rec.autos.simulators

OT: Rumors of XBOX Price Drop to $149

Joe Marque

OT: Rumors of XBOX Price Drop to $149

by Joe Marque » Tue, 10 Sep 2002 05:40:07


I love rubbin' and racing, particularly in NASCAR but I still think the AI
has no awareness of my presence on the track.  They're running the same line
with or without me in the path.

I also didn't find the AI very challenging.  I was running the higher class
races and winning every one of them with little trouble.  BTW, I'm not a
great driver as far as guys in this ng but on GT3 I'm Wolfgang Woeger. :0)

I'm not too disappointed since I won't use the Xbox for racing without a
good wheel.  Heard the TM is pretty poor, what do you think?  What Xbox
racer do you like?  I'm thinking Rallisport as a first purchase if the TM
wheel is any good.

Thanks for the comments Steve.

--
Joe Marques



> > Steve,

> > Just a comment and question:

> > 1)  The RACING in GT3 is atrocious.  It's a terrific DRIVING game but
the
> > woefully inept AI killed it for me (they do not even know you're on the
> > track).  I raced to get AWAY from them so they wouldn't drive me off the
> > track. ;0)  If Sega GT 2002 has good AI (as I've heard it does) then
that
> > alone makes it a winner for racing fans.

> > 2) Are 820p and 1020i European HDTV resolutions?  I'm only familiar with
> > 720p and 1080i.

> > FWIW, the Xbox looks phenomenal on my 36" Digital Sony Wega (with
> anamorphic
> > squeeze which most Xbox games support).  It's surprisingly good
> considering
> > I play games on a 21" Trinitron PC monitor which is hard to beat.

> > --
> > Joe Marques



> > > Larry,

> > > I'm working on a story for Motor Trend abt. driving games for video
> > > consoles, and thus far, Grand Turismo 3 is the hands-down winner.
> > <snipped>

> > >GT3 has two enormous advantages: one, the
> > > number of licensed cars is staggering (Ford GT40, Shelby Cobra, the
> fabled
> > > Nissan Skyline, Jaguar XJ220, the Dome-like Toyota GT-1, etc.), a
total
> of
> > > 150 cars, and each is lovingly detailed down to the door handles and
> disc
> > > brakes that glow red under braking.  And two, the game play is
> > superlative:
> > > you get drawn in right away, and remain hooked on climbing your way up
> the
> > > ladder from competing in little shit-boxes to million-dollar race
cars.

> > > The Xbox has a definite technical advantage: it comes with a built-in
> hard
> > > drive and Ethernet port (these are add-ons for the PS2).  Best of all,
> for
> > > $19.95, you can get an adapter cable that allows you to jack into a
HDTV
> > at
> > > 820p or 1020i, which gives you a fantastic image - it's as good as XGA
> > > (1024x768) on a computer monitor.  The PS2 can output to an 820p
screen,
> > but
> > > it's not quite as good.  I've been testing both consoles on a $1000
> > Samsung
> > > 27-inch HDTV that includes a line-doubler (which transforms DVDs but
> does
> > > little for videotapes) which yields nothing--visually--to the PC, um,
> > > "experience."

> > <snipped>

Joe Marque

OT: Rumors of XBOX Price Drop to $149

by Joe Marque » Tue, 10 Sep 2002 05:41:02

Haqsau,

What do you race with?  I can't imagine the hand controller is any good and
I've heard all the wheels are poor as well.

--
Joe Marques


> Just got Sega GT 2002 a couple of days ago, and haven't had a chance to
> get deep into it yet, but based on early impressions the AI is quite
> good.  You really do have to race them, and they do try to avoid hitting
> you for the most part.  My only gripes so far are that it supports a
> maximum of two players and that the four controller schemes offered are
> all significantly different from the other driving games I have.  Other
> than that it is a lot of fun, with more vehicles than any other Xbox
> game currently.  Also the career mode is pretty cool, you have to earn
> money to buy, upgrade, and repair your cars.



> > Steve,

> > Just a comment and question:

> > 1)  The RACING in GT3 is atrocious.  It's a terrific DRIVING game but
> the
> > woefully inept AI killed it for me (they do not even know you're on
> the
> > track).  I raced to get AWAY from them so they wouldn't drive me off
> the
> > track. ;0)  If Sega GT 2002 has good AI (as I've heard it does) then
> that
> > alone makes it a winner for racing fans.

> ....

Olav Malmi

OT: Rumors of XBOX Price Drop to $149

by Olav Malmi » Tue, 10 Sep 2002 05:45:59


> Steve,

> Just a comment and question:

> 1)  The RACING in GT3 is atrocious.  It's a terrific DRIVING game but the
> woefully inept AI killed it for me (they do not even know you're on the
> track).  I raced to get AWAY from them so they wouldn't drive me off the
> track. ;0)  If Sega GT 2002 has good AI (as I've heard it does) then that
> alone makes it a winner for racing fans.

> 2) Are 820p and 1020i European HDTV resolutions?  I'm only familiar with
> 720p and 1080i.

Is there such thing as European HDTV ? I thought it was only in NTSC
so far.

Does it support true RGB on the SCART ? Wonder how that would look my
my 32"WS Philips :)

--
Olav Malmin
remove .spam when replying

Haqsa

OT: Rumors of XBOX Price Drop to $149

by Haqsa » Tue, 10 Sep 2002 08:52:36

Just the standard controller.  I won't buy a wheel because for the most
part I don't play these games single player, and I don't want to either
a) buy 4 wheels or b) try and play while the other three guys are
glaring at me for being the only guy with a wheel.  ;o)  The only game
for which I was not able to get used to steering with the standard
controller was F1 2001, which I eventually sold for that reason alone.
PGR, Rallisport, and NASCAR Heat all work fine if you practice enough.
The annoying thing with PGR and Rallisport though is that they don't
feel like they model engine inertia correctly, because they just zoom
right up to the redline as soon as you get on the gas, making manual
shifting a real workout.  I have been playing those with auto shifting
since I can't seem to get used to how fast you have to shift them in
manual mode.  Sega GT does feel a bit more realistic in this regard, but
I can't get used to any of the stupid control layouts they came up with,
so I am now playing that with auto shift also.  Really other than that
the game is quite good though.


Haqsa

OT: Rumors of XBOX Price Drop to $149

by Haqsa » Tue, 10 Sep 2002 08:57:37

FWIW Rallisport is very playable on the standard controller.


Gunnar Horrigm

OT: Rumors of XBOX Price Drop to $149

by Gunnar Horrigm » Tue, 10 Sep 2002 19:23:22


> There are rumors floating around indicating that Microsoft is going to drop
> the price of the XBOX down to $149.

> As much as I hate consoles, I just might have to get one at that price.

> What is the BEST racing game available on the XBOX ?

afaik the Xbox doesn't have force feedback (or at least noone to my
knowledge have relased an FF-wheel for it), so racing games are right
out on that box, imho.

I'd advice getting a PS2 and WRC instead.

--
Gunnar
    #31 SUCKS#015 Tupperware MC#002 DoD#0x1B DoDRT#003 DoD:CT#4,8 Kibo: 2
                                     FJ?SE!

Gunnar Horrigm

OT: Rumors of XBOX Price Drop to $149

by Gunnar Horrigm » Tue, 10 Sep 2002 19:24:21



> > There are rumors floating around indicating that Microsoft is going to drop
> > the price of the XBOX down to $149.

> I read on Slashdot the other day that a group of very talented
> hackers got SuSE Linux 8.0 to run on the Xbox, so for this
> price you'd get a decent computer for mail, surfing, news and
> what not, using a free, secure operating system not plagued by
> virii.

> Who knows, something interesting (and good) might come of this.

Linux has been on the PS2 for quite a while now.

--
Gunnar
    #31 SUCKS#015 Tupperware MC#002 DoD#0x1B DoDRT#003 DoD:CT#4,8 Kibo: 2
                 "Det er nok ingen ovn, men fartsm?leren v?r."

Steve Smit

OT: Rumors of XBOX Price Drop to $149

by Steve Smit » Tue, 10 Sep 2002 21:09:53

Rallisport is pretty good for now, altho the stages are over all to quickly
(particularly in relation to Mobil 1 RC).  There's lotta stuff in the
pipeline: GP4, a coupla NASCAR titles, Need for Speed, MB World Racing, Pro
Race Driver, plus whatever Papy brings to the table...when, as, and if.




> > Joe,

> > 1. GT3's AI is hyped as "adaptive," meaning it tries to mold itself to
yer
> > driving profile.  Like GPL's (and unlike NfS'), it doesn't work very
well.
> > I agree that it would be atrocious...if this was an open-wheel game, but
> > it's not.  If you ain't rubbin' you ain't racin'.  I can give as good as
I
> > get...in the lower classes (I haven't been up against the big boys).

> I love rubbin' and racing, particularly in NASCAR but I still think the AI
> has no awareness of my presence on the track.  They're running the same
line
> with or without me in the path.

> I also didn't find the AI very challenging.  I was running the higher
class
> races and winning every one of them with little trouble.  BTW, I'm not a
> great driver as far as guys in this ng but on GT3 I'm Wolfgang Woeger. :0)

> > 1a. Sega GT isn't anything like driving a real car (my criterion for
> whether
> > or not it gets in the MT story).  My notes say it's a Project Gotham
> Racing
> > wannabe.  It recognized my TM NASCAR Pro Victory wheel...but not the
> pedals,
> > so I had to drive using hand controls, like a paraplegic. Pretty
graphics,
> > tho.

> I'm not too disappointed since I won't use the Xbox for racing without a
> good wheel.  Heard the TM is pretty poor, what do you think?  What Xbox
> racer do you like?  I'm thinking Rallisport as a first purchase if the TM
> wheel is any good.

> > 2. Sorry, got it wrong.  It's 720p and 1080i (or whatever the American
> > standards are).  This is where the Xbox shines.  The image on a 27-in.
> HDTV
> > is as good as anything I've seen on *my* 21-in. Sony Trinitron monitor.

> > --Steve

> Thanks for the comments Steve.

> --
> Joe Marques



> > > Steve,

> > > Just a comment and question:

> > > 1)  The RACING in GT3 is atrocious.  It's a terrific DRIVING game but
> the
> > > woefully inept AI killed it for me (they do not even know you're on
the
> > > track).  I raced to get AWAY from them so they wouldn't drive me off
the
> > > track. ;0)  If Sega GT 2002 has good AI (as I've heard it does) then
> that
> > > alone makes it a winner for racing fans.

> > > 2) Are 820p and 1020i European HDTV resolutions?  I'm only familiar
with
> > > 720p and 1080i.

> > > FWIW, the Xbox looks phenomenal on my 36" Digital Sony Wega (with
> > anamorphic
> > > squeeze which most Xbox games support).  It's surprisingly good
> > considering
> > > I play games on a 21" Trinitron PC monitor which is hard to beat.

> > > --
> > > Joe Marques



> > > > Larry,

> > > > I'm working on a story for Motor Trend abt. driving games for video
> > > > consoles, and thus far, Grand Turismo 3 is the hands-down winner.
> > > <snipped>

> > > >GT3 has two enormous advantages: one, the
> > > > number of licensed cars is staggering (Ford GT40, Shelby Cobra, the
> > fabled
> > > > Nissan Skyline, Jaguar XJ220, the Dome-like Toyota GT-1, etc.), a
> total
> > of
> > > > 150 cars, and each is lovingly detailed down to the door handles and
> > disc
> > > > brakes that glow red under braking.  And two, the game play is
> > > superlative:
> > > > you get drawn in right away, and remain hooked on climbing your way
up
> > the
> > > > ladder from competing in little shit-boxes to million-dollar race
> cars.

> > > > The Xbox has a definite technical advantage: it comes with a
built-in
> > hard
> > > > drive and Ethernet port (these are add-ons for the PS2).  Best of
all,
> > for
> > > > $19.95, you can get an adapter cable that allows you to jack into a
> HDTV
> > > at
> > > > 820p or 1020i, which gives you a fantastic image - it's as good as
XGA
> > > > (1024x768) on a computer monitor.  The PS2 can output to an 820p
> screen,
> > > but
> > > > it's not quite as good.  I've been testing both consoles on a $1000
> > > Samsung
> > > > 27-inch HDTV that includes a line-doubler (which transforms DVDs but
> > does
> > > > little for videotapes) which yields nothing--visually--to the PC,
um,
> > > > "experience."

> > > <snipped>

Steve Smit

OT: Rumors of XBOX Price Drop to $149

by Steve Smit » Tue, 10 Sep 2002 21:13:02

Agree.  Get a PS2 for racing (GT3 and WRC for now, and GT4 and WRC2 for
later), and/or an Xbox for show...if you've gotta HDTV.



> > There are rumors floating around indicating that Microsoft is going to
drop
> > the price of the XBOX down to $149.

> > As much as I hate consoles, I just might have to get one at that price.

> > What is the BEST racing game available on the XBOX ?

> afaik the Xbox doesn't have force feedback (or at least noone to my
> knowledge have relased an FF-wheel for it), so racing games are right
> out on that box, imho.

> I'd advice getting a PS2 and WRC instead.

> --
> Gunnar
>     #31 SUCKS#015 Tupperware MC#002 DoD#0x1B DoDRT#003 DoD:CT#4,8 Kibo: 2
>                                      FJ?SE!

Steve Smit

OT: Rumors of XBOX Price Drop to $149

by Steve Smit » Tue, 10 Sep 2002 21:15:34

Eurpeens don't need no stinkeen HDTV; PAL/SECAM/whatever's already got 800
lines of rez.



> > Steve,

> > Just a comment and question:

> > 1)  The RACING in GT3 is atrocious.  It's a terrific DRIVING game but
the
> > woefully inept AI killed it for me (they do not even know you're on the
> > track).  I raced to get AWAY from them so they wouldn't drive me off the
> > track. ;0)  If Sega GT 2002 has good AI (as I've heard it does) then
that
> > alone makes it a winner for racing fans.

> > 2) Are 820p and 1020i European HDTV resolutions?  I'm only familiar with
> > 720p and 1080i.

> Is there such thing as European HDTV ? I thought it was only in NTSC
> so far.

> > FWIW, the Xbox looks phenomenal on my 36" Digital Sony Wega (with
anamorphic
> > squeeze which most Xbox games support).  It's surprisingly good
considering
> > I play games on a 21" Trinitron PC monitor which is hard to beat.

> Does it support true RGB on the SCART ? Wonder how that would look my
> my 32"WS Philips :)

> --
> Olav Malmin
> remove .spam when replying

Gunnar Horrigm

OT: Rumors of XBOX Price Drop to $149

by Gunnar Horrigm » Wed, 11 Sep 2002 03:15:01





> > > There are rumors floating around indicating that Microsoft is going to
> drop
> > > the price of the XBOX down to $149.

> > > As much as I hate consoles, I just might have to get one at that price.

> > > What is the BEST racing game available on the XBOX ?

> > afaik the Xbox doesn't have force feedback (or at least noone to my
> > knowledge have relased an FF-wheel for it), so racing games are right
> > out on that box, imho.

> > I'd advice getting a PS2 and WRC instead.

> Agree.  Get a PS2 for racing (GT3 and WRC for now, and GT4 and WRC2 for
> later), and/or an Xbox for show...if you've gotta HDTV.

me an a couple of friends have just about every *** console ever
sold, and I don't think I've ever been so thoroughly disappointed by
one as much as the XBox.  sure, the hardware is up there fighting with
everyone, but there are almost NO original games!  the box is
inarguably better than the ps2 technology-wise, but the ps2 is still
were stuff is happening.

--
Gunnar
    #31 SUCKS#015 Tupperware MC#002 DoD#0x1B DoDRT#003 DoD:CT#4,8 Kibo: 2
                               myk, trygg og god.

Positive

OT: Rumors of XBOX Price Drop to $149

by Positive » Wed, 11 Sep 2002 09:39:50

The Xbox's not even out a year and people are saying it's dead.
The lack of patience in this instant gratification world is incredible.
How well was the Sony's offering doing after 1 year?

IMO, no one has made an original game for years.

I kinda think this is somewhat original though.
It's a 4D game.  The added dimension being time.
It's an Xbox exclusive.

http://www.racesimcentral.net/%2dus

Japanese developed too.

--

====================================================


in message

: me an a couple of friends have just about every *** console ever
: sold, and I don't think I've ever been so thoroughly disappointed by
: one as much as the XBox.  sure, the hardware is up there fighting with
: everyone, but there are almost NO original games!  the box is
: inarguably better than the ps2 technology-wise, but the ps2 is still
: were stuff is happening.
:

Damien Smit

OT: Rumors of XBOX Price Drop to $149

by Damien Smit » Wed, 11 Sep 2002 11:32:30

12 months after the PS2 was released, there was still jack-all available for
it.  At least the Xbox had some decent games when it launched.  The
Dreamcast proved that you don't necessarily need beefy hardware any more for
eye-popping visuals.  Although the Xbox is technically superior to the PS2,
it's still going to come down to the skill of the game makers.  I can assure
you though, it's going to be an Xbox Christmas.....

jason moy

OT: Rumors of XBOX Price Drop to $149

by jason moy » Wed, 11 Sep 2002 12:33:05

On Tue, 10 Sep 2002 12:32:30 +1000, "Damien Smith"


>12 months after the PS2 was released, there was still jack-all available for
>it.  At least the Xbox had some decent games when it launched.  The
>Dreamcast proved that you don't necessarily need beefy hardware any more for
>eye-popping visuals.  Although the Xbox is technically superior to the PS2,
>it's still going to come down to the skill of the game makers.  I can assure
>you though, it's going to be an Xbox Christmas.....

I dunno, Sony has to be smiling pretty broadly knowing that they
already have exclusive rights to what will without a doubt be the best
selling game of the year.

Jason

-----
GPLRank 24.50
N2002Rank -12.995

frederickso

OT: Rumors of XBOX Price Drop to $149

by frederickso » Wed, 11 Sep 2002 13:14:14

and that would be... ?


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