rec.autos.simulators

seems like "the real N3" was officially announced yesterday...
snipped from the announcement:

-------------------------
"With an entirely new, ground breaking physics engine, NASCAR(r) Racing 4
offers everyone a chance to climb into a NASCAR(r) Winston Cup car with
their PC and enjoy a riveting experience unmatched by any other driving
sim," said Jim Veevaert, vice-president of marketing for Sierra Studios.
"Papyrus Founder, Dave Kaemmer, introduces the novice to the fun and
e***ment of racing, but steeps the expert in all the subtleties and
strategies of the NASCAR(r) racing experience, learning what the drivers
know."

NASCAR(r) Racing 4 features the drivers and teams from the 2000 NASCAR(r)
Winston Cup and NASCAR(r) Busch Series, Grand National Division. NASCAR(r)
Racing 4 showcases a revolutionary new 3D physics model that adds realism to
the reactions of the cars - with body rolls, the ability to become airborne,
and tires that spin and lock up. The cars also feature a virtual 3D***pit
that allows you to look left and right, has dynamic arm and steering wheel
movement - enhancing the immersive quality of the game. To further improve
the ease of the experience, the interactive user interface includes pop-up
help for car setup and configuration options. Other driver aids include a
novice mode with steering and stability control, traction control to limit
wheel spin, and antilock brakes.

The new hardware-only 32-bit graphics engine allows for real-time reflection
maps and shadows, higher frame rate, and smooth slow-motion replay. New 3D
AI modeling allows for a formidable field of realistic competitors.

"NASCAR(r) Racing 4 allows up to 32 drivers to race online with robust LAN
and Internet support, which is up to eight times the number of players other
racing sims can support," said Scott Stutsman, producer at Papyrus. "These
multiplayer capabilities, our revolutionary 3D physics model and new 32 bit
graphics engine are just some of the features that exemplify how Papyrus
continues to raise the bar for our competitors."
---------------------------

sounds absolutely awesome, and Papy has proven that they are able to deliver
what they promise.  In fact, most of the features should be no big surprise
to experienced GPLers. A *** sim fan's dream for sure, but it seems
like they had the goal to make it more accessible to rookies this time - the
extended driving aids and car setup help options sound well thought out and
make sense. Looking forward to the release...

cheers,
---
Alexander Marx

  32 bit color.   sell those V2's and V3's and grab the V5 right away!
dave henrie

Sounds to me like it it'll be taking advantage of the GPL technology. AT
LAST! Sounds like they're also doing a bit to ease the learning curve, which
can only be a good thing. will this be the game to topple GPL from it's
throne of steering wheels? Will this game bring "simming" to the masses? And
what of the mysterious David G Fisher? All these questions and more, will be
answered by NASCAR 4 (possibly)

<snip>

% The new hardware-only 32-bit graphics engine allows for real-time reflection
% maps and shadows, higher frame rate, and smooth slow-motion replay. New 3D
% AI modeling allows for a formidable field of realistic competitors.

Hmmmmmmmm.... what video chip are they going to support directly?
Rendition to Voodoo to ????????   Wonder how poor their Direct-3D
support will be?

--
**************************** Michael E. Carver *************************
     Upside out, or inside down...False alarm the only game in town.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=<[ /./.  [-  < ]>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

The best thing stated in that article is this:

Dave Kaemmer

dammit, every time, just when I finally get everything set up and
ready to run or continue a season, get all the little goodies, extra
tracks, utilities, paint jobs, car setups in place and ready to race -
they bring a new one out... <sigh>

All in all, it SOUNDS good, seems to be the one I've been waiting for,
but I keep reminding myself not to get too e***d yet.... they always
add just enough to make me want to get the new version tho' (it did
say "airborne" right, I didn't imagine that..? (but airborne doesn't
necessarily mean 11*** cartwheels either) ) - anyway, gonna try to
contain myself until I can connect to my racing buddy and run a full
length, full detail race without mind-numbing stupid little quirks

pole-sitter ai car sharing a pit stall with me!!) - then, it'll all be
worth the wait... <fingers crossed, breath not held>

~but did they say anything about trucks....? am i gonna have to keep
N3 around to have trucks until some cursed expansion pack just before
Christmas..?  :o)

: % The new hardware-only 32-bit graphics engine allows for real-time reflection
: % maps and shadows, higher frame rate, and smooth slow-motion replay. New 3D
: % AI modeling allows for a formidable field of realistic competitors.

: Hmmmmmmmm.... what video chip are they going to support directly?
: Rendition to Voodoo to ????????   Wonder how poor their Direct-3D
: support will be?

--
If we're lucky, Geforce2 GTS with full use of its pixel shading capabilities.  But from the
screen shots so far, I doubt N4 will support that OOTB.  :-(

GM
-------------------------------
Errors have occurred.
We won't tell you where or why.
Lazy programmers.
                  - NetPositive
                    BeOS R5

Between Noonan's converted ovals and the Pants Ring, I'm trying to think
what N4 might offer that will make me run out and buy it.  Will it have
Daytona?  That might do it.  And would we be able to convert tracks like
Riverside and Ontario to N4?  Inquiring minds want to know.

"You shall have no other driving simulators before me."
-From the GPL 10 Commandments (as revealed to pjgtech)

Probably a re-use of the D3D rasterizer in Nascar Racing 3 Michael.  It was
actually good for a first attempt, even if the Glider version of N3 is much
superior in framerate and image quality.

--
-- Fran?ois Mnard <ymenard>
-- May the Downforce be with you...
-- http://www.WeRace.net
-- 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.

Yeah, just think of the whole slew of kids who love to wreck getting
into an online race.

Nothing said about the trucks..........go figure.
The expansion pack for 2001! :)
Maybe this time it will be in stores tho

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Skotty Flynn
"skotty20"

Nascar-Racing-Sims.Com:
http://www.racesimcentral.net/
The Ultimate Sim Racing Directory:
http://www.racesimcentral.net/
Member of The Sports *** Network
http://www.racesimcentral.net/***.com

  Although I don't know the specifics, the new N4 engine is a variant of
the GPL system.  Since the N3 tracks are close enough to gpl to be
converted, I would think the N4 and GPL tracks will probably be very
similar and allow Mr. Noonan to write a dandy convertor.   Can you say
Nurburgring in a 3500lb Winston Cup car?  this is my guess-work only,
but I'd be willing to bet the file structure will be close enough to
allow the most complete converting yet...
dave henrie

    Forget about those track.. what about GPL to N4?  (Nurburgring) <g>

--
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Mike Barlow
Marketing Director ZGN http://bovineracing.com/zgnews.htm
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