rec.autos.simulators

        I've just spent the last few hours testing out the Demo
version of CPR. As far a graphics are concerned,it is far superior to
ICR2.  Unfortunately,in every other respect,it doesn't compare to
ICR2.

                 I found it nearly impossible to steer the car
smoothly at speed with my T2,no matter what I tried. And the sim was
choppy at times. Once or twice it just stopped period.

                The cars braking locked up nearly all the time and put
me off the track even when I was able to control the steering.

                While I'm older than nearly all of you,I have been
racing ICR2 in league play (2nd in the the NWSICT 97) for nearly 2
years,and hoped that CPR would be the next step up in realism. But
after testing the Demo,I think that I'll pass on purchasing Cart
Precision Racing for the time being,and wait for Grand Prix legends to
come out.

                maybe Papyrus will take this as a real challange,and
come out with ICR3

Joel Willstein

Have you checked out the information at The APEX
http://www.quiknet.com/~joja/ in the FAQ section there are several tips on
how to improve steering. There will also be a post in the news section on
the page today(Saturday Night) when it is updated. It talks about making
sure that you have "poll interrupts enable" checkbox unchecked.

Thanks
John

Aside from setup problems, the stock setup for the demo is very tight on
turn in under brakes, and contrarily, very loose at high speed on straights
(static oversteer). The fastest way in on all corners is to get done braking
early and be on the gas at turn-in. Weird, ehh? Anyone coming from GP2 will
find trail braking works against them on these undersized fronts. I haven't
been able to tune out this sluggishness in the few minutes I gave it, but
found that the car rides around on rails once it settles into the curve. I
don't like the go-kart'ish"throw it over and see" feel, but it was fun for
the few minutes I had the demo running. It probably plays hell with rear
tire life, though.

The problem I have is related, but different. The game doesn't see the
gas/brake axis on my TM Gran Prix wheel, and I don't see a way to map that
axis for gas and brake (it calibrates without difficulty). I'm stuck with
using the wheel mounted buttons for gas and brakes. As you might imagine,
this doesn't combine well with sliding the tail delicately around 120 mph
curves.

Does everyone have proportional braking using their TM wheels? What's the
trick? I've tried selecting both "Racecar controller" and "joystick" in the
control dialog, both with and without "Use throttle control" selected. This
is the only thing keeping me from buying the game. I find it difficult to
believe they can expend so much effort and expense mapping the racetracks,
and blow it all on something so seemingly simple. It boggles the mind...

Michael.

=======

=======
Having never driven the real thing, I'm not so quick to condemn this as
unrealistic. It's just different. Try goosing it in the turns; you see a big
difference in turn-in. (And don't be too quick to presume seniority. My
grandson is now two weeks old.)

Michael.

Just thought to add my voice to the din.

Before I go into it...I like this Demo. I hope that the full version
addresses some problems but the Demo is fun. And thats why Im in this
to have fun.

My Puter specs.......
P-5 166 non mmx 32mbEDO FX chipset
ET6000 Video Card
Realvision Flash 3dfx Voodoo

1. The Vibrations are very well done...this is something I didnt
realise I missed until it was added. But it brings back memories of
Karting and not being able to focus properly in some sections due to
rough track conditions. Nice.

2. With many Graphic options turned off I was only seeing between 16
to 25 frames a second...boy oh boy this desparetly needs to be fixed.
I have the recommended system and its slow. If the framerate is
bouncing around between 16 and 25 its slow for a car sim....now by
turning off the sound, turning off the smoothing, going to 15 on the
far draw option, zooming the view all the way in (makes a big
difference for those looking for ways to improve FPS), turning off the
***pit, turning off the pit board I was able to get it to stay over
25 FPS...this is acceptable framerate at an unacceptable
price...especially on the recommended machine. Who at your company is
thinking that 16 to 25 FPS is a good thing....? Fire them.

3. The zoom levels dont save from race to race or even from pit to
resumption of practice. This is a bad thing since this will be used by
some to increase the pitiful framerate....sorry its really that bad
for me.

4. I love the sounds of the tires going over the gravel but dont like
the ability of the car to motor on as if its on the tarmac.

5. Generally I like the sounds...would be nice to have some controls
for them from within the sim. Bass, treble and such....

6. The front tires are pretty ugly...

7. Did I miss some type of graphic representation of damage from
within the***pit...? If I didnt and its not included...please
include it. Its difficult to glance over my shoulder to notice that my
rear wheel has departed.....<VBG>

8. The curbs are poorly done....not wide enough and very choppy.

9. Why is the side of the track so choppy looking, so far my Voodoo
has taken very good care to make sure I dont suffer those poor
graphics anymore...why am I seeing them again.

10. Is it hopeless to wish for a Glide version of this game. I dont
see anything graphically going on that should cause this game to be so
damn slow...and so must assume that Direct 3D is as usual doing its
normal bad job....or is it just a poor implementation...if so please
correct asap.

Pierre PAPA DOC Legrand
Resident Pain in the Ass on the Comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.flight-sim group
Part Time Sim Racer....

Pierre PAPA DOC Legrand
Infamous
Pink Flamingo Pilot...