3d race game collision detection

Question

Can somebody explain how the collision detection works for race tracks in games like need for speed or wipeout?

Answer 1

Hi,

I found a well illustrated article describing collision detection between the cars in a racing game. It also has a general description of the concepts of collision detection.

For the track collision detection you could use something like the color map approach discussed here. Essentially you just draw a map containing your track in a distinct color. Then you read the color at the projected position of the car from the map - if it's the tracks color you have a collision.

I found another seemingly good article describing basic 2D collision detection algorithms.

HTH.