rec.autos.simulators

I posted a similar question before but got no response so....

I was wondering, do you guys notice that the computer controlled cars
in Evolution out-accelerate you guys off the line?  It seems that
before I got a wheel/pedal setup, I was ALWAYS able to out accerlate
these guys, now it seems that we're either dead even, or they are
faster than me.

Any ideas?  Is this normal?

  I'm not sure on this, but I do some programming and think I know why this may
happen in some games.  When using a keyboard, it's easy to automatically reach
full throttle (just hit the key!).  When using a pedal/joystick setup for
throttle control, it needs to be calibrated.  The problem is, when you floor
the pedal/push the stick all the way forward during calibration, the program
may not get the setting correct (to put it simply).
  You may want to try calibrating the pedal/joystick a little differently in
the throttle axis.  When it says "accelerate all the way (or whatever)" to
calibrate the stick/pedal, push it forward ALMOST all the way, then click or
end the calibration test.  
  When you now floor the gas pedal/push the stick all the way forward, you
should get full throttle.  It's not necessarily going to work in every game,
but from a programmer's point of view, it's a possibility.  
  Have fun!

Todd
http://PerformanceSimulations.com

If you hold the gas pedal all the way down, you will get wheelspin off
the line. You have to back off by about 500-1000 rpm from redline,
although the result also depends on how powerful the car is. Since it is
pretty much impossible to modulate the throttle this way when using a
keyboard, maybe the game fudges it for you when using it as the
controller. Changing to a manual transmission would probably improve
acceleration too (the game effectively giving you a 'bonus' for choosing
the more difficult control method) but I must confess for this sort of
game I usually just leave it in automatic. IHMHIS (I Hang My Head In
Shame)

    ...Colin French

I know what you mean. I can now keep even with them off the line using the
right amount of gas and hitting 2nd gear just right. Sometimes can gain on
the slowest AI car off the line, but the leader speeds away. Takes forever
to catch him.

Slot

Don't worry about it. Winning is the thing. After a year in SCGT shifting
all the way with some very decent lap times, I found out a couple weeks ago
that I'm just as fast and it's easier to drive in automatic. Act Labs needs
a new shifter template. Something like this: P R N D 2 1    ;-)

2nd place is just first loser.

Slot

I don't think that's the problem. I've played the game with digital
wheels that don't even have calibration.

It's a simple driving technique. If you just floor the gas and hold it
there your wheels spin for quite a while, during which time you don't
accelerate. The fastest way to accelerate is to apply as much has as
possible *without* spinning the wheels. You can accelerate as fast as
the AI using this technique.

The only reason this might not occur with the keyboard is that the
programmers have special programming for digital controllers so that
the wheels aren't spinning out all the time.

I guess it's up to preference, but I don't see how you can beat the
ability to choose the gear yourself. The fun factor goes, when using
auto, and you lose control of the gears, effectively losing control of
your acceleration. Can an auto hold a gear even though you are
redlining, some real life autos can, but the game just shifts up on you.

Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.

I never use automatic.  Downshifting is key on courses like
(NFS:PU) Monaco and Cote Azure or any course where there are
brutal horseshoes.  I learned the importance of this in NFSSE
and have never looked back.  As far as off the line
goes...That's a coin toss but with practice, manual, to me, is
the way to go there as well.

* Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet's Discussion Network *
The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet - Free!

Thnx for the replys, but I know that's not what I'm  talkkning
about...accelerating off the line.

I guess it is me huh?  Because, it doesn't seem like I had this
problem with the joystick.  Hmmm....and that was digital too.  Oh
well, can I recalibrate a ACT digital USB wheel?