rec.autos.simulators

Everyone has debated whether or not GPL gives a good sense of speed.
I think you should wait until the other tracks are available in
the retail version; Watkins Glen is too wide open to give you that
claustrophobic speed sensation.  None of the tracks in GP2 make
me sweat much either, even at 25fps, except maybe Monaco.
So, an informal debate.  Which driving sims give you a real
sense of on-the-edge speed?  Here are my votes:

Miluakee (sp) Mile in ICR2: something about coming into this
unbanked corner at over 180mph (and a smooth 30fps) makes
me sweat.

Long Beach in ICR2: walls blasting by on either side and a
car set up on the loose ragged edge makes me feel like
everything is happening at double sped.  Strangely, the
other street courses in ICR2 don't have the same feel.

Some of the tarmac stages in Rally Championship: Trees
screaming by on either side of a ridiculously narrow road,
engine screaming on the rev limiter, car leaning on its
soft suspension.  This one wins for me, especially with
some of the wicked corner sequences that are strung
together.  several times I have completely surprised myself
by clipping a corner too tight and putting the car on its
roof.  Sure, it's an arcade racer at its core, but it's
immersive.  I would love to see rally sims progress the way
F1 and Cart sims have, because it seems to me that this is
some of the most on-the-edge driving around.  Crossing my
fingers for Codemaster's effort.

After playing TOCA Touring Cars, I can't wait for Colin McRae
Rally.

--

UK

Steve Ferguson wrote

Seriously, I think GPL is realistic.  Most of the SimRacing titles are have
an over-sense of speed, and even if it looks great, it's not realistic at
all (like C:PR, who is wayyy fake, too much sense of speed IMHO).

Icr2 has a good sense, but for me it's only 2 things.  GPL and Nascar2.
Those 2 have a perfect sence of speed, and especially in Rendition.

Well, those are "realistic sence of speed", now to the "fast sense of
speed".  RAC is the first in my list, I agree that sometimes your on the
edge of your seat ! TOCA also, but it was not like RAC.

Fran?ois Mnard <ymenard> Good race at the Brickyard, (-o-)

Official Mentally retarded guy of r.a.s.
Member of the r.a.s. Ego-maniac club
Excuse me for my English (I'm French speaking)
Excuse me for being provocative (I'm dumb speaking)

--"People think it must be fun to be a super genius, but they don't realise
how hard it is to put up with all the idiots in the world."--

It just doesn't feel fast because it's much more open than a forest
rally stage or a street circuit.  True, through, I get nervous
each time I come across it.

:
: What about Eau Rouge at Spa in GP2? Always makes my stomach churn when I
: sweep through there (or not if I get the line wrong)
:

For me Moto racer is awesome at making you feel as though your going like
the clappers.  The frame rate is just sooooo smooth and you just get such a
buzz when you're cornering at high speed.  OK it's an arcade game and
therefore doesn't have much longevity as a game, but it's nice to fire it
up once in a while and get the thrill of speed.  In comparison I haven't
seen any racing sim match this in terms of providing the sense of speed in
a game.

Moto Racer is all fun just to have a few minutes of play time, but It is
definitely too easy to be fast and win the race, especially once you've
found how to master the boost button. In this category indeed TOCA BTCC
races are much better. I have just managed to get my hands on a CD of PC
Games which has only racing demo's on it. It is a good chance to compare all
the games.

Harald.