rec.autos.simulators

by **Careful with that axe, Nic** » Wed, 07 Mar 2001 09:10:11

Well, I've spent the past month messing around and goofing off with both
GP3 and F1CS2k, and I've finally come to the desicison that GP3 wins.
First off, GP3 runs much smoother than F1CS, I can actually start a race
with more than 1 fps going to the first turn. The game runs as smooth
on the start as it does in the actual race. Second, I find the car GP3
handles much more to my liking than in F1CS. Whether or not F1CS is
more realistic doesn't concern, having never driving anything but a
Hyundai Accent in my life. The car in F1CS is too jumpy for me, in GP3
I have more precise control. Its funny though, becuase if I still had
my joystick instead of the wheel I have now I'd be saying the opposite.
Third, allthough the graphics in F1CS are more detailed and smoother
than GP3, I find them to a be a bit "cartoony", GP3 looks more realistic
in my opinion, allthough they could be updated. And finally weather,
GP3 just wins hands down.

GP3 does have its downfalls. You can't hear your opponets next to you,
the AI who keeps drifting into you, and no pit communications, but it
appears that these will be taken care of with the upcoming expansion
pack.

Adios,

Nick

by **Rob Adam** » Wed, 07 Mar 2001 09:59:04

Haven't you heard? Hyundai is starting an F1 team next year with an Accent
entry. Should do well <g>

by **Simon Brow** » Wed, 07 Mar 2001 10:19:57

What I'd like to see taken care of in the upcoming update is all the
graphical glitches removed.

In particular, there should be filtering on all the textures, including
trees (or at least this should be optional). There should be mip-mapping on
*all* textures, not just most. At the moment there isn't mip-mapping on the
crowds, gravel traps and also on some of the grass. This makes these
textures very messy, and of course slows the game down.

Another problem is the lack of z-buffering, which means you occasionally see
cars through sections of track, not to mention that z-buffering should speed
the game up.

Also, perspective correct texture maping is only used on textures within a
certain distance, and not on distance objects. It's pretty easy to spot
when it gets switched on as you approach scenery, plus when it's not on you
can see the textures warp, which looks messy.

The 'lines' in the sky where the sections of sky join need fixing, and this
can also be seen on the backdrops at times.

The 'plastic-wrapping' hi-lights on the tyres would be better removed.

Also, I don't like the 25 fps limit. While there is a patch to get the
frame rate above 25 fps, this takes the PO up into the 175-200% range at
race starts, which means slow-mo (even on a decent PC). For me, the detail
on the tracks and cars doesn't seem to justify the speed the 3d engine runs
at when compared to other racing sims.

Anyway, I just hope some of those things have been fixed.

by **Careful with that axe, Nic** » Wed, 07 Mar 2001 15:10:59

Hmm, I wonder if I could drive? lol

Nick

> Haven't you heard? Hyundai is starting an F1 team next year with an Accent
> entry. Should do well <g>

> > handles much more to my liking than in F1CS. Whether or not F1CS is
> > more realistic doesn't concern, having never driving anything but a
> > Hyundai Accent in my life. The car in F1CS is too jumpy for me, in GP3

by **Careful with that axe, Nic** » Wed, 07 Mar 2001 15:10:42

The graphics are supposed to be improved, there are screenshots, you can get to
them at http://www.bhmotorsports.com

Nick

> What I'd like to see taken care of in the upcoming update is all the
> graphical glitches removed.

> In particular, there should be filtering on all the textures, including
> trees (or at least this should be optional). There should be mip-mapping on
> *all* textures, not just most. At the moment there isn't mip-mapping on the
> crowds, gravel traps and also on some of the grass. This makes these
> textures very messy, and of course slows the game down.

> Another problem is the lack of z-buffering, which means you occasionally see
> cars through sections of track, not to mention that z-buffering should speed
> the game up.

> Also, perspective correct texture maping is only used on textures within a
> certain distance, and not on distance objects. It's pretty easy to spot
> when it gets switched on as you approach scenery, plus when it's not on you
> can see the textures warp, which looks messy.

> The 'lines' in the sky where the sections of sky join need fixing, and this
> can also be seen on the backdrops at times.

> The 'plastic-wrapping' hi-lights on the tyres would be better removed.

> Also, I don't like the 25 fps limit. While there is a patch to get the
> frame rate above 25 fps, this takes the PO up into the 175-200% range at
> race starts, which means slow-mo (even on a decent PC). For me, the detail
> on the tracks and cars doesn't seem to justify the speed the 3d engine runs
> at when compared to other racing sims.

> Anyway, I just hope some of those things have been fixed.

> > Well, I've spent the past month messing around and goofing off with both
> > GP3 and F1CS2k, and I've finally come to the desicison that GP3 wins.
> > First off, GP3 runs much smoother than F1CS, I can actually start a race
> > with more than 1 fps going to the first turn. The game runs as smooth
> > on the start as it does in the actual race. Second, I find the car GP3
> > handles much more to my liking than in F1CS. Whether or not F1CS is
> > more realistic doesn't concern, having never driving anything but a
> > Hyundai Accent in my life. The car in F1CS is too jumpy for me, in GP3
> > I have more precise control. Its funny though, becuase if I still had
> > my joystick instead of the wheel I have now I'd be saying the opposite.
> > Third, allthough the graphics in F1CS are more detailed and smoother
> > than GP3, I find them to a be a bit "cartoony", GP3 looks more realistic
> > in my opinion, allthough they could be updated. And finally weather,
> > GP3 just wins hands down.

> > GP3 does have its downfalls. You can't hear your opponets next to you,
> > the AI who keeps drifting into you, and no pit communications, but it
> > appears that these will be taken care of with the upcoming expansion
> > pack.

> > Adios,

> > Nick

by **GM Fud** » Wed, 07 Mar 2001 16:28:41

Thanks for what appears to be a fairly even-handed and thoughtful review of
the two, Nick. I'm pretty happy with GP3 and you've reassured me!

By the way, the WRC Accent is a real beast, I was most impressed with them
at Rally New Zealand last year (as a matter of interest, I almost hit
Alistair McRae's Hyundai up the date when its transmission failed, leaving
him stranded in the middle of the road around a tight bend on a transport
stage). Maybe there's a chip and a suspension pack available, Hyundai did
release the dress-up kit of spoilers and skirts.

GMF

by **Simon Brow** » Wed, 07 Mar 2001 20:05:47

Thanks for the link :) In general I'm pretty impressed with the things
they've added in the 2000 update (from what i've read on
www.alphaf1.com/gp3 ). In particular, improved sound and replays should
make a big difference. I just hope they've had chance to fix those
graphical glitches, because although most of them don't affect gameplay,
they do make GP3 look a little dated. Also, it seems to me they should be
relatively easy to fix.

For anyone who hasn't been keeping up with GP3 2000 updates, the add-on will
include (taken from alphaf1)-

* Season 2000 drivers, teams and graphics
* 17 new and updated tracks from the 2000 season including Sepang and
Indianapolis
* Improved replay system
* Improved sounds
* Improved damage model
* Improved FF effects
* Improved physics
* Improved pitcrew
* Pit-car communication
* A new game mode (yet unknown)
* Some smaller fixes and improvements

:)

by **Matt Lanze** » Wed, 07 Mar 2001 22:03:25

Have you tried the "***" version of the "All-Chassis patch" for
F1CS2000?
With this patch I haven't even thought about GP3... Of course I understand
it's DEFINITELY a matter of personal tastes with these two games!

Warlock!

by **Jan Loebzie** » Wed, 07 Mar 2001 23:20:22

On Tue, 06 Mar 2001 06:10:42 GMT, "Careful with that axe, Nick"

>GP3 does have its downfalls. <snip> but it appears that these will be taken care
>of with the upcoming expansion pack.
>The graphics are supposed to be improved, there are screenshots, you can get to
>them at http://www.bhmotorsports.com

I'm amazed how you can come to a "final verdict" while relying so
heavily on a supposed update, not to mention that you'll have to
pay for those improvements ...

Jan

by **Careful with that axe, Nic** » Thu, 08 Mar 2001 00:26:15

I havn't based my decision on the update, I based it on what I have now, I'm just
hoping that this update will improve the faults already in the game.

Nick

> On Tue, 06 Mar 2001 06:10:42 GMT, "Careful with that axe, Nick"

> >GP3 does have its downfalls. <snip> but it appears that these will be taken care
> >of with the upcoming expansion pack.

> >The graphics are supposed to be improved, there are screenshots, you can get to
> >them at http://www.bhmotorsports.com

> I'm amazed how you can come to a "final verdict" while relying so
> heavily on a supposed update, not to mention that you'll have to
> pay for those improvements ...

> Jan

by **Careful with that axe, Nic** » Thu, 08 Mar 2001 00:27:28

I have, I still find the cars too jumpy for me. But I so intend to keep
F1CS2k around when all the Le Mans cars are released for it.

Nick

> Have you tried the "***" version of the "All-Chassis patch" for
> F1CS2000?
> With this patch I haven't even thought about GP3... Of course I understand
> it's DEFINITELY a matter of personal tastes with these two games!

> Warlock!

> > Well, I've spent the past month messing around and goofing off with both
> > GP3 and F1CS2k, and I've finally come to the desicison that GP3 wins.
> > First off, GP3 runs much smoother than F1CS, I can actually start a race
> > with more than 1 fps going to the first turn. The game runs as smooth
> > on the start as it does in the actual race. Second, I find the car GP3
> > handles much more to my liking than in F1CS. Whether or not F1CS is
> > more realistic doesn't concern, having never driving anything but a
> > Hyundai Accent in my life. The car in F1CS is too jumpy for me, in GP3
> > I have more precise control. Its funny though, becuase if I still had
> > my joystick instead of the wheel I have now I'd be saying the opposite.
> > Third, allthough the graphics in F1CS are more detailed and smoother
> > than GP3, I find them to a be a bit "cartoony", GP3 looks more realistic
> > in my opinion, allthough they could be updated. And finally weather,
> > GP3 just wins hands down.

> > GP3 does have its downfalls. You can't hear your opponets next to you,
> > the AI who keeps drifting into you, and no pit communications, but it
> > appears that these will be taken care of with the upcoming expansion
> > pack.

> > Adios,

> > Nick

rec.autos.simulators

GP3 vs F1CS2k, my final verdict

GP3 vs F1CS2k, my final verdict

GP3 vs F1CS2k, my final verdict

GP3 vs F1CS2k, my final verdict

GP3 vs F1CS2k, my final verdict

GP3 vs F1CS2k, my final verdict

GP3 vs F1CS2k, my final verdict

GP3 vs F1CS2k, my final verdict

GP3 vs F1CS2k, my final verdict

GP3 vs F1CS2k, my final verdict

GP3 vs F1CS2k, my final verdict

GP3 vs F1CS2k, my final verdict