Grand Prix 4

MicroProse/Infogrames · released 2002 · discussed in 1,492 posts, 1999-2007 · overall tone negative

Posts per month

Timeline

• 2002-01-12 Infogrames announced Grand Prix 4 for PC and Xbox, with a new graphics engine, multiplayer options and a planned June 2002 launch. post post thread
• 2002-03-19 Grand Prix 4's PC release was put back to June so that Infogrames could launch the PC and Xbox versions together. post
• 2002-06-21 Grand Prix 4 was released in the UK, and it entered the UK PC sales chart at number one. thread thread
• 2002-09-09 Infogrames withdrew an unauthorised Grand Prix 4 patch and promised a replacement. post post
• 2002-09-13 Grand Prix 4 was released in the US. Infogrames closed the MicroProse UK studio that developed it and cancelled the Xbox version. thread post post
• 2002-11-23 An official Grand Prix 4 patch was released. post post
• 2003-03-14 Posters reported that the studio behind Grand Prix 4 had closed and that no Grand Prix 5 was planned. post

Key threads

• Grand Prix 4 mini-review and debate over its physics 2002-09-13 · 49 posts
  Jason Moyer reviewed the newly released US version of Grand Prix 4, praising its tracks and graphics but finding the interface and controls poor, and Steve Smith reported that Infogrames had closed the MicroProse UK studio. Mark Jeangerard defended GP4 as the finest driving sim and accused the group of reflexive bias, while ymenard, Damien Smith and GT mod coordinator Ian Bell criticised its primitive tyre model and claimed the physics had been cut back. Tempers flared before Jeangerard apologised.
• Grand Prix 4 announcement greeted with scepticism 2002-01-13 · 43 posts
  John Metcow mocked the announcement of Grand Prix 4 as GP3 with internet support, and ymenard criticised Geoff Crammond's track record with GP3. Developer Ashley McConnell argued it is easy to sneer at games without having made one, and others replied that paying customers are entitled to criticise. The thread also discussed GPL's poor sales, which posters put down to its perceived difficulty and historic setting.
• Will iRacing ever make a PC sim? Plus Crammond debate 2005-09-08 · 92 posts
  A poster noticed that iRacing's revamped website seemed to target commercial simulators and asked whether Dave Kaemmer's company would still release a PC sim. Jason Moyer was confident it would lead the field, while others noted that the competition was now stronger. The thread turned into a long argument about whether Geoff Crammond's Grand Prix series were real sims and about force feedback.
• Grand Prix 4 reportedly lacks internet multiplayer 2002-02-27 · 64 posts
  ymenard posted a German magazine report that Grand Prix 4 would have no internet multiplayer due to licensing, only split-screen, and mocked Geoff Crammond. Most were scornful, noting GPL had offered 20-car online racing over modems for years, while a few said a good offline experience mattered more. The debate returned to FIA licensing and drifted into whether modern F1 driving aids make the sport and its sims less appealing.
• First GP4 screenshots draw scepticism 2002-02-14 · 54 posts
  Jimmy De Plecker posted the first screenshots of Grand Prix 4, which most regulars dismissed as looking like GP3 with a bit more 3D, given GP3's disappointing reception. Some asked for cockpit shots to judge it, and the thread turned back to the FIA's role in limiting multiplayer in F1 sims and why so few developers offer good full-field online racing.
• Simbin's Ian Bell finds GP4 painful 2002-06-21 · 50 posts
  Ian Bell of Simbin described poor frame rates and a frustrating wheel calibration in GP4 on a capable PC, and Phil Lee and others reported similar experiences. Johnny Moda argued GP4 needed a GeForce4 and defended Crammond's improvements, while others said its dated engine did not justify the hardware demands.
• GP4 release, piracy and physics debate 2002-06-20 · 44 posts
  A poster asked why GP4 was being criticised before its 21 June UK release, and others said it was already in Dutch and Norwegian shops and a leaked copy matched retail. Many said they had deleted it after a few laps, while Bart Westra argued the stable default setups hid the real physics. A heated exchange followed between Andre Warringa and Ronald Stoehr over GP4 versus F1 2002.
• Early impressions of F1 Challenge 99-02 2003-06-23 · 44 posts
  Early players reported that F1 Challenge 99-02 had much better netcode than F1 2002, though joining players still paused sessions. Most of the thread argued over the inaccuracy of ISI's track models, with Jason Moyer posting comparisons with Grand Prix 4 and claims that EA would not let ISI redo them. Copyright limits on converting tracks from other games were also discussed.
• Defending and criticising Geoff Crammond ahead of GP4 2002-02-27 · 38 posts
  A poster asked why so many people were attacking Geoff Crammond and GP4 before release. Most replies argued that GP3 had been a disappointment, that Crammond's approach was a decade out of date, and that releasing an F1 sim without internet multiplayer in 2002 was unacceptable. Others praised GP3 2000's AI and his earlier classics, and the thread drifted into whether Bernie Ecclestone's licensing blocked online play and whether UK dial-up costs justified a focus on single-player.
• Grand Prix 4 tops UK PC sales chart 2002-07-09 · 36 posts
  Douglas Ellison posted the UK PC chart showing Grand Prix 4 entering at number one, which he lamented. Others welcomed it as bringing people to the hobby, while The Sims' dominance was noted. Side debates covered whether modern F1 cars are easier to drive and the upcoming West Racing announcement.
• GP4 or F1 2002: which F1 sim to buy? 2003-06-07 · 36 posts
  A newcomer asked whether to buy Grand Prix 4 or F1 2002. Most recommended the much cheaper F1 2002 for its mods, especially GTR2002, while Grand Prix 4 was attacked as outdated and full of idiosyncrasies. Jason Moyer defended it as the best simulation of a modern F1 car's behaviour, and Jan Verschueren said its physics were sound but its implementation years behind.
• Understanding Grand Prix 4 frame rate and occupancy 2002-07-21 · 27 posts
  Richard Buttenshaw described tuning Grand Prix 4 performance with FRAPS. Jan Verschueren explained that GP4 draws a fixed number of frames per game second and slows the game when CPU occupancy exceeds 100%, so lowering the frame rate setting gives smoother play. Setting environment maps to static also helped, and the thread drifted into upgrade cycles.
• Which is the best current Formula One sim? 2002-10-29 · 27 posts
  A returning GP2 player asked which F1 game to buy. Dave Henrie posted a much-praised parody list of the answers the group always gives, and the real replies split between EA's F1 2002 for modern F1 and Grand Prix Legends for historic racing. Several posters said GP4 had fallen behind F1 2002 in physics and presentation.
• No modern F1 sim gets everything right 2002-06-25 · 111 posts
  Douglas Ellison lamented that none of the three leading F1 titles got everything right, leaving realism to GPL's 1967 cars or NASCAR. Posters argued over F1 versus NASCAR audiences, track accuracy in F1 2002, GPL's tyre model and team orders. The thread later turned into a heated argument about whether US 'World Series' titles deserve the name.
• Grand Prix 4 wheel axis problems spark sim-or-arcade debate 2002-07-28 · 46 posts
  A user found GP4's menus misbehaved with split-axis pedals. Replies offered fixes, but the thread became a debate over whether GP4 is an arcade game, with Gerry Aitken saying no multiplayer meant no sim and Iain Mackenzie defending its merits. Jan Verschueren criticised GP4's limited force feedback, and Ronald Stoehr found its LAN multiplayer poor.
• F1 2002 versus GP4 graphics comparison 2002-06-14 · 45 posts
  Side-by-side screenshots of F1 2002 and GP4 started a debate over graphics. Some preferred F1 2002's sharper look, while ymenard and others preferred Crammond's more natural color palette. Many agreed GP4 still suffered from a slow-motion feel tied to processor occupancy and scaling, and there was discussion of its old assembly-language core.
• Arguing over GP4 screenshot quality 2002-06-17 · 40 posts
  Sarcastic posts about new GP4 screenshots led to a split, with some praising the realistic palette and GPS-based tracks and others criticising flat trackside objects, the black-flag slowdown penalty and the performance cost. The thread became a sniping match over whether GPL's physics were realistic.
• Will there be a Grand Prix 4, and is GP3 worth buying? 2001-05-28 · 36 posts
  A GPL player asked about the status of GP4 and whether GP3 was worth getting. Some recommended GP3 with patches and GPxPatch despite dated graphics, David G Fisher pushed F1RC, and others doubted GP4 would arrive soon given GP3's sales; Gregor Veble noted a GP3 2000 season update had just been announced again. A tangent clarified what ymenard meant by calling Crammond a 'compiler programmer'.
• GP4 preview video and the lack of online play 2002-03-11 · 36 posts
  A GP4 preview video and developer notes on lighting and heat-haze effects impressed some posters. Others objected that GP4 lacked internet multiplayer, which led to an argument about whether LAN play was a practical substitute, and the exchanges became somewhat heated. Byron Forbes argued that people were making excuses for missing online support.
• New Grand Prix 4 screenshots draw scepticism 2002-03-06 · 34 posts
  New GP4 screenshots were posted, and many criticised the cockpit images as looking like GP3, mocked Crammond for using last season's data, and said they would not buy an F1 sim without proper multiplayer. Others defended the grainy, natural graphics style and noted that a realistic sim's successor will naturally look similar. Some expected GP4 and F1 2002 to arrive around May 2002.
• Should I buy GP4 or F1 2002? 2002-06-23 · 34 posts
  Mike Beauchamp asked whether to buy GP4 or stick with F1 2002, and most replies favoured F1 2002 for its physics and coming mods, though one called GP4 the better sim. An odd rear-view mirror in a screenshot was explained, and the thread drifted into store refund policies.
• GP4 screenshots draw mockery of Crammond's engine 2002-06-12 · 29 posts
  New Grand Prix 4 screenshots showing high processor occupancy prompted jokes about Geoff Crammond's outdated graphics engine, lack of OpenGL and split-seat multiplayer. A few defended GP4's additions such as cambered tracks, force feedback and wet weather.
• Leaked GP4 dismissed as a GP3 graphics update 2002-06-12 · 26 posts
  A poster noted Grand Prix 4 was available on binary newsgroups before release. Those who tried it said it felt like GP3 with new graphics, slow and lacking speed sensation compared with F1 2002, and several deleted it.
• GP4 versus F1 2002 comparison and in-race saves 2002-06-24 · 23 posts
  Robert Pollard compared GP4 and F1 2002 on graphics, handling and features. Some found GP4 felt on rails until aids were disabled, others found F1 2001 arcade-like, and one noted Sound Blaster hardware acceleration hurt GP4 frame rates. A side debate followed over whether in-race saving is cheating or a necessity for busy players.
• Crammond mocked over a screenshot that wasn't GP4 2002-04-15 · 22 posts
  ymenard mocked Geoff Crammond over a crude-looking pit monitor image, but others pointed out that it was a GP3 2000 add-on, not GP4. A genuine GP4 screenshot was then posted, which some still criticised for its jagged edges, and ymenard admitted the mistake to good-natured ribbing.
• PC Gamer UK gives GP4 over 90% 2002-06-22 · 22 posts
  David Buttery noted PC Gamer UK gave GP4 more than 90% despite calling it little improvement on GP3, and others blamed reviewer Trevor Witt's devotion to Crammond. Posters compared PC Gamer UK and US scores for GPL and CART Precision Racing and criticised magazine reviews generally.
• Grand Prix 4 versus F1 2002 versus F1 Racing Championship 2002-08-03 · 21 posts
  A user who had played a cracked GP4 asked whether it had been released, prompting rival recommendations. One poster championed Ubisoft's F1 Racing Championship and reported that its sequel had been cancelled, while others said its physics were flawed and favoured F1 2002 as the better F1 sim and GP4 as more arcade-like. Gunnar Horrigmo lamented F1 2002's lack of AI in multiplayer.
• GP4 screenshots and doubts about magazine reviews 2002-06-13 · 21 posts
  New GP4 screenshots and PC Gamer UK's 92% score drew mockery and accusations that magazine reviewers favoured Geoff Crammond. Posters said they trusted RAS over print reviews. Reviewer Randy Magruder later joined to mention his IGN reviews of F1 2002 and Le Mans 24 Hours and clarified a remark about Gran Turismo.
• Updating Grand Prix 4 with 2006 season cars 2006-04-01 · 19 posts
  A user asked how to install a 2006 season car file in Grand Prix 4. One reply told him to buy rFactor instead, prompting debate on whether rFactor was a suitable alternative for older PCs and offline F1 seasons. Others pointed to the GP4 Car Set Manager and the GP4Italia mod, and explained rFactor's activation rules.

Busiest threads

• Grand Prix 4 mini-review and debate over its physics (33 posts about it)
• Grand Prix 4 wheel axis problems spark sim-or-arcade debate (28 posts about it)
• F1 2002 versus GP4 graphics comparison (26 posts about it)
• GP4 or F1 2002: which F1 sim to buy? (25 posts about it)
• Simbin's Ian Bell finds GP4 painful (24 posts about it)
• GP4 release, piracy and physics debate (22 posts about it)
• Arguing over GP4 screenshot quality (17 posts about it)
• New Grand Prix 4 screenshots draw scepticism (15 posts about it)
• Will iRacing ever make a PC sim? Plus Crammond debate (13 posts about it)
• Understanding Grand Prix 4 frame rate and occupancy (13 posts about it)
• GP4 or F1-2002 Whats the verdict? :) (12 posts about it)
• First GP4 screenshots draw scepticism (11 posts about it)
• Can't get GP4 to run! ARGGHH! (10 posts about it)
• GP4 vs F1-2002 Review by Rousseau (10 posts about it)
• GP4 screenshots draw mockery of Crammond's engine (10 posts about it)

Sentiment by year

Each post that discussed the sim was rated from −2 (very negative) to +2 (very positive).

Who talked about it most

ymenard · 73 jason moyer · 51 Dave Henrie · 50 Douglas Ellison · 40 Frode · 40 Damien Smith · 39 John Metcow · 30 Andre Warringa · 26 Bart Westra · 25 Jan Verschueren · 24 Ronald Stoehr · 22 Gerry Aitken · 22 Alessandro Pollini · 21 Iain Mackenzie · 18 Nick · 16 Paulinho · 15 Tony Rickard · 14 Stephen Ferguson · 13 Ruud van Gaal · 13 mark jeangerard · 13

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