There are many computer games and simulations that let you enjoy the delights of solo motorcycling, but not many fully explore the
unique properties of driving an outfit or sidecar rig, I always end up wishing there was an option to fix a chair on my bike!
I expect your wondering what this project is all about, so I will begin by saying this is my best attempt at creating an easily
controllable virtual motorcycle and sidecar on a realistic VR terrain where you can have some challenging fun thrashing around on
two or three wheels...
With the increased computing power that's becoming available it is now possible a VR simulation can be mostly data driven,
rather than pre-scripted or animated, a situation where the virtual reality environment dictates the on screen events. i.e.
the passenger could get knocked off the sidecar by a low tree branch, etc. The game engine used is
3impact which is very powerful, versatile, great to work with and now completlely free!
Currently I have developed a map which is divided into nine sections, there are ten flags positioned around each the sections in "interesting" places.
Three game types are available:
Explore with no flags or penalties.
Find time bonus flags against the clock.
Collect all the flags in numerical order.
The project has reached a point where I can release the game with a demo as soon as the testing is finished, will also try to get this web site a bit more current
as some bits are now way, way out of date...
Latest Updates
(24 Oct 2010)
Fixed the PayPal Donations button and the hit counter. Signed up to https://www.avangate.com as they look to be a good solution for retailing the Third-Wheel game.
(18 Oct 2010)
Uploaded the first video to YouTube......
(17 Oct 2010)
Fixed the Contact Us page and the Active visitors counter......
(10 Oct 2010) Return from the void
To all the people who supported me with this project I would like to say a big thank you and I am really sorry that I failed and the game has not been released yet.
Many things in life that were well beyond my control, like most things in life are, conspired to bring this project to a halt. One of the problems with
writing a computer game on your own is that for whatever reason you're not functioning - the game has stopped - and it takes a huge amount of energy to get
enough momentum going again to finish the thing for release.....Things got pretty bad, lost the third-wheel.co.uk domain name, computers both broken,
almost lost the source code, luckily I had it backed up on a usb pen drive as well and this saved me.
I had several problems which seemed to join forces against me, money health, stress, family problems etc. I remember reading somewhere that it was best not
to even try to write a game and that it was just to much for one person. Well I can vouch for this now as being sound advice, but unfortunately I am the sort
of chap that never listens to anybody really, I am a stubborn old fart and I am driving myself on. I want this finished now and I still want to make the Third Wheel
a full time job, not an easy thing in these hard times.
Anyhow as it stands I still have one broken computer, the one I used for the modelling, BUT I do have the game ready for release so I am going to concentrate on making
it available asap, I am just going to go for it , warts and all. There are two versions, a free demo with a single level and the full kick ass version. I am only going to
test the game in XP as it is all I have and hopefully I will get some feedback when people start to run the demo....
The other thing is this web site, I have got it back online today but it's a mess so please bare with me, also NOTHING is working properly, the
contact page, the counters, the paypal donation stuff is all broken. Only the text inside the flashing NEW gif is current. Will get back on it tomorrow and take it a bit further,
add some more screenshots etc.
As anyone who has ridden any sort of a green lane / long distance trials outfit will tell you, teamwork is
essential, on the dirt as well as on the road, successfully mastering the fine balance between
tipping over and finding enough traction is a fine art so I thought it would be really be interesting
to start the project with this type of sporty motorcycle combination.
On the right is a screen grab of the front end of the motorcycle, conventional telescopic forks with a single
disc, there is an optional set of leading link forks now and I could possibly do wire spoked wheels in the future.
The 3D sidecar and motorcycle models are not based on any make or model in particular,
they are just my interpretation of what a useful combo should look like, hope
you all approve...
Initially the Thirdwheel was intended to be purely a hobby as I used to work on commercial web sites for a living
but I have put in so much time and effort now that it has become apparent to me and my bank balance
that I will have to sell
the finished game if I want to continue development and take it to the next level.
On reflection I'm thinking that £15.00 would now be a fair price, but if you have any thoughts on this please
let me know via the Contact Us page.
The demo is free and will be the first of the nine sections in the game,
it will include the fully functional outfit with rider and passenger to put through their paces.
Want to keep the Thirdwheel spinning?
If you could give us a link it would be great,
please let me know if you do and I will return the favour.
There are some cool badges and things for sale in the Gift Shop.
I am also more than happy to accept supporting donations for this project into my PayPal account below.
(24 Oct 2010)
that I will have to sell
the finished game if I want to continue development and take it to the next level.
On reflection I'm thinking that £15.00 would now be a fair price, but if you have any thoughts on this please
let me know via the 
