Found the following in the March 97 issue of Popular Science. This is a
portion of the article "Racing Simulations: Armchair Adrenaline" by
Robin Nelson. The article is accompanied by "screen shots from NASCAR2,
An in-car shot with dash, Dale Earnhardt's Driver info, and the garage
setup sheet.
"To warrant taking this kind of plunge, a computer simulation has to do
at least one of three things extremely well:
1. Create a cult. NASCAR Racing from Papyrus has done just that.
The program is based on the 1994 NASCAR racing season, duplicating it in
exhaustive detail, from nine classic ovals -- Atlanta to Talladega to
Watkins Glen -- right down to each car's layout and setup. Without a
real-world driving feel in its guts, NASCAR Racing would merely be plain
fun, but this simulation's got all the tweaks and feedbacks --
everything from spoiler adjustment, to the little gauge that tells you
individual tire pressures, to that great air-impact wrench squeal during
pit stops. The program is wide open to customization, and as a result,
NASCAR cultist Web sites have bloomed spontaneously on the internet,
where an updated version based on the 1996 season can be downloaded,
along with car models that sport authentic decals of auto racing
sponsors from Advil to Zantac."
#2 is Push the simulation envelope -- covering Grand Prix II
#3 is Eploit the hardware -- covering Monster Truck Madness
I think Pop Science needs a "fact checker". They also say that one
needs a Pentium 133 (or equivalent) 16MB of memory and a 6x CD-ROM
driver or faster. "With a slower CD-ROM, you dcan still install the
entire program to a hard disk for brisk action... And to ultimately
get your head into the game, you'll need a premium sound card purchased
within the last six months. Upgrading a system that's not more than two
or three years old to these specs should involve an investment of less
than $500; a brand new system will cost at least three times that much."
Let's see I have a 2x CD-ROM and an ancient ProAudioSpectrum soundcard.
I guess I shouldn't be racing sims on my computer. ;-) Of course I did
upgrade my motherboard/CPU to a P5-166 and new memory, bought an
Integraph Rendition video card. This was close to $950, according to
Pop Science I still need to spend another 200-400 for a new soundcard
and CD-ROM. No, wait a minute, I should have just spent $1499.00 for a
new system... I must be doing something wrong. I still can't get GP2
to move at Monaco, it's still basically a view-master at this track.
Oh well, at least I am part of the "Cult" ;-)
--
**************************** Michael E. Carver *************************
Upside out, or inside down...False alarm the only game in town.
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