rec.autos.simulators

Viper Racing Scripted?

Sondo

Viper Racing Scripted?

by Sondo » Tue, 13 Jul 1999 04:00:00

I recently purchased Viper Racing, installed it and downloaded and installed
the patch.  I was having lots of fun until tonight.  While racing under
quick race, simulation, Silverdale, and opponent ai set to normal I realize
the race is scripted.  After I wrecked I hit restart, and while racing I
noticed the blue driver almost losses it at the same location.  I then
notice that the same two cars get together at the same place forcing one
into the grass.  I hit restart 3 times with the same result.  I then loaded
another track and then came back later to Silverdale hoping a new ai may be
loaded.  No such luck, same thing.  This really kills the single player mode
for which I purchased the game.  This also seems to be in direct contrast to
what is posted on the inside cover of the box:

"Race against tough computer opponents who are bound by the same rules of
physics as you-you'll never be in the same race twice."

Unfortunately I am in the EXACT same race twice.  Well like I said I am
greatly disappointed.  Unless there is a fix or explanation (please tell me
there is) this game is going back.  I have not checked yet but I guess the
same thing applies to the career mode.  I think Sierra better be more
careful with their marketing pitches.  If you have any info on this please
reply.  Thanks.

Sondog

Sondog

Ed Ba

Viper Racing Scripted?

by Ed Ba » Wed, 14 Jul 1999 04:00:00

On Mon, 12 Jul 1999 23:07:07 -0400,


I have never seen what you describe, and I have played
it on and off for over a year.

--
* rrevved at mindspring dot com
* unit.26 - s.p.u.t.u.m.
* http://www.cabal.net
* http://www.sputum.com

John Bod

Viper Racing Scripted?

by John Bod » Wed, 14 Jul 1999 04:00:00

I have witnessed this, but I don't think things are actually
"scripted" as you imply.  At the start, things DO tend to work the
same in instances like this (I think I witnessed it at Dundas first),
but once YOU start interacting with the AI cars, they behave like real
drivers.  

What may be happening is that the AI cars' behavior is somewhat
"scripted" at the start (you've got to start somewhere, right?).  For
example, Drive1 may be programmed to be heavy on the throttle, while
Driver2 may be programmed as a "heads-up" and aware sort of driver who
avoids incidents easily -- this would make Driver1 VERY likely to spin
at the start, while Driver2 could easily avoid his spin.  Plus, it may
always seem to start the same, but the ending always depends on YOU
and how you perform.  

When I think of "scripted" games, I think of Red Baron, or
Mechwarrior2, where things happen EXACTLY the same every time, and you
can't win unless you make the right moves at the right times.  I've
played the heck out of Viper Racing for the past 7 months or so, and
the AI always seems fresh, and the game has never seemed scripted like
the Red Baron or Mechwarrior2 games.

Stick with it -- it's a great sim.  The career mode is the BEST, and
it's VERY challenging, too (I still haven't made it through a winning
season at the GT level).

-- JB



Ed Ba

Viper Racing Scripted?

by Ed Ba » Wed, 14 Jul 1999 04:00:00

On Tue, 13 Jul 1999 07:20:28 GMT,




>>I have never seen what you describe, and I have played
>>it on and off for over a year.

>I don't think Viper Racing has been out for a year.  It was released
>around Nov 98 IIRC.

>Unless you're a beta tester.

>glen

Seems like a year..:)
I have had it since the first day it hit the stores.

--
* rrevved at mindspring dot com
* unit.26 - s.p.u.t.u.m.
* http://www.cabal.net
* http://www.sputum.com

Adam

Viper Racing Scripted?

by Adam » Wed, 14 Jul 1999 04:00:00

Yeah, it is scripted in the beginning.  I've noticed it many times.  Quite a
disappointment.


NanaKo

Viper Racing Scripted?

by NanaKo » Wed, 14 Jul 1999 04:00:00

I noticed something similar in NFS: High Stakes
Robert Rathbon

Viper Racing Scripted?

by Robert Rathbon » Wed, 14 Jul 1999 04:00:00

While I've not noticed this myself, I can see this repetitive behavior
happening...

The drivers are probably not "scripted,"  they simply make the same
decisions each time since they apparently start in the exact same positions
relative to each other, accelerate exactly the same (in each race), get to
the turn at the same time (each race) relative to each other.  But like you
said, conditions are exactly the same each race until you (introducing a
random factor) interact and change the conditions of the race.  From that
point on, the cars react to you differently each race because, unlike them,
you don't drive the race exactly the same each time.

Just my thoughts...

Robert


> I have witnessed this, but I don't think things are actually
> "scripted" as you imply.  At the start, things DO tend to work the
> same in instances like this (I think I witnessed it at Dundas first),
> but once YOU start interacting with the AI cars, they behave like real
> drivers.

> What may be happening is that the AI cars' behavior is somewhat
> "scripted" at the start (you've got to start somewhere, right?).  For
> example, Drive1 may be programmed to be heavy on the throttle, while
> Driver2 may be programmed as a "heads-up" and aware sort of driver who
> avoids incidents easily -- this would make Driver1 VERY likely to spin
> at the start, while Driver2 could easily avoid his spin.  Plus, it may
> always seem to start the same, but the ending always depends on YOU
> and how you perform.

> When I think of "scripted" games, I think of Red Baron, or
> Mechwarrior2, where things happen EXACTLY the same every time, and you
> can't win unless you make the right moves at the right times.  I've
> played the heck out of Viper Racing for the past 7 months or so, and
> the AI always seems fresh, and the game has never seemed scripted like
> the Red Baron or Mechwarrior2 games.

> Stick with it -- it's a great sim.  The career mode is the BEST, and
> it's VERY challenging, too (I still haven't made it through a winning
> season at the GT level).

> -- JB



> >I recently purchased Viper Racing, installed it and downloaded and
installed
> >the patch.  I was having lots of fun until tonight.  While racing under
> >quick race, simulation, Silverdale, and opponent ai set to normal I
realize
> >the race is scripted.  After I wrecked I hit restart, and while racing I
> >noticed the blue driver almost losses it at the same location.  I then
> >notice that the same two cars get together at the same place forcing one
> >into the grass.  I hit restart 3 times with the same result.  I then
loaded
> >another track and then came back later to Silverdale hoping a new ai may
be
> >loaded.  No such luck, same thing.  This really kills the single player
mode
> >for which I purchased the game.  This also seems to be in direct contrast
to
> >what is posted on the inside cover of the box:

> >"Race against tough computer opponents who are bound by the same rules of
> >physics as you-you'll never be in the same race twice."

> >Unfortunately I am in the EXACT same race twice.  Well like I said I am
> >greatly disappointed.  Unless there is a fix or explanation (please tell
me
> >there is) this game is going back.  I have not checked yet but I guess
the
> >same thing applies to the career mode.  I think Sierra better be more
> >careful with their marketing pitches.  If you have any info on this
please
> >reply.  Thanks.

> >Sondog

> >Sondog


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