Vehicle Damage
Why Allow Vehicles to be Damaged?
We enjoyed tons of racing games, ranging from big names such as the Need for Speed franchise to the more obscure Test Drive Unlimited franchise. All these games were great, but most lacked a very important component: car damage. Did you know that the most appreciated Need for Speed game to this day is still the Need for Speed Porsche? Any guesses as to why? Yep, you guessed it! It was the only game in the franchise that had a true car damage mechanic.
We have several reasons for implementing the car damage mechanic:
It prevents use of any wall curve exploits.
It adds a dynamic level to the strategy of competition, as the fastest vehicle may not always be best suited if it is too fragile to finish a race full of demolition vehicles.
It opens the gameplay loop to game modes like Destruction Derby.
It contributes to vehicle customization and simulation components of the experience.
It is a fundamental pillar in the sustainability of the game economy.
How Does It Work in the Game?
Depending on your speed and point of impact you will receive various amounts of damage. Every vehicle will have a health bar reflecting its overall durability. Some of them will have more HP (hit points) in their stock version than others, but that comes at the cost of speed, acceleration, and maneuverability.
Taking damage will slow your overall vehicle performance, thus decreasing maximum speed and acceleration, until eventually you will not be able to continue the race.
Fortunately, after a race is finished, you can and should repair your damage in the garage menu of the game. This costs in-game currency, but keeping your car 100% ready to race will always give you an edge over more neglectful players. Refer to consumables to learn how to repair your vehicle .
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