rec.autos.simulators

My wife and I were critically injured in a horrible head on collission last
September.  Wife is not yet able to drive due to slow reaction times from
brain injury.  I know nothing about driving simulators!  Looking for
suggestions on hardware (wheel and pedals) and software that might give her
practice in responding to driving situations.  Any info appreciated.
Braking probably a more important skill at this point than steering.

On Thu, 22 Jul 1999 11:54:27 -0400,

I would probably buy Microsoft Midtown Madness and a
Force Feedback steering wheel/pedals. Microsoft's wheel/pedals
would be fine. In the game, you can choose to simply drive around
all over a detailed representation of the city of Chicago and
it's traffic, etc.

--
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* http://www.sputum.com

Either that, or perhaps Driver.  Its in the same vein, haven't played it
yet, but it might be a good game to just get back in the flow of things and
it also has very detailed city scapes to drive within.

I don't have any idea how good it is, but go to http://www.sierra.com
and look up their driving simulation.  It's meant to help teach
students how to drive and handle traffic...but I don't know how good
of a sim it is.  Maybe there's a demo.

Randy

Randy Magruder
http://members.home.com/rmagruder

Midtown Madness is probably a good bet. It's a racing game in a
realistic city environment, but you don't have to race, you can just
drive around. Get a nice FF wheel like the Logitech Formula Force.

Joe McGinn
==========================================
Staff Writer for the Sports *** Network
http://www.racesimcentral.net/***.com/
==========================================

Driver looks good, but is not yet out for the PC (I know you know that
Chris, just wanted to let the original poster know).

Joe McGinn
==========================================
Staff Writer for the Sports *** Network
http://www.racesimcentral.net/***.com/
==========================================

hmmm though the LWFF wheel is really nice to handle, I think there's too
little tactile feedback from the pedals for someone who's recovering. MSFF
is (in this case) the better solution IMO.

Jan.
------

Exactly what I was thinking, she does not need to be presented with a
racing type of situation, since she needs to relearn controlling a car
period with other autos around.  

Good Job Randy.

Dave

This looks like the ideal choice. It's called Driver's Education '99. I'm
halfway curious enough to buy it myself (which is odd, as I already have a
driving licence and live in Belgium ;-)).

http://www.sierra.com/sierra/driversed99/

No demo I could find and no FF support. There is, however, a bundle deal
which includes a TM Nascar Pro (a nice wheel as well).

Jan.
------

Well ,you could buy for example a Madcatz wheel and pedal system ,or a Saitek
one (good) or a Logitech Wingman (red wheel).Some systems exist with Force
Feedback ,which means you have to counter act the action of the wheel when
turning (it is acted with motors inside the wheel).Saitek has one model like
that,and Logitech also which is Logitech Force Feedback (it's probably the
best).You can go to www.simracingnews.com and click on "Links" to find the
internet adresses of some hardware builders.

Concerning softwares,the best simulation is "Grand Prix Legends" (GPL) which
recreates very good physics of the cars handling (cars are formula 1 of
1967).It's quite tough to go quick but i think maybe interesting for you.Easier
is Need For Speed 4 which is more "ARcade" game .You should just try ,but i
find your idea very good.
For those games you need a good PC (mini PII 350 and video card 3dfx 2 for
example).

Hope it helped.Be patient and good luck.

I've never tried it, but Sierra has a driving school type of program,
including real-world on-the-road driving simulation.  I think they even
bundle it with a steering wheel.  Go to www.sierra.com and check under
Sierra Home (I think).  Sorry to be vague.

A good "game" to try out for your needs might be Microsoft's Midtown
Madness.  A large chunk of Chicago is simulated, and the game can be
played in various modes, including just driving around and obeying the
various traffic signals if you like, or you can work on reflexes by doing
one of the various races.  It can certainly get quite hectic, and your
wife would have more than enough opportunity to use the brakes. I believe
it also supports force feedback. For morale boost, you can drive a New
Beetle.

Sorry to hear about the accident.  Good luck and let me know how things go
- I have more than a passing interest in rehab sciences.

Stephen

: Well ,you could buy for example a Madcatz wheel and pedal system ,or a Saitek
: one (good) or a Logitech Wingman (red wheel).Some systems exist with Force
: Feedback ,which means you have to counter act the action of the wheel when
: turning (it is acted with motors inside the wheel).Saitek has one model like
: that,and Logitech also which is Logitech Force Feedback (it's probably the
: best).You can go to www.simracingnews.com and click on "Links" to find the
: internet adresses of some hardware builders.

: Concerning softwares,the best simulation is "Grand Prix Legends" (GPL) which
: recreates very good physics of the cars handling (cars are formula 1 of
: 1967).It's quite tough to go quick but i think maybe interesting for you.Easier
: is Need For Speed 4 which is more "ARcade" game .You should just try ,but i
: find your idea very good.
: For those games you need a good PC (mini PII 350 and video card 3dfx 2 for
: example).

: Hope it helped.Be patient and good luck.

:> My wife and I were critically injured in a horrible head on collission last
:> September.  Wife is not yet able to drive due to slow reaction times from
:> brain injury.  I know nothing about driving simulators!  Looking for
:> suggestions on hardware (wheel and pedals) and software that might give her
:> practice in responding to driving situations.  Any info appreciated.
:> Braking probably a more important skill at this point than steering.