Confessions of an Automationeer, Part 35: Blurred Visions
In addition to CSR, I have also entered another major challenge since the widespread adoption of UE4: The Hunt For A Star Car. This is actually the second challenge with this name, the first one having been announced, held and completed using the earlier Kee engine build. However, the more recent iteration was subtitled Blurred Vision to distinguish it from its predecessor. Also, since it required the use of the latest UE4 build, there were fewer car bodies and exterior fixtures to choose from compared to Kee, although the greater audio/visual quality tended to make the resulting cars more attractive.
This challenge was set in 1985, and its premise was that a film crew was looking for a fleet of cars to use in their upcoming action film, Blurred Vision. Each of the main characters in that film would use one car tailored to their needs. The primary antagonist, Adam Caine, would need a classy, attractive and powerful car to suit his style, while his henchmen required something loud, brash and intimidating. Meanwhile, Sasha Rouge, the lead protagonist, wanted a car which was as fast and sporty as it was beautiful, and her sidekick, Michael Mason, was looking for something butch and muscular enough to strike fear into Caine and his gang.
As for Angelina Griffith, the team's navigator, she requested a small, light, fast and agile car which could outperform anything the police (or Caine's henchmen, for that matter) had on their hands, and Jared Sekai expected his car to be filled with all sorts of advanced technologies, in keeping with his role as the man who had to carry out the team's planning before their next mission. Inevitably, as an ally of Sasha and her buddies, the police chief (and his fellow officers) would require a fast, rugged and imposing four-door car to counter Caine and his minions. Last but not least, the car featured in the film's heist scene would either be a very fast concept car or supercar, with an enormous price tag to match its immense performance.
Initially there was some confusion about the requirements, but after the current UE4 build commenced open beta testing, they were finally made definitive. Specifically, each user could submit up to two cars, one for each of the two characters they see fit to provide a car for. Each of the entrants' submissions also had to have two trims: a normal trim and a stunt trim.
The rules for the latter were quite strict: the engine used in that trim had to run on 91 RON regular unleaded, and no racing parts (semi-slick tires, race intake or headers) could be installed either. Speaking of which, the production unit and engineering time values could not exceed 135 and 85 respectively; originally, these limits were much lower, but both were raised after it became clear that would-be entrants were finding them to be too restrictive. To make it easier to reach these values, the stunt trim also had to have as few seats as possible, with a basic interior (0 quality points), no in-car entertainment, fixed-ratio hydraulic power steering (but no anti-lock brakes) and advanced 80s safety (again, with 0 quality points), effectively simulating the conversion kits used by film crews to prepare cars for use in stunts. Finally, the trim's pre-markup price had to be no more than $15,000.
Having thoroughly read and understood the rules and requirements which had been laid out, I began pondering which categories I wanted to submit a vehicle for. After giving little thought to the challenge for a month or two after it was launched, I went back to it and eventuallydecided to submit a car for Angelina Griffith to use. It did not take me long to come up with an entry: the Genra GST-24. This sleek turbocharged sports coupe was affordable enough from the get-go to require minimal modifications other than the ones required for the stunt trim, and fittingly, it was very agile and quick off the mark.
As for Angelina Griffith, the team's navigator, she requested a small, light, fast and agile car which could outperform anything the police (or Caine's henchmen, for that matter) had on their hands, and Jared Sekai expected his car to be filled with all sorts of advanced technologies, in keeping with his role as the man who had to carry out the team's planning before their next mission. Inevitably, as an ally of Sasha and her buddies, the police chief (and his fellow officers) would require a fast, rugged and imposing four-door car to counter Caine and his minions. Last but not least, the car featured in the film's heist scene would either be a very fast concept car or supercar, with an enormous price tag to match its immense performance.
Initially there was some confusion about the requirements, but after the current UE4 build commenced open beta testing, they were finally made definitive. Specifically, each user could submit up to two cars, one for each of the two characters they see fit to provide a car for. Each of the entrants' submissions also had to have two trims: a normal trim and a stunt trim.
The rules for the latter were quite strict: the engine used in that trim had to run on 91 RON regular unleaded, and no racing parts (semi-slick tires, race intake or headers) could be installed either. Speaking of which, the production unit and engineering time values could not exceed 135 and 85 respectively; originally, these limits were much lower, but both were raised after it became clear that would-be entrants were finding them to be too restrictive. To make it easier to reach these values, the stunt trim also had to have as few seats as possible, with a basic interior (0 quality points), no in-car entertainment, fixed-ratio hydraulic power steering (but no anti-lock brakes) and advanced 80s safety (again, with 0 quality points), effectively simulating the conversion kits used by film crews to prepare cars for use in stunts. Finally, the trim's pre-markup price had to be no more than $15,000.
Having thoroughly read and understood the rules and requirements which had been laid out, I began pondering which categories I wanted to submit a vehicle for. After giving little thought to the challenge for a month or two after it was launched, I went back to it and eventuallydecided to submit a car for Angelina Griffith to use. It did not take me long to come up with an entry: the Genra GST-24. This sleek turbocharged sports coupe was affordable enough from the get-go to require minimal modifications other than the ones required for the stunt trim, and fittingly, it was very agile and quick off the mark.
Swift, stylish and svelte - that's the GST-24 in a nutshell.
The mechanicals of the stunt trim were almost identical to the base model, except for a slightly detuned engine for the sake of reliability. Small wonder, then, that it would be immediately considered one of the favorites among the many cars which were entered. In hindsight, I could have offered this one to Sasha Rouge instead, given that her personality would be an ideal companion with the car's sporty demeanor, but I was unsure of whether or not it would be distinctive enough for this more important role. Still, I was satisfied with what I had made, and after submitting my entry, all I had to do was wait for the reviews to be released.
What do you expect from something named Leviathan?
When they finally came, I was bursting with anticipation. Here at last was the moment where the winning cars for each category would be announced. First up was the car which would be used for the heist scene. By virtue of not having any other entrants in its class, the Leviathan Nessus won this category by default; the fact that it was already a very good car only sweetened the deal.
The police force, meanwhile, would be given a fleet of RCM Laurier Interceptors, whose combination of affordability and performance put it well ahead of its rivals.
Caine's henchmen, meanwhile, received a batch of Deer and Hunt SuperCoupe Turbos - a fitting choice overall, considering that it had just the right blend of cost, performance and visual aggression for such a role.
As for Jared Sekai, he got an Ausud XRC1 Concept, since it was the only car with radical styling to match its advanced technology, whereas its rivals were lacking in either department (or both).
Four category winners had been announced, with four more still to be determined, and obviously the tension was greater than ever. The next category to be announced was for the role of Angelina Griffith, in which I entered the GST-24 - my only submission for this challenge. It made a good case for itself with its performance, but ultimately it narrowly lost out to the Contendiente Enemigo S, which was considerably cheaper and just as fast.
Michael Mason wound up with a Mosport Hydra; it was far better to drive and better balanced than any of the other cars submitted for this role, easily justifying its higher price. The fact that it looked aggressive and imposing enough for a character such as him made it even more appealing.
Next up was the category for Sasha Rouge, one of the two lead characters of Blurred Visions. Her car would be the Isami Reaver S50 Concept - another sports coupe similar to the GST-24, but slightly more powerful. With a near-perfect blend of performance and style offsetting its relatively high price, choosing it for this role was a no-brainer.
Last but not least was the final category, for Rouge's nemesis Adam Caine. He received a Mitsushita Sesta G-Lusso - a stylish and fast fastback coupe befitting of his role as an unassuming yet malevolent madman.
Another police car worthy of its name.
The police force, meanwhile, would be given a fleet of RCM Laurier Interceptors, whose combination of affordability and performance put it well ahead of its rivals.
It's a coupe, and it's got turbos. That is all.
Caine's henchmen, meanwhile, received a batch of Deer and Hunt SuperCoupe Turbos - a fitting choice overall, considering that it had just the right blend of cost, performance and visual aggression for such a role.
A four-wheeled vision of the future.
As for Jared Sekai, he got an Ausud XRC1 Concept, since it was the only car with radical styling to match its advanced technology, whereas its rivals were lacking in either department (or both).
Looks like a brick, doesn't drive like one.
Four category winners had been announced, with four more still to be determined, and obviously the tension was greater than ever. The next category to be announced was for the role of Angelina Griffith, in which I entered the GST-24 - my only submission for this challenge. It made a good case for itself with its performance, but ultimately it narrowly lost out to the Contendiente Enemigo S, which was considerably cheaper and just as fast.
If it looks like a Hydra and drives like a Hydra then it is a Hydra.
Michael Mason wound up with a Mosport Hydra; it was far better to drive and better balanced than any of the other cars submitted for this role, easily justifying its higher price. The fact that it looked aggressive and imposing enough for a character such as him made it even more appealing.
"Rouge" is French for red, so it's fitting that the Reaver is the color of blood.
Next up was the category for Sasha Rouge, one of the two lead characters of Blurred Visions. Her car would be the Isami Reaver S50 Concept - another sports coupe similar to the GST-24, but slightly more powerful. With a near-perfect blend of performance and style offsetting its relatively high price, choosing it for this role was a no-brainer.
Classy and menacing are words you'd use to describe the Sesta.
Last but not least was the final category, for Rouge's nemesis Adam Caine. He received a Mitsushita Sesta G-Lusso - a stylish and fast fastback coupe befitting of his role as an unassuming yet malevolent madman.
The film's poster, showing a Reaver being chased by two SuperCoupe Turbos and a pair of Laurier Interceptors in pursuit of a Sesta G-Lusso.
And so one of the most diverse and entertaining challenges an Automationeer could ever have hoped to enter finally came to an end. After competing in this challenge, I learned - not for the first time - that it takes more than raw stats to win a challenge like this. Affordability and sensibility are also important considerations. I hope that a similar challenge to this one occurs in the future, but until then, I'll see you in the next post.
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