rec.autos.simulators

Drivers:

A couple of days ago I posted a note about
a SPEED SECRET.  That was running in VGA vs
SVGA.  Well I went to HAWAII - PAPYRUS last
night and I tested it.

I tested on MICHIGAN and I was able in PRACTICE
to run 194's at 89.  Did do so well in the race, but
that was for other reasons.  The thing I noticed
right off was:

        SVGA vs VGA Comparison

        1).     SVGA setup I ran a 3.70 gear and I could
                run laps in the 192/193.3 and my corner
                speed was about 180 with tire squel..

        2).     VGA setup was a whole new deal and I was
                able to drop my gear to 3.50 and I could
                run laps in the 194's, but the most significant
                thing was I could run 183's in the corners
                with no tire squal..

        I am sure that I could tweak the setup and get more
        speed with the new found traction and gearing, but
        I cant see the DAM SCREEN.  Lets hope this is one
        PAPYRUS can fix for NASCAR 3 or NRO...  Otherwise
        the boys with 486-66's in VGA are gonna SMOKE us..

Don Wilshe, IVGA

GRAPHICS RATE and TRACTION and GEARING are all connected.

PS. Maybe Jim Sokoloff can explain why this is happening..

Good info Don, thanks!
VGA vs. SVGA is one issue, computer (cpu) speed also has got to have a big
effect on lap times.  While I have practiced a lot since I had my 486-66,
my laptimes are far better on my 166mmx.  Hopefully since N2 runs in SVGA
this will not be a factor.  But what are the effects when someone rusn in
320 graphics mode?  If you have any info on this, please post it.
Thanks
Bryan

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On a high end machine, which can run SVGA at a constant 30 fps, there
should be no difference between VGA and SVGA. If SVGA yields 20 fps and
VGA yields 30fps, VGA will probably be faster due to the higher frame
rate.

The gearing change you mentioned was either a secondary effect of
carrying higher speeds, or you should have been using that gear all
along.

---Jim Sokoloff

I really am alittle shocked by your candid answer.  For Years Papyrus
has been trying to convince us that all DRIVING SYSTEMS were created
equal.  Now we you have said what we have all know.  The NASCAR
software doesnt run equally on all systems..

Don Wilshe, IVGA

One question on this matter thats say I have a 166 MMX system with 32 meg
of EDO Ram and just a 2 meg tridant pci interlaced video card,which does a
great job I must say I run all my games in 640x480  and with the highest
graphic settings and in SVGA mode without any choppiness or delay and all
my games look awesome(not like a 3d or rendition card) I the max frame rate
set at 30 fps and the min set at 30 fps in both Nascar1 and N2 and both
games run great no choppines at all and all graphics are turn on except for
asphalt and grass texture in N1 because they mess with my eyes,but they are
turned on in N2.I get no slow down or choppiness at all.But anyway my
question is if I ran in VGA mode with  or with out the graphics turned on
should I get faster times or will it not make a difference?.Because I also
did some testing on Hawaii one night I had all the graphics but Asphalt and
grass turned but ran th egame on hawaii in VGA mode.I didnot see any
differnce in my laptimes,or did I see where I needed to change my setups
for running in VGA instead of SVGA.The only track I did run a faster
laptimes at was Bristol I did a couple 135's in prac. but that could have
just been that I was just on and ran a couple of almost perfect laps
because I do run mid to high 134's anyway.But for the other tarcks  I seen
no differnce except for one thing if anything it slowed me down because I
could tell when to cut for the turns until I was right at where I needed to
turn,I couldn't see anything until I was right on top of it:).So will it
make a differnce on my system or not?

GT86
Robert Platts

PS I am just wondering I doubt I will ever run in VGA again because I have
always run in SVGA even with my old P 100 16 meg ram 1 meg video card
system :),plus like I said I couldn't see ***:)

Don, quit trying to look for *** theories here.   No one has ever
denied that a faster machine (one with a higher framerate) will allow for
higher speeds.  It's really a simple fact that on such a machine the driver
will be able to drive a much smoother line.  Why is this such a surprise to
you?

--

Then came the Pentiums (that we all could afford), the wheel/pedal
combos, and 2meg and up video cards. My ranking went down quick, there
was no way to keep up with my machine at the time. So I upgraded a
bit. Threw in a 586 133 cpu, a 16meg stick, and a 2 meg video card. I
managed to move up again. But technology upped the ante again.

What I'm getting to is this, take the same racer, with the same setup,
run a set of consistent laps, on different machines with different
controllers, and you'll get drastically different results. My argument
with Don last year was about starting a "joystick" league because the
T2 guys we're sweeping most of the series. The response was that there
were a few guys that held Fastlap records with a stick, therefore no
need for a new series. Anyway,......I'm ranting on now, sorry.

Point is,.....setups, gearing and THE MACHINE = speed. Papyrus can't
seriuosly belive otherwise.

Mike Lapsley IVGA #2198
Lifes too short,....don't fold your underwear!

uh, what?

Dont try and twist this into some sort of a *** thoery.  Let
me make it simple.  Since Day 1 Papyrus has stated to all of us
that had different hardware configurations that we would all be
equal and have a LEVEL PLAYING FIELD.  It is quite clear now
based on Jim Sokoloff statement and even yours that the person
with the BEST HARDWARE COMBINATION could be the fastest.  I think
we need more explanation so we know what is the best hardware
to buy.  What CPU, Graphics Card, Control Devices and GAMECARD
yeild the fastest results.  I would like to know for once if
I get smoked:

        1).     Was it the driver
        2).     Was it the hardware
        3).     Or Both

And more importantly what I can do to improve my speed.

At Least now we are seeing it said that FRAME RATES and
faster computers can be the FASTEST.  Does that mean
that the people with all the MONEY are going to win
the RACES..  Why Cant this game LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD

Don Wilshe

I standby what I said.  Better Hardware gives you a faster car.
Why Cant you just say it.  Why cant you just say that PENTIUMS
are FASTER than 486's.  Why cant you say that VGA is faster
than SVGA.. Why cant you say that JOYSTICKS are faster than
WHEELS.  

All we want to do is compete against each other fairly..

Lets keep it simple..

Don Wilshe, IVGA

You couldnt of said it better.  Better HARDWARE is FASTER TIMES.  But
its
still the softwares responsibility to even the field.  Let me explain.
When
your software starts up its synchronizes the GRAPHICS RATE and the
CONTROL
DEVICE you have to make the FRAME RATES the same and you cant give some
people advanatages.  It is the responsibility of PAPYRUS to slow down
the FASTER machines and FRAME RATES to be the same for all of us.
Whether
as advertised on your SOFTWARE BOXES you have a 486-66 or a Pentium
300..

Don Wilshe

Nice Try....  

Of course, I've seen plenty of high-dollar real-life racing teams with
drivers who couldn't drive worth a***, and guys who hardly had two
nickels to rub together run fantastically in equipment that in lesser
hands would be laps down. Good drivers can overcome less-than-optimal
equipment.

Of course if everyone knew and accepted this, the IVGA would be out of
business. Then what would you do with all your CAPITAL LETTERS?

Smileys for the humor-impaired:  ;)  ;)

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Alan J. Claffie             PARSIMONIOUS      Internet Grand National
aclaffie 'at' bgnn.com         RACING            #93 Buick Riviera
       Southern New England Correspondent for "The Racin' Paper"
      WWW.BGNN.COM - NASCAR's Busch North Series on the Internet
---
SPAMbot bait below:

For two drivers of exactly equal skill the one with the faster system will
most likely be able to run faster laps... BIG DEAL.  If you don't like this,
then turn down your detail levels or, God forbid, run in VGA.  There is
nothing that can be done on Papyrus' part to make up for those people with
lesser systems.  The same holds true with just about every game I've ever
played, framerate > smooth graphics > more easy to control > more precise
movements > faster speeds.

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