By DABH
Everyone loves TrackMania United. However, after some time, people may start seeking more things to do than what’s provided in-game. Thankfully, many community members have put up websites and created tools that make TMU much more than just a game! I’ll walk you through all the important sites and tools, and explain how to use them.
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Posted by DABH
Written by Alcator.
Nine signs hinting that you have played too much TrackMania:
Do you have any additional signs of TrackMania overose? Let us her them in the comments below!
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Posted by alcator
Written by Alcator.
In this list, I’ll tell you about the 10 TM moments that caused me to say “Wow” the most. I’ll start from the “least wow-ish” and end with the number 1 moment. So, without further ado…
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Posted by alcator
Written by Alcator.
Just like with filmmaking, there are good ways to show something, and there are bad ways. When making a replay for your track, you may be easily seduced by the way YOU drive your track into showing the ride from certain camera angles that only work for those who drive just like you. While in a PF track, this will be the case of most players, in normal racing tracks, player speeds and paths differ and what works for one player may not work for another.
Therefore, a few rules to follow:
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Posted by Jozii
Last week MikoZ made a top 5 list of Rally tracks. This week he returns with a top 20 list. Enjoy 
If you have a top list (of anything, not just tracks), feel free to send it to Jozii@pp.inet.fi.
Oh, and sorry for the late post today 
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Posted by Jozii
MikoZ has put together a top 5 list of his favorite Rally tracks. You are encouraged to download and check out these tracks
If you have a top-list (doesn’t have to be of tracks), please e-mail it to Jozii@pp.inet.fi and it can get published here at the blog
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Posted by Jozii
Throughout the years of TrackMania, certain block combinations in tracks have become so popular and commonly used that you are almost guaranteed to come across one or several of those combinations in any decent tracks.
In this article I’ll introduce to you some of these block combinations for the Stadium environment. I’m not talking about things like loops or wallrides, but something even more detailed, something that makes a track shine, something that is fashionable!
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Posted by Jozii
Here at the TMU Blog we’d like to promote underrated tracks at TMX, but there simply isn’t the time and energy for it. Luckily, JumperJack has taken the initiative to make his own list of underrated tracks:
If you download and play tracks at TMX on a regular basis, it would be much appreciated if you could write down the names of tracks you find to be underrated (less than 10 TMX awards) and send them to Jozii@pp.inet.fi. All lists of tracks will get posted here in the blog.
A few weeks ago (17th of December) Hawk_ger gave the TMU Blog the following list of what he considered to be the 10 most underrated tracks. While some of these may no longer be underrated, all of the tracks should be worth a go, should you not have tried them already
“Creative° by TEP Really“
“UNITechED by janbanan“
“Univited by X-MASTER“
“Kiwi Squeeze TMU by GD“
“tech for dummies by keyS | keek“
“Thoughts by Supamanu“
“Bang Whiz by GD“
“Speed Of Sound 2 by HolyMooner“
“Cross Stadium by Kev717“
“SweetInsanity by Max“
Enjoy the tracks, and don’t forget to award them if you like them!
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Posted by Jozii
This is the third part of the “How To Get Awards”-series.
A few weeks ago, some of the best track authors at TMX were asked a few questions regarding what they consider to be important and essential in the “perfect track”. Of course, no track is perfect, but the answers from these awesome authors sure helps on making tracks as close to perfect as possible. So, here’s a list on the top 5 ingredients for the perfect track, all according to the big-shots:
1. Speed. On top of the list is speed! The perfect track must be fast, yet technical, in order to provide the best driving experience.
2. Technical. As said above, the perfect track must be technical, yet maintaingood speed. Speed, however, is acording to the big-shots slightly more important.
3. Smooth. No one likes a bumpy ride, and the big-shots are no different! Third on the list is smoothness. A smooth ride is crusial in the perfect track.
NOTE: Some of the most successful track authors agree that all of the above three are important, but in order for a track to be perfect, all three must exist at the same time! This can be hard to achieve, but then again, making the perfect track is not easy.
4. MT work. Good MT work is something all those asked mentioned. It was not their first choice, but everyone agreed, which puts the MT work fourth on the list. Especially the intro is considered to be important, since it presents the track, but also a good outro is highly valued. In-game MT work should only be used where needed (such as in loops).
5. Original. New ideas are welcome among the big-shots. However, most of them also agree that it is sometimes better to stick to what is already known to work. Push the limits, but make sure you don’t slip!
Tips From the Big-Shots:
The authors that took part in this survey were also asked to give a few tips for anyone who’d like to make better tracks. Here are the 5 most common answers:
1. Keep testing the track during the building process. It will help you find possible flaws, undesired cuts, and generally “bad” sections. As a bonus, it will also help you make a good author time once the track is completed.
2.Take your time and focus on the actual track. Spend as much time as you need on the track. Don’t rush it just to get the track published. Change what you dislike and try coming up with solutions you are satisfied with. Also mentionable is that MT work adds to the appeal of the track, but doesn’t necessarily make the track itself much better.
3. Use well-known ideas. Test some of the most famous tracks and try to figure out what makes them so good. Of course, you should find your own style, but sticking to what is known to be good is often better than filling a track with new ideas that won’t necessarily please the crowd.
4. Don’t make the track too hard. Keep it simple yet challenging. Put yourself in the drivers position, and try to figure out what works and what doesn’t. Remember, since you test your track again and again, parts that seem easy to you can often be quite difficult even for the most skilled driver.
5. have fun during the building process. If you didn’t have fun making the track, it often shows on the results. Some parts may just be half-finished and not all solutions that work in theory work in practise.
Hopefully, the above tips and ingredients for making the perfect track will help you during your career as a TMU track author. Just remember: have fun and make tracks the way you like them, and everything should work out just fine.
The survey referred to in this article was sent to: GanjaRider, [ATP]ArcImpulse, Sabaku no Gaara, Andree, Time Breaker and Fonzie. Thanks to those who took the time to answer.
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Posted by Jozii
