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Intensity: Difference between revisions
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The primary factor in determining this is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G-force 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 (the normal rate of Earth's gravity) 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. A Vertical G-force of -1 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 more important, and having high Lateral Gs can singlehandedly make a Roller Coaster unpopular. The threshold for extreme Lateral Gs is anywhere between 2.70 and 3.00, depending on the particular type of coaster. If a maximum Lateral G is too high, this number will be displayed in red and the Excitement rating will be hit hard. As a train goes around a curve, the rider is forced in the opposite direction, and thus a "sideways" force of gravity is felt. Unlike Vertical Gs, Lateral Gs can only be positive. On the benchmark screen of a ride, "positive" Lateral Gs represent a force to right, while "negative" Lateral Gs represent a force to the left. In a ride's stats, only the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolute_value absolute value] of the highest Lateral G is displayed. Banked curves help alleviate this by diffusing much of the G-force, 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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