After unpacking the root.pak file, I found a folder named 'dontship'. The pak files are encrypted in some way, but still these assets managed to be left in, along with the whole folder. Seems some debug models, and even the debug menu graphics can be seen. Debug font sheet also. Mostly you'll just see skytextures, but other interesting bits From what I can tell from these assets, you can see some unfinished versions of the tracks, cars were meant to get dirty or have a dirt layer while racing There seems to be some E3 related stuff too, just 3 event scripts. I'm seeing if I can get in contact with some people who can reverse engineer, I believe the debug options are still in the game but are accessed by a certain key. All keys are described in the common.loc file but I'm unable to convert it to plain text, if any of you can help please let me know. Not experienced but I could be wrong. Can only upload 10 images, so the rest are in a zip to download. Converted to JPG textures https://mega.nz/#!qptFCSwI!O0wBErOXhcV4Aw7hzmMn3GCoQ85Qq6dDPOobVS-96AQ Some other extras: I think this is in French, however here's an interview with some developers. They all seemed like such nice people. Here's a hotlink to the video so you don't get buggy playback from the site. It's on YouTube thank f.. See my post below for more details as I slowed down the videos frame by frame.
Nice discovery! Still kicking myself for not getting the Xbox 360 digital release of this game back in the day
More beta content from developers interview Grass on Stormdrain level, likely changed as it was far too bright for the mood of the game Cars had decals or wraps according to their characteristics. Only boss cars had wraps in the final version. More cars have wraps in the beta. More screenshots below... Beta menu were orange, a lot more races or chapters. Looked like the game had a story of some kind as the stages were named and had parts. Also had PGR like difficulties, hardest being hardcore. Notice top left corner, career had a bank balance. Dodge Challenger (Tuner) (Car far right) is white. Car could not be resprayed and was defaultly light blue. Team races is where it could only be bright yellow. (more images of this car later) Another ingame render of the model of one of your in-game character. Another hint that Single Player had some kind of story to it. Another possiblity is that this character could've been a boss with a CCX. Boss with the Rat Rod was cancelled by the looks of this shot OR you could have a female character. Very late debug build here, bottom right this achivement doesn't have a 'sticker' icon. You collect stickers which have no affect to the game whatsoever, nor can they be used for anything. Dodge Challenger (Tuner) had another wrap which was removed from the final game. Damage looks a lot more detailed and intense. Panels would get removed on the BMW on the left. Removed in the final. Cars would have their hinged parts like bonnet, boot or doors slightly open. Cars would deform on large impacts, and panels would crease only in the final. Some beta progress bar (bottom left) Debug functions can be seen here. (From the sound studio) Same thing, but with a freefly/noclip camera I missed out on the mp beta too. I seemed to have found an interview online with the developers, can see the debug version in action. Also along with names, maybe we can get more closure. I'll update in a bit.
Freefly/noclip in action again Real life example Debug collision testing C3 (Race) has weird default wheels (file still in the final) wheels changed in the final. C3 (Race) had a wrap (removed from final) Orange menu - Car select with bank balance Similar, however a boss "casimiro" had a CCX-R (removed from final, casimiro isn't even a character in the final) BMW Concept 1 wrap (removed from final) In the video, a team member of bizarre mentioned that this is a 'drift' design very vaguely. However this car in the final is a "grippy" car which is hassle to drift anyway.. ??? Dodge Challenger (Tuner) white wrap, from the side Corvette C6 wrap or possibly beta design of boss Talon. Camaro SS (Drag) seen above, had a similar design. Maybe Talon originally had the Camaro.. Boss Khan originally had a Audi R8 Quattro. Final he drives a Stallion Mustang in D class. Selected My original discovery was right, here's the beta dirt texture on the Bowler Nemisis Bowler Nemesis wrap (removed from final). Car could not be resprayed in game, even in multiplayer. There originally was 'qualifying' events Barrier arrows removed from final Cars could be thrown if rammed with Nitro. This would've been very annoying in multiplayer if it wasn't removed. Blur design team were aimming for a realistic or realistic physics in the game. Probably why it was removed. Game has pretty strong gravity Toyota Supra (Smooth) is painted in the second player screen. Car could not be resprayed
Very early ingame screenshot, with beta orange HUD Boss Drake originally had the BMW X5 xDrive48i M Sport. Replaced with the Hummer H2 for some stupid reason. Far too slow to be challenging. Camaro wrap (removed from the game). California licence plate simiply had BLUR on them Camaro wrap yellow with black strip (removed from the game) Debug menu in action Original art in the background with categories. Notice the wrap on the Camaro SS (Drag) My only guess with the wraps are, the money you earned was to modify the car even cosmetically. Developers around 2009/10 had this in mind and was always talked about. The mods in the final were unlocked once beating a boss which only changed how powerups behaved. Multiplayer allowed you to earn modifications to power up your car like 1 extra health slot, top speed etc. Nothing cosmetic other than pearl paint, metallic, and so on.
Even more info. Seems the game did have some kind of story in it. Possibly even freeroam, hinted in this string in the common.loc Code: Ring ....~~/n~~ ~~/n~~Ring ....~~/n~~ ~~/n~~(Pickup)~~/n~~ ~~/n~~... I know how to beat the Rich Kid ... meet me in Blackpool ... ~~/n~~ ~~/n~~(Click) Code: Buddy: Thats easy man, you'll be half a mile behind us all. Code: Arch Rival: Hey everyone, we have a comedian! You just wait till I get my first Shunt You: Cheers for the support Code: Mentor: Ready to go again boys ... Code: Arch Rival: Thats the most pathetic racing I've seen, I'd just give up and go home Code: You: Let's hit it!!!! This string... wtf? Code: Hand of God : WARNING Code: Hey man, Buy my car, its great!!!! Found a keys related to debug functions, with my limited knowledge I might find something.
Nice, cool to see some Blur beta stuff. Wish there was more info on the cancelled sequel too, though.
Didn't get far enough at all. They worked on 1 track which is what everyone has seen. Everything else was special FX running on the old engine.
Multiple tracks, actually. San Fransisco and some snowy mountain track. Too bad Activision closed the studio down.
Pretty sure that was just a test tech demo of the special FX wasn't an actual track. Then the snow fx demo The director said they only finished one track as well.
How did I ever not see this thread? Amazingly cool content here, this is my #1 racing game of all time! What I would give to have some of those builds Also I found it odd that you cannot even get this game on steam anymore Thank you for sharing!
