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Intensity is mainly a number representing the quality of the construction of a ride in providing a sufficient but not overabundant level of "thrill" to the rider.
The primary factor in determining this is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G-force|%7C G-force]. The games simulate the movement of ride trains along the track, compared to acceleration and ride speed, and calculate three factors: Positive Vertical Gs, Negative Vertical Gs, and Lateral Gs. To the game, a stationary object has a Vertical G-force of +1, and a Lateral G-force of zero. As a train moves upward, it generally experiences higher Positive Vertical Gs - a force of +2 Vertical Gs means that the force pulling down on the rider at that moment is twice the normal rate of gravity. As a train moves down a hill, Positive Gs are eliminated and Negative Gs are created - a Vertical G-force of zero is a feeling of weightlessness - the rider feels no downward forces. A Negative Vertical G-force of one means that a force is acting at the rate of gravity, opposite to the usual direction of gravity - in other words, the rider is pulled up, not down. Control of Negative and Positive Vertical Gs is important in controlling rider comfort, and ultimately in controlling ride Intensity and Nausea Ratings. Lateral G-forces are also important, but are only caused when the train and rider move to one side or another - if a rider moves straight, there are no Lateral G-forces. Lateral Gs work opposite to the direction a train moves - if a train turns right, the rider's body "wants" to continue straight, thus acting as a force to the ''left''. Banked curves help alleviate this force, which can be quite intense, so banks should always be utilized when a train is moving fast. Also, using a curve with a larger radius can be more beneficial to the intensity rating than using a curve with a small radius. For example, after a large drop, tight curves, even if banked, can cause large G-forces. Larger radius curves can help alleviate high lateral G-forces.
Basic understanding of G-forces is useful in ride design, especially in controlling extreme Intensity ratings. Ride construction, especially construction of [[Roller Coaster]]s, is impacted greatly by G-forces and how they act on riders. Rides with wide variations between Negative and Positive Vertical Gs, or wide variation in Lateral Gs, will be more intense. Often, higher intensity is more desirable, so elements are added to rides to increase these forces. For example, most Roller Coasters are built with an initial drop large enough to create zero Vertical Gs or Negative Vertical Gs ('air' time), and this increases not only the intensity but the excitement of the ride. This can be overdone, however, and especially so when an element is so rough that it could be injurious; a sharp 90-degree curve at the bottom of a large hill will pull riders so violently to one side of the ride that the enjoyability of the entire ride will suffer.
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