rec.autos.simulators

I called tech support twice, cruised EA's site and have been searching
around but am not finding anything.  I have an Athlon 1.6G, 32M nvidia,
512M RAM, Win98 SE and am using a plain-jane Gravis joystick.  I didn't
have any problem at all like this w/F1 2001.

The problem is that w/Braking Point Assistance set to "High" the car (on
test day, at any track) will slow substantially on some straights at all
circuits (like the straight following Eau Rouge at Spa or the straight
exiting the tunnel at Monaco) and also on turns (even high speed turns
where you normally wouldn't lift/brake) - all I have to do is nudge the
joystick off-center either direction.  So I changed my steering control to
the kb and it does the exact same thing.

If I want to move the car from inside to outside on a straight, for
instance, the car slows drastically until I let go of the joystick (or
kb).  If I weave on the straight the car slows.  When steering through a
high speed turn it slows all the way through the turn until I exit and/or
I let the joystick return to center (this isn't a joystick calibration
problem since the same thing happens when using kb to steer).

Normally I use the joystick only for steering and the kb for everything
else.  I've calibrated the joystick numerous times.  Most difficulty
options are off except Braking Point Assistance, TC (and something else I
forget which).  Except for the video and difficulty options I've left
pretty much everything else bone-stock as it came installed.  The game is
practically unplayable like this.  When the car slows I have to downshift
at least a couple gears - it's real bad.

Thanks...

Mike
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  Help Wanted: Psychic.  You know where to apply.

I can't solve your problem, sorry, I'm just posting to suggest you could try
driving with no braking point assistance. It's more fun that way IMO.

:)

I just did a quick test, and with it set to high the brakes will
engage with sharp steering angles.  His copy of the game is
functioning as designed.

Jason

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GPLRank 24.50
N2002Rank -12.995

Nostradamus foretold that on Tue Sep 10 2002, jason moyer would write:

I'm curious if your definition of sharp steering angle includes casually
moving the car from one side of a straight to another such as you might on
the straight following Eau Rouge or the jog before the chicane leading to
start/finish at San Marino or the decreasing radius turn in the tunnel at
Monaco?  (These are just a couple; there are many many other places the
car should not be braking just because I'm turning).

Tech support copped out by saying he believed (_after_ I described the
problem; how lame) braking (point) assistance was initiated due to
steering input.  That's a load of horseshit unless someone's going to tell
me that any time a driver turns the wheel he's trying to (dramatically)
slow the car.

Does anyone know if I was to mail a vcr file demonstrating this if I'd get
anywhere w/EA?  Do you know who I'd send it to (other than tech support
drones)?

Mike
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  Help Wanted: Psychic.  You know where to apply.

"mike hardy"

    I really doubt you would get a fix made, I think they are done with
F2k2.(emphasis on THINK not KNOW)  However what you describe is similar to
the old Papyrus braking assistance.  The moment you got off line or out of
the groove, the braking assistance would kick in because the computer would
be seeing the ideal line and compare it to yours...which you are not on.
Therefore, to brake safely, the computer would kick in and slow you down.
Remember that is the Papyrus version, not EA.  This also applied to exiting
a corner, if you were offline because of pinching the apex or sliding wide,
the braking assistance would drag through the turn and prevent you from
accelerating away smartly.
    So IF this is happening as you describe in f2k2, it sounds like your
only option would be to DISABLE the braking assistance.  I have never seen a
sim that turns assisted laps as fast as those who run without aids on.  I'm
pretty sure Papyrus intended drivers running with the driving aids on to
turn slower laps and programed thier sims accordingly.  I don't know ISI/EA
philosophy on the matter though.
    As far as moving your gamepad, here I'm guessing you have a digital
pad..where ANY movement equals 100% movement.  So even a tiny twitch could
be construed by the game to be a full blown crank of the wheel.  If you have
analog controllers,  try tweeking the axis settings and steering lock in the
setups.  For a wheel I use 50% axis sensitivty, NO speed sensitivity, and a
steering lock about one-half of what the defaults were{approximentally 12
degrees}  This takes out the fast twitch feel to the steering and makes it
easier to turn consistant laps...how that all applies to a gamepad tho is
outside my experience.
   So looking at your problem,  I see you driving what the game considers
non-traditional lines and attempts to "HELP" you complete the turns by
engaging the braking assistance.  Your options are limited...either learn to
drive within the computer's concept of perfect lines, or turn off the
driving aids.
  good luck.
dave henrie

Nostradamus foretold that on Tue Sep 10 2002, mike hardy would write:

I understand ppl thinking I should turn BPA off.  I don't completely
disagree.  But that isn't the issue.  The issue is a feature of the game
and an entirely valid option which based on my experience w/the game does
not work at all like anyone would expect (or tolerate).  I was hoping some
sim jock here knew tweaks that would alleviate (or remove) the problem so
that I could continue using BPA and racing the way *I* feel like doing it
(at the moment).  That's all...

Mike
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  Help Wanted: Psychic.  You know where to apply.