part of it...
becouse BT need a lot of work... and it's not very important
for people to choose our game from other... And also there is
a lot of work... and there is not enouth time/budget/etc...
so MP for mobile game is not a first thing to do...  ::)




> Yes, we've had that dream for maybe 10 years,
> but it has transpired that nobody has the source
> code foreplay handlingr Stunts, so it would have
> to be a totally new game.

Yes... I thinks so... It's bad when sources doesn't not keept...



DOES ANYONE HAVE MORE IDEAS? BE BRAVE TO TELL IT...
MAY BE YOU CAN HELP US MAKE GAMERS BE MORE HAPPY!  ;D




--
Nick,
NETSOFTWARE.
#14
Hi!

Heeey... did anybody alive? ;)
We need just a little more help... pls...


--
Nick.


#15

Hi, everybody!

Thanks for responses! It's nice you're keep help us with this game idea...


Quote from: Krys TOFF on December 15, 2008, 10:33:15 AM
For info, netsoftware website is there : http://www.netsoftwaregames.com/ (english and russian).
It seems you're inspired by DOS games of the 90's, your Bunker 3D and Laboratory 3D games remind me a lot the originial Wolfenstein 3D/Spear of Destiny games. ;)

Yes it is, but belive me - it's a new games with different storyline and totally redesigned for mobiles... If you intertested for more, you can see some videos of our games at our youtube channel:  http://www.youtube.com/netsoftware/  Hope you enjoy watchin' em... as we enjoy developing em...



Quote from: BonzaiJoe on December 15, 2008, 01:46:34 PM
About loopcuts: sure you can cut a loop in several ways that just show good racing skills and aren't bugs. The problem is when you go under the loop. This is clearly a bug (because it makes absolutely no sense even within Stunts physics), and it deteriorates gameplay because it requires no particular skill, only luck and patience. The same goes for slalom block cutting and magic carpets.

So, as I say, currently for me - there is no good idea to make some special bugs in a gameplay - even if it's very fun!
There is a lot of other games where you need only luck and patience... as Dice or something... so If we make stunts styled game, I hope we will no made this distructive elements of a gameplay...



Quote from: Duplode on December 15, 2008, 02:36:27 PM
Hello Nick, it's great to know Stunts keeps inspiring game designers around the world! :)

Can say only for me... but... Yes! It is! %)



Quote from: Duplode on December 15, 2008, 02:36:27 PM
As for my suggestions, Krys and Bonzai Joe have covered most essentials: an editor (even if a PC one), replay saving (storing the keystrokes may be a good solution for your case too) are very important, and freedom to cut racing elements (as well as freedom in track design) are crucial.

So here we have some key elements as you say:
1) map editor
2) replay saving
3) freedom to cut racing elements

aslo i've added:
4) crazy physics (impossible is possible ;) )

Yes?



Quote from: Duplode on December 15, 2008, 02:36:27 PM
The more random bugs, like go-through loopcuts (or slalom blocks) and random Magic Carpets are not so important (it would be probably very hard to implement them on purpose in a convincing manner).

OK... OK... just begin to understand it...  ;D


Quote from: Duplode on December 15, 2008, 02:36:27 PM
Krys' main suggestions about gameplay are cool too. If I understood them correctly, they mean:

  • Trackmania-like checkpoints (that might need to be crossed in a fixed order or not)
  • A nitro system comparable to the "Special" gauge in the Tony Hawk's pro Skater series, where you accumulate boost by completing loops, speeding through slaloms, long ramp-to-ramp transfers, etc. The main difference would be that one would be able to spend the boost wherever one wishes to - it might be cool/more challenging if the boost activated by itself after a certain limit (as sort of happens in THPS), so one cannot store it forever.
As for powergear, I think it could be a nice addition if some cars would lock-in at top speed after taking some jumps/loops at high speed. Not all cars would need to have powergear, and the ones which do have it might be penalized by a reduction in the rate of regular boost increase for "balance".

About trackmania-like checkpoints, what do you mean currently? You like it? Do you think it's good idea for used in Stunts?
In previus post - I proposed to leave total freedom for player... you even not needed to "checkpoint" anything to win... just a freeride... freefly... freejump... freeslide...  :o   But may be TM Checkpoints is a goo idea for one of game modes?


About "nitro" you accumulate boost by completing tricks and spend it:
1) spend the boost by press X button...
2) or automaticly by getting MAX LEVEL OF NITRO
(you think it's more challenging and cool... if the boost activated by itself after a certain limit and can't store forever).

Did I understand you well? You mean currently this?


And as for POWERGEAR... there is a good proposition about balance... but there is a mobile control system and now I'm not sure how we done it... For some reason POWERGEAR may be just a nessesery part of control, not a trick... Becouse on mobile we have no keyboard or wheel... we have buttons... not always easy to press... and... becouse of this automatical speed-keeping options may be included by default.