rec.autos.simulators

Hi there,

I just got myself a nice new Voodoo 2 card and now I can finally get
some modern games. Both GPL and Viper sound attractive. I guess what I
need to know, is whether the following system is good enough to run
either or both of them satisfactorily:

- Pentium Pro 200
- 64MB RAM
- Matrox Millenium
- Voodoo 2
- Windows 98

I'm happy turning off some graphical features in exchange for a decent
frame rate (25-30fps) that doesn't degrade. 640*480 is also quite
acceptable to me although I'd prefer 800*600.

Oh yes, in terms of which game I'd prefer, the games I have played and
enjoyed the most are F1GP (Amiga), Indy 500 (Amiga), Revs (BBC), Stunt
Car Racer (Amiga), Gran Turismo (PSX), NFS SE (PC), NFSIII (PSX). Oh
yes, and my all time favourite - Wipeout on the Playstation.

Please note - criticising my choice of Wipeout in a sim group may lead
to a larger and longer flame war than you'd expect. Not that I'm
fanatical about it. Honest. :-)

(I'd like to play them at work too on my dual PII 400 with 256MB and a
G200, but I've only got NT installed.)

--
Thomas Beagle

GPL and Viper have some of the best realistic physics and feel. GPL takes a
long time to get use to and can be frustrating, but its the most realistic
driving sim and lets you drive the "real" cars and tracks of 1967 GP. Viper
has adjustments to make it a lot easier to drive, it has made up courses
that are more like roads than race tracks. From the games you mentioned I
would get Viper. Also you should really think about getting a steering
controller, as it really adds to the driving effect.
I believe you will get much better frame rate with Viper.
Lutrell

b> I just got myself a nice new Voodoo 2 card and now I can finally get
b> some modern games. Both GPL and Viper sound attractive. I guess what I
b> need to know, is whether the following system is good enough to run
b> either or both of them satisfactorily:

Get GPL - it's the only way to be satisfied by a sim ;-)

Honestly: Viper isn't bad at all but there's not ONE point where it
beats GPL. On the other side: after looking at your systemconfiguration
and the games you played before...Viper will eventually be better. Why
don't get both demos and experience the difference !

Also, man mailt sich...

.\\atze        

*home* : http://www.buesing.de

beagle wrote

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I think it'll have to be GPL - while some of you have commented on my
apparent liking for games that aren't hard core sims, I think I should
have pointed out that I don't always play those games like everyone
else. I'm much more interested in lap times than I am in racing other
drivers.

In particular, I *love* games with a very long learning curve and a
good physics model. This is why I like Wipeout on the PSX so much.
Sure, it's nor a real racing car game (the lack of wheels on the
vehicles gives it away!) but it's very hard to master - and even after
playing it for a couple of years, beating both leagues and qualifying
to be on the 'best lap' charts on the Internet, I find that I'm still
getting better at it.

Speaking of lap times, as far as I know I had one of the best lap
times on EA's Indy 500 ever recorded (over 240mph speed). I got as far
as setting the car up so that the engine blew up through being
over-revved about half a lap after the hot one. ;-)  That took me
quite a long time to achieve and I don't think I ever actually
bothered trying to finish a race the whole time I had it (unlike my
friend who did the whole 200 lap race a number of times).

Sounds like GPL will be just the ticket - and I guess I'll have to get
a better controller. I wish the NegCon was available for the PC as,
IMO, it's better than any home steering wheel I've tried.

--
Thomas Beagle