RaptorRace 2004

Pretty much anybody who's played XMP for more than 5 minutes is likely to have discovered how much fun the Raptors (the fast buggy-like vehicles in some levels) are to drive, and many others have thought - with varied success - what a great idea it would be to race them.

So, for a laugh, BSE set out to make a few maps especially for that purpose: and basically we got a little carried away. Okay... a lot carried away!

As well as the entirely new, purpose-built maps, we thought it would be cool if we incorporated extra functionality into the pack which would not only make the races fair, but also a hell of a lot more fun - and challenging!

If you're not interested in the background behind RaptorRace, then click here to download it now. You might also want to check out the promotional video (25MB DivX).

The final mod includes the following new features:

• CheckPoints:
  In order to make sure that unsupervised races could be absolutely fair, checkpoints are placed at strategic points around each race track. These must be triggered in sequence in order to complete the race. As a side-effect, this also made multi-lap races possible - a complete sequence of checkpoints being used to increase a lap counter.

• Improved Raptors:
  The original XMP Raptors are so much fun to drive, that we felt it important to keep the same handling and performance as the original game. However, the original XMP Raptors tended to just explode if the wind gusted too strong. This was bad news for racing.

  As well as solving this problem by giving the Race Raptors more health than the factory-standard Raptor, we also added the ability to respawn right back at the last checkpoint through which you passed when your Raptor is destroyed!

• Battle-hardened vehicles:
  Not only are the new Raptors harder than the average bear... we mean Raptor... erm. They also pack formidable punch, as the driver now has total control of his/her vehicle. Raptor Racing isn't just about some pleasant trundle in the country - if you get in the lead, better watch out for those hot on your heels with full control of the main gun-turret. Navigate minefields placed by spectators and other competitors by using your own turret as a combined minesweeper and 'peacemaker' - remember: no-one is an innocent bystander...

• Rear-View Camera: *
  Fitted as standard on the BSE Raptors, the ultimate in reverse parking technlogy - introducing the rear-view camera! This nifty addition to the driver's HUD allows you to see enemy Raptors catching up from behind, and also allows some pretty awesome parking manoeuvres...

  The RVM can be enabled and disabled from the driver's seat of the raptor using the RELOAD key (usually set to 'R').

• Raptor Deployment Pens:
  One of the most important parts of making the races fair was the introduction of the Raptor Deployment Pens. These small, purpose-built bunkers are fenced by indestructible force-walls, all of which switch-off simultaneously after the initial countdown ensuring that no-one can make a false-start.

• Improved Heads-Up Status Display:
  As well as tracking the current race progress, the improved HUD also includes enemy name-tags, allowing both spectators and race competitors alike to see who's where in the race.

• Not only Raptors but improved Juggernauts too:
  That's right! Experience for the first time the battle-ready, über-fast, extra-hard racing machine that is a BSE Racing-Juggernaut! Equipped with a fully driver-controlled shock-cannon, extra speed and boost capability, thicker armour plate and gutblowers for protection from evil minelaying spectators, the new improved Juggernaut provide hours of fun for all the family. Order yours today!

No special configuration is required to activate the RaptorRace mod either. Simply load one of the RaptorRace maps, or add it to your server map rotation, and everything required is dynamically loaded. Switch back to a standard XMP map, and the normal game continues. This allows a huge amount of flexibility when running game servers both online and on LAN.

Coming soon, a tutorial on making your own maps for RaptorRace by making use of the new Race code objects as well as guidelines for building and testing maps.

For those of you who are curious, a history of the Raptor Racing project including ideas which never made it to release will be coming soon. Watch this space.