OPPO Automation/BeamNG Challenge #1: Sport Wagons

[Taylor Martin]

I recently entered an Automation challenge and enjoyed myself so much I wanted to try and run one with the people here. The challenge I've selected is borderline stolen from one done a long time ago, with some changes to make things simpler on both you and on me. Whether you own Automation, BeamNG, both, or neither, you'll play a part in how this goes. Since this is the first time we're trying this, I do have a bit of explaining to do, so please, bear with me.

Everyone with Automation is more than welcome to attempt this challenge! You'll be making a car following some particular guidelines posted in the Google Document below, and sending the .car file to me either here on Oppo or via email at tjmartin317@gmail.com (all that and more is explained in the document). I'll be scoring the cars on certain in-game criteria, taking the average of the market desirablitiy and awarding points to those who score the highest in certain categories (drivability, practicality, fuel efficiency, comfort, and sportiness are the 5 areas of critique for this challenge). This will determine a winner on paper. Hurray!

If you have BeamNG, you're more than welcome to participate in the race. Real winners are crowned on the track, which is where BeamNG comes in. There are more instructions in the document on how to download the multiplayer mod called BeamMP, but I'll be creating a server where we can all test our cars.

If you don't own either game, you'll be voting for your favorite car aesthetically (I'll be making a post then, once all the submissions have been turned in). This is not only important but vital, because the starting positions of the race will be determined by who you vote for.

if one Oppo has Automation and another has BeamNG, you can collaborate and be a team, one designer, and one driver. That way everyone gets a shot at glory.

Lastly, if you don't own BeamNG/can't make it to the race but do own Automation and design a car, I'll drive whichever car does the best on paper that isn't already assigned a driver. Consider this a wild card. If you design a good car but don't have a driver, I'll take it to the track for you. If everyone has a driver for their car (or is driving their own car) then I won't need to get involved.

Deadlines:

• All the .car file entries must be submitted by Sunday, December 20th EST no later than midnight.

• The BeamNG multiplayer race will be held on Monday, December 21st, currently at 2pm EST (though that can be rescheduled to account for any working Oppos if needed).

Alright, all the participation guidelines and boring explanations are out of the way, what's the challenge?

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yRU1dZpAMBuoJJI99brF-4UpySselrfqj9Hx8_x5jtU/edit?usp=sharing

There's the Google Doc that explains everything. If you don't have Automation, you don't have to read it because you're task has already been explained, but if you'd like to give this a whirl, please give this a read through.

To sum it up though, you'll be building your take on a late 90s to early 2000s sport wagon, a family car that could tackle a track day if necessary. High practicality, high drivability, and high sportiness are all a must, while high comfort and fuel efficiency are pretty important too.

The criteria you have to follow is all listed in the document, but if you have any questions about anything feel free to let me know. Again, the cars are due Sunday at midnight.

I hope people actually participate and this works, I'd love to run this again. The only reason I'm cramming one in 3 days is because Christmas is coming, and I don't want to wait until late January to see if this works (I'll be away from my computer).

A race video and the final results will all be put up on Tuesday. It'll be tight, but it'll be fun (I hope). Here are some wagons for your time:

[CB]

@taylor-martin I'll take part. Maybe I'll even read the criteria!

[MM54]

I'm down, if I have time I'll put something together and if I don't, I won't!

That said I can't do the race, that's right in the middle of the day (and I don't have a viable way to drive on the computer, options are mouse/keyboard or a knockoff xbox controller with massive dead spots in the joysticks)

EDIT: access denied on the spreadsheet

[CivicWagonEngineer]

Thanks for putting this together! I plan on designing a car and driving it, but 11am PST on a Monday is no go for me. I'm usually free after 3pm PST weekdays or I'm also taking next Wednesday off, just to throw some more options in. No worries if that doesn't work for everyone else though.

Also I very much plan on making my namesake for this challenge, so good choice on the challenge!

[Taylor Martin]

@civicwagonengineer 4pm PST would be 7pm EST, which could also work. Once I know exactly who's taking part (i.e. once I have the submissions) we'll hash out a plan.

@MM54 if nobody else participates then I'll be able to drive your car. Otherwise, you'll be able to rank On Paper and that'll be cool too!

[Taylor Martin]

@mm54 Give this link a shot: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yRU1dZpAMBuoJJI99brF-4UpySselrfqj9Hx8_x5jtU/edit?usp=sharing

[MM54]

@taylor-martin That one worked, thanks!

[MM54]

Yep I have no idea what I'm doing with the "car" part of it. How do I see the price? By "min markets of top 3 are 90" is that the score it tells you at the end of assembling your monstrosity car?

[Taylor Martin]

@mm54 1.) The second to last tab, right after the suspension stuff I think, should have a detailed stats button. It'll pop up at the bottom of the screen. If you can figure out how to set the country of sales to Fruinia that'd be swell.

[Taylor Martin]

@cb Just saw your email. There was no password to the doc, but I changed the link so it should be accessible now.

[SmugAardvark]

I need to get back into BeamNG. I still have it installed, but haven't touched it in at least a year or two.

[Taylor Martin]

@smugaardvark If you have Automation, this would be the perfect reason. Or you could drive @MM54's car if he can't participate.

[SmugAardvark]

@taylor-martin I don't have it, but I see no reason not to get it!

[MM54]

@taylor-martin Thanks - found Fruinia and the "approximate cost" - I fortunately have plenty of money left to not only make it less hideous but also make it good at... anything. I'm pleased with the engine but the rest of the car, not so much.

Edit: Sent an email your way. Might refine it a little more, if so I'll send the update but that's probably it.

[Taylor Martin]

@mm54 I got the email! Will certainly take a look at it in the AM (and set up the server to make sure I can actually run stuff, though I know you may not be able to make it to that)

[sn4cktimes]

This sounds neat but I am slammed busy. Perhaps if there's one that takes place in the spring I'll have the time.

[Taylor Martin]

@sn4cktimes Well, I'm cramming this one in before I leave for the holidays and won't be near my big gaming computer until late January. But after I come back I'd love to do this again (so long as it goes off okay this time). Hopefully it'll be a recurring thing.

[Jawzx2]

entered! sent you an email with my snappily named wagon