Your post isn't showing up on my reader Jan, so I'll respond here.
There are people who are pissing and moaning about the AI, and the need for
a patch. Just like they did for two months with N4. If I liked NASCAR, I
still would of bought N4 because I expect those type of complaints from a
certain % of sim racers with EVERY release. Yes, it's been three months now
since F1RC's release, and they are now taking too long to release the patch.
Their old approach was better (still, people complained that they released
too many patches instead of just one or two main ones).
I didn't beta test F1RC or get a copy through a connection with a review
site. I bought it online, and it works just fine on my system. The AI only
has problems OCCASIONALLY at the start (like real life). If you can drive
the car at 98% of it's limit or better,hold your line and hit your braking
points (like you'd need to do in real life), then the AI is fine, and often
excellent (chasing Schumacher is a thrill). The attrition rate is the same
as in real life. I have no problems with the graphics/audio/controller/lock
ups/blue screens/etc. I rarely have a problem running anything actually.
People junk up their systems with drivers, etc. which cause most problems
IMO.
There are plenty of positive comments about F1RC out there in *** space,
and an awful lot of people seem to be playing it considering all the web
sites and it's popularity at the HG forums. Txl just posted here today how
he thinks F1RC is way ahead of the other modern F1 sims. Are you familiar
with Ian Bell? He even has a negative GPL rank! :-) Here are his comments
from awhile back which I posted and maybe you never saw. They're a good
example of a person who was willing to move beyond first impressions and
admit they were wrong in their initial public comments. Something you rarely
see here at r.a.s.
Anyway, if you don't like it, just take it back to the store.
------------------------
Hi all.
To anyone who was influenced by my earlier post regarding this game or got
second thoughts about buying it based on my gripes, I would like to say that
I was wrong!
The game gets better every minute. Aside from the crashes and blue screens,
it is close to perfect.
I worked the setups to the point where I have a car that's catchable when
oversteering and it's awesome!
Apologies to everyone I had the debate with, you were right, and I jumped in
too soon.
In my defence, all the classic sims have that 'grow on you' factor and this
ones growing like a baby.
It's the variations in handling that really sealed it for me and it's this
area that in my view lifts the game above GP3 as a sim. (Never thought I'd
say that)
You could compare GP3 to a Flight Sim 2000 where the Concorde handles like
the Cessna, a bit of a cop out. This is what a sim is all about - exploring
the nuances of each car, learning it's foibles and strengths. It's what GPL
does and it adds almost infinte variety to the game.
For those who tried F1RC and tossed it away early, I suggest you give it
some time, it's ***y excellent. This SIM is very similar
to GPL in the manner in which it feeds back information regarding stepping
over the edge. In GPL, if the tyres aren't screaming you generally aren't
going fast enough. So when the rear gives way you see it through the visual
change in the angle of attack of the tub to the road and in the suspension
movements. You had the tyre screaching before it gave way, so it's not that.
Now, in F1RC, the tyres don't screach until you have passed the limit. The
screach could be a bit louder, and they seem not to squeel until they are
*** out precariously and almost uncatchable. So like GPL, the feedback I
take the cue from is the angle of the monocoque to the road. Unlike GPL,
this happens in an instant and you must react much more quickly. Also the
suspension arms don't move much.
Changing the setups helped a lot, I'll be posting them to Jure soon and in
the meantime I'll just post the Setups with my record laps (assuming I get
any more ) so they will be necessarily a little precarious.
OK, CRUX OF THE SOLUTION: The snap oversteer which is almost uncontrollable
is caused by some of the default setups riding the packers in the fast
turns. As soonas the car rides them it snaps into almost uncontrollable
oversteer. Very Realistic, a bit like turn 5 at Brazil in GP3 if you touch
the left curbing.
In the slow stuff, the oversteer is caused by 2 factors:
1: As above, the gear ratios can be tweaked to move the power band out of
the slow stuff, and/or you can change to another gear.
2: The stock setups have a very soft front end and a stiff rear (a recipe
for oversteer)
Finally, just to reiterate, this SIM is amazing, the Mclaren has better
handling in the fast stuff due to superior aerodynamics (Well, they do have
Newey in the team ) and the Ferrari has more mechanical grip which shows
itself in the slow stuff. You can brake a little later in the Mclaren. The
Ferrari needs a higher rideheight, etc etc, absolutely excellent.
Sorry to go on.
Ian Bell
GPLRank -16.8
--------------------------
David G Fisher
> On Tue, 3 Jul 2001 11:46:41 +0200, "Jan Verschueren"
> >Ok Dave,
> >let's get serious for a moment. Because I've now had the F1RC box in my
> >hands twice and thought better of it because of all the negative
comments.
> >Can you honestly say, hand on your heart, that the retail version of
F1RC,
> >now on sale in mainland Europe should work? -Not the something you have
> >through beta testing or connections to review sites, but the one I can go
> >buy at my main street store today.
> >If so, I'll go get it and give it a fair shot.
> >Jan.
> I wouldn't listen to him no matter what he tells you. He is clearly
> biased. F1RC is a joke in it's curent state.
