First let me say that I am new to the racing sim business. Up until
two weeks ago I had merely dabbled with F1 for a few days. It seemed
fine, but hardly set my toes alight. However, following numerous
favourable reviews of GP2 in U.K. magazines I decided to purchase this
sequel whilst, at the same time, beginning to read
rec.autos.simulators. Here are my impressions:
1. I love GP2. It is up there with Civ2 as game of the year. It is
fast, exciting, detailed and challenging. I am doing my own braking
and gear changes, learning the tracks, racing at rookie level (loosing
a lot, winning a few) and generally having stacks of fun. I run in VGA
with all the details and textures on at 25fps. I get no slowdown at
all, ever. When I lose a race, I always know why. I always know what
mistake I made, and how I can improve my racing. Yesterday I figured
out how to make a good start. The sense of achievment was great. My
overwhelming impression of the game is its fairness and its depth. I
don't feel that the other cars are cheating. They are just racing
better than I am.
2. The discussions in this newsgroup are beginning to get on my
nerves. As a complete fan of GP2 I want to know how to get the most
out the game, and how to race better. That is what I turn to the
newsgroup for. But what I get are endless, and futile, "which is
better ICR2 or GP2?", and whinging "I don't like this feature and that
feature etc. etc." discussions which don't get anyone anywhere. So you
don't like the fact that only one marshall is needed to push your car
off the track? So what. You shouldn't have crashed in the first place.
"Where's the crane? Where's the crane?", you cry. Who cares? You
crashed again, didn't you? Worry about that instead.
3. The video issue: the game feels like treacle during busy bits. Not
when I play it, it don't. But then, I am a pragmatic chap and I run
the game in VGA. I also make sure that my actual frame rate is a
couple of clicks below the estimated rate (this really makes a
difference). I know you are all disappointed that SVGA looks so good
but runs so slow, but, frankly, I have much more fun playing the game
by not worrying about it and running in VGA instead.
4. "It lacks realism" they cry. Well, when Damon Hill starts posting
to this group and he tells me it lacks realism, then I might listen
with interest. But even then I'm not going to start whinging about it.
GP2 is a video game, and that is all. If you want realism then sell
your computer, get out into the fresh air and race karts. My
impression is that GC and his mates have done a fine job of balacing
depth of gameplay with playability. The learning curve seems just
right and the game looks nice. I couldn't really ask for much more.
5. Do Microprose pay any attention to the complaints of the users of
this group? Probably not. Their website has an e-mail form. If you
have complaints, then send them to Microprose direct. You probably
stand a better chance of being listened to by someone who actually has
some influence on future patches. I sent them a techy question a while
ago and got a response within a day or so.
In conclusion: its the carping tone of so many of the posts that
irritates me. The only value of this group, to me anyway, is as a
forum for constructive comments, hints, driving advice, etc., and, in
general, anything which makes my playing experience more enjoyable.
I suppose I should say that, no, I am not a personal friend of Geoff
Crammond, nor am I affiliated with Microprose. And I admit to being a
beginner, so I suppose I should be more tolerant of all of you experts
out there who were hoping for more from the game, but again I say:
tell Microprose, not us. Instead, use your expertise to provide those
of us who are new to racing sims with some good advice.
Cheers, and keep driving til dawn.
Andrew.