rec.autos.simulators

Has anyone heard or know of a "mirror" patch that is or is being created
for GP2. Without being able to hear the other cars engine or see the
other cars when they're beside you(i.e. ICR2), its almost impossible to
drive though curves and sharp chicanes with the idiot AI in this "sim".
It seems the AI simply follow their line reguardless if your beside them
or not! Also is there a patch for the AI? I believe theres a claim to be
one with the instalation of GP2edit, but I havent seen any difference.

Any info would be appreciated.

-DG-

On Fri, 15 Aug 1997 11:23:26 -0500, David Gary

Jeff

Don't know about a "fix" for the mirrors. I've compensated by trying to
much more aware of my (and trailing cars) track presence than in my
other sims.  About GP2's AI... just wondering what other games you're
comparing it to?  I have all of Papy's sims, and in comparison I thought
the GP2 AI was very good.  I have learned a little bit in all the
countless hours spent driving it, and here's what I conclude:

*You must decisively take the line from your opponent, otherwise, he
will (quite realistically) attempt to "shut the door on you"... so you'd
best be ready for it... and concede in order to still be racing.
(Instead of spinning... again!)

*Also, there are places on most road courses that you just can't pass
(as it is in shore'nuf road racing)... and when I try to force
something... I pay the price.  

*Lastly, you have to "flow" with traffic AND the racing line, and then
pick the opportune time (i.e. a good place) to attempt a pass. (Often
having to "set up" said pass attempt several turns in advance.)  This
was one of the hardest things for me to discipline myself to do.  I have
a tendency to be "hell bent for leather" ala' Nascar 2... more finese'
is required in GP2.

So, it's been my experience with GP2's AI drivers that I *can* take the
line, and move them off of it, retaining the position for myself... but
I have to do so convincingly and within a realistic attempt. Maybe you
could try some of these ideas and see if it doesn't help bring your GP2
fun factor back up?  N2 it ain't... which is one of the reasons I enjoy
it.  It's certainly something different when I tire of being one of the
"good ol' boys" of Nascar.

God Bless,

Andre

Thanks for the kind word.  It's fun to try to help others get as much
enjoyment out of a sim as I'm getting. Like you, at first, I was having
all kinds of trouble getting the hang of GP2, until I discovered
something that was there all along!  It was a tremendous help to me to
activate "Brake Help" (key "F1").  What I did (in the "Rookie" skill
setting) was to access all the F key helps.  This allowed me to
concentrate more on learning the courses, and have fun racing while I
was at it.  Be reminded, that "Brake Help" does NOT do all the work for
you. That is, once the brakes kick in, you'll have to lift,  and
"throttle" around the corner, driving on the "Ideal Line" (key F5) as
best you can. As you move from course to course, driving under the above
conditions, you will subconsciously start learning those courses.  When
you're ready to get serious about winning (it's not practical to run
extremely fast with all the helps activated), then you can start
de-activating the help keys one at a time. My goal was to learn to
drive, but be able to have fun racing while I did. (Instead of getting
frustrated overshooting/ undershooting turns on courses I didn't know to
start with!) Anyway, it helped me have a lot more fun.

God Bless...

Andre

This is clearly a troll for GP2 fans, but since you've asked a question
I'll put you straight. First of all, there isn't and won't be a patch so
you can see alongside you in your mirrors, because in real F1 you can't
(hence the term 'blind spot'). Secondly, in F1 the drivers cannot hear
other cars engines, except in extreme circumstances (Damon Hill has only
ever heard another car's engine once in F1 apparently, which was Berger
at Suzuka). Thirdly, the AI in GP2 is some of the best around, and the
cars will not collide with you in a corner unless you move into them.

--
Dave Bowers

I don't know about them not moving into you, at Portugal the fourth turn
they chop down bad even if you are in front of them, But they do race
side by side really well every where else.

You cant see along side you in the mirrors of a real F1 car. You dont
need
to. The drivers helmet visors are designed to give them peripheral
vision. Something
that is vital to a successful race. One of the many things that we dont
have in this sim.

What is an "extreme circumstance" that would enable you are disable you
to hear the other cars? An explosion? A blowout? Someone yelling "hey,
can you hear me"?

Its been stated several times by other drivers that they could hear the
other
car's engine(even changing gears) during a race.

How long have you been racing this game? Ive found the AI to be more
dangerous than
aggressive which would be very unrealistic in F1.

I could be wrong though, since you sound like you raced in a real
Formula one car.

Take care,

=8>)-

-DG-

I didn't mean in the mirrors. The high***pit sides prevent drivers
from seeing alongside themselves.
Erm, what?

Well, I've heard otherwise. Obviously drivers that I've read about have
poor hearing.

I've been playing ages. The AI is hard but fair. Better than in Papy
sims where if they are alongside and slightly in front they just move
straight into you.

Troll troll troll troll...

You sound like you think the sun shines out of your arse...
--
Dave Bowers

OK, maybe I'm a year behind... I haven't read much techincal stuff on F1
recently.
Well, some people want to be able to see the front wheels, some want
magical mirrors, and some don't want either. I happen to not want
either, so GP2 is perfect as far as I'm concerned.

I think GP2's AI is superb. I can go into a corner alongside an AI car
no problem. Maybe you're playing with steering help on, and its dragging
you into the AI car. GP2 is best played without steering help.
Nahh, let's not bother.
You're forgiven :)

I really don't know actually. It was just an insult that I had flying
around :)
--
Dave Bowers