rec.autos.simulators

Setup:
F12002 all graphics options at max (arms removed, and high
physics rate in plr. file) (FPS typical between 20-40)
GP4 locked at 24fps, only cars in mirrors, no reflection, no bump
map, no advanced lightning, and low shadows. highest car detail,
object detail object render, and pitcrew. (Hardware acc. sound
OFF - and sound sample freq. slider in WInXP sound setup, moved
to the left.) (PO typical between 90-120)

Physics:
F12002: Very good, smooth and sophisticated.
GP4: Typical Crammond style: driving to the limits, it feels good
, driving over the limits, it feels canned, driving slow it feels
like a train. A good controller setup is extremly important (IMO
set max. lock to 20deg, low sens. zone about 10%, reduce with
speed about 30%, and offcourse no steering help at all)

Graphics:
I made some screendumps from the back of the grid from both games
on 7 different tracks. Comparing those still images makes me
wonder why people thinks GP4 is ugly. Try to do the same (Use
PrintScreen key, and paste in a Paint program). Try back of the
grid in Brazil, Monaco or Austria - try a look back view at Eau
Rouge at Spa. For me(!), GP4 is clearly the most beautifull -
clear colors, more objects. Its true that close to structures GP4
is often very pixelated. But thats not an issue when racing at
the track. F12002 is also pixelated when close, try the first
corner at Monaco hold close to the left fence and look at the
spectators and close buildings.
Mirrors:
GP4: I select show cars only, I dont need more (neither does my
CPU :) )
F12002: Very good, but doesnt show all objects - gone is Monaco's
tunnel, trees, buildings ect.

AI:
GP4: Very good. Car behaves good - close race is a blast,
outbraking, overtaking and side-by-side racing feels very
realisticly. The AI fights for its line, and give up instead of
ramming when defeated. (well, they should work on Schummies AI
:))
F12002: I just dont like it. The racing rythm is mysterious. IMO
when passing and overtaking it feels like the AI doesnt know
where I am.

Instant Replay
GP4: Very good, outside view is actually less CPU hungry than
***pit view. Good camera-setups, looks very much like TV. You
have to see a chrash debris all over, and small men running to
the track pushing cars away and waving flags.
F12002: Very slow and choppy. Not the best camera angles

Online play:
I only play flighsims online (Aces High is the best :))

My conclusion.
If you PC is less powerfull than mine - go for F12002 anytime!!!
If its like mine or better: Try them both - and do it
thoroughly - forget others opinions, can you live with 24fps? -
for me, F12002 has a more realistic driving model and I like to
drive it, but the atmosphere and mood in GP4 gives me the best
offline modern F1 racing experience I ever had.

Len

You actually notice a difference? Whether I select show cars, show
everything, or show nothing, I see exactly the same in the mirrors. And that
is, everything. Advertising billboards et al.

During the race, I agree the AI is decent. During qualifying they're
absolutely horrible since they use the same AI as for the race and thus will
happily destroy your flying lap by racing you on their out lap.

Good for you since GP4 doesn't have anything but LAN :)

--
Frode

Mike
http://www.racesimcentral.net/

If I catch up to someone - he could be on his own flying lap or
first out lap - I can't tell
I'll try a clean pass - if succesfull, I'm happy - if not, I'll
swear at him, and try another lap.
Not a big issue for me - I do not catch up _that_ many on ace
level ;)

I haven't noticed how F12002 behaves in this situation?

--
Len

All of a sudden mine has decided to work as intended as well. Finally, I
might add, helped my PO quite considerably and allowed me to up a few other
settings instead.

If you catch up to him just as he's coming out of the pits, it would be
fairly obvious. I've had more than one occasion of a ruined flying lap due
to a car coming out as I exit the first bend. Luckily the physics when it
comes to damage being incurred is lame enough to allow me to pat their back
and send them off track at near to no loss on my own. Unfortunately that
only works if I catch them in the right corner.

No idea, I haven't played anything but the WIP and that only for about 5
minutes. I really should get off my ***and give that game a try. Anyways,
Geoff brags a lot about his AI. If it was half as good as what he (and PCG)
claims they should have that very basic performance trait of not driving
full out on their out lap, and giving way to flyers. This pissed me off in
GP2 and it still does.

--
Frode

I think you can use that statement on nearly every driving sim -
and in some cases it also works in real world.
But it's not a nice thing to do :)

Yes its stupid.
Still its a minor issue to me - the AI during the race is to me
the most important thing.
If you are on the kerbs in a corner, the AI in F12002 will
happily - without loosing speed - overtake you on the grass!
(Just happend to me in the RTL kurve - Nrburgring). That is a
major issue to me.

--
Len

I did an instant replay of this - full grid remember - and it looked
fantastic! Wheels and wings bounced off and everything. Not choppy at all.
Smoke from the wheel spins etc etc.

I think the big trick to graphics speed in F1-2k2 is to use 16bit not
32bit and run a really high res. I run 1600x1200 at 16bit with all
graphics options on and 5x for the lod multiplier in the default.cfg.

My machine is XP1600+, GF3 Ti200 oced to Ti500. Win98SE. 512MB RAM.

---
Bill

Eldred
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Eldred
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