Recently, I posted an inquiry about what would be the most important
aspects of defining a good MODERN F1 simulation in a sort of balanced
way that wouldn't give any game undue advantage to start with.
I got lots of replies from folks who had understood I was hunting for
the perfect dream F1 sim we'd all like to see. Put the point here was to
compare the three only worthy sim contestants available today. Thanks
for the "dream sim" aspects as well. All ideas for such one matched with
mine, and maybe someday I'll use the input as a help and database for a
different article to support my own views.
Now I have more or less determined the 16 GP:s that these three racing
simulations will go through, and I'd like to have your input to bring
some objective balance to my own judgements. I know I'm asking a free
luch here. SO if you don't wish to bother with questionnaires, just
ignore this whole message and cease reading now.
However there are a lot of folks who actually like filling in surveys
(including silly me). So could you please rate in a simple 1,2,3 order
the following games: Grand Prix 2, F1 2000, and Monaco GP racing Sim 2.
If you want to put in justa a number (1 being the best naturally), that
would be a great hep. Even better would be if you have the time and
patience to explain the "result" in one or two sentences.
Again, my undying gratitude to each and every bit of valuable input from
experts. Feel free to reply via email, but posting here is ok too.
-lark-
1. Drivimg model
How realistically the car behaves in extreme condiotions. The famous
"gut feeling"?
2. Other Physics
External physics modelling affecting car performance. Including tyre
temperature, track temeperature, track surface, etc.
3. Damage modelling
How realistic, how detailed?
4. Track Modelling
How faithful the computer tracks are to thei real-world counterparts?
What about bumps, elevations, and tarmac surface.
5. Rules
For just the right formula feeel, it is important that both the player
and computer pilots actually read yelllow and black flags. For example.
And the rules and penalties are enforced. This also includes the
possibility to play a GP and a season accurately with all the races,
warm-ups, quals, parade laps, etcetera. Just like the real thing.
6. Weather
Is there any kind of weather variation?
7. Car performance versus reality. Are the varying team cars different?
Is it possible to drive impossible lap times with just a little
practice.
8. AI
Are the AI drivers any good? Does the game have to resort to cheating
and improving AI pilots' cars' performance to keep these bungling fools
up with the player?
9. Car setup
How well the different parts of the car can be tuned to get the right
"balance" for each track and driving style? As each of the games has
several dozens of details to tune, we're rather comparing how well
setting up the car is explained in the manual and in-game interface.
Will the player get enough feedback to know what he's doing wrong and
how to put it right? Telemetry, perhaps?
10. Graphics appearance
Simply, how beautiful and realistic it is?
11. Graphics performance
Beautiful must also move beautifully. Unfortunately this isn't always
true. The feel and sense of speed is essential.
12. Sounds
There's no F1 without the mighty roar of 22 V10s. How well do engine and
other game sounds immerse the player into his F1***pit?
13. Interface
Even the best of games can be ruined if it becomes a frustrating
struggle with confusing menus and interfaces. Ingludes also the
interface of scheduling unscheduled pitstops from the car.
14. Learning curve
Only an expert can start playing an F1 sim without at least some kind of
driving aids. How well these are implemented. In each of the games full
aids on makes the game playable even to complete novices. But how well
has the gradual learning to full realism settings been implemented?
15. Customizing
The best of sims leaves always SOMETHING computer-literate sim fans can
and will tweak afterwards. From single adverts to complete season packs
including updated car performances and new tracks as well. Which of the
three is most easily modified, and for which can we find the best, most
realistic "season updates"?
16. Playability
A game as a whole is always more than the sum of it's parts. A truly
great and realistic simulation may still lack that "something" that
makes you go "this roxxxx". Call it chrome. Call it karma. Call it
points for style. Or call it the final insult.