I just sat there and stared at it. I was terribly frightened. I have been wanting a good modern racing sim for a long time. For almost as long a time I have fully believed that GP3 was vapor ware and was reluctant to see those screen shots in the eventuality that I was disappointed.
I like GPL a lot. But it doesn't have the directness that I enjoy in a racing vehicle. I have and race a kart (shifty 125) and am used to instantaneous reaction, back breaking bumps, unbelievable grip levels, and an acute sense of the attitude of the vehicle. The fantasy for me is doing the same thing at 200 mph. GPL just isn't about modern racing. Nothing bad about it. Just not my cup of tea. As an example, I think the racing vehicles that were best suited to the task at hand were the Formula 1 cars of 89 through 92. (The 98 cars aren't nearly as good but I bet I'd have fun in one.)
I drive GPL as often as possible and get into the GP2 car from time to time. It scares the daylights out of me. The thing corners so fast and is on such a fine line I can't imagine how I ever raced the AI in it. A lot of people are saying it has too much grip and poor physics. I don't believe that's the case. I remember drifting the car. That's the only way through the swimming pool section quickly. It drifted beautifully. It had an excellent "feel" for the time. (Still might, I can't turn my internal clock up high enough to drive the damn thing on the limit though.) When you went too far there was no getting it back. It was harsh. So are real, responsive racing vehicles. It also has a great sense of speed and inch accuracy. Real life racers have these same features. The detail of driving on the curbs for instance. GPL on the other hand, does not. I find it very challenging to tell the difference between 60 and 100 mph in GPL. That difference means everything at the first Lesmo. The only way I make around the track time and again is by memorizing gears and revs. I'm also challenged to drive to the inch. To 3 or 4 inches maybe. But only on the best of days. Kaemers games have always lacked "feel". This is what makes me very exited about GP3. Crammond has always one-upped Ol' Dave.
Crammonds driving games have soul. There is an earthy quality that makes them feel very much like a racing car. The way the road and verges move around you. The way the car reacts to the track. The sounds or noises of racing. The way one mentally approaches or "communes" with the vehicle and track. The whole package together, some how, feels more like driving a race car than anything else. I think he's gonna do it. I think he's gonna be Geoff Crammond and release a modern F1 sim (Cars are 8 years too new but who cares?) that feels like Crammond. I like that idea. I'm going nuts just thinking about it.
I clicked the link. Those screen shots are stunning. It feels right. Those cars are in the right position on the track. They take up the correct amount of space. The lighting is what it looks like when you're sitting in a car. The perspective to the next corner is very informative. Reminds me very much of CPR, the most realistic looking race game on my computer.
I can deal with that. :-)
http://www.racesimcentral.net/~bosman/gp3a.jpg
http://www.racesimcentral.net/~bosman/gp3b.jpg
http://www.racesimcentral.net/~bosman/gp3c.jpg
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Mark Jeangerard
www.soundchaserweb.com
New Mexico USA