rec.autos.simulators

An open message to Ed and the gang...

You guys are obviously racing fans and like motorsports, I just wondered
if you had ever watched any Touring Car racing like the BTCC, ITC, and I
think there's now a series in the US or Canada (NATCC?).

I just wondered, because I watched the touring cars yesterday
(highlights from Brands Hatch) and also today from Silverstone before
the British F1 Grand Prix. Although I love F1, I have to say the race
was a TOTAL yawn (livened up only by Damon showing off the most
expensive tractor and plough in the world), but the Touring Cars had me
on the edge of my seat. Only 2 litre, but 150mph and TOTALLY bumper to
bumper - at times you couldn't get a playing card between two cars.

This would have to make a great sim, and with an absolutely huge
potential for track packs. It may even be possible to write as a spin
off from NASCAR 2? If you're not working on it already (!), it's well
worth thinking about! I've got those races on video, heck I'll even send
them over to you if you want convincing (or just some good
entertainment!).

The fact that Scots (Dario Franchitti, John Cleland, David Leslie) are
doing so well in Touring Cars in no way influces my thinking on
this......!! :)

Cheers!
John
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Having now seen the NATCC at the Toronto Indy, I can definitely second
John's motion...although the field was small (12 cars), it was much more
exciting than the Formula Atlantic race that preceded it.  I was able to
examine the cars right up close in the paddock (I helped push one onto
the rack!) and it was very interesting.  The crews are a mix of professional
racing types and club racers...it was a very loose and relaxed attitude
overall.  The cars were a mix of right and left hand drive: 318i's, Honda
Accords, Dodge Stratus, Toyota somethings (that they don't sell in Canada)
and a Mercedes.

I would definitely like to see more of this series...and putting it in a sim
would be a fine idea!!!!!

Neil
--
Meek and obedient you follow the leader
down well trodden corridors into the valley of steel..

       Neil Yeatman, Ajax, Ontario, CANADA

Sean Staples

I'll cast my vote for touring cars, caught the first race at lime rock. was
great.  Do it Papyrus!

Los

I would definately buy it, and any dedicated sim fan would too.  But it
wouldn't match the polularity of NASCAR, of course.  A big portion of
sales, I suspect, comes from gamers who buy it as a game instead of a sim,
and its relatively new presence in North America might lead to lower
sales.  BUT I WOULD BUY IT!!!!!  Do it.

Gregory Fung

Vancouver, B.C., Canada

Mike.

This is a great idea.  series packs.  It would be so modular you can race
5-liter at Toronto or something!

Right now, although kinda fake, I'm top out on Toronto's Lakeshore in
NASCAR at 160 or something, almost like the 5 liters.

Gregory Fung

Vancouver, B.C., Canada

: Well guys, I feel that the key to a successful touring car sim is to make it
: accessable to a whole range of players, novices and experts alike (probably
: via some fairly sophisticated assist modes).  Now while guys such as myself
: are absolutely dedicated to accuracy in the physics models, I do appreciate
: that there are the majority of casual gamers out there who simply do not have
: the time or the skills to drive a front wheel, rear wheel or four wheel drive
: vehicle, "on the edge" as would be required in a simulation coded up in the
: fashion of NASCAR or Indycar Racing 2.  

Personally I demand more simulator than arcade game. Unfortuantely I, and
those of you who prefer realistic physics, are in the "small, select
minority". Motorsports are now really breaking open in the computer game
market, and the next few years could be exciting. In terms of touring
cars, well we're in for the initial testing...a Japanese company is
releasing a JTCC game for the Playstation. I don't know if it's pure
arcade (ie: Daytona-style), but I'm sure it will be.

: The other necessity is aggressive
: marketing of this playability and to ensure the game is future proofed by
: designing it such a way that it will take advantage of not only track packs
: but "series packs": ITC, NATCC etc etc etc.  So my view is that a Super
: Touring sim is highly interesting and a viable product.  Any comments?

I really like the idea of "series packs". It's still good for business,
but it doesn't reek of "money-grab" as track packs do. The thought of a
touring sim that handles FWD, RWD, and 4WD acurately is fantastic.
Although I think it's a long way down the road, I would like to see it. I
also believe that an European company could handle it better. From my
experience NA games have more bells and whistles than game features and
enhancements.
    __o
  _-\<,_  Cosmo Potapoff