Help us out: Engine Designer Demo - Scenarios

General Chat
1

[size=150]Challenges in the Engine Designer Demo[/size]

Automation’s Engine Designer is on the final lap before demo release. Soon everyone
will be able to try this out themselves instead of being limited to drooling over Youtube
videos.

As the Engine Designer by itself does not represent what the game will be like when
it’s finished, we want to spice things up a bit for the demo. The aim is to give the
player actual goals instead of just providing a shovel and a big sandbox, which will be
included in the demo as well.

Thus, the Engine Designer demo will feature scenarios / challenges that will put the
player in situations where engines have to be designed with specific limitations or to
certain specifications. Just like in the finished game, you will have to cope with the
ever-changing landscape of the automotive industry.

[size=150]Your favorite engine-design scenario in the demo[/size]
(Remember that it’s limited to naturally aspirated Inline-4 engines currently!)

1) Provide a short scenario description. What is the challenge about?
Example: 1973, USA. The oil crisis has a hard grasp on the country, and people start
to feel the pressure to maintain their mobility. More economic car engines sure
would help and turn the crisis into an opportunity!

2) What technical limitations should be imposed on the player in this challenge?
Example: Carburettors only, Cast Iron only, no DOHC, etc.

3) What technical specifications is the engine supposed to have, and how are
those weighted in importance? (Max. 5 different points)
Example: Economy better than x (50%), power more than y (20%),
price below z (20%), MTTF in MRevs better than w (10%)

The respective number in 3) is a hard limit, you need to be better than all of these at
the same time to successfully complete the challenge. If this requirement is fulfilled,
you get a higher score for larger margins you beat the threshold with. Because it is
impossible to have a perfectly balanced and perfectly realistic game at this stage of
development, just use x, y, z, etc. instead of actual numbers. The closed-beta testers
will determine what actual values make for good demo gameplay in the current version
of the Engine Designer.

You are most welcome to make suggestions! Zeussy and Daffyflyer will then be able to
choose the best scenarios being presented here and save time in the process.

[size=150]Score Calculations[/size]

Edit: We (Kubby, T16, and I) have worked out a score system for the demo scenarios.
It is percentage-based in regard to the hard thresholds set in the scenario technical
specifications. It works as follows:

x[size=60]0[/size] = threshold value for variable x
x[size=60]1[/size] = achieved value, better than x[size=60]0[/size]
p[size=60]x[/size] = statistical weight of variable x as a fraction

Score = int( (Abs(x[size=60]1[/size]-x[size=60]0[/size])/x[size=60]0[/size] + 1)^2 * p[size=60]x[/size] + (Abs(y[size=60]1[/size]-y[size=60]0[/size])/y[size=60]0[/size] + 1)^2 * p[size=60]y[/size] + … ] * 1000 )

Features of this system:
> The base score for a beaten challenge is 1000 points.
> Beating a threshold by more than the threshold value yields quadratically more score.
> The score is balanced by the set thresholds and the defined statistical weights.
> The results are easily comparable.

An example with two variables:
Scenario: Engine must have more power than 100 kW (60%) and weigh less than 100 kg. (40%)
Red: You managed to build an engine with 115 kW peak power output which weighs just 80kg.
(Blue: You managed to build an engine with 130 kW peak power output which weighs just 95kg.)

Power score:
Calculate base: (|115 - 100| / 100) + 1 = 0.15 + 1 = 1.15
Square and apply statistical weight: 1.15^2 * 0.6 = 0.7935 (1.014)

Weight score:
Calculate base: (|80 - 100| / 100) + 1 = 0.20 + 1 = 1.20
Square and apply statistical weight: 1.20^2 * 0.4 = 0.576 (0.441)

Total Score:
Add individual scores and multiply by 1000, dropping the decimal places:
(0.7935 + 0.576)*1000 = 1369,5 => 1369 (1455)

So your final challenge score is 1369. Note that with equal weighting, the 20% better
weight of the engine would have been more than 5% more valuable than the 15% higher
power output. That is why the blue engine scored higher - both via a higher statistical
weight and a “higher above threshold”-value.

I hope this example clarifies the suggested scoring system!

Cheers!
/Killrob

2

Top work as always Killrob, and can’t wait to see what people come up with!

3

Thanks Daffy!
As no one ever wants to be the first to post something except “first!”, I’ll go ahead and post a scenario myself.
Also, this can serve as another example for you to check on and copy its format.

Scenario description:
It is the year 1992, and your small, Ireland based, engine producing company has long been looking for an
opportunity to expand its business toward more sporty engines. Fate plays into your hands as you are contacted
and contracted by a small racing team asking you for a new engine design for them to use in a new cross-country
racing league. This could become great publicity… or a huge failure.

Technical limitations:
Naturally aspirated, 1.5L (1500cc) max. capacity, must take 100 octane (or lower) fuel,
all other technologies allowed.

Technical specifications:
a) Power more than x (50%)
b) Weight lower than z (30%)
c) Responsiveness more than y (10%)
d) MTTF higher than q (10%)

4

OK.

Scenario description:
1950, some kind of eastern block country. The state officials want you to make a cheap engine for some kind of small off-roader for the army. Engine has to be cheap and reliable. Can you make it? (description has to be improved, but…)

Technical limitations:
Naturally aspirated
1.5 to 2.5 lt capacity
must take RON 87 or lower fuel
must be carburetted
aluminium block or head are not allowed
must use OHV
must use cast recipropating parts (crankshaft, connection rods, pistons)
must use cast exhaust manifold or headers
must have at least one muffler.
flywheel heavier than 10 kg

Technical specifications:
*Material Costs less than x (25%)
Manufacture time in manhours in a 1950 factory less than y (30%)
MTTF higher than z (25%)
Maximal torque at 0-q RPM range higher than p (20%)
*

5

Just a question: In addition to the challenges, there will be a sandbox mode in the demo, right?

6

Damn you kub, I had just written a shockingly similar scenario. :imp:

Scenario description:
The year is 1980. Audi has just released their fearsome Quattro onto the circuit. You’ve just been commissioned by a rally team to make an engine for their front engined all-wheel drive rally car. High power and Low weight while taking a beating is the name of the game.

Technical limitations:
[ul]]2000cc max. capacity/:m]
]Must be longitudinal/:m]
]Forced induction optional (but highly recommended)/:m]
]All other period appropriate technologies allowed./:m][/ul]

Technical specifications:
[ul]
**]Power more than x (50%)/*:m]
]Weight lower than y (35%)/:m]
*]MTTF higher than z (15%)
/:m][/ul]

7

Scenario description:
The year is 1953, Reynolds Bailey is making a British sport car. It’s lightweight and very good handling. But he needed an engine to put in this car. Will you able to make one that will impress him to put it in this promising car?

Technical limitations:
4 Cylinders
Lightweight (Aluminium allowed)
2000-3000 cc.
More than 80hp It looks like Technical specification //Kubby Nah it’s Technical //Conan Did I say otherwise //Kubby Whatever it was midnight //Conan
1950s Tech only

Technical specifications:
Power more than H (30%)
Weight lower than K (35%)
Price lower than D (25%)
MTTF higher than Y (10%)

8

@serothis : I just made an engine that will give Audi a run for it’s money.

4 Cylinders 2 Litre engine that make 220hp in standard trim, It’s quite light because it got Aluminium Head and it’s also very compact. (So that it can be mounted a little bit more behind the axle for better handling.) And need no heavy Turbocharger. Race Spec got 315hp and very light also. So it’s going to be very good in Group 2/Group 4.

Not enough for Group B? With Turbocharger I reckon it’s going to make about … 400-450hp or if you go with mad boosta I think almost 700hp.

9

@1701adguru: yes, there will be sandbox mode as well of course! The challenges are just the spice, not the meat. :slight_smile:

Good scenarios so far guys!
Also, conan, the power thing is a hard-limit by default if you put it the third category… don’t put it in the second one with a specific power number, the scenarios will be balance tested either way so that these values can be set appropriately.

10

A late game Scenario.

Scenario description:
*2016. The emmision norms are getting more and more strict. The life of sports engine designer is becoming much harder than before. You have been ordered to design an I4 engine for a hot hatch. *

Technical limitations:
up to 2000cc engine capacity
RON 95 or lower

Technical specifications:
Power more than x (40%)
Total cost in 2015 “type region here” factory lower than p (25%)
MTTF higher than z (20%)
Weight lower than y (15%)
Emmisions lower than q (0%) (so you have to meet this limit, but higher margin does not give you higher score)

11

Now, for a contrast, the early game scenario.

Scenario description:
1946. Things just get sorted out after the war. You are a tractor manufacturer, but you want to expand into automotive world. You have designed the wooden chassis already, you have also designed the card-board based body and wooden leaf suspension. Now, only the engine is needed. Remember. It has to be cheap. Oh, and don’t worry about the fact that your cars will make other cars seem great. Just do this.

Technical limitations:
950-1050 cc engine capacity
Must run on Regular leaded fuel
40s tech only
Anything other is allowed, but it the cost restriction is very strict, so it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to put titanium conrods, for example.

Technical specifications:
Total cost in 1945 “type region here” factory lower than z (45%)
Economy better than y (30%)
MTTF higher than z (20%)
Power higher than p (5%) (oh, and p is a small value)

12

Not sure exactly how specific we can go, but I really wanted a Trans AM 2.5 style scenario.

Scenario
It’s 1970 and a racing organization is planning on starting it’s 2.5 challenge next year, you have been contracted by an American auto company to build a racing engine to compete against foreign cars. The company has already given you the template for their engine, it’s up to you to bring it to life.

Technical Limitations
3.501-3.581 bore
3.625in stroke
2287cc-2393cc (If the bore and stroke is too specific)
Aluminum block
Cast Iron crankshaft
Cast Iron head
Must be carbureted
4 speed transmission

Technical specifications:

  1. Power more than x (55%)
  2. Weight lower than y (20%)
  3. Responsiveness more than z (20%)
  4. MTTF higher than q (5%)
13

Scenario description:
2004. Company you are working in as the engine engineer, is on the verge of bancrupcy. They need to make a car which will be financial success. They have decided to build a successor to their compact hatch. And here comes the problem. It has to be both sporty and economical. Both cheap and responsive. Both reliable and furious. It’s YOUR job to make an engine that fits all of these requirements. Prove that it is possible.

Technical limitations:
1600 cc max engine capacity
RON 95 or lower
Anything other is restricted my cost restriction
Also, your company has more advanced fuel systems than others (manufacture year of the fuel system is 2007)

Technical specifications:
Total cost in 2005 “type region here” factory lower than x (20%)
Economy better than y (20%)
MTTF higher than z (20%)
Power higher than p (20%)
Responsiveness higher than q (20%)

[size=85]One specification too much Kubby, please edit. I suggest you take out the emissions spec. /Killrob[/size]
Oh. So specification limit was the hard limit… /Kubby

14

Scenario description:
1998. Your company wants to build a sports sedan. However, some guys from financial department decided that you have to use the bottom end from the more popular model. And they don’t care about the fact that cast recipropating parts aren’t really suitable for high-reved engine. “Make it low-reved then, you dump clod!”

Technical limitations:
You already have the bottom end designed. You can change nothing in it. (1.9 lt, cast recipropating parts, cast iron block)
91 RON or lower
No direct injection (while it was possible, your company doesn’t use it)

Technical specifications:
Total cost in 1995 “type region here” factory lower than x (40%)
MTTF higher than y (25%)
Power higher than z (35%)

15

Scenario description:
The year is 19xx. To further help expand your company world wide, you need to develop a new entry-level engine type. It will be used on all regions/markets, so it needs to be able to run on bad quality fuel . The engine will be used for the next 5 years as an starter-engine for all the various models weighting below 1500kg. Keeping costs low is important to maximize profit. Finally it needs to maintain decent reliability and economy.

Technical limitations:

  • Naturally aspirated
  • Engine capacity 1200-1800cc
  • Standard intake
  • Catalytic converter

Technical specifications:

  • Fuel Octane lower than A (25%)
  • Loudness lower than B (10%)
  • Economy lower than C (20%)
  • Cost lower than D (25%)
  • MTTF higher than E (20%)
16

Scenario description:
The year is 1962, you are a small sports car company that need a new engine for its new sport car. The new engine will have to be based on a production engine from a large company so you can’t change much on the bottom end, the same company wants to use the engine in it’s next sports sedan so costs will have to be kept in check.

Technical limitations:
Naturally aspirated,
Bore 81mm-82.6mm, Stroke 72.8mm,
Fuel injection not allowed
Cast bottom end

Technical specifications:
*a) Power more than x (50%)
b) Cost lower than z (20%)
c) MTTF higher than y (20%)
d) Responsiveness more than q (10%) *

17

Scenario description:
*
The year is 1995. The Mazda Mx-5 has reigned supreme for 6 years now. Land Rover has resurrected the British Leyland name and is trying to take back the pride of British roadsters from the Japanese. Their plan is to make a front engined rear-wheel drive car. It must be low weight, inexpensive and, unlike British roadsters of the past, reliable.
*

Technical limitations:
[ul]]1800cc max. capacity/:m]
]Must be longitudinal/:m]
]Must be naturally aspirated/:m]
]Must rev to 6500+ rpms/:m]
]All other period appropriate technologies allowed./:m][/ul]

Technical specifications:
[ul]
*
]Weight lower than w (35%)/:m]
]Cost lower than x (25%)/:m]
]Power more than y (25%)/:m]
*]MTTF higher than z (15%)
/:m][/ul]

18

Scenario description:
*
The year is 1982. The CEO of Chrysler has learned that Renault has plans to revive an old project discarded by a Chrysler subsidiary that was later sold to Renault. They have dubbed it the “Espace”. Not to be out done and humiliated, Chrysler is planning to create their own people carrier and plan to bring it to market before Renault. It is your job to make the engine. It must be affordable, reliable and economical.
*

Technical limitations:
[ul]]3L max. capacity/:m]
]Must use RON 87 or lower/:m]
]Must be trans-axle /:m]
]All other period appropriate technologies allowed./:m][/ul]

Technical specifications:
[ul]
*
]Cost lower than x (40%)/:m]
]MTTF higher than y (35%)/:m]
*]Economy greater than z (25%)
/:m][/ul]

19

Scenario description:

The year is 1999. The local 1300cc racing competition have changed the rules on possible technology can be used in there engines.

Your company already produces a 1300cc engine for the competition. It produces X/KW and Y/NM and uses SOHC 8 valve, as that is all the old competition rules allowed. You used to produced the most popular engine in the competition but over the past few years you have slipped to second, your goal is to take back the top spot…

Technical limitations:

1.3L max. capacity
RON not really important but lower RON will win a few extra points 
New rules allow DOHC 16 Valve
No turbo allowed
All other period appropriate technologies allowed.

Technical specifications:

Produce more than Y NM (30%)
Produce more than X HP (30%)
Last longer than 1 season between rebuilds (20%)
Cost initial and servicing <= W (15%)
Run on 95 RON or lower (5%)

(ok the idea behind this is that you are producing a racing engine but it is in a cheaper category or road racing and keeping cost down is also important. Longevity of the racing engine is also a consideration, not having to do a major rebuild on the engine after every season and a life of over 5 years is a must).

20

Scenario description:
Do you remember the scenario where you had to design the cheap engine right after the war? Now, forty years later, in 1986, Cossack Autos became one of the largest car manufacturers. They’ve been offering the Cossack Tuning Experts, or shortly, CTE models since 1975. Now, they are going to create the 2200 CTE, based on their compact car. And they have contacted you. Remember, it STILL has to be cheap.

Technical limitations:
2150-2250 cc engine capacity
Must run on regular unleaded fuel
no multipoint or direct fuel injection
Anything period appropiate is allowed, as long as you meet the cost restriction.

Technical specifications:
Total cost in 1985 “type region here” factory lower than x (40%) /though we don’t have any 1985 factory, we have tested it with 1980 Germany Factory and set the limit there as 350$
Power higher than z (25%) /after some testing, I suggest 170 hp (126.76 kW). As you operate in kW, this limit may seem arbitrary, so, I suggest 125 kW (167.62 hp) alternatively
MTTF higher than y (15%) /3000 MRevs suggested
Responsiveness higher than p (15%) /35 suggested
Service costs lower than q (5%) /850$/year suggested - Kubby