VRC Column – Sneak Preview VRC Pro

VRC Pro is now in alpha testing state, meaning all systems and structures are being intensively tested before to start the beta test with outside users. The waiting was for the proprietary XANDRA graphics engine to deliver the first in-game pictures. And they are stunning! The graphics engine delivers a hi definition r/c racing experience as real as it will ever get. Dynamic shading on the 3D pit table user interface, light reflection and specularity produce a fully realistic pit table environment from where you build and set up your car or go racing. And in the background the live race track with cars on it. It’s just like being on the track.

The pit table is fully customizable with the accessories you would normally also have on your pit table: tools, radio, starter box or charger, you name it and it’s there! All these accessories are there to be picked up and looked at. So there may but stuff on your pit table that you haven’s used or seen before and now it’s there in hi def 3D.

The track experience has been lifted to a very high level. The dynamic shadow and light settings give you different atmospheres from the early morning till late afternoon. Night racing and rain conditions will be added at a later stage. The new collision system and tire model give an even better ‘feel’ to the racer than in v3 which was already seen as extremely realistic.

VRC Pro welcomed by Industry
During the 2010 International Nurnberg Toyfair VRC Pro was introduced to some of the major r/c manufacturers. They were excited about the quality of VRC Pro and what VRC Pro could mean for the r/c hobby as a whole. They all agreed that the hi def graphics were far beyond expectation and contributed greatly to an ultra realistic r/c experience. The r/c industry seems to embrace VRC Pro as a means to connect with new r/c enthusiasts from around the world and to give them an easy yet very realistic first hand experience about the hobby and how exciting r/c racing can be.

VRC Pro Upgrade Policy
End of 2008 VRC introduced the VRC Upgrade policy. It has certainly taken longer than we expected back then to bring VRC Pro to you, but the same conditions still apply today. With the launch of VRC Pro expected somewhere middle of 2010 it is still interesting to get going with VRC v3 today. When VRC Pro is launched you will be able to upgrade your VRC v3 account to VRC Pro while receiving part of your v3 software purchases in the last 10 months prior to the launch of VRC Pro, back as V-dollars. For every month of use of the v3 software and tracks 10% will be deducted.

Virtual Winternats 2010
The 2010 Virtual Winternationals were heavily contested on the demanding Fort Myers track in Florida USA. Almost 800 racers participated in the Winternats, spread over 3 classes, 1:8 CanAm (251 racers), 1:10 Sedan (335 racers) and 1:10 Sportscars (203 racers). 2009 Top ranked Antonello Paris won 1:8 with a 3 lap lead over Andersson. In 1:10 Sedan World Champ Frank Hattich took victory over Andersson again with just a 4 second margin after 45 minutes of hard racing. In 1:10 Rookie class Polands Maciej Czekajewski won the title over Lein with a lap and a half margin. Poland convincingly were the strongest nation in Rookie class, confirming their split 3rd place in the 2009 Nation Cup.

For more information about VRC go to the game website here.