Russ 'n Gaz's ideas

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Forward thinking ideas to usher in the age of innovation

If you want to use any of the ideas you see on this site then feel free. They are good and we think that society needs all the creativity it can get. Go ahead. We don't want the ownership or the hassle. Confusion and stress exists in those places. If you have success with them then you can donate to the forthcoming Gareth Horbury Foundation, which intends to promote and support mental health for all through creative thought. For more details contact me on 07821 742 023.

MARI-GO KART

the inspiration

We used to play a lot of Mario Kart on the Nintendo 64 at uni. What else is there to do when you're drinking and smoking. Its a great multi-player game. Obviously we felt we needed more.

the idea

A simple addition to any regular Go-Kart facility that will make it ten times better. it makes it into a more of a game!

In Mario Kart the computer game it is possible to shoot the other players, which slows them down or spins them out etc. Other things that you can collect will speed you up, give you better weapons etc.

This would be quite simple to add to a regular Go karting facility. An electronic device is fitted into each kart. This is a receiver that will tell you; 1) Where on the track all of the other players are, 2) What weapons and items you currently have for use, 3) That you have been hit ot that a particular shot you fired hit another player.

The electronic device would be plugged into the workings of the car so if you are hit it automatically applies the brake for a determined amount of time, depending on whether a small or large weapon is used. Other effects may also be possible, such as disabling the steering wheel momentarily or sending the car into a spin by spinning out the back wheels. Extra speed for a few seconds could also be be possible as a turbo boost.

At various opints across the track there are points at which weapons can be collected. These are sensors on the ground and the player must drive over them to pick up the item. It may be a weapon, invincibility to others weapons, extra points, turbo boosts etc. The sensors can randomise so that you do not know what you will get each time.

This seems like a very simple idea that could enhance the GoKarting experiencing manyfold.

Other ideas include:

- Characters: each player can choose a character with different strengths. For instance, in the Nintendo game, you can choose larger, stronger players that are less affected by hits, but have slower acceleration. The smaller characters are more easily knowcked but have greater top speeds etc. These features could be easily built in.

- Track decoration: Adding cartoony elements to the track would make it seem more like a computer game. Although the core idea isn't really to make Go Karting more like a computer game, but is to add extra functionality and playability to the experience.

If anyone does this idea let me know, because I want to play it.