Hate cars? Hate their smug metallic faces and pompous windshield wipers? Wish that every car you saw could be smashed into a crumpled heap? You’ve got serious mental problems, but we’ve still got something to show you.
The video embedded at top-right is a tech demo designed by BeamNG, a group that describes itself as “a young startup company developing a state of the art real time physics simulation engine.” As you can see, they’re doing lovely work with that whole “real time physics” thing.
Oh, but maybe just watching a few vehicles tumble down a hill while shedding component parts like a fuzzy Manx in July isn’t “real” enough for you. Maybe you crave to be in the center of all that destruction. Maybe you want to experience what it’s like to roll a compact car down a mountain for yourself. Again, you’re badly in need of psychological evaluation, but BeamNG has you covered on that front as well. Below all of this text you’ll find a second clip which delivers exactly what I described above (minus the bit about your fading sanity).
What’s the end-game for this footage? We aren’t sure. BeamNG doesn’t seem ready to discuss exactly what its new physics technology will be used for, but we’ve got our fingers crossed that the code will work its way into near-future videogames. Imagine this kind of steely carnage in a future Forza Motorsport or Gran Turismo sequel. While those franchises are ostensibly focused on racing, the meticulously designed vehicles in each have always felt a bit unrealistic due to the fact that smashing one into a wall at 200MPH will barely dent your high-priced ride. At most, maybe your windows will blow out. With BeamNG’s tech however, cars could roll around, flip and burst into a pile of metal chunks. Doesn’t that sound intensely satisfying?
We’ll bring you more on BeamNG’s plans once they’ve been unveiled. For now, enjoy this footage. And if anyone asks, tell them you’re watching “car torture porn.” We just invented that phrase and are really hoping it becomes a thing.
Source: RockPaperShotgun
