rec.autos.simulators

by **David O. Cors** » Fri, 23 Oct 1998 04:00:00

I have always loved arcade car racing games and watching racing on TV. I am
a real world commercial pilot and user of about every advanced flight sim
known to God and am willing to spend hours on those. Will I like GPL? I have
the right hardware with a P2 400 and a V2 12 MEG board but how hard is it
really? Is it impossible with out a wheel and pedals? I have a MS FF Pro
Joystick and have heard about the wheel but how much $$$$ and is it needed?
How many hours do I need to put into a sim like this if I am a newbie to
*** racing but just want to string together a solid lap (not
necessarily fast but not offroading all the time) etc. Is this the kind of
sim where you can't do anything right for 30 hours and then suddenly "get
it?"

Thanks,

David Corsi - CFI-AIM

by **dafn** » Fri, 23 Oct 1998 04:00:00

Please don't buy this sim.. The last thing we need is a
overtired commercial pilot. Our sky won't be safe. On a more serious
note I can't see anyone not loving this sim. Yes there is a steep
learning curve but it is very rewarding when you succeed. There are
many sites out there with help. PS Keep the shiny side up or
whatever pilots say to each other.

On Thu, 22 Oct 1998 12:38:40 -0500, "David O. Corsi"

>I have always loved arcade car racing games and watching racing on TV. I am
>a real world commercial pilot and user of about every advanced flight sim
>known to God and am willing to spend hours on those. Will I like GPL? I have
>the right hardware with a P2 400 and a V2 12 MEG board but how hard is it
>really? Is it impossible with out a wheel and pedals? I have a MS FF Pro
>Joystick and have heard about the wheel but how much $$$$ and is it needed?
>How many hours do I need to put into a sim like this if I am a newbie to
>*** racing but just want to string together a solid lap (not
>necessarily fast but not offroading all the time) etc. Is this the kind of
>sim where you can't do anything right for 30 hours and then suddenly "get
>it?"

>Thanks,

>David Corsi - CFI-AIM

by **Vitzthu** » Fri, 23 Oct 1998 04:00:00

Well, have you played Warbirds?

Much the same thing... excellent physics model that takes a tonne of CPU
power (AI included) and a hell of a time to get used to. Pretty much
the premier sim for cars in that many think it is the most advanced
model so far - much like Warbirds is the premier sim for combat aircraft
purely in terms of the physics model and control.

Big reward once one finally feels like it is starting to click.
Remember - these cars were sliding around all over the place! That is
not to say the tail should be haning way out every corner - that is
overdoing it! More like a controlled four wheel slide on many corners -
if you have to use opposite lock then you are starting to overcook it.
More like a neutral wheel position after turn in while the car slides
smoothly past the apex and get on the power early while the car is still
sliding, but not rotating.

Unlike flight sims (of which I was pretty serious, too) car racing sims
are about familiarity with a given race course, consistency (which means
a lot of practice) and setup (which means a lot of experimentation and
seat time). This means that to get relatively quick times one really
has to keep doing lap after lap after lap of a circuit. If you like
this, you will love GPL!

> I have always loved arcade car racing games and watching racing on TV. I am
> a real world commercial pilot and user of about every advanced flight sim
> known to God and am willing to spend hours on those. Will I like GPL? I have
> the right hardware with a P2 400 and a V2 12 MEG board but how hard is it
> really? Is it impossible with out a wheel and pedals? I have a MS FF Pro
> Joystick and have heard about the wheel but how much $$$$ and is it needed?
> How many hours do I need to put into a sim like this if I am a newbie to
> *** racing but just want to string together a solid lap (not
> necessarily fast but not offroading all the time) etc. Is this the kind of
> sim where you can't do anything right for 30 hours and then suddenly "get
> it?"

> Thanks,

> David Corsi - CFI-AIM

by **SteveBla** » Fri, 23 Oct 1998 04:00:00

nope; I tried the stick as a lark after reading some comments on same. I
could actually get myself out of a deeper hole with the stick than the wheel,
and I got close enough to getting through the Kink at Spa WITHOUT LIFTING to
know it can be done. Instantaneous opp-lock is sometimes useful, it would
seem. However, even set at full non-linear, it was too touchy just off-center.
Got me into too much trouble, and besides, the wheel's more fun. Decent wheels
are not too pricey. just don't waste money on FF just now. You DO need pedals,
though. If your current setup has separate axes, they'll do ok. I use CH std.
pedals, & they're fine.

Probably not. When you***up, you know NOW. Much more immediate feedback
(read: Armco, trees, etc.), so you GET it pretty quickly!

Oh, yeah. Welcome to 1967.

Steve B.

by **Pat Megroi** » Sat, 24 Oct 1998 04:00:00

I bought the game last week and I only own a joystick (yea i know)

I have the same setup as you p2400 + v2 + 128meg runs smooth as silk with
all detal on and detail bias all to the right running at 36.9fps

It took me about 20mins to master monza in the ferrari with a 1:32.66
and a 1:31.71 in the lotus.

You can adjust the sensitivity on the controller.

It is almost impossible to drive around any track without the driving aids
turned on using the joystick a (so little movement and you have spun and
nearly blown the engine)

But i have only spent say 15-20mins at each track to become in a race
winning position.

yea go and buy it you wont be sorry (don't get that monaco gp it's crap, the
50's retro mode is shit)

>I have always loved arcade car racing games and watching racing on TV. I am
>a real world commercial pilot and user of about every advanced flight sim
>known to God and am willing to spend hours on those. Will I like GPL? I
have
>the right hardware with a P2 400 and a V2 12 MEG board but how hard is it
>really? Is it impossible with out a wheel and pedals? I have a MS FF Pro
>Joystick and have heard about the wheel but how much $$$$ and is it needed?
>How many hours do I need to put into a sim like this if I am a newbie to
>*** racing but just want to string together a solid lap (not
>necessarily fast but not offroading all the time) etc. Is this the kind of
>sim where you can't do anything right for 30 hours and then suddenly "get
>it?"

>Thanks,

>David Corsi - CFI-AIM

by **John Walla** » Sat, 24 Oct 1998 04:00:00

On Fri, 23 Oct 1998 05:02:14 +0800, "Pat Megroin"

>It took me about 20mins to master monza in the ferrari with a 1:32.66
>and a 1:31.71 in the lotus.

If you think that you have Monza "mastered" with those times you have
a shock coming :-)

Cheers!
John

by **John Simmo** » Sat, 24 Oct 1998 04:00:00

>On Fri, 23 Oct 1998 05:02:14 +0800, "Pat Megroin"

>>It took me about 20mins to master monza in the ferrari with
>a 1:32.66 and a 1:31.71 in the lotus.

>If you think that you have Monza "mastered" with those times
>you have a shock coming :-)

If he can keep it between the lines, he's got it mastered... :-) He may
not be the fastest guy there, but he can complete a lap without eating
sand...

--
=========================================================
John Simmons - Redneck Techno-Biker (Zerex12)
http://www.members.home.net/jms1/index.html

John Simmons - Barbarian Diecast Collector
http://members.home.net/jsimm/diecast_index.html

If you want to send me email, go to either of the URL's
shown above & click "Send Me Mail" in the contents frame.
=========================================================

by **Fred** » Sat, 24 Oct 1998 04:00:00

With a stick all is not lost. Some of the fastest laps done in GPL are
done with a stick. Its taken hours and hours but I no longer need any
of the driving aids, altho no braking help does nothing if you use a
button for braking.

FredG

> I bought the game last week and I only own a joystick (yea i know)

> I have the same setup as you p2400 + v2 + 128meg runs smooth as silk with
> all detal on and detail bias all to the right running at 36.9fps

> It took me about 20mins to master monza in the ferrari with a 1:32.66
> and a 1:31.71 in the lotus.

> You can adjust the sensitivity on the controller.

> It is almost impossible to drive around any track without the driving aids
> turned on using the joystick a (so little movement and you have spun and
> nearly blown the engine)

> But i have only spent say 15-20mins at each track to become in a race
> winning position.

> yea go and buy it you wont be sorry (don't get that monaco gp it's crap, the
> 50's retro mode is shit)

> >I have always loved arcade car racing games and watching racing on TV. I am
> >a real world commercial pilot and user of about every advanced flight sim
> >known to God and am willing to spend hours on those. Will I like GPL? I
> have
> >the right hardware with a P2 400 and a V2 12 MEG board but how hard is it
> >really? Is it impossible with out a wheel and pedals? I have a MS FF Pro
> >Joystick and have heard about the wheel but how much $$$$ and is it needed?
> >How many hours do I need to put into a sim like this if I am a newbie to
> >*** racing but just want to string together a solid lap (not
> >necessarily fast but not offroading all the time) etc. Is this the kind of
> >sim where you can't do anything right for 30 hours and then suddenly "get
> >it?"

> >Thanks,

> >David Corsi - CFI-AIM

by **Daniel Dru** » Sat, 24 Oct 1998 04:00:00

: I have always loved arcade car racing games and watching racing on TV. I am
: a real world commercial pilot and user of about every advanced flight sim
: known to God and am willing to spend hours on those. Will I like GPL? I have
: the right hardware with a P2 400 and a V2 12 MEG board but how hard is it
: really? Is it impossible with out a wheel and pedals? I have a MS FF Pro

Shame really you spent out for the MS FF Wheel. Most racers are claiming
frustration and leg fatique using the system. Personally, I think you
would like it, the physics are highly applicable to real life, where the
tires are the same, just a helluva alot more acceleration and torque. The
lack of downforce, though, makes it easy to imagine this game engine being
ported to Can Am. I'd love to drive a Porsche RUF 911 with this engine,
esp if I had a TSW wheel with an analog clutch. (I have a mock analog
clutch off one button that doesn't work any better than just starting off
the line in 2nd gear.)

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