rec.autos.simulators

by **Alan Bernard** » Fri, 04 Aug 2006 10:59:20

>I spend about 30 days a year on race tracks on the east coast and I
> can say without reservation that all sims out there are fun... but it
> stops there. If my car handled like the ones in sims I would be dead
> by now.

> Enjoy playing whatever you like, just remember you are only playing..

> GP

>>http://www.racesimcentral.net/

>>http://www.racesimcentral.net/%20Update

>>A lot of good stuff in there. :-)

You are correct: there is certainly no comparison between driving a
simulator on a computer and driving the real thing in real life.

But your meaning is that computer sim cars are much more difficult to handle
than the real thing? I'm thinking that's what you mean. Even driving
casually (I own a '99 Miata, standard), I can notice an obvious difference.
My Miata is much easier to handle, though, again, I'm not typically driving
at extremely fast speeds. But also, even driving my Miata at high speeds, I
don't usually drive as recklessly as I do with a computer sim, knowing full
well that in real life I could die if I did drive so recklessly.

Alanb

by **Mr. Sylvestr** » Fri, 04 Aug 2006 18:47:36

> Just downloaded the new rFactor. I agree with the previous poster. It is
> still no where near as good as GPL. All you folk who disagree probably
> weren't worth a damn at GPL. GPL is hard, the learning curve for GPL is very
> steep. There really is no learning curve for rFactor. It is geared for
> boneheads. Not to mention the graphics. They suck, compared to GPL, in
> rFactor. So, keep trying, there's a long way to go to catch up.

Repeat after me: hard is NOT synonymous with realistic (or fun, or
whatever) :)

Don't get me wrong, I still love GPL very much, partly because of the
era it depicts, its atmosphere, and -yes- partly because it is so
challenging.

But I also appreciate rFactor very much. IMHO, there is a learning curve
to it too. It is indeed quite easy to drive the rFactor cars at
reasonable speed (as it should be !) but scraping those last tenths of a
second per lap and achieving consistant fast lap times is as hard as it
is with GPL. To me, this is definitely an improvement over the older ISI
and Papy physics with respect to low speed handling.

As for the graphics, I am not so fond of ISI's cars and track textures,
although it bugs me that I cannot pinpoint what is wrong with these. But
as long as I can drive some of the best rFactor mods (McLaren,
Protoracers, Armaroli, F3Euro, Beetles) on GTL converted tracks (Spa,
Monza, Imola, Magny-Cours, Nurburgring), the new Kyalami or Monaco, I am
more than happy.

[Note: before anyone flames me for using Simbin tracks in rFactor, I
bought GTL and will buy GTR2, for George's sake].

Trev B is right, it is not GPL, it is different. But not an inferior
sim, or game, IMHO.

Regards,
Mr. Sylvestre (still dreaming of a good Lotus 49 mod for rFactor ;) )

by **Stephan Pasker** » Fri, 04 Aug 2006 18:58:41

[...]

Is it possible to extract the tracks from the GTL-disc without installing
it? I dont want Starforce on my machine.

Stephan

by **Mr. Sylvestr** » Fri, 04 Aug 2006 21:09:00

> Is it possible to extract the tracks from the GTL-disc without installing
> it? I dont want Starforce on my machine.

I have no idea, but please note that the GTL tracks have to be converted
to be used in rFactor, there is a little bit more than just drag and
drop. Moreover, as some of the track files are encrypted and as the
easiest way to decrypt these is to make use of GTL itself, there is a
reason for installing GTL (in addition, the game is very good).

If your dislike of Starforce is such that it prevents you enjoying GTL
(your loss) or if Starforce has real issues with your PC (it could be),
you might also save the hassle by considering whether downloading an
already converted track is conflicting with your personal ethics
assuming that you bought GTL (am I sounding like Jiminy cricket yet ? ;) ).

Mr. S.

by **Gary** » Fri, 04 Aug 2006 22:14:43

Yes, that's about it Alan. The great debate over which sim is more
"realistic" makes me crazy because none of them can be until they
figure a way to simulate G-Forces on your body and a LOT of other
factors. They can make controls, graphics, and "physics" on paper
extremely close to the real thing and I guess thats why the good ones
are called simulators! Pick one that you like to play and be happy
that they haven't gone dodo like flight sims.. I personally like
rFactor at the moment, but have a good time in GTL and will always
love GPL. One good thing that I have found that correlates to RL is
the tracks (when they are accurate). You CAN get a good feeling for a
new track from a sim, gives you a good basis to start from before you
get your first run in..

Enjoy!
GP

>You are correct: there is certainly no comparison between driving a
>simulator on a computer and driving the real thing in real life.

>But your meaning is that computer sim cars are much more difficult to handle
>than the real thing? I'm thinking that's what you mean. Even driving
>casually (I own a '99 Miata, standard), I can notice an obvious difference.
>My Miata is much easier to handle, though, again, I'm not typically driving
>at extremely fast speeds. But also, even driving my Miata at high speeds, I
>don't usually drive as recklessly as I do with a computer sim, knowing full
>well that in real life I could die if I did drive so recklessly.

>Alanb

by **Stephan Pasker** » Fri, 04 Aug 2006 23:05:07

>> Is it possible to extract the tracks from the GTL-disc without
>> installing it? I dont want Starforce on my machine.

> I have no idea, but please note that the GTL tracks have to be
> converted to be used in rFactor, there is a little bit more than just
> drag and drop. Moreover, as some of the track files are encrypted and as
> the
> easiest way to decrypt these is to make use of GTL itself, there is a
> reason for installing GTL (in addition, the game is very good).

> If your dislike of Starforce is such that it prevents you enjoying GTL
> (your loss) or if Starforce has real issues with your PC (it could
> be), you might also save the hassle by considering whether
> downloading an already converted track is conflicting with your
> personal ethics assuming that you bought GTL (am I sounding like Jiminy
> cricket yet ?
> ;) ).
> Mr. S.

Thanks for the info. I just dislike Starforce and because of that have not
bought any game that uses it, my PC is too slow for them anyway. I will
think about GTL again when I have upgraded my ***-rig.

Greets
Stephan

rec.autos.simulators

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