BeamNG.drive is a 2015 vehicle simulation video game developed and published by Bremen-based video game developer BeamNG GmbH for Windows and Linux. The game features soft-body physics to simulate realistic handling and damage to vehicles.[1][2][3] Initially released as a tech demo on 3 August 2013 along with paid access to an alpha, it was later made available on Steam Early Access for Windows on 29 May 2015. BeamNG also develops a fork of the game designed for education as well as industrial and academic research entitled BeamNG.tech.[4]
BeamNG.drive features various gameplay modes and scenarios such as campaigns, time trials, as well as a free roam mode. Campaigns are collections of small scenarios based on specific themes, including races, chases and stunts. In time trials, the player selects a vehicle, map, and route, and competes against their own best time. In free roam, players can explore and experiment with maps, allowing them to operate, place, and manipulate objects and vehicles within the map. They can also change environmental properties such as gravity and wind. Players can utilize various objects ranging from road barriers to weapons such as cannons in order to inflict damage on other vehicles. Local multiplayer can also be enabled in any gameplay mode by connecting multiple controllers to the same system. An experimental VR mode is also available with the Vulkan renderer, allowing full stereoscopic 3D VR support.
BeamNG.drive does not include real vehicle manufacturers due to licensing issues; however, included vehicles resemble various real-life vehicles, such as ETK resembling BMW and Audi, Gavril resembling Ford and General Motors, Autobello resembling Volkswagen and Fiat, and Ibishu resembling Nissan, Honda and Toyota. With the use of mods, both real and fictional vehicles can be added. In-game brands and vehicles have various amounts of lore attached to them. The vehicle selection is expanded regularly every few releases.
As of alpha release 0.35, the game features an experimental version of a career mode accessed by clicking the main menu button labeled "Career". This gameplay mode features four career progress trackers: Motorsports, Laborer, Specialized, and Adventurer. Completing missions awards the player in-game currency and two types of experience points: Branch EXP, which is experience points gained within specific branches, and Beam EXP, the overall amount of experience points. On 20 September 2023, with the release of update 0.30, the career mode was completely updated, now including a tutorial and uses for the Branch EXP and Beam EXP systems. As of alpha release 0.35, players may buy cars with an in-game currency called BeamBucks and customize them.[5] Career saves created in versions 0.26 through 0.29 are incompatible with 0.30 and later.
BeamNG.drive uses soft-body physics to simulate vehicle dynamics and collisions between objects and vehicles.[2][6][3] Algorithms have been created and optimized for the game's physics system.[7] The game relies heavily on code in Lua and uses packets of local data using the Lua network system while the game is running. The game's engine calculates physics equations and problems in real-time during gameplay.[citation needed]
Vehicles in the game consist of a soft-body node-beam structure similar to those in Rigs of Rods. Node-beam structures are represented in a JSON-like text file format, called "JBeams".[8] The physics engine simulates a network of interconnected nodes and beams, which combine to form an invisible skeleton of a vehicle with realistic weights and masses. In terms of soft-body physics, vehicles realistically flex and deform as stress, such as impacts from collisions, is applied to the skeleton.[9][10] Aside from body deformation, various other types of damage are simulated such as degraded engines, detached doors and shattered windows. If a vehicle is severely damaged or if it runs out of fuel, the engine may fail, rendering the vehicle unus