rec.autos.simulators

It occurred to me when reading the digital sports second look review,
posted by High Gear, that perhaps there could be an argument for Sierra
re-releasing GPL with a few enhancements.
Here's why:
An entry level system nowadays is a Celeron 466 - this is sufficient
CPU power.
The latest patches have much improved set-ups and addition of
force-feedback.
Heres the other features they'd need to add if they want to make it the
top seller it deserves to be:
1)Much improved open GL support - if they can get GPL to run  as well
as a voodoo3 on the TNT 2 cards which are so ubiquitous, and also GE
Force cards it would be a big sales boost imho. Probably the biggest
thing that limited sales was restricting the game to those with
rendition and voodoo cards.
2)An AI speed slider - and lets people have a fast race option where
they can choose to be pole starter.
3)With a bit of negotiation, WINVROC should come on the CD.
4)Good default set-ups for those that want them - its a hard enough
game without making it impossible for people that arent into tinkering
in the garage.
5) A few additional tracks -once again -perhaps they can just negotiate
with those that have already produced them.
6) Perhaps a bit of a graphics update - thinking mainly of improved
***pits aka GPLEA here
And thats it really -no major changes - except perhaps support of other
video cards - if this could be economic to do - the game still stands
well enough on its merits today - to warrant a re-release.
Julian
--
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Talkway - http://www.racesimcentral.net/ - Talk more ways (sm)

Also look out for the newspaper headline "PIG LEARNS TO FLY!"

;-)

Chris

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On Sat, 15 Apr 2000 01:45:23 -0700, Chris Bloom

apperently sierra/papy  have dumped the project, they are apparently
concentrating their efforts on nascar 4.

if only they could do one last thing for it, and make a patch for the
rs-shifter. oh well :((

Rich
http://come.to/rs-shifter

    You mean that that is what your computer is, not the entry level
compuer.  Although I'm going to have to update very soon, I don't think I'll
be able to for a while.  In the mean time, I'm still using the equivilent of
a P400 (K6-2/350).  **I'll guess** the "entry level" computer would be
closer to a P75.  That P75 wont be able to do much in the Sim world but it's
still the cheapest computer still on the market (I think).   In any case,
unless you have some good numbers to back up your claim I guess I'm out of
luck and probably many others for another good 6-8 months.

just guessing,
Mike

I'd like to add to the point Mike Barlow makes.  Even in a 466
Celeron is the current entry level machine it doesn't mean that
everyone has a computer this fast.

I got my P2 350 early last year when a 450 was tops.  I have
steadily upgraded it since then and I am back to the stage where
I will need a faster CPU to make any real differance.

I can't afford to upgrade my CPU every year and I will wait till
I am able to afford as fast a CPU as I can, this will only be
when new releases won't run on my present system.

Chris

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Mike, what kind of frame rates do you get on GPL with full graphics?  Or, in
SCGT with FRAPS at the starting line.  My current system is a K62-350, with a
V3 3000.  In SCGT, which I just tried today, I got 10 fps from the back of the
field, increasing to about 17 as the field disappeared in the
distance(1024x768, high graphics).  In 640x480, it was 11 at the line,
increasing to 19...  I've forgotten the GPL stats that I posted last week...

Eldred
--
Tiger Stadium R.I.P. 1912-1999
Own Grand Prix Legends?  Goto  http://gpl.gamestats.com/vroc

Never argue with an idiot.  He brings you down to his level, then beats you
with experience...
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Entry level?  I just got parts for a K63-400 and Celeron500.  One system is
barely above entry level, and the other is BELOW???  That sucks...

Eldred
--
Tiger Stadium R.I.P. 1912-1999
Own Grand Prix Legends?  Goto  http://gpl.gamestats.com/vroc

Never argue with an idiot.  He brings you down to his level, then beats you
with experience...
Remove SPAM-OFF to reply.

Well, at any PC store here, if you're buying a new system, the cheapest
model is a celeron or AMD 466/450mz system -they simply dont offer
anthing below that. The point is that these processors are very cheap
compared with a year ago, and they're enough to reach the 36fps
required by GPL in conjunction with a voodoo2 or 3.
Julian
--
Free audio & video emails, greeting cards and forums
Talkway - http://www.talkway.com - Talk more ways (sm)

week...

    I have Track texture, Specular highlights, and all the extras (skids
dirt and such) turned off to have 36 FPS at all times.  Sound at 8 and
details between 1/3 to 1/4 from the left at 640x480.  The start of every
race the frame rate drops to about 28 at the lowest and averages 33,
depending on the track.  K6-2/350 with a 12 meg Creative Blaster V2 and SB
Live.

    The converted tracks I get 36 FPS with everything on, Sound maxed out,
and details maxed out.  That's even at the start and at 800x600.  O-Ring is
the only one where I can't find a good set of setting to have 36 fps
everywhere on the track.  At the start I get about 22 fps and heading to the
last right before the first left I get between 19 and 22.  I've even tried
the lowest res. of 5xx-x-3xx(?).  There are other odd spots like that at the
O-Ring but they are too short to say much about.

    In any case, My system is considered (by me) the very basic setup to run
any of the current sims.  If I knew there would be a dramatic increase of
performance I'd grab a K6-2/500 (I think the K6-2 goes that high).  They are
like $50.00 I think.   But, I don't think the performance would increase
enough to worent it.  The Sponsors I have do a great job for me but they
can't help me with a whole new system.  I guess I'll have to look for more
help :-)

Mmmnnn... could you please post with some speed comparisons?  I'm
interested to know which is quicker.

--
Richard.

"Love, love me do. You know I love you.  I'll always be true."

Sure, if I ever get around to BUILDING them...<g>  Give me about a week or
so...

Eldred
--
Tiger Stadium R.I.P. 1912-1999
Own Grand Prix Legends?  Goto  http://gpl.gamestats.com/vroc

Never argue with an idiot.  He brings you down to his level, then beats you
with experience...
Remove SPAM-OFF to reply.