rec.autos.simulators

Is there anybody out there who can explain why ICR2 drives like a drunken
boat?
I've even read somewhere that ICR2 is more realistic than GP2 as far as the
behaviour of the car is concearned. On my PC the reactions of the steering
wheel (and also of my GRAVIS ANALOG joystick) seem to be far too slow in
ICR2. It's impossible to drive precise on street circuits or in traffic on
any circuit.
I can't imagine I'm the only one with this problem, and those who find ICR2
very drivable: how do you do it?
Mind you: I'm aware we're talking simulation here. The reactions of the car
are not at all realistic.
I have the impression that the game takes too long to detect the last
movement of the steering wheel, so it becomes impossible to make
corrections or sudden movements in traffic. I really can't imagine how some
of you manage to get through the chicanes in Australia, ...
Please don't start explaining how real indycars behave: I know they're
heavier than F1, the brakes are less efficient, and I'm aware that driving
on ovals is a delicate thing.
This is my hardware:
Pentium 90 (I know it's not fast, but with less detail this should be no
problem)
16MB RAM, Diamond Stealth videocard
Soundblaster 32Pnp (gameport is switched off)
Thrustmaster Gamecard (I use this port)
T2 steering wheel (but my joystick gave the same results)
I have 580KB available in DOS.

I've tried everything:
-less detail, less concurrents drawn, ...
-other gameport (32Pnp)
-different setting of the gamecards speed
-and so on...

What are your experiences with ICR2, and do you have any suggestions?

Karl

Karl,

A couple of suggestions:

1) Get the v1.02 patch from the Sierra/Papyrus FTP site.
2) Turn on the FPS indicator (Alt-F), and turn down the detail
   enough so you're getting an average rate of no less than 15 (and
   the higher the better, of course).  Grass and track texture should
   be the first to go; they eat up a lot of CPU!
3) Go into setup and crank up the value for turns lock to lock to
   something in the low 20's (the higher the number, the shorter
   your turning radius).  This value should be lower for ovals for
   straight-line controllability.

Good luck!

Neil
--

Neil Yeatman          
Ajax, Ontario, CANADA

My REAL email address is:

I have to agree ICR2 seems very difficult to drive compared with GP2.
Where GP2 is responsive I can't seem to get my IndyCar to go around
corners, getting large understeer, which then snaps to oversteer. As you
suggest it is very difficult to control in traffic (my frame rate is ok,
faster than yours at P120.).

It feels much better on the ovals though, my guess is that the program
was designed with oval racing in mind and the road courses added as an
afterthought.

GP2 seems easier, though I've just bought a wheel and am trying to drive
without steering help - I can only just manage to keep the thing on the
road!.

Karl,

Try the following and see if it makes any difference...

- Higher steering lock value.
- Stiffer front shocks
- Stiffer front anti-roll bars
- Higher front tyre pressures.

--
Cheers!
John (SRN-Europe)
(Remove "NOSPAM" from address before replying...)