Developer Diaries: 1st October, 2024

The Art of Driving

2 min readSep 30, 2024

This week, we’re taking you for a spin through the world of vehicle mechanics in Neolyfe. Panos, our game dev, has been fine-tuning how cars and bikes feel and respond, aiming to make each ride uniquely enjoyable.

When asked about the challenge of creating realistic yet fun vehicle mechanics, Panos shared an interesting perspective:

“Balancing realism and fun in our vehicle mechanics is a bit like cooking. Too much realism and it becomes frustrating; too little and it feels fake. We’re aiming for that perfect flavour where you feel the vehicle’s weight and power, but you’re still having a blast zipping around Neolyfe.”

Making Vehicles Feel Different:

In Neolyfe, we want driving a sports car to feel distinctly different from cruising in a heavy-duty truck. Here’s how we’re achieving this:

Weight Matters: We’ve created a system where a vehicle’s weight affects its movement. Heavier cars feel more solid and stable, while lighter vehicles like sports cars and bikes feel nimbler and more agile.

Power and Speed: Each vehicle class has its power curve. Sports cars accelerate quickly, while larger vehicles build up speed gradually but maintain it better.

Handling the Curves: We’ve implemented unique steering responses for different vehicles. Sports cars and bikes turn more sharply, while larger vehicles require wider turns.

Bounce and Roll: Our suspension system simulates how vehicles react to bumps and turns. Off-road vehicles absorb shocks better, while sports cars hug the road tightly.

Balancing Act:

Our biggest challenge has been striking the right balance between realism and fun. We want vehicles to feel authentic without being frustrating to control. Finding that sweet spot is a constant process of tweaking and testing.

What We’re Excited About:

We’re thrilled about the variety of driving experiences Neolyfe will offer. Whether you’re zipping through city streets on an agile motorbike or taking a leisurely drive in a luxury car, each journey promises to be unique and engaging.

We can’t wait for you to test drive our vehicles and experience the diversity of Neolyfe’s roads for yourself!

About NeoLyfe:

Neolyfe is a 3D virtual world that enables gamers, creators and brands to seriously level up their online experience. Inside Neolyfe, users can play and create games, monetise their experiences, access education and so much more.