So far, things are looking slim(at least in number) for pure racing sims
being shown at E3. There are plenty of Need for Speed/POD/MotoRacer type
arcade racers, but the only true sims I've seen so far have been Nascar 3
and Grand Prix Legends. Nascar 3 seems to be in alpha, but it does have the
true 3D***pit and Legends physics model, which is cool. The new***pit
really gives a more immersive feel when driving, and of course your view
shifts and changes as you drive down on the apron, or scrape the wall. Very
similar to the feel you get from the***pit view in SODA. Nascar 3 will
have Rendition and 3DFX specific ports and force feedback, but I think that
has been common knowledge for awhile.
I tried out both Microsoft and Thrustmaster's force feedback steering
controllers. Microsoft's feels a little cheap, and the force feedback felt
more like the Nintendo 64 rumble pak just vibrating. It did not feel like it
was giving me specific feedback based on how I was driving. However, this
could have been a function of the game that was being demoed, Need for Speed
III.
Thrustmaster's Nascar Force GT seemed a little better. That was demoed with
Andretti Racing. They said it would be available for Christmas and would
retail for around $180, but I think that is what they told me last year.
Thrustmaster also has 3 other products coming:
1)Nascar Sprint - economy model (retail $69.99) with paddles for
accelerator/brake
2)Nascar Super Sport - not sure where this one falls, the by line said
"Uncompromising Performance" and features a stainless steel wheel shaft
3)Nascar Pro Digital - digital/USB version of the Nascar Pro
By far the coolest thing I have seen so far is the Nascar Silicon Motor
Speedway that was setup at the 3DFX booth. This is the Nascar simulation
that started at Mall of America last summer. They had a 2 car setup - mini
Nascar's on hydraulics. About 180 degree wrap around screen with fully
functioning Nascar gear shift and clutch. The track was C***te and we
raced about 4 laps. After the race you receive a printout of your finish
position and detailed timing for each lap, including turn 2 and 4 exit
speeds, top speeds, etc. It felt very simlar to Nascar 2, but the guy I
talked to said it was a propritary engine written specifically for them(not
by Papyrus). It was definitley running on 3DFX boards. They have just opened
up another one in Chicago, and there are plans for Dallas and LA this year.
I need one of these at my house! On the more affordable***pit front, I
checked out a $200***pit kit that seemed sturdy, flexible, and looked
pretty sleek. I'm sure you could probably build one of these on your own if
you were mechanically inclined, but I'm not. Check them out at
http://www.racesimcentral.net/
Oh yeah, I got to meet Christian Fittipaldi at the Psygnosis Newman-Haas
Racing booth. He signed an autograph for my wife(he is her favorite driver).
They were showing the Playstation and PC versions of the game, which seemed
like a cross between EA's Andretti Racing and Psygnosis F1 Racing - there
were some licensed cars and tracks, and some "fantasy". So not really a good
thing "sim" wise. In fact, this is the only upcoming CART or IRL Indycar
game of any kind being shown for the PC. So it looks like I will still be
playing Indycar II(CART Racing) for a little while longer. Good thing we
have great sites like
The Sim Project keeping that game alive.
Anyway, tomorrow I am going to try to check out GT Interactive's Trans AM
Racing, and get more info on Nascar 3, Grand Prix Legends, and the rumored
Gran Turismo PC conversion.
Don Chapman