rec.autos.simulators

Random thoughts about the ACT Labs H-style shifter (rant)

Brandon Cri

Random thoughts about the ACT Labs H-style shifter (rant)

by Brandon Cri » Thu, 06 May 1999 04:00:00

Hey guys, we have been working on the shifter since last November. The
software company support has been fantastic and you can expect a number
of games compatible upon release. Actually the Sports Car GT guys gave it
a cool name, "Free Shifting" mode. I can tell you in my test runs the
sound of the stick clicking into gear in terms of game audio and the
feeling is killer.

The stick shifter as pictured is a mountable unit (left or right)
designed to fit nicely with the RS shape. A cable leads from the shifter
unit to our metallic shifter cartridges (included when you buy a shifter)
and plugs in there, then into the wheel itself with our cartridge
technology.

The discs that are removable give you the different patterns for the
variety of motorsport genres. We gave the shifter a double H pattern to
accomodate users who wanted to play F1 and Rally games with a shifter
rather than the normal sequential method of shifting. Our
Indycar/Nascar/*** plate cuts the number of gears down and makes room
for the staggered reverse gear (which has extra resistance to get into
like a real car heh)...

I just wanted to kick in my 2 cents and assure you guys this isn't
vapourware, we will ship it in August and have it on display at E3 with a
couple games in "full gear" mode...

Pat Dotson was right, hitting 2nd gear from 4th coming into a corner is
definetly a bonus and that was what started our creative juices flowin'
last fall. ;)

Brandon Crick
VP of Development
ACT LABS
http://www.racesimcentral.net/



> Well, according to the preview, the shifter has metal inserts to prevent you
> from going to far, and as for the complaint of not enough support: well not
> only is there support coming from more than 11 developers, but don't forget
> that a simple patch would probably do the trick for most games. I don't
> think you'd have to write the whole game with the H shifter in mind. But,
> let's just wait and let the criticisims wait until the product is actually
> out.

> -Josh de Bever




> > > He never thinks about what he says.
> > > That's why he comes off looking like an idiot all of the time.

> > Bollocks.  Hide under your nospam address.

> > I was talking about going too far in the HH.  It can happen sometimes you
> > know..

> > Now think before you post, next time.

> > --
> > -- Fran?ois Mnard <ymenard/Nas-Frank>
> > -- NROS Nascar sanctioned Guide http://www.racesimcentral.net/
> > -- SimRacing Online http://www.racesimcentral.net/
> > -- Official mentally retarded guy of r.a.s.
> > -- 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."


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