Platforms and models

[maffc]

Hi Guys,

As I understand it so far the car models in the game will be built as follows
1 Create a platform (e.g. Medium Hatch call it the Frod Mayfair)
2 Select that platform and fit an engine, suspension, gearing interior trim, etc to create say the Frod Mayfair 1.6L or with another engine and better trim and call it the Frod Mayfair 1.8LX)

What about if we want the create the hot hatch Frod Mayfair ZTi, fit an appropriate sporty engine, trim and suspension, but what if we wanted to change the vents and grill to make it look more aggressive, increase cooling, add a big wing etc?
Would that have be a different platform? If so how with that affect things like overall reputation for a car, related to the lesser models?

[Killrob]

If things work out as we want them to, there will be body families you can switch around in the model designer. You will be able to adjust fixtures in the model designer too. For the reputation nothing is set in stone yet. Either we have:

1) brand awareness
2) brand reputation
3) platform reputation
4) model reputation

or we leave out 3) or 4).

[maffc]

Ooh nice, sounds better than I hoped.
Fingers crossed things worked as you want them.
Really excited by this project and you guys have done a great job so far, thank you.

[NexxusDrako]

Sorry if this is off topic, but Killrob mentioned Platform and Model Reputation.

I feel that it may not work, as we have many different platforms and models, that it may not translate well to reputation over the years, unless we do it according to platform name and such.

Killrob, can you deliberate more about platform and model rep, and tell us how it may work if it gets in?

[Killrob]

Nah, this is not off topic at all.
You probably have that feeling as things in the current public version of Automation are very basic. Every car body you see right now will be a family with sub-variants. You will be able to make various models based on one platform and evolve it over time by introducing updated models or new trims of models. The longevity of a platform we estimate to be 10-25 years depending on your playstyle. Hence, platform reputation does make sense, as does model reputation.

Example: You make a new platform / series called the Z, and you make various models based on that platform over the years. Z[year][trim]

Z64 - The first model based on the Z platform is received well, but had its problems too. It gets pushed by your high brand awareness and good brand reputation though, so many people bought it and your market share is significant. The platform reputation and model reputation are thus average and strong at this point.

Z66a, Z66b - Two years after you release reworked versions of the Z64 in two different trims. The Z66a got rid of all the problems of the Z64 and the Z66b is a more premium version of the Z66a. Sales are a bit slow though, because of the mediocre platform reputation, the model reputation is great from the start though, and slowly pushing up the platform reputation to good levels.

I think here you start seeing how this works. A Z68 or something would then start selling strong because of the platform reputation, but may end up hurting all sales of the platform if it is a mess.
I hope that clarifies things!