: I need to know if anyone knows how much of a difference a
: power rating of 800-900 would be from say 100-200. If I can figure this
: out and incorporate this to the traction, drag, and aggression settings, I
: can make it more realistic.
Here is what I know about the traction, drag and power settings.
Sim = IndyCar Racing II
Track = Michigan
AI Settings = 100% Strength
BLAP=30166
RELS=100
With all numbers set to 500 for min and 501 for max the AI Lap Times were
equal to 234.045 MPH. This is the "baseline" setup. This means that with
these settings the AI will run the EXACT lap speed of the value in BLAP.
Every time, 100% of the time. Even if I set ALL drivers the same then
they will ALL run EXACTLY what is in BLAP.
This is how the numbers effected the lap times (all settings = 500/501
unless noted):
Setting Value Lap Speed
---------------------------------------------------
Aggression 998/999 234.045 MPH
Traction 998/999 248.464 MPH
Drag 998/999 221.195 MPH
Traction & Drag 998/999 234.045 MPH
Power 998/999 248.464 MPH
Traction & Power 998/999 264.804 MPH
Traction, Drag & Power 998/999 248.464 MPH
Look carefully at the overall lap speeds. Some are equal with huge
changes in the numbers for each setting when combining changes. This is
because the numbers make up a formula based on these settings along with
AI Strength (in the options menu) and the BLAP and RELS numbers in the
track.txt file as well as the values in the .LP files in each directory.
A summary:
Aggression: Higher = more tendency to block and hog line
Lower = more tendency to give up line and not block
Either way it has absolutely no effect on the lap times
Power: Higher = better acceleration out of corners and higher top speed
Lower = poorer acceleration and not as high of a top speed
Traction: Higher = better cornering ability and more grip for late braking
Lower = slow in the corners and WAY early on the brakes (wimps)
Drag: Higher = lower top speed and poorer acceleration
Lower = higher top speed and better acceleration
Each of the above is based on an adjustment of just that setting. When
changed together it is combining a formula that has many variables that
will make the same lap times. However, even with the same lap times, the
AI will still drive differently depending on what has changed and by how
much.
The best thing to do is start from a baseline of 500/501 and use the BLAP
and RELS numbers to get the AI to turn laps that you can run as well.
Then, based on your driving, either add or subtract the settings to tune
the AI to your abilities, such as a lower straight speed, but better in
the corners based on the charts above.
Experimentation is the best you can do. As you improve, make the
adjustments to the AI as well. It will make you a better racer when you
are going 100% full out and you are stuck 0.4s behind the car just in
front of you lap after lap. All you can do is pray for traffic and hope
for the best.
It is possible to get most of the tracks equal with just one DRIVERS2.TXT
file, but it is almost impossible to get them all equal. That is due to
the way the .LP files come into the equation. Sometimes they just go too
slow in one corner, but are ok for the remainder of the track. That is
ok, but then when you turn them up for that one slow corner they will
smoke you over the rest of the track. Sometimes it is best to leave them
slow in a few corners so you can get the overall laps better adjusted.
