something of a dead loss in terms of new developments.
To be honest it is trying the SOS demo that has prompted me to write this.
Its seldom I feel inclined to rant on RAS but this is one such time:
Well it all starts with GPL (doesn't it always). Its approaching two years
since the demo was launched - and showed us just what advancements had been
made with physics models, graphics engines etc. It set the standards for the
competition to aim at.
We all know the history of GPL sales and the potential lack of appeal of
1967 to the public at large. Therefore, for me a similar project - but even
more historical - 1937 has to be damned good to succeed. Somehow it has to
be the new GPL with more marketing appeal to be a success.
Instead the physics model in the demo is total crap, the graphics engine
destined to give you a headache after 2 laps. I really can't believe the
hype on their web site, though I guess they are relying on the general
public having never tried a Papy sim or SCGT.
Which brings me back to my subject. My best sim is still GPL. Even with the
1.1 patch it is still pretty much the 98 model. GPL introduced me to on-line
racing - nothing has surpassed GPL in terms of on-line capability. GPL has
the best physics, I find the AI very good. The graphics are fine - I prefer
the slightly dull colours to the overly bright alternatives. Sure all could
be improved - and I wish they were.
Instead we have a number of decent products - SCGT - good variety, plus
career mode but lacking that physics model. N3 - personally I think the
physics model is fine for ovals - ***for road courses but then thats a
small percentage of the game. I don't enjoy oval racing so its out for me -
still a decent product. NL - much the same. Probably more frustrating for a
non oval specialist as the tyres get shot much easier. DTR looks quite
good - but its oval (ok the odd figure of 8) racing again and not really my
cup of tea. Driver/Midtown madness had a lot of appeal - just I want more of
a driving sensation.
There still appears to be a lack of decent rally sim.
So is that it? Nothing on the horizon to finish the decade on a high note?
When GPL was talked about 2 years ago the capability to input the parameters
of pretty much any car to model accurately got me believing we would have
had a few GPL engined variations by now.
Sports cars, Champ cars, winged F1 from various eras, saloon cars and so on.
Instead it feels that the GPL engine has been cast aside - unless you know
different.
Sorry to go on - I'm just very impatient about the development of racing
sims - and my perception that developers' potentials are not being utilised
to improve my life makes me cross!
Rant over :)
Tony