Stunt Playground v2.0 A Review
Installation:
You can download the game by following the link to Freeware Fan’s thread that introduced this game:
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2457?replies=8
The downloaded file is a 17.2Mb executable that if you choose the full installation will expand to 30.9Mb and the smaller is 29.6Mb.
Installation is relatively simple, with a choice of either installing only game or the entire features, though it doesn’t say what these are though. The default installation path is the usual boot drives program files folder, but there is a browse button if you wish to install elsewhere (highly recommended because filling up your boot drive will slow your computer down markedly as you fill it up – there are several reasons why, which I’ve discussed previously over in the comments section, though if you’re interested just Google some appropriate words as there are loads of ‘teckky’ articles on the subject) Despite choosing to have a shortcut installed on the desktop it did not install one, however this was easily remedied by going to the start menu, where you’ll find a folder called Stunt Playground. Here you can create and send a shortcut to the desktop by right clicking and selecting send to, then desktop (shortcut) though if you want to uninstall the game there is no uninstaller shortcut, but deleting the whole games folder should be sufficient. I’m sure the orphan registry entries would be mopped up when and if you use a proprietary registry cleaner. Or you could go into the registry yourself and click on Edit and select find from the drop down menu. Type in the name of the game and it will find all reference to it on the computer. You can delete each registry key as you progress through the registry. Press F3 to continue finding keys until you get the message finished checking the registry.
:lol:As a precaution you should always create a restore point first just in case you delete something you shouldn’t, though I’ve personally never caused anything not to work, or frozen my computer because of wrongful deletion (noy yet anyway)
Introduction:
What the developer says:
“
Stunt Playground is an open-ended 3D driving game. You can place a variety of jumps and obstacles (called props) in a large arena, and then drive around the arena in one of 8 vehicles, attempting crazy stunts. The game features fully 3D graphics including real-time shadows and reflections, and uses a very realistic physics system which makes both driving and building arenas very intuitive. The game features eight different vehicles all with their own nuances and abilities. There are loads of stunts and tricks possible with the tracks provided. The game also includes a track editor, and the ability to incorporate these tracks into the game for use while playing. You can also save your played games so that you can marvel at your driving skills and as the manual says show your friends” :lol:
Game info:
On starting the game you will be presented with a ‘rendering’ set up window which gives you the choice of using DX or Open GL 3D emulation. Each has its own positives so it’s up to you which you choose to use, though I prefer to us the direct X emulation as it seems sharper than using the OpenGL option. Both give you similar options such as anti aliasing, which helps to straighten out those jagged edges you get on supposedly straight lines, as well as VSync that has something to do with synchronizing the images stored in the video’s RAM awaiting screen presentation simply put, :lol: ). You can also change your screen resolution from th rendering set up window as well as a few other options. (see the screen captures I’ve posted below (via the link provided) Most graphics cards and onboard chips support both forms of 3d Acceleration, but you do need to have the appropriate software installed. If you are running windows XP or higher you will automatically have direct X installed. Some games that you may have installed from the game giveaway project also come packaged with both or at least one, but if you don’t have the Open GL software it can be downloaded free from the following address:
http://www.opengl.org/documentation/specs/
Once you’ve set up your video options you are taken to the arena (which looks like a traditional racing track with no fancy chicanes or S bends etc, and, apart from the basic track is empty to start with. At the bottom of the screen are some details of the keys used to navigate around the track as well as zooming in or out. Clicking the left mouse button will bring up two menus; the one on the left enables you to add loads of stuff to the already prepared track such as loops, ramps, tunnel jumps, rings and quarter pipes, together with other objects that can be used as barriers, or even used to build more stunt equipment that includes barrels, oil drums boards, concrete blocks as well as other stuff such as signs and wrecked cars. Once you’ve chosen an object you click on the add prop button which allows you to place the prop almost anywhere on the arena and any track that isn’t on an angle. Once you’ve placed your objects you can test the track to see if it’s workable before saving it. The right window enables you to record your races.
Once you’ve built your track and started the test you can choose between 8 different vehicles, all of which have their own speeds and handling characteristics. All the controls for placing, selecting, playing and recording can be found in the html document called how to play the game which I mentioned above. Rather than me repeat everything there it would be better if you read it yourselves.
There’s a decent html document that gives you all the information you need to know about the game, the controls and the editor as well as replaying the game after you have finished. This can be found within the games folder. If you installed it to the default position you can find it by following the path below:
C:\program files\Stunt Playground\docs\readme.html
System Requirements:
• Operating System--------------------------------Windows 2000 / XP
• CPU------------------------------------------------1 GHz or higher CPU
• System Memory----------------------------------512 MB RAM
• Video Card----------------------------------------3D acceleration
• 3D Emulation-------------------------------------DirectX 9.0, or OpenGL drivers.
Conclusion:
Apparently the game uses the Ogre 3D engine and Newton game dynamics for excellent realism, but if you’ve played all the latest racing games then you may be a little disappointed. Though for those of us who don’t usually buy games related to racing or cars in general I think this game will rock. That said this is a fun little game to tinker around with, building stunt equipment and seeing if it works using the physics engine mentioned above. I must say though that for those expecting a racing game, this is not the right game for you. It’s a single car game, where you whiz around and across the pre-prepared track trying out all the stunts you’ve built and watching the obstacles get smashed apart (not literally though :lol: The physics are okay and prompt me to give this a 6.5 out of 10. The reason it seems so low is that there is only one oval track provided. I think with several different shaped tracks this would have been far more fun than I found it, though I will be keeping this for a while. Unfortunately, apart from the pre game screen captures, my screen capture device wouldn’t work once the game was started so I’m unable to show you any of the stunt equipment I attempted to build, or the way the vehicles looked when jumping a tunnel bridge or negotiating a quarter pipe. :oops: Thankfully there were some images found when I Googled the name of the game :lol:
As a Slideshow:
http://s109.photobucket.com/albums/n61/Whiterabbit_01/gaotd/FREEWARE/Stunt%20Playground%20v2/?albumview=slideshow
All on one page:
http://s109.photobucket.com/albums/n61/Whiterabbit_01/gaotd/FREEWARE/Stunt%20Playground%20v2/
Googled:
http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&q=Stunt+playground&btnG=Search+Images&gbv=2
Notes:
If you did happen to have the original release; the following is the change log that lists the changes made between version 1 and 2:
• 4 new vehicles -> Mini, Tokyo Bus, Pantera, Monster Truck
• 4 new props -> Loop, Tunnel Jump, Stop Sign, Indicator
• Improved vehicle reflections, now using realtime cubemapping for very improved realism!
• removal of DirectX 7.0 support, now only uses DirectX 9.0 and OpenGL
• update to the internal physics engine, improving vehicle behavior
• some basic interface changes - addition of "reset scores" option.
• new game logo reflecting version number
• new configuration screen picture
• small bug fixes
• Improvements to camera class prevents crazy camera movements after pauses from loading / etc.
