From http://gp4.alphaf1.com/
A full hands on test preview of GP4. Guess it's NOT going to be all we
were hoping it would be, only a GP3 with better looking graphics. :(
Full text at the link above.
Rafe Mc
Graphics engine - The major improvement since GP3 is completely new
graphics engine. As seen in the screen shots it allows much smoother
and nicer looking graphics. However, they are still using the old "2d"
track format seen in all the previos games. Good news is that you can
export all the GP3 tracks to GP4 with little effort and easily edit
the existing GP4 tracks as well. Bad news is that the format is
"old-fashion" and does not allow all possible 3d tricks, such as deep
safety areas (eg Melbourne, Monaco, Montreal), making the track's old
layout driveable (eg Hockenheim, Barcelona) and 3d fences and tyre
barriers. Pretty all the graphics bugs seen in GP3 exist also in GP4.
I asked Court the explanation for this kind of solution and he said
that the reason for this is that they must be backwards compatible;
Simergy and Microprose are working in different locations doing
different things based on the format and therefore changing the format
wasn't possible. All the tracks and objects are however made with 3d
studio max, because it's the best tool available.
Also it was quite disappointing to see that they are still using the
fixed frame rate system. You'll choose a frame rate between 8-60fps
and you cannot change during the action itself. It means that you'll
still have to monitor the "processor occupany" during the game by
pressing the 'o'-button. Court however said that they'll probably add
an option to the final version that it automatically changes the frame
rate so that the occupany is always the ideal 100%.
The minimum screen resolution is 512x384 and maximum 1280x1024.
Artificial intelligence - It has slightly improved since GP3 2000.
According to Court you can push the computer car drivers to make
mistakes and according to my personal experience overtaking is much
harder since they keep constantly blocking the driver.
Multiplayer modes - Internet play won't be included, because FOM
doesn't allow it. All the other options are exactly the same as in
GP3. Split screen mode for Xbox wasn't yet implemented.
Good news, I wont have to buy it.
<"Since I was playing with keyboard I can't say how much they have improved
the physics, but it felt excatly the same than with GP3 2000...Like seen in
the previous Geoff Crammond games, this is the best thing about the game.">
Uhhh....right. Wait, this is a preview from a GP4 fan site! Okay, I feel
better now. :-p
On Fri, 29 Mar 2002 04:08:24 GMT, "Carl Smith" <[email hidden]> wrote:
><"Since I was playing with keyboard I can't say how much they have improved
>the physics, but it felt excatly the same than with GP3 2000...Like seen in
>the previous Geoff Crammond games, this is the best thing about the game.">
>
>Uhhh....right. Wait, this is a preview from a GP4 fan site! Okay, I feel
>better now. :-p
This was the reason he was playing with a keyboard:
'Unfortunately they had some problems making the wheels and pedals to
work, so only keyboard play was available.'
Doesn't promise much good :))
Andre
"Rafe McAuliffe" wrote:
> From http://gp4.alphaf1.com/
>
> A full hands on test preview of GP4. Guess it's NOT going to be all we
> were hoping it would be, only a GP3 with better looking graphics. :(
>
What! I have been waiting for crowds waving national flags and taking pictures
for years.
I am sure most of us would happily forego having safety cars, penalties,
upgraded damage, sounds, fixed frame rate fix, full 3d track graphics, graphics
bugs, new physics etc. for this.
Oh plus the animated marshalls.
Backward compatibility is a must. Geez it bugs me I can't load up the original
Indy500 for GPL, and I really miss those triangles...
Optimistic for GP5?
Tony
On Fri, 29 Mar 2002 19:40:04 GMT, "Tony Rickard"
<[email hidden]> wrote:
Some serious sarcasm there, but all well deserved I think. Can't
understand why backwards compatability is even the slightest
consideration. What is the need for ANY compatability? Unless we're
talking setups or something (which could always be converted I'm sure
if the format was changed).
It sure is disapointing to hear that all the old problems are still
there, have they listened to anyone in the public for the last 5
years???
Rafe Mc
Quoted text (19 lines)
>"Rafe McAuliffe" wrote: > >> From http://gp4.alphaf1.com/ >> >> A full hands on test preview of GP4. Guess it's NOT going to be all we >> were hoping it would be, only a GP3 with better looking graphics. :( >> > >What! I have been waiting for crowds waving national flags and taking pictures >for years. > >I am sure most of us would happily forego having safety cars, penalties, >upgraded damage, sounds, fixed frame rate fix, full 3d track graphics, graphics >bugs, new physics etc. for this. > >Oh plus the animated marshalls. > >Backward compatibility is a must. Geez it bugs me I can't load up the original >Indy500 for GPL, and I really miss those triangles..."Rafe McAuliffe" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
pictures
> >for years.
> >
> >I am sure most of us would happily forego having safety cars, penalties,
> >upgraded damage, sounds, fixed frame rate fix, full 3d track graphics,graphics
> >bugs, new physics etc. for this.
> >
> >Oh plus the animated marshalls.
> >
> >Backward compatibility is a must. Geez it bugs me I can't load up theoriginal
Make that over ten years Rafe... Crammond has not been listening since F1GP
for the Amiga!
Jan.
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