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  1. #1

    Road Improvement Thread

    Hi guys


    Looking at the gameplay videos, I feel that much about the roads can be improved, to make this game more realistic and give players a better experience.

    In the post below, i'll be continuously updating my own suggestions on how to improve the roads, at least in my opinion, as time goes on and more gameplay trailers become available.

    Feel free to post your own suggestion list in this thread and I'll link to them here in this sort of "index"!
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  2. #2
    1. The yellow line


    Arguably one of the first things that should come to mind about roads in the USA.

    Seeing gameplay videos of Black Hills and Miami, I was a bit disappointed to see that most of the time it was a white inner line




    and only on one occasion in Miami there was a yellow inner line:

    But actually practically every freeway in the United States has a yellow inner line (just check Google Street View):





    2. The junction/interchange


    I've noticed that from Test Drive Unlimited to Test Drive Unlimited 2 and now The Crew, the junctions/interchanges on/off-ramps have this weird texture where the end is rounded instead of a traingular shape as in most countries.

    Here are two examples from test drive Unlimited 2:


    From The Crew:


    But we all know in the real world this doesn't happen:
    Ibiza:

    Hawaii:



    3. The shoulder lane is generally wider than the space beside the inner line


    Okay, this one is nitpicking, but from this screenshot it appears that the shoulder lane and the space beside the inner line is the same width, so that's not too realistic. I know this game isn't meant to be realistic, but it can't hurt if the map is more realistic, right? Driving physics and other stuff are a different matter of course... If anything, making the map more realistic only increases the level of immersion.

    Interstate 95 in Virginia:

    The Crew:



    4. How about following the FHWA MUTCD? The lane lines do seem a little too thick and long...


    This will really step up the realism factor. Following the Federal Highway Administration's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices will really make all the roads true to life. It contains all the guidelines and specifications needed to (in this case) design road textures. It will tell you how long each lane line be, how long the space between each line should be, the width of the lines, etc. (real specification: spaces between lane lines should be 3 times longer than the line itself).
    Here is the link if you're interested: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/pdfs/2009r1r2/pdf_index.htm

    Here are some screenshots of the manual:



    Here are some textures I did based on this manual for a city-building game called Cities XL:





    6. Some possible road signs


    I noticed from the gameplay videos that highway signs most likely haven't been finished yet, so here are some ideas.
    Together with those from the FHWA MUTCD (it has a whole bunch of signs), here are some others:

    From the real world:






    Welcome signs would be nice:


    Again from a mod for Cities XL, but based on the FHWA MUTCD (just look at the signs, I know the road doesn't look too good):




    Thanks for reading, still more to come!
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  3. #3
    Nice ideas I believe Ubisoft fixes those I really like the welcome signs that would be awesome I'm really looking forward to this game
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  4. #4
    iRaptr's Avatar Junior Member
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    +1 If they correct/add that stuff, it will improve the realism for sure!
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  5. #5
    if they change all that this game would be perfect, and stand out from the rest, the little things really do matter
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  6. #6
    PublicVermin's Avatar Senior Member
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    MEh, it's a bit TOO nit picky for, my taste. However, for a more complete feeling of "being there" i can see your point and wouldn't be against pushing them to correct it. Really the only thing i would look forward to them fixing would be the exiting lanes of the freeways. Great post, and awesome attention to detail, rlrh.
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  7. #7
    Spadge005's Avatar Member
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    Very good work and reasearches ! I'd be glad if some of your suggestions will be taken over
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  8. #8
    Sipylos_HUN's Avatar Member
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    Super accurate research, very nice indeed. As a Tdu player I totally agreed on the meticulous details. Ubisoft famous about the punctual details anyway. I hope it's not too much work to make the game better looking. February is coming soon!
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  9. #9
    Rattenschnitzel's Avatar Member
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    Soon enough but as you should know the release has been delayed to "later 2014" ^^

    But rlrh1996's research still is very nice. Reading this reminds me of games like the 18 Wheels of Steel or Euro Truck Sim-Series ^^
    There are several Details i wouldn't even notice for sure but it would make the game a bit more realistic.
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  10. #10
    Can I get an AMEN!!!!!! As a guy who is studying to be a road designer, I wish video games would follow the real guidelines. Surprisingly, the most realistic roads I have seen are on GTA V, heck the left turn lanes even have its own stoplight. crew devs should be able to fix things like the line color no problem, but the roads better be realistic (and the stoplights too will you guys are at it). FINGERS CROSSED!!!!
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