rec.autos.simulators

Andrew.

At 12 (UKP) you can't go wrong really, in addition to the stuff you get
with the demo your money will get you some extra cars & tracks, but the
rest is the same as the demo, so you should get a good idea of whether
this game is for you from that.

No problem at all, the copy protection is in the key you get from their
website so you can do what you want with the file. The main thing you need
to keep is your username & password for their website so you can get
another key if you need one.

As you've probably seen the key system isn't to everyone's liking, but
technically it's not difficult to 'buy' the game.

No, you freely choose a login name for their website and another for your
online name. Neither of these are related in any way to your method of
payment.

The AI start off pretty stupid but this is by design, since they learn
with race experience. Quite a few people have complained that the AI are
too aggressive, but you'll be able to see that for yourself & decide when
you try the demo.

The future developments are anyone's guess, but they'll probably include
even more cars & tracks, and probably stuff like damage, tyre wear/temps
and weather. You don't have to buy S2 or S3 to enjoy S1 though, so make
that choice when they are released.

lfs needs a pretty beefy CPU, but apparently a relatively low power
graphics card is okay. Again you can check this out with the demo.

I run it at 1360x1020x16bit with 8xAniso & no AA on an XP2000 & Gf4200 and
get around 50fps hotlapping & over 30fps in a race (with nearly everything
on max).

As far as bugs are concerned, it's pretty safe to say that it won't crash
& take out your HD, and I'd say it's pretty reliable compared to gpl for
example, and that's not bad ;-)

If you don't race online & aren't interested in the extra cars & tracks
the demo alone will keep you entertained for a long time, but if you go
online to race there is a much greater incentive to buy the full game so
you can get away from (most of) the wreckers.

hth, Malc.

LFS sense of speed is now fantastic after driving for quite a while! The
physics are like nothing I have ever driven before, UTTERLY AMAZING! Engine
sounds, gear changes, frame rate, replay system, options system and just
about everything are excellent. Only one "small" moan so far. The AI. They
do tend to bash you around quite a lot almost as if they are not even aware
you are in front or alongside them on times, so maybe it's just as well
there is no damage model just yet or the AI would be forcing an early finish
on the first lap every time. Once they "settle down" a bit they do seem to
improve. I have only tried "rookie" setting so far, but I can win every race
of only 3 laps every single time at this setting so I really do hope they
are capable of much more speed/skill than that! Will find out tomorrow as
it's bed time for me. I really love the rally cross dirt track. Wow! what an
amazing feeling! And watching the replay of flying over those big humps is
almost as stunning as actually driving over them. All said and done, I think
some of the "big" games companies out there have obviously got a lot to
learn. Will I be investing my 12.00 U.K. in LFS? You're dam right I will!
First thing tomorrow in fact. I can't wait to get my tyres onto that good
looking city track. I think that says it all really. One other thing though,
N2003 just ain't quite gonna be the same now after the physics of LFS is it?
I would recommend this SIM to anyone who loves driving on their PC.

Night all,

Andrew.

I believe the AI have to learn with each skill level, car, and track.  To
improve their skills, set up a long practice session with all 12 AI cars,
then walk off, and leave them to their own devices.

-jde

Scott

<snip>

LOL!!  Have you tried that yourself?
--
Peter Ives (AKA Pete Ivington)
Remove ALL_STRESS before replying via email
If you know what's good for you, don't listen to me :)
GPLRank Joystick -50.63 Wheel -25.01

LFS is OK but it's lack of content means it's useless for league play and
that means pickup races only - no thanks!

--
-- Fran?ois Mnard <ymenard>
-- This announcement is brought to you by the Shimago-Dominguez
Corporation - helping America into the New World...

I must admit I found the process of having to train all AI at all tracks
in all cars a real PITA. Which is why I went online, only to get cheesed
off with most of the racing I had. I'll certainly get back to LFS when
damage is implemented... but not before.

Andrew McP

Thing is though, the next left-hander they always run wide onto the dirt and
that certainly isn't the fastest way!

It's just a shame they all do the same thing though, looks stupid when a
train of 5 cars all hit the barrier one after another.

Scott