rec.autos.simulators

Both 3Dfx and Rendition (as well as other chipsets, like Riva) will run
Direct3D.

However, 3Dfx and Rendition each also support their own native API's.
For 3Dfx it's called Glide, with Rendition there is Speedy3D and
Redline.  These native API's only run on their respective hardware.
Thus, a Glide port of a game will only work on a 3Dfx card, and a
Speedy3D or Redline will only work with a Rendition card.

The current 3D accelerated version of Nascar2 is for Rendition only and
only works with a Rendition card, although a Glide port has been made
(still not released though).  When/if it is finally released, you will
need a 3Dfx card to use it obviously.

It sounds like most of the games you own are Direct3D accelerated, since
you say they will run on both Rendition and 3Dfx boards (or, they might
each have specific native versions of the same game).

Thanks for clearing the air Jim, sorry for the misinformation!  =P

Cheers!

Marc

(please remove '*' when replying)

Sim Racing News - http://www.simnews.com
The Sim Project - http://www.simproject.com

* No animals were harmed in the making of this e-mail *

What doesn't work about Nascar2?  I was not aware that the game had fatal
flaws...just a few niggly bugs like everything else.  I have heard nothing
that compares to your car blowing up analogy and my copy certainly works
well.

As for the 3dfx patch, as I said, start complaining in April if we don't
have it yet.

Marc.

<snipped>

-nice long story deleted-

Ok, I can see some of your points, but when N2 was released there was no
mention of a 3dfx patch.  Papyrus wnet to a lot of effort to make the game work
with rendition (which it does admirably).  It even works with the new rendition
chipset that didn't exist when the game came out.

Papyrus don't owe anyone a 3dfx patch.  If they make one I'll applaud them and
if I ever meet one of their programmers I'll buy them a drink - only have to
mow lawns for two weeks for that:-). But I don't DEMAND them to make it for
free. Why stop at 3dfx - lets have an AGP version, a Nvidia version, a Permedia
or whatever version! Shoot. lets wait for a couple of years and demand an S3
Rage 8 version.

If they make one they're doing us a favour and we should be grateful. Now go
buzz Microprose for a wet weather, multiplayer version of gp2 like it says on
the back of the box.

brian

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From what I understand, 3DFX did the port. It's done. Sierra insisted they give
it final approval. 3DFX had to hand it all over to them for release. They're
holding it to be released with some sort of upgrade/patch/add-on or something
of that nature. I could be wrong, but this is how I understand it from various
company rep posts and press releases.

HH

---Jim

PS: Now, the little bit of lawyer in me wants to argue that they did
make an announcement "as to" the release date (stating that the exact
date would be in early 1998), rather than an announcement "of" the
exact date... But that would be a bit too lame, even for
r.a.s./UseNet... :-)  <-- NB the smiley before flaming...

Papyrus deserves NO credit for the 3DFX patch. The patch was actually
done by the guys over at 3DFX due to consumer demand. Of course
Papy/Sierra is going to take all the credit for themselves. That could
be the only reason for the delay.
--
Nos

                 [This Space Left Intentionally Blank]

Papyrus had no obligation in letting 3DFX make a patch either. They
could have stuck to their guns with Rendtion since Sierra/Papyrus are
very much into Rendition.

I think its great that they are even spending a minute of their time and
resources to please those who want a 3dfx version.  

Scott

Come on ... Papyrus will release a 3DFX patch for N2 because it is in
their economic best interest to do so. N3 is still months away yet it
will support 3DFX. Meanwhile, Rendition is history despite some last
gasps -- (and I own one). It only makes good business sense that Papyrus
encourage 3DFX conversion in the present for their benefit in the future
when N3 is released.

Troy Fortmann

****************************************************
... Spirited debate is the process by which
something approaching the truth is revealed.
****************************************************

At this point does it matter? I have bought every Papy product up to
SODA and have watched the quality od sim and support slide. Nascar
should have been patched last year FOR THE SAKE OF PAPY'S FUTURE not
ours. I could not care about N2 at this point. I was underwhelmed at
its release and 3dfx graphics are not likely to change that. The issue
is when will Papy return to making groundbreaking sims ala the
original (and brilliant) NASCAR and Indycar and even ICR2 to a limited
extent. Lately mediocrity and rehashes are all that seem to be
forthcoming. I really hope GPL lives up to its advanced billing. If so
all will be forgotten. If not then, sadly, I think we are nearing the
end of an era.

Maybe the delay is because Papyrus are testing it to the
max to make sure that the patch has been done properly. No
points for guessing who would get it in the neck if the patch
is not right.
Yea thats right .....Papyrus

I can just see the post in RAS now

Hold your horses. After all it will be for free.

--
NOTE:   Remove the "remove" from E-mail address to reply.

Nigel of Lakewood Motorsports
(Memeber of the Nascar Offline Racing Series)
Nascar Coruba & Coke Chevy
Hamilton
New Zealand

Jimminy Cricket! I wonder why?

And I think it sucks that they didn't support 3DFX in the first place,
even though it's superior technology to Rendition.
--
Nos

                 [This Space Left Intentionally Blank]

Ack Man! They've had the patch in their hands for quite some time now.
Should have finished testing long ago. Anyway, they are under the wing
of Sierra now and since when has Sierra cared about releasing buggy
software? Come to think of it, every game that Papy has done has
needed multiple patching. Free, thx to 3DFX and not Papy.
--
Nos

                 [This Space Left Intentionally Blank]

But why would 3dfx make an N2 patch? to help sell their cards of course.  Face
it, nobody's in the charity business for long...

I think a 3dfx patch may help rejuvenate N2 sales but I think a high percentage
of the sim racing market have it already.  IT's commercially 50-50.

In reply to Nosferatu (good film BTW) I don't think anyone could produce a 3dfx
patch for N2 without a lot of help from Papyrus.

Brian
.

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Good point.  with common sense like that you could only come from NZ.

Brian

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