rec.autos.simulators

One of the Tech Support people at GT Interactive responded to my email about
the game-function-mapping problem for controllers with few buttons. He
seemed pretty sure that they are working on a patch, but was not sure if
that particular issue would be addressed. And, no, he most definitely did
NOT mention a possible release date. Be cool.

Anyway, for what it's worth, below is a copy of the email I sent back,
hoping to influence what might make it into the patch. (Thanks Andre for
your observations I included.)

        ...207

- - - - <copy of email to GT Interactive support> - - - -

Thanks for the quick reply Dan. I'm glad to hear you folks are working on a
patch. Driver is a pretty bug-free game but there are a couple that should
be squashed. Could you please pass on this email to someone on the "patch
team"? I've listed some items based both on my own experience and that of
others as posted in the r.a.s. newsgroup.

Bugs:

1. Allow mapping of game functions to the keyboard when using a joystick or
steering wheel. (I don't think there's a single model of steering wheel on
the market that has enough buttons for all functions - that's why I consider
this in the 'bug' category.)

2. Check elevation of program-placed replay cameras to make sure they aren't
below the road z-coord. (We can always fix it with the Film Director, but
shouldn't have to.)

3. Disable force feedback effects while viewing replays. (My wheel gets
enough wear & tear without having it thrash around during replays too!)

4. The left arrow key will sometimes not function when trying to navigate
the after-mission menus or the Film Director's icon menus. Seemingly random
occurance, can't find a pattern or method to reproduce bug. Sorry.

Design Decisions:
(as opposed to bugs, these are suggestions about decisions the team made
during development)

1. If your graphics engine will allow it, provide an 'Ultra' graphics detail
option to allow drawing of scenery much farther away and thereby reduce the
dreaded 'pop-up' effect. (I've got a monster home system, give me a chance
to use it! Midtown Madness sets the standard for this right now.)

2. Replays and saved game positions could be saved by a filename instead of
to a limited number of 'slots'. Load replays or saved games from a list of
saved files.

Dreams:
(I won't hold my breath for these, but just something for you folks to think
about.)

1. Provide a way to load a specific .dms file, either from the main menu or
as a command line parameter for the game's shortcut, e.g.
"C:\Driver\Game.exe -m Mission999.dms". If you provided this, I'll bet you
would see an bunch of user-created missions popping up on the internet,
increasing people's interest in purchasing the game. Look what the
availablity of 'mods' did for Quake! Yes, this means that someone could
'skip ahead' and play one of the standard missions out of sequence if they
wanted, but that would just mean they would miss out on the enjoyment of
your storyline, so it's their loss.

Keep up the good work!
        ...Colin French

[snip letter to GT Interactive]

Good work, Colin! Allow me to add a few points: I just got Driver and
I found some design decisions in the game unlucky. Not actually bugs,
with one or two exceptions, but a tad annoying anyway. Driver for the
PC shows many signs of being a ported console title (which it is, but
anyway) and therefore does not fully use the potential of the PC.

- Controller setup: It should be possible to fine-tune an analogue
controller, i.e. there should be a steering sensitivity slider and,
most importantly, realistic gas, brake, and reverse. As is, I use the
keyboard to drive the car, since this is the method that works best.
But I would love a *real* opportunity to use my wheel.

- Cinematic cutscenes: Sometimes, you see them just once and have no
option to watch them again in case you missed something which might be
important for the understanding of the story. At other times, you have
to watch them again and again (or 'ESC' them away) until you managed
to solve a mission. There should be an option to access old cutscenes,
and an option to immediately restart a mission without having to watch
the preceding cutscene.

- Replays: In a replay, I don't care to see a huge red arrow pointing
to the car I'm pursuing. It's necessary during the mission, but
detracting in the replay.

- Why do you have to press ESC to exit the 'save game' screen?
Everytime I save the game, I think something has gone wrong since it
takes so long to finish saving - until I remember that I have to leave
the screen explicitly.

- Why does the game always ask me "Are you sure?" when I want to do
non-destructive things (watch replay etc.) but does not ask (or does
it?) when I press 'exit'? Those questions should be limited to
'dangerous' operations.

- The in-game music should be selectable seperately for the hotel room
(I want to turn it down there to understand the messages on the AM)
and for driving (I like it there). Also, there is a bug that stops the
music during a mission once I've selected the overview map.

- The automatic transmission of the cars is broken. Unless you use the
kick-down feature, the *** of a standard full-size US boat of the
70s should shift into third once you reach approx. 30mph. The cars in
the game react like my old Olds - shift into 3rd only when going 50
mph or faster. No problem during the missions, but a bit annoying when
sightseeing.

Other than that, I like the game. It took me a while to get started in
the 'driving test', since I had a hard time finding out that the game
accepts a 180 only when done by handbrake... :) And there seem to be
two kinds of cops in this game: the 'Clint Eastwood Make-my-day-punk'
variety which does not care about innocent bystanders, and one variety
which is modeled after the chief from 'The Simpsons': "Was that a
get-away car coming around the corner with 55mph, squealing tyres,
ignoring a stop sign?" "Yes, but he wasn't going faster than 59, he
didn't run a red light, and we could only see him in the mirrors, so
we might as well keep eating our donuts..." :)

This game could be so much better than it is.... a shame. Hopefully,
some of the points will be taken care of in a patch.

--
Wolfgang Preiss   \ E-mail copies of replies to this posting are welcome.

Why are people discussing the lack of "Realistic" controls in the PC
Game DRIVER.

I've played this game.  IT'S A GAME...a VERY arcade like game. So

a)Why talk about it in a Simulators Channel
b)What the hell's the need for realistic controls...that's not what it's
about.

Doug

Because it's a race game.  I do not know why you put down games that much,
but I personally feel that whatever it is a simulation or an arcade game,
the user should have the possibility to have a realistic controller input to
race it.  It's just common sense.  I mean his request are nothing
impossible, mostly gameplay problems (or lack of).

Because if you read the FAQ you would know.

It's about racing a car, and you should have the option to get realistic
controls no ?

--
-- Fran?ois Mnard <ymenard>
-- May the Downforce be with you...

"People think it must be fun to be a super genius, but they don't realise
how hard it is to put up with all the idiots in the world."

Thanks for stepping in, Fran?ois. [Look, in order to honor you, I even
searched for the code to produce the '?' - hope it makes it to your
end of the line. :) ] I have nothing to add. Usually, I wouldn't have
responded at all, but I feel I have to praise your considerate way of
snipping and t*** down the previous message:

Lately, there has been a tendency in RAS to do fullquotes and only add
a line or two. Even (time) honored personnages of the Commonwealth are
among the offenders. I won't name names - heck, I will: Bruce, it
isn't necessary to quote more than 300 lines just to add a remark,
even if it helps to preserve the English language! :)

--
Wolfgang Preiss   \ E-mail copies of replies to this posting are welcome.