Mostly to the Devs :: Ultra Off-Road Simulator 2019: Alaska General Discussions

Ultra Off-Road Simulator 2019: Alaska

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Ultra Off-Road Simulator 2019: Alaska > General Discussions > Topic Details

Irish Feb 22, 2019 @ 3:24pm

Mostly to the Devs

I found this game randomly on Steam, based on the store page it seemed like something I'd enjoy. Therefore I bought it, and was instantly regretting my purchase.

As you've mentioned this is your first game, I thought I'd provide you with some feedback that wasn't just slander, but actual advice from a consumer.

First, I found the game because of its name. Off-Road SIMULATOR. That set me up for the expectation that this were a simulation of driving off road.

The videos lead me to believe it was slow paced, where you'd want to drive very technically to avoid obstacles, winch out of bad places, truly an immersive experience with true off roading. I live in a very rocky part of the country so mud-running isn't a thing. We have way more Pathfinders, Zuki's, Jeep's, etc all taking over the trails. So a nice and slow, methodical type of game was what I thought I were getting into.

Upon launch, I found the first menu very bland. It were simple, very simple. Graphics options were very lacking. Audio settings... Were there audio settings? Even options for gameplay, not there. It was sort of just open, and play. Not a bad thing, but in my experience simulation games usually offer a bit more as an introduction.

For the gameplay, I found myself instantly in a truck. There were no options to customize... I expected something like gear ratios, drivetrain, engines, tires, suspension, brakes, etc. Just basic drivetrain features. Maybe not ALL of them, but you offer ZERO of them. Absolutely nothing. Once more I point to the 'simulation' portion of your game title.

When driving the audio is horrid. It doesn't sound like what I'm driving. As you have no option to switch from 4lo or 4hi, or even 2wd for stable terrain... The engine just runs at a constant RPM. I didn't 'feel' like I were wheeling. Instead it felt very much like an arcade button, one click-use sort of thing. Simulation should include some audio features, this title features almost none.

The physics for body roll is a nice touch, but that's all there is. You can see the body swaying like you've unhooked the sway bars and maybe have some super loose 4link going on there... But since you can't change that, it feels like the drivetrain/chassis is separate from the body. So it's like the vehicles all have massive suspension lifts with really soft shocks. Again, I'm not trying to knit-pick... But I again point at your title of 'simulation'

When driving on the terrain... I couldn't even get my tires to spin. You can't rock your way out of places, or crab crawl sideways to avoid rocks. The rocks don't shift... It's just painted terrain. So you can't free wheel over a rock and spit it out the side. The rear end doesn't even lock up... Limited slip... Welded diff? This game encorporates NONE of those things.

In summary, you've made an arcade game. I urge you to try and not become offended, because it's clear you put some effort into the graphics of the terrain... But here's some short notes.

These things are not in your game:

Vehicle suspension modification
Vehicle physics for body lift vs suspension lift.
Body Roll vs suspension roll
Gears, gear ratio
Rear end has no slip/limited slip/welds/etc
Cockpit view
Dynamic audio for RPM/over revving
Terrain reaction to the vehicle (spitting rocks, knock over small trees, dig into a hill with tires, etc)

Also, as a SIMULATION game... The object is to drive over cartoon icons of pizza and gas tanks, to keep yourself going. This destroys immersion, if there were any, because this was supposed to be a simulation.

So hopefully this feedback helps some. I'd suggest removing simulator from your game title and consider titling it an early access. I know you have reservations about early access... But you released this game as 'complete' So if this is your complete game... It's not a simulation. If this isn't your complete game... Then it's early access. You need to find your feet.. I hope you do!

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Originally posted by IceT:

I'm reading everything & noting everything.
And I am hyper grateful. Thank you Irish and everyone who comes to voice their opinion.
I am terribly sorry if we've let you down in any way :(
We are still working, even now. No one in IceTorch left for weekend.
Ironing everything.

Personal note:
Well the negative reviews did made some of us eye's wet. But oh well - this isn't school project but a commercial product. So no time to get depressed.

You know what they say:
"The game's over only when you quit"

And we're no quiters.

Thank you again.

< >

Showing 1-15 of 15 comments

Hoot-Owl

has Ultra Off-Road Simulator 2019: Alaska

Feb 22, 2019 @ 4:12pm

agreed,far from a sim,with no mapping for wheels and pedals,brakes dont really work,and driving over stuff is just stupid

Irish Feb 22, 2019 @ 4:25pm

I love their passion so far, I just don't love the product... Yet

Sneaky Feb 22, 2019 @ 4:42pm

They deleted all of the reviews because they don't want everyone to know that their new game is garbage! Go back to mudrunner!!!!

malorob Feb 22, 2019 @ 5:02pm

Originally posted by Sneaky:
They deleted all of the reviews because they don't want everyone to know that their new game is garbage! Go back to mudrunner!!!!

not sure about what reviews your talking about but i red a bunch on store page and most where bad reviews but dev's did address problems and say they will try to fix in the next coming patches

Irish Feb 22, 2019 @ 5:15pm

I didn't see any reviews deleted. I think they are just taking some time to recoil and sort out what to do next. It can't feel good to launch your first game to a bunch of bad reviews. I feel for em. My bottom line is that it's pitched as a simulation game, but it's far from that right now.

haywoods mods Feb 22, 2019 @ 7:02pm

this game sucks ass.. im so pissed i bought it.. im a spintires fan and i mod the game.. this is a huge regret. i played mayne 3 mins of it

Hexagoros Feb 22, 2019 @ 9:37pm

Originally posted by Irish:

Also, as a SIMULATION game... The object is to drive over cartoon icons of pizza and gas tanks, to keep yourself going. This destroys immersion, if there were any, because this was supposed to be a simulation.

I am not surprised, and very, very glad I held off on this game. I decided against purchasing when they announced there is NO FIRST PERSON VIEW in their 'simulation' game.

Pizza box icons and floating gas tanks fits right in with no behind-the-wheel view.

Yeah, this game sure is a 'simulation'...of how NOT to make a simulation game.

Wizard Feb 22, 2019 @ 10:03pm

Thanks God for reviews. The lost me at "floating pizza boxes".

A developer of this app has indicated that this post answers the original topic.

IceT Feb 23, 2019 @ 1:37am

haywoods mods Feb 23, 2019 @ 5:25pm

ithink you guys mistake was the title. your title attracted a group that were looking to buy a simulation game... if u didnt add sim to your game or let people know it was more arcade than anything you prolly would of attracted a didnt type of gamer and got better reviews

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