rec.autos.simulators

It's boring as hell, though.  The main reason being that the car just
doesn't respond to my steering.  For example, if I waggle the steering
from left to right rapidly (using the joystick), there is a noticeable
lag between my action, and what the steering wheel in the***pit view
does.

In CMR the steering wheel precisely follows my actions with the
joystick, no matter how fast I waggle.  Surely this is the way it is
meant to be in TOCA 2.

Am I the only one with this problem? Playing this game is unbearably
imprecise.  CMR is beautifully precise and miles and miles more
enjoyable.  TOCA 2 is so bad that every time I try to play it I get
bored after about 5 minutes.  I get this urge to take a flamethrower
to the CD, it winds me up so much.

I'm playing TOCA 2 and CMR on a PC: Pentium III 500, 128MB, ATI Rage
Fury, Microsoft Sidewinder Forcefeedback Pro.  

I get exactly the same lag if I use the keyboard for steering, though
the keyboard is even more frustrating because it's so slow!

Is there a way to get rid of this annoying lag?

Thanks in advance,
Jawed

I had a problem with some midi software I installed which screwed up the
midi/joystick input for Toca2 (didn't effect anything else!!)  Even when
this midi software was not runnning it would cause 1/2 second lag.  I
disabled the 'driver' that the midi programme had installed and it all works
fine now.

Rob j

Seek and ye shall find.

You're doing something wrong, obviously.  I can't see how you can call a
driving game "boring" simply because something with your system is causing
you some problems.  I've got TOCA 2 and like it very much.  The cars handle
fine for me, the steering is good, the variable weather is a nice touch.  I
haven't tried online yet but am certainly eager to try.  Contact me via ICQ
at 4046944 if interested.

Finally, if you're serious about racing then might I suggest a wheel.  Most
of them are rather inexpensive (non-ffs) and the benefit is huge.

Schumacher

This sounds extremely likely, even though I haven't set up any Midi
software on my PC.  So, all I gotta do is find something to disable,
now.

Respect, Rob!  Even if your suggestions don't work, I'm glad for the
"hope" you've given me.  Thanks!

Jawed

Thanks, anyway.
Jawed

There's a worthwhile review on Games Domain, written by someone who's
done some rallying (as a co-driver).  Look in the Sports section,
rather than Action or Simulation.

SCGT certainly looks entertaining.  Let me see what TOCA 2 is like,
first (when I get it working!).

Jawed

Since my PC configuration seems to be at fault, I'm rather hopeful
that I can fix the problem.  Which is the original reason I asked my
question, because I couldn't believe the game plays like this for
everyone else.

Thanks.  First I just need to get to grips with playing it, when I
have configured my PC properly!

You know, I bought a joystick without ever really thinking about a
wheel.  Weird, because I do like driving games a fair amount.  I think
I was mostly motivated by Flight Simulator.

Jawed

I have both TOCA 2 and SCGT.  Both games are pretty good.  I'm not sure what
game is better.  For SCGT the model is pretty decent.  I like the idea of
the long, long race, where you can pit and then let the AI take over for a
while.  SCGT's damage model seems good, also.   But if you're like online
racing then you might choose TOCA 2 over SCGT.  Further, TOCA will get much
more support than SCGT, which EA has pretty much disowned, it appears.

What I like about TOCA 2 is that there are more tracks, it has better
multiplayer, and it doesn't appear that TOCA 2 is as hackable as is SCGT.
With SCGT you just can't tell if some person is out-racing you because of
skill or because of some hack that allows faster racing.

As to TOCA 2 I like the driving model, the tracks, the cars, and the options
the game has.  What I don't like is the fact that nothing much seems to
happen when you bang up your car; there doesn't seem to be any fuel gauge
and the need for piting doesn't seem to be a real need.

I wonder, does your car ever run out of fuel and is there some kind of
realistic damage model?

Thanks,

Alanb

Beg to differ. There is so much support for SCGT that I can't
keep up with it. Try : http://www.racesimcentral.net/***.com/
--
* rrevved at mindspring dot com  

The support you're seeing is coming from people who just play the game,
coming in the form of cars, hacks, and editors.  That is not what one
typically calls support.  There seems to me to be some huge problems with
the multiplayer portion of the game.  The only ones who can fix that are ISI
or EA.  It's not likely that we'll get a thing from them.  Even the visual
damage patch was created by some independent programmer.  EA has said that
they would be releasing new cars for SCGT but I haven't seen any and the way
things are going it's not likely that such a thing will materialize.

I do appreciate all the stuff others have put out for SCGT.  But unless we
get some developer support, it is unlikely we'll see any improvement in the
game.  Nor is it likely that we'll see another version of SCGT.

Alanb

Just horrible - Colin McRae handles far better.

Still, if you like the argy-bargy of a race it can be quite fun!