Orbiter Rocket Racing League

[Tommy]

I would say that the config should be set to the "realistic" settings, no messing with ISP , max thrust, vessel mass, fuel consumption, etc. Adjusting fuel or passenger loads isn't a problem, selecting the right balance between too much fuel, and not enough, is a part of every kind of powered racing. I also don't have a problem with autopilots - it's technique that makes a difference. Disallowing the XR-2's attitude hold AP, for instance, puts people with lower quality joysticks (or no joystick at all) or lower framerates at a serious disadvantage.

I do think that submitting a flight recording should be mandatory for "official" times, but see no reason they can't be submitted to a judge only, and not the general public.

It may be a good idea to provide an official scenario and config, but the ship should be "dry", with no fuel or LOX. That way racers can load what they want without having to alter the scenario (and specific loadplans would remain "secret" since adding fuel isn't saved in the flight recording by any vessel I'm aware of yet.)

 

[Robsoie]

Isn't there a problem with recording and some addons ?

I remember clearly having made a re-entry with the DGIV , used the pro spec program to keep my angle, and finally landing on KCS without a problem or too much heat.

While after that watching the replay had my DGIV burning and considered destroyed during the re-entry because of excessive heat, despite at no time during my flight temperature was high enough to kill the hull shielding.

Someone said to me that the DGIV is not coded to allow the replay to capture every of the DGIV paramaters, and so in my record it was possible that some doors were always opened because the replay didn't recorded me having closed them.

For the Ravenstar, i don't know if its dlls are coded to allow Orbiter to record every changes, as until now i have not yet recorded any of my XR-2 flights.

For the default Deltaglider that comes with Orbiter, there is absolutely no problem, each time i recorded something, in playbacks Orbiter recorded every of my deltaglider changes (gear up/down, doors, etc...).

So before setting a racing season, it is very important to test and see what are the shuttles that will be good for this, as recording will be important the selected ship will have to be coded to allow Orbiter to record and playback its status/animations changes correctly.

 

[Linguofreak]

I would say that the config should be set to the "realistic" settings, no messing with ISP , max thrust, vessel mass, fuel consumption, etc. Adjusting fuel or passenger loads isn't a problem, selecting the right balance between too much fuel, and not enough, is a part of every kind of powered racing. I also don't have a problem with autopilots - it's technique that makes a difference. Disallowing the XR-2's attitude hold AP, for instance, puts people with lower quality joysticks (or no joystick at all) or lower framerates at a serious disadvantage.

I do think that submitting a flight recording should be mandatory for "official" times, but see no reason they can't be submitted to a judge only, and not the general public.

It may be a good idea to provide an official scenario and config, but the ship should be "dry", with no fuel or LOX. That way racers can load what they want without having to alter the scenario (and specific loadplans would remain "secret" since adding fuel isn't saved in the flight recording by any vessel I'm aware of yet.)

I'd say that each race should have a specific set of config settings for the racers to use. You could have, for instance, races for expert, realistic, and stock-DG settings.

 

[wehaveaproblem]

Cheers for the thoughts guys. The discussion has become split between 2 threads now (see here), so worth reading them both. Your ideas are duely noted a good ones, Tommy. As I have said, I'm going to consider them all and offer up a set of proposed rules for critique and tuning. As to playbacks. They would be emailed to me only. I would share them with the public unless the pilot permitted it (bragging rights? how-to's?). I shall also have a un-official league for times i cannot verify.

Robsoie, good thought. I'm pretty sure the XR series is fine with replays. I know there can be occasional glitches with the undercarriage or something, but visuals aren't important, all I need to do is see a continuous flight and the MET time. Although, your story of the DGIV is a worry.

 

[wehaveaproblem]

Ok, I've started messing around with some modelling for the addon. Did a little mock up of some racing pylon type things tonight, but instead of pylons, these are hot air balloons on cables. I think it's gonna work well as it's a clear marker but not too intrusive, plus it gives plenty of altitude to fly in/round, as they are 2000m up. The cables will have beacon arrays running up them for illumination and there will of course be advertising/sponsor billbords too.

However, using beacon arrays means I need to use the base file. So I will make a 'racing base' that will place the pylons and lights in place. Players can then choose to include this in their config file or not, without affecting Wideawake International or KSC bases.

These are mainly aimed at the multiplayer side of things, but time trials and practice can be done offline also. The package I release is aimed at catering for both offline and MP.

 

[wehaveaproblem]

Here's an early test shot of a balloon pylon idea. It's on a 2000m cable and will have multiple advertising boards, not just the four shown here.

 

[SlyCoopersButt]

That is very good looking! I think that adds a great touch to things.