A new version of Trackmania Nations is released! Check the front page of Steam to find it, it should be in the little sections with the rotating game ads. Trackmania Nations Forever will include the new Stadium blocks and physics system introduced in TMU, allowing players of TMUF* and TMNF to play on the same (Stadium) servers.
*TrackMania United Forever
BOTTOM LINE:
Basically, we get new track pieces, so we can have dirt, and stuff like that, and now we get to play with everyone else playing Trackmania Unlimited (which costs money) We also get a cool new buddy list, and updated graphics.
Changes from TMN/TMU:
General game changes:
* All new Nations skins for Stadium cars
* 3D stereoscopy feature
* Starforce removed.
* Fast loading of game when under NTFS file system (XP and vista)
* Fullscreen resolution, AA and AF can now be changed ingame
* Windowed resolution dynamically changes when resizing window.
* Menu will dynamically change mood as the day/night cycle progresses
* Exclusive keyboard capture.
* Help menus and dialogs are more informative now.
Account information:
* 3 customizable and Mood-following avatars that will be displayed according to the smiles you type in server chat.
* bi-directional buddy system. You are aware of buddy addittion and deletion
* you can invite a buddy
* You can one-click join a buddy on the server where he/she is playing on.
* Accounts of TMNF (with its limitations) and TMU-F are usable in both games.
* TMNF accounts upgradable (full or with a time limit) to TMU-F accounts
* Third party can be invited to play TMNF/TMU-F via ingame e-mail invite feature, (Registration and join process can be monitored)
* Inviting a friend (via email) results in release of some campaign tracks.
Solo mode changes:
* TMNF: An incredible new solo Race campaign (was a smash hit amongst betatesters!)
* TMU-F: A new stunt campaign never seen in any other TM game.
* TMU-F: A new Puzzle campaign.
* TMU-F: A new Platform campaign.
* Conditions for unlocking the solo tracks are displayed clearly (and include a few surprises)
* Possibility to delete user tracks ingame.
* Play official on custom campaigns.
* Option to show medal ranking of buddies only
Multiplayer changes
* Favorites server menu
* Suggested servers (new for TMU-F)
* Cup mode: In this team flavor mode, your score will span across the batch of maps that you select for the server. (great for competitions)
* Warmup time, A server admin can now opt to let you warm up for a while befor the real match is started.
* You can now display opponent names as their avatars for multiplayer games
* Message when buddy connects (while you are playing on a server)
Track editor changes:
* Added Simple editor. This editor is a basic version of the track editor and includes basic blocks and a rough scenery for beginners to get used to track building. It's included for all environments.
* Passwords are now more secure and encrypted.
* Further relaxed building freedom.
Environmental changes and addition of blocks:
* TMNF: Stadium now has Sunrise, Evening and Night mood!
* TMU-F only: TMO/TMS environments have all new road textures, redone trees and several other graphical improvements.
* Car can now be monitored and driven trough underwater conditions in every environment. (But in Stadium and bay you still will get water trapped due to vertical walling)
* Under water view (in cam3) now possible for all environments.
* addition of cyclic intensity boosters (100% to 200% oscilation) on all environments. All blocks of this type that you place on a map will be syncronized to the same cycle.
* New Blocks: Stadium: GP-like planes, (get horisontal and angled GP experience and create more organic curving).
* New Blocks: Stadium: Booster in dirt
* TMUF only: New Blocks: Desert (speed) : Industrial suspended roads,
* TMUF only: New Blocks : Desert (speed) : water and waterside roads
* TMUF only: New Blocks : Desert (speed) : Long normal road slopes (never seen in Desert before!)
* TMUF only: New Blocks: Snow (alpine : Great wall of China construction set
* TMUF only: New Blocks: Rally: Farmlands
* TMUF only: New Blocks: Rally: Fences
* TMUF only: New Blocks: Rally: Hayrolls
* TMUF only: ew Blocks: Rally: Forest
* TMUF only: New Blocks: Rally: Hillside versions of previously mentioned new rally blocks that enable you to create the most beautiful countryscapes ever to behold this environment.
* TMUF only: New Blocks: Rally: Hillside winding field-crossing dirt and tarmac road.
Mediatracker changes
* Possiblity to shoot and to take a screen when editing a replay
* Use of 2D triangles to form figures
* Trigger conditions, AlreadyTriggered, when Greater than / Smaller dan certain speed, At Race time.
* You can shoot videos directly from the mediatracker
* camera edit speed is now intuitively relocated on the - and + key of numpad
* keys now have real authority over movement of editor cam, to facilitate intuitive positioning and montage workflow streamlining
* preview replay
* preview 3D : switches 3D to either anaglyph or full colour
* most blocks no longer exclusive to tracks, can create most blocks on any track
* new type of block : stereo3d : allows manual ajustment of stereoscopic parameters
* Ghosts now have blocks that determine their visibility (still buggy at the moment)
* Ghosts can be imported straight from the replay editor interface
* Ghosts can be imported multiple times
* New parameters for ghosts : delay : offsets the ghost time from the reference time
Replay editor changes:
* Possiblity to shoot and to take a screen when editing a replay
* new keyboard shortcut : numpad +, numpad - : adjust camera movement speed
* preview replay
* preview 3D : switches 3D to either anaglyph or full colour
* most blocks no longer exclusive to tracks, can create most blocks on any track
* new type of block : stereo3d : allows manual ajustment of stereoscopic parameters
* new type of block : 2d triangle : draws 2D polygons on HUD
* Ghosts now have blocks that determine their visibility (still buggy at the moment)
* Ghosts can be imported straight from the replay editor interface
* While shooting: animation in biks is now rendered according to their true animation speed.
* Ghosts can be imported multiple times
* New parameters for ghosts : delay : offsets the ghost time from the reference time
Skin editor changes
* the size of skins are twice the size of TMU's
Shooter changes:
* shooter can be called straight from replay editor interface
* new shooter option : stereo 3d : allows stereoscopic 3d rendering in Anaglyph Red/Cyan mode and 2x Full colour side-by-side mode
Sound system changes
* New main menu music
* The sound system now uses openAL insdead of Direct Sound
* Ability to mute horn spamming from others in your game
* Game detects enclosed spaces when building a track and will add reverb.
* Horns are now placed in the /skin/horns map in the tm forever folder in your standard documents dir. You can choose a horn as global horn or you can choose to hear every horn which is provided by the skin.
Launcher changes
* Parental lock
* Option to choose Stadium water reflection of geometry sepparately from other environments
* Option to choose between high quality trees (useful if dense woods are created within the new rally environment)
* New high quality lightmaps selectable (4x2 and 8x2)
* Ability to choose display properties for ingame opponent names and avatars
Input and controller changes
* Ability to hide opponent cars in solo and online modes (default 'O' key)
* Rumble feature on gamepads
Interconnectivity and differences between TrackMania Nations and united forever:
* TMU-F only: Tags: A system of community recognition where Organisation groups use their coppers to buy a bronze, silver or gold plaque for comunity players. It's the new maniastars.
* TMU-F only: Skin editor
* TMU-F only: Manialinks.
* TMU-F only: Messages between players.
* TMU-F only: Extra Solo modes: Stunt, Platform and puzzle modes.
* TMU-F only: Skill points
* TMNF and and TMU-F players can play together on servers that are hosting Stadium only maps
* Users of both games will rank together.
* Users of both games can be eachother's buddy.
* TMNF users have no ingame (or otherwise?) player page
* TMNF users can win no coppers
* TMNF users have one environment: Stadium
* If TMU-F accounts connect with TMNF, they will get exclusive access to TMU-F features within said game except for physically missing features like groups and environments.
Desktop enhancements:
* The game recognizes start with a map
* The game recognizes launch with a replay
* When the game is running, both features will override any ingame activity you are doing and load the map you open on your desktop. Very handy for quick TMX map inspections.
* TMTP protocol: join a dedicated server. tmtp's ability to connect to a server without knowing it's address (just use the logon), means the people can have desktop shortcuts to their favorite servers even if they're on dynamic addresses
* TMTP protocol: Permit to send records to friends with a simple link (you need to have the map installed).
* Shell extention allows for picture preview of trackmania challenges (tracks) inside windows explorer.
EDIT:: I think this was worth the bump. ;)
*TrackMania United Forever
BOTTOM LINE:
Basically, we get new track pieces, so we can have dirt, and stuff like that, and now we get to play with everyone else playing Trackmania Unlimited (which costs money) We also get a cool new buddy list, and updated graphics.
Changes from TMN/TMU:
General game changes:
* All new Nations skins for Stadium cars
* 3D stereoscopy feature
* Starforce removed.
* Fast loading of game when under NTFS file system (XP and vista)
* Fullscreen resolution, AA and AF can now be changed ingame
* Windowed resolution dynamically changes when resizing window.
* Menu will dynamically change mood as the day/night cycle progresses
* Exclusive keyboard capture.
* Help menus and dialogs are more informative now.
Account information:
* 3 customizable and Mood-following avatars that will be displayed according to the smiles you type in server chat.
* bi-directional buddy system. You are aware of buddy addittion and deletion
* you can invite a buddy
* You can one-click join a buddy on the server where he/she is playing on.
* Accounts of TMNF (with its limitations) and TMU-F are usable in both games.
* TMNF accounts upgradable (full or with a time limit) to TMU-F accounts
* Third party can be invited to play TMNF/TMU-F via ingame e-mail invite feature, (Registration and join process can be monitored)
* Inviting a friend (via email) results in release of some campaign tracks.
Solo mode changes:
* TMNF: An incredible new solo Race campaign (was a smash hit amongst betatesters!)
* TMU-F: A new stunt campaign never seen in any other TM game.
* TMU-F: A new Puzzle campaign.
* TMU-F: A new Platform campaign.
* Conditions for unlocking the solo tracks are displayed clearly (and include a few surprises)
* Possibility to delete user tracks ingame.
* Play official on custom campaigns.
* Option to show medal ranking of buddies only
Multiplayer changes
* Favorites server menu
* Suggested servers (new for TMU-F)
* Cup mode: In this team flavor mode, your score will span across the batch of maps that you select for the server. (great for competitions)
* Warmup time, A server admin can now opt to let you warm up for a while befor the real match is started.
* You can now display opponent names as their avatars for multiplayer games
* Message when buddy connects (while you are playing on a server)
Track editor changes:
* Added Simple editor. This editor is a basic version of the track editor and includes basic blocks and a rough scenery for beginners to get used to track building. It's included for all environments.
* Passwords are now more secure and encrypted.
* Further relaxed building freedom.
Environmental changes and addition of blocks:
* TMNF: Stadium now has Sunrise, Evening and Night mood!
* TMU-F only: TMO/TMS environments have all new road textures, redone trees and several other graphical improvements.
* Car can now be monitored and driven trough underwater conditions in every environment. (But in Stadium and bay you still will get water trapped due to vertical walling)
* Under water view (in cam3) now possible for all environments.
* addition of cyclic intensity boosters (100% to 200% oscilation) on all environments. All blocks of this type that you place on a map will be syncronized to the same cycle.
* New Blocks: Stadium: GP-like planes, (get horisontal and angled GP experience and create more organic curving).
* New Blocks: Stadium: Booster in dirt
* TMUF only: New Blocks: Desert (speed) : Industrial suspended roads,
* TMUF only: New Blocks : Desert (speed) : water and waterside roads
* TMUF only: New Blocks : Desert (speed) : Long normal road slopes (never seen in Desert before!)
* TMUF only: New Blocks: Snow (alpine : Great wall of China construction set
* TMUF only: New Blocks: Rally: Farmlands
* TMUF only: New Blocks: Rally: Fences
* TMUF only: New Blocks: Rally: Hayrolls
* TMUF only: ew Blocks: Rally: Forest
* TMUF only: New Blocks: Rally: Hillside versions of previously mentioned new rally blocks that enable you to create the most beautiful countryscapes ever to behold this environment.
* TMUF only: New Blocks: Rally: Hillside winding field-crossing dirt and tarmac road.
Mediatracker changes
* Possiblity to shoot and to take a screen when editing a replay
* Use of 2D triangles to form figures
* Trigger conditions, AlreadyTriggered, when Greater than / Smaller dan certain speed, At Race time.
* You can shoot videos directly from the mediatracker
* camera edit speed is now intuitively relocated on the - and + key of numpad
* keys now have real authority over movement of editor cam, to facilitate intuitive positioning and montage workflow streamlining
* preview replay
* preview 3D : switches 3D to either anaglyph or full colour
* most blocks no longer exclusive to tracks, can create most blocks on any track
* new type of block : stereo3d : allows manual ajustment of stereoscopic parameters
* Ghosts now have blocks that determine their visibility (still buggy at the moment)
* Ghosts can be imported straight from the replay editor interface
* Ghosts can be imported multiple times
* New parameters for ghosts : delay : offsets the ghost time from the reference time
Replay editor changes:
* Possiblity to shoot and to take a screen when editing a replay
* new keyboard shortcut : numpad +, numpad - : adjust camera movement speed
* preview replay
* preview 3D : switches 3D to either anaglyph or full colour
* most blocks no longer exclusive to tracks, can create most blocks on any track
* new type of block : stereo3d : allows manual ajustment of stereoscopic parameters
* new type of block : 2d triangle : draws 2D polygons on HUD
* Ghosts now have blocks that determine their visibility (still buggy at the moment)
* Ghosts can be imported straight from the replay editor interface
* While shooting: animation in biks is now rendered according to their true animation speed.
* Ghosts can be imported multiple times
* New parameters for ghosts : delay : offsets the ghost time from the reference time
Skin editor changes
* the size of skins are twice the size of TMU's
Shooter changes:
* shooter can be called straight from replay editor interface
* new shooter option : stereo 3d : allows stereoscopic 3d rendering in Anaglyph Red/Cyan mode and 2x Full colour side-by-side mode
Sound system changes
* New main menu music
* The sound system now uses openAL insdead of Direct Sound
* Ability to mute horn spamming from others in your game
* Game detects enclosed spaces when building a track and will add reverb.
* Horns are now placed in the /skin/horns map in the tm forever folder in your standard documents dir. You can choose a horn as global horn or you can choose to hear every horn which is provided by the skin.
Launcher changes
* Parental lock
* Option to choose Stadium water reflection of geometry sepparately from other environments
* Option to choose between high quality trees (useful if dense woods are created within the new rally environment)
* New high quality lightmaps selectable (4x2 and 8x2)
* Ability to choose display properties for ingame opponent names and avatars
Input and controller changes
* Ability to hide opponent cars in solo and online modes (default 'O' key)
* Rumble feature on gamepads
Interconnectivity and differences between TrackMania Nations and united forever:
* TMU-F only: Tags: A system of community recognition where Organisation groups use their coppers to buy a bronze, silver or gold plaque for comunity players. It's the new maniastars.
* TMU-F only: Skin editor
* TMU-F only: Manialinks.
* TMU-F only: Messages between players.
* TMU-F only: Extra Solo modes: Stunt, Platform and puzzle modes.
* TMU-F only: Skill points
* TMNF and and TMU-F players can play together on servers that are hosting Stadium only maps
* Users of both games will rank together.
* Users of both games can be eachother's buddy.
* TMNF users have no ingame (or otherwise?) player page
* TMNF users can win no coppers
* TMNF users have one environment: Stadium
* If TMU-F accounts connect with TMNF, they will get exclusive access to TMU-F features within said game except for physically missing features like groups and environments.
Desktop enhancements:
* The game recognizes start with a map
* The game recognizes launch with a replay
* When the game is running, both features will override any ingame activity you are doing and load the map you open on your desktop. Very handy for quick TMX map inspections.
* TMTP protocol: join a dedicated server. tmtp's ability to connect to a server without knowing it's address (just use the logon), means the people can have desktop shortcuts to their favorite servers even if they're on dynamic addresses
* TMTP protocol: Permit to send records to friends with a simple link (you need to have the map installed).
* Shell extention allows for picture preview of trackmania challenges (tracks) inside windows explorer.
EDIT:: I think this was worth the bump. ;)
