I just wanted to weigh in with a few more observations on "The Patch". I
had posted earlier that my only complaints were online, while offline was fine.
I've since done a bit more poking around and found that offline is changed for
the worse in a couple of ways as well.
To compare the two versions, I kept both exe's and core.ini's in my GPL
folder and appropriately renamed whichever one I wanted to use, while keeping
the new 3dfx rasterizer for both. Then I entered practice at two races at
Brands Hatch (only short course where my original setup was over 2.5in), one
with each version of GPL in succession. I drove some easy laps, trying to get
a couple of nearly identical laps to compare. I ended up saving a 1:36.93 in
1.0 and a 1:37.03 in 1.1, both over two seconds off a flyer, with no heroics at
all, thus good for comparing. Then I used Spygirl to merge the two, so I could
compare them more easily (especially with Brian Heiland's car camera files,
which have an excellent direct-overhead view for comparing lines-nice job
Brian!). My offline observations follow.
I had been seeing 37fps nearly all the time in 1.1(vs.36 w/1.0), which I
didn't think was a problem, at least offline. However, it happens that all the
than clock time. DUH. A 1:37 lap actually takes about 1:33.5. Going back to
1.0, the replays all run in correct time, even those laps recorded with 1.1. I
suspect this timing error in 1.1 is what's causing the new sync method to
result in the bizarre speedups and slowdowns in online races.
I'd seen some comments about the cars being easier to drive in 1.1, but
hadn't really noticed it yet. Now, though it IS anecdotal, I'd have to agree
after running this back-to-back test of the two versions. Brands was MUCH less
tricky in 1.1 (with the same setup), and the difference was quite noticeable in
driving as well as in the merged replay. The saved lap done in 1.1 was far
cleaner, with much less squirming and tire squeal, and more easily held (and
tighter) lines, in spite of much later braking. For example, Surtees(the
uphill left) remained tricky as ever in 1.0, but was a relative breeze in 1.1,
lap after lap. Still, the greater speed through the corner didn't translate
into greater speed down into Hawthorne. It's as if they upped the grip a bit
while reducing the power to keep laptimes stable. Sort of makes you wonder if
they haven't dumbed GPL 1.1 down just a bit, all statements to the contrary. A
reaction to all the complaints about difficulty, perhaps? You can't help but
wonder.. Whatever the case, 1.1 definitely takes the edge off of driving the
Lotus, and I find the new "feel" less engaging (though admittedly still better
than anything else).
I'd be interested in any other comments on the new "feel". Probably those
without FF wheels are best positioned to address this.
Cheers,
Steve B.
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