VRC Column – Successful Alpha test & more
The VRC Pro team successfully concluded the long awaited alpha test in the 2nd week of October. The alpha test is an all-out internal test of all the processes on game, website and database level and precedes the external beta test. Although there are still areas that need work and fine-tuning, we can say that we are at approx. 96% of what is needed for beta test and eventually launch. At this moment the team is working on final component configuration to accommodate the trial and full user levels, some account issues (especially transaction reporting) and optimizing the VRC World social network community.
The team is optimistic at launching the external beta test towards the beginning of December. Beta testers will be selected from the active VRC v3 member base, not necessarily the top racers only as we also need the feedback from the beginning and average user. Besides testing the game features the beta testers will also have to test all the features of the VRC World social network and report back to special beta test forums about their findings. The beta testers will keep their membership after the beta test and will eventually be asked to invite 3 or 5 of their (racing) friends to join VRC Pro. In this way the VRC Pro team will be able to monitor all the processes and systems closely and make last minute adjustments before to open up VRC Pro to the world. Finally the release of VRC Pro is downing, after more than 5 years of extremely hard work by the whole team. We know you can’t wait, well, we can’t either…
Nascar tuck style racing in VRC Pro
VRC Pro will feature a non-existing r/c racing class, 1:8 nitro trucks. Tony West, our 3D graphics artist managed to model a typical Nascar truck to fit a 1:8 scale nitro racing chassis and the result is pretty spectacular. Of course the aerodynamic drag limits the top speed somewhat, but the handling is excellent, setting the stage for some spectacular close truck racing in multiplayer. The Nascar style truck body will be made available to all VRC Pro members, including trial members, as part of the free ‘public’ tracks, chassis and components. A 30 days trial membership costs just $5 and when you upgrade to the full membership you get the $5 entry fee back.
Last V3 World Championships in December
To close of the 2010 season and also the VRC v3 era, 2 World Championships will be hosted in December. Last year these events topped over 1000 participants, making them the biggest r/c events ever. The 1:10 Sedan World Championship will be held at the Fiorano track (Italy) and will start on December 5th, and will cover 4 rounds in 2 weeks. The 1:8 Worlds are on the Sao Paulo track in Brazil, starting 1 week later on December 12th, so a 1 week overlap. As these are the very last official VRC World Championships we have decided to make these events absolutely free, so anyone can join. The Fiorano and Sao Paulo track will be made available for free for just these 2 races, and no VRC v3 license is required. We can’t make it any more attractive then this to join. Let’s make December the biggest virtual r/c racing month ever, that is till 2010. In 2011 everything will change…
Silverstone Moto Arena to feature in VRC Pro
Virtual Racing Industries and the management of the Moto Arena at Silverstone have agreed to work closely together in promoting r/c model car racing to a larger audience. As a start VRC Pro will feature the Moto Arena indoor race track, for sure one of the premiers indoor r/c racing facilities in the world. At a later stage the Moto Arena’s outdoor on- and off-road tracks may be added to VRC Pro. Moto Arena and VRI are excited about this deal as they see great potential in promoting Moto Arena, VRC Pro and model car racing with this combined effort. Discussions are under way about setting up VRC Pro sims at Moto Arena to offer the public a chance to learn the basics of controlling a model car before getting to the track to try a real r/c car on one of Moto Arena tracks.
For more information about VRC go to the game website here.
