F1 Manager Games

[Viper]

Just something I've been thinking...there are tons of people thinking or doing something like a F1 Manager game around the internet, but they all start with an idea so huge, that they either spend years doing it and don't come nowhere near finishing, or they finish it, but it's poorly executed.

I'm currently doing a Web Programing Major at the University, and while we see stuff like Java, JavaScript, PHP, ASP and etc, we also see a bit of normal structured languages. I'm currently studying Pascal which is kinda lame, but I know a fair bit of Algorythims by now. So I was thinking of doing something fun for a change with all of this and hopefully gain some much needed experience with Visual Basic.

My first idea was to make a tool to process the data we receive from you guys to calculate everything...but then I noticed that I don't have enough experience to make a software that reads the gp4 save games and process the stuff, so it would be a moot point. My second idea however is to do something related to managing games. Still, I don't want to start with something huge right away otherwise I can't finish. Here's where you come at play

First off, I don't intend to make something related to managing the team. I'm thinking of something restricted to the driver's point of view. Y'know, starting a career, choosing a manager etc...I recently downloaded a program like that, but it's a bit wierd to say the least. So starting from the basics, what would you like to see in a program like this? I'm writing up my own ideas, but I'd like input from others...I was going to post this over at GrandPrixGames.org, but some people there tend to overhype everything. So any input is apreciated. But please don't think too complicated for now

[Dave]

probably the chance to have multiple seasons instead of one and then having to start again. Maybe a contract system would be could so the grid gets mixed up a bit each year.

Great Idea btw

[Mαττ]

That, and at GPG any decent answers you did get would be lost in a sea of spam and useless crap...

For your idea;
Obviously a manager and the decision to drive for different teams depending on your skills.

I suppose being able to have a say into choosing your own race engineer...umm, number of test and promotional days each year. Decisions regarding whether to chat up the hot blonde over there...

[Viper]

Multiple seasons is definately on my list. Of course, my program would not change GP4 in any way, but it would generate the performance file for the next season according to what's been decided by you. So for the ones that are following my 2004 season at McLaren, my program would have taken in account my 2003 results to produce the performance file. That means Jaguar would have started 2004 in third place for instance. Still, I know some people would rather play the exact 2004 only with their names on it, so a setting that allows that would also be in place. ATM it could only be done with Season's 1999 to 2006 though, cause that's what is avaible. No point in starting on 1991 but not being able to play 1992 next, right?

Contract system - What I've come up with is a Reputation System. So when you start a new career, you'd start with a certain amount of reputation points. Enough to allow you a contract on the smaller teams, like Jordan, Minardi, Arrows etc. Also, enough points that even if you drop the ball on your first season, you can still have a seat for the next one. Just don't go Ide and you'd be fine Once your amount of points reachs a certain level you can try and get contracted by on of the bigger teams like Williams and Renault. Then factors like number of wins, number of pole positions, consitency (More on that later) would come into play for the team to decide if they want you or not. There would be a third level where you've became a stabilished driver, and probably after you've become champion at least once, where you'd be able to get a seat on any team you want, provided you don't have a signed contract.

Of course, my program would only work taking in account that you'd be playing on Ace level only. Anyway, more ideas appreciated. I have enough to start doing a few tests, so I'll see what I can do later.

[Viper]

mjf said:

That, and at GPG any decent answers you did get would be lost in a sea of spam and useless crap...

Exatcly

For your idea;
Obviously a manager and the decision to drive for different teams depending on your skills.

I suppose being able to have a say into choosing your own race engineer...umm, number of test and promotional days each year. Decisions regarding whether to chat up the hot blonde over there...

I'm thinking right now that a Manager would give you a reputation boost. I thought about having a set of skills for the managers, but I'm not sure which or how to make it work yet (The skill part. The reputation thing is easy)

I liked the race engineer idea...i'll chew more on it later on.

Test days and etc, can be done. But I'm thinking that have those as an option when starting the career. So if you choose to have test days, you'd need to do them before doing the next race. If not, you won't have to test at all.

[Mαττ]

So is this program to work in conjunction with GP4?

[Viper]

Yes. I don't have enough ability to change the way GP4 works. For starters, I'd need the gp4 engine open to mess around with, and second I think gp4 is made with C, which I have no experience with. My program would be a side utility where you import your results from Gp4. Think of it as a F1 Career game, where Gp4 would be the simulation part. Still, I want to make something where you spend the least amount of time possible on, and race more.

I'm thinking right now of making use of the results files that Gp4 generates at the end of each race. My program could read the race results txt files so you won't have to input the data by hand.

[Dave]

Great idea, if you need anything at all let me know and I will do my best to help you. Im on MSN all day every weekday so if you need me you know where to find me