Interview Video Analysis - TM2 Vs TMF

[AlexKF]

I was watching the interview with Edward (Product Manager of Nadeo) and thought some of the things he was saying was quite interesting, maybe a little surprising too.

Here is the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXIqNHYlNtg

At 4:54

Better of the same, better graphics, more realistic, more impressive gameplay

So he's saying its essentially the same game, yet but its more powerful in graphics and gameplay? Surely you wouldn't be saying this sort of stuff just before you release a 'new' game? I mean, saying its the same with some better features might not be the best way to promote it and persuade players to buy it, in my opinion at least. I guess the thought behind what he is saying is to reassure the current TM players that its similar enough to buy and they will enjoy it more, but then if he says that, then all the new players might just think 'oh, lets just get the TMF that is free but still just -nearly- as enjoyable'. So what will be done with TMU/F when TM2 comes out?

Also, at 6:06

So, all in all, people just think its trackmania but more powerful

Again, just saying its just more powerful isn't going to persuade all players to buy it seeing as there is a free version still available. Not the best way to sum up the interview, again, in my opinion.

I'm just a little unsure to what will happen to TMU/F after TM2 comes out. What do you guys think?

[krone6]

Same thing with most games. They get 1 or two small updates and then that's that. The focus goes to the newer game. He didn't say tmnf IS tm2, he said tm2 is similar to the other trackmania games, but much better. People would rather go with the "better" game and not the "demo" if the full versions "better." Demo's are good and all but to most, they won't even know there is one with the console ports and all, no one does demos much anymore.

If all of that made sense however.

[AlexKF]

Ok, but what differences are there, apart from the graphics?

Transition from TMNF > TMUF: You get an extra 6 environments, extra in game features (ie: coppers, personalized skins, modeled cars, longer buddy list etc), larger selection of blocks in the map editor etc.

Transition from TMUF > TM2: You get better physics (which is subjective) and better graphics? I'm sure its just me that is unaware of the differences. Don't get me wrong, I can't wait for TM2, ill be getting it, but just trying to figure out what the differences are and if there will be lots of people joining on, or if it will separate the community in two (which I don't think would happen).

[BLiNNeMaNS]

As long as you don't know what the 1st question was (probably somewhere in the lines of "can you please tell our viewers who you are and the mere basics about trackmania 2?") you can't really expect an in depth answer.

After the question about trackmania square being more of the same or has more features, he explains the maniascript basics. Which in fact is candy to the ears on another group of creative minds slightly left outside on previous releases by nadeo. So if you listen between the lines, trackmania2 brings the creativity of those people as well, making the possibilities of game modes almost endless.

[Bramble]

Well, in terms of TMUF -> TM2, you get a single new environment that looks nice and shiny from what I've seen.

The real test will be how the players find the new environment. I'm sure people's reaction to it will vary wildly, as do peoples favourite environments in TMUF. Being a single environment I'm not sure how long it will hold the attention of the players who enjoy the challenge of the 7 TMUF environments. That's not to say people won't play it, I mean TMN has been going a long time now and players don't seem to have got bored of that.

[AlexKF]

Yeah, that's true. We have got some feedback from the beta1 and they have said its great game play (although, if there are any negative comments i'm sure they wouldn't get to us ) and from the videos I have seen it does look better game play to me.

I guess that Canyon is more realistic and therefore would attract more new players from outside the already existing TM community. I have heard people saying in comments stuff like 'And i thought Need for Speed was good, CANT WAIT FOR THIS!' so even comparison to other (very, in comparison to TMN) racing games.

Still, I think that with Ubisoft being the publisher there will be many more new players. In any case, I think that the most income of new players (and in terms of purchasing a mania game) will come from Shootmania, as that (as far as i know, correct me if i'm wrong) is the only game that you can properly make your own map and play on it.

Looking very much to find out the connections between all the games.

[Trackmaniack]

And what everyone seems to forget is that this is just the start--Canyon is just -one- of -three- proposed environments for TM2. Each environment with graphic quality and content quantity trumping that of Stadium, which is why it's taking so long. Further, don't forget that no TM-title has ever been released, and then abandoned. Patches have been released, often taking the forum of monstrous expansion packs that either give the game a graphical overhaul, more trackpieces to work with, more community-friendly features, a combination of those, or all three. Here's what I thought when I saw the first confirmed enviro of TM2 was to be Canyon, and maybe this is just me: But I thought that this is the new TMO. We're starting from the ground up again. Updating the base, sticking with what works, pruning what didn't, and building upon possibly one of the most solid gaming bases in racing. It's quite an undertaking for Nadeo to be working on three titles at once, to be sure, but again, this is probably why they joined Ubi--to facilitate that goal while still providing the quality of service that we know and love. So yes, Canyon is only one environment. But this isn't going to be the next Forza Motorsport where there IS only one environment. This is Maniaplanet! So gogo Nadeo

[AlexKF]

Further, don't forget that no TM-title has ever been released, and then abandoned.

Very good reminder Trackmaniack. Nadeo is very reliable exactly for this reason (and many more) but when they say they will do something they do it, and do it well.

We're starting from the ground up again. Updating the base, sticking with what works, pruning what didn't, and building upon possibly one of the most solid gaming bases in racing. It's quite an undertaking for Nadeo to be working on three titles at once, to be sure, but again, this is probably why they joined Ubi--to facilitate that goal while still providing the quality of service that we know and love. So yes, Canyon is only one environment. But this isn't going to be the next Forza Motorsport where there IS only one environment.

Yeah, very true. And I do think that TM2 is going to be the start (or continuation, depending how you look at it) of a massive community, especially with the release of SM and QM. This can only go in one direction with these 3 games linked with mania planet, and its a good direction...

This is Maniaplanet! So gogo Nadeo

+1

[Hylis]

I used first the expression "better of the same" to oppose the common one "more of the same"
As a gamer, over the past decades, this expression meant that the video game developper has decided to add more content to it's game, but leave it like that. It is more difficult to try to do the same thing, but to make it more advanced. I don't like so much to say "better", but it is mainly for graphics. You can see a sequel being released with:"5 new modes!", "20 new cars", "10 more tracks"... it is called better of the same. What Blizzard did with Starcraft II is better of the same somehow. It is really hard because you can not seduce with quantity of features, but by quality. The true ² power comes from Maniaplanet, which is solid fondation for the future and a nice adventure.

To avoid confusion, I never expressed myself the fact that we would improve the environments once they are released. We have designed the release schedule to do work on the 'next' environment to come, not the already released one. If we were doing so, we would be in the same situation than the last 5 years.. adding stuff to environment but not releasing new ones. Offcourse, I expect to see the code behind the title to increase in term of capacities, so there should be more and more reason to play to Canyon for the future. What could be made transversal to the titles will be done most of the time, but we need to move forward as much as possible, to bring new stuff and good times.

I expect to see a nice activity on Maniaplanet, and this is right, AlexKF, especially with the various games in it.

[Makikou]

I used first the expression "better of the same" to oppose the common one "more of the same"
As a gamer, over the past decades, this expression meant that the video game developper has decided to add more content to it's game, but leave it like that. It is more difficult to try to do the same thing, but to make it more advanced. I don't like so much to say "better", but it is mainly for graphics. You can see a sequel being released with:"5 new modes!", "20 new cars", "10 more tracks"... it is called better of the same. What Blizzard did with Starcraft II is better of the same somehow. It is really hard because you can not seduce with quantity of features, but by quality. The true ² power comes from Maniaplanet, which is solid fondation for the future and a nice adventure.

To avoid confusion, I never expressed myself the fact that we would improve the environments once they are released. We have designed the release schedule to do work on the 'next' environment to come, not the already released one. If we were doing so, we would be in the same situation than the last 5 years.. adding stuff to environment but not releasing new ones. Offcourse, I expect to see the code behind the title to increase in term of capacities, so there should be more and more reason to play to Canyon for the future. What could be made transversal to the titles will be done most of the time, but we need to move forward as much as possible, to bring new stuff and good times.

Im waiting on the part i get to buy the game