Description
Rigs of Rods (RoR) is an open-source physics simulator that stands out for its realistic approach to simulating land, air, and maritime vehicles. Initially developed in 2005 by Pierre-Michel Ricordel and continued by a community of developers, the software utilizes a soft-body physics engine based on the Beam framework, which models vehicles as a structure of nodes and beams. This approach allows for accurate simulation of bending, deformation, and interaction of components such as chassis, suspensions, tires, and bodies under different conditions, such as collisions, uneven terrains, or external forces, providing a highly realistic experience.
Main Features
- Advanced Physics Simulation:
- Allows for detailed interaction calculations between vehicle components, such as chassis twist, suspension compression, and tire grip, based on realistic physical properties.
- Supports the simulation of deformable terrains, such as mud or sand, which affect vehicle behavior.
- Includes fluid physics for maritime simulations and basic aerodynamics for aerial vehicles.
- Customization and Modding:
- Allows for the creation of custom vehicles (trucks, cars, airplanes, boats, etc.) through text-based configuration files (.truck, .boat, .airplane, etc.).
- Supports the creation of custom maps and scenarios with tools like the integrated terrain editor or compatible external software.
- The active community provides thousands of mods, including vehicles, maps, and scripts, which can be easily downloaded and integrated.
- Multiplayer Mode:
- Offers support for online servers, allowing multiple users to interact in real-time, whether driving together, competing, or performing cooperative tasks.
- Includes features such as chat and physics synchronization between players.
- Diversity of Vehicles and Scenarios:
- Includes a wide range of standard vehicles, such as heavy trucks, race cars, tanks, airplanes, and boats, along with content customized by the community.
- Allows exploration of varied maps, from race tracks and deserts to cities and complex off-road environments.
- Compatibility and Accessibility:
- Available for free on Windows, Linux, and macOS, with a relatively simple interface, although advanced settings require familiarity.
- As open-source software, it is constantly updated by the community, with support for new features and bug fixes.
- Graphics and Interface:
- Although graphics are not the main focus (prioritizing physics), the OGRE (Object-Oriented Graphics Rendering Engine) allows for decent visuals, supporting textures, lighting, and basic effects.
- The interface is functional, featuring menus for vehicle selection, maps, and settings, but may be considered dated compared to modern games.
Technical Aspects
- Physics Engine: Utilizes Beam, which simulates vehicles as a mesh of nodes connected by elastic beams, allowing for realistic deformations.
- Language and Structure: Developed in C++, with scripts in AngelScript for additional functionalities.
- System Requirements: Relatively light, running on modest hardware, although complex maps and vehicles may require more resources.
- License: Licensed under the GNU General Public License v3, ensuring access to the source code and freedom for modifications.
Use Cases
- Entertainment: Ideal for simulation enthusiasts seeking realistic driving or flying experiences.
- Education and Testing: Used in some cases for vehicle physics prototyping or teaching mechanical engineering concepts.
- Creative Community: Attractive to modders and content creators due to the flexibility in creating vehicles and scenarios.
Limitations
- Learning Curve: Configuring vehicles and maps requires technical knowledge, especially for advanced modding.
- Graphics: Does not compete with modern commercial games in terms of visual quality.
- Documentation: Although there are community forums and wikis, official documentation may be limited for beginners.