Why would a sim-racer buy a console?

Help me understand this... Why would sim racer buy a console? I understand that some good sims are being ported over, but why would a person with a fast computer/video card be interested in a console? What about FF controllers/clutch pedals, etc? I know that Act-Labs have console "engines". I've never owned a console, but I guess that I equate Rally Champ 2000 with the arcadish-style navigation. When I checked out the TOCA2 demo, that same style really turned me off. Yet, it seems that many people in this forum play driving games on the console boxes. With the X-box and a mutated WSC coming, it's forced me to ask...

> Yet, it seems that many people in this forum play driving games on the > console boxes. I love driving games of all sorts - except the ones that pretend to be sims but aren't. eg. Le Mans 24hr Gran Turismo 1,2,3 -- Damien Smith [email hidden] ICQ: 77028579 F12001 rank: +21.435

"Glaspak" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:a6n7h4$n0l$[email hidden]...

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> Help me understand this... > > Why would sim racer buy a console? > I understand that some good sims are being ported over, > but why would a person with a fast computer/video card be interested in a > console? > > What about FF controllers/clutch pedals, etc? > I know that Act-Labs have console "engines". > > I've never owned a console, but I guess that I equate Rally Champ 2000

with

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> the arcadish-style navigation. > When I checked out the TOCA2 demo, that same style really turned me off. > > Yet, it seems that many people in this forum play driving games on the > console boxes. > > With the X-box and a mutated WSC coming, it's forced me to ask... > >

The only advantage I see is a stable, locked-down hardware spec which allows the developers to achieve levels of graphical detail which would not seem possible based on our PC-biased experience and the raw specs of the consoles. Code optimisation is really quite good on the consoles. I'm a "notebook racer", and often throw aside the wheel for the comfort of sitting on the couch for my racing fix, using a little analog controller. The notebook has a S-Video output, so I can send it to the TV. Somehow the images really come alive on a big TV in a way they don't on a PC screen. But.... I quickly tire of "sims" which don't have a decent driving model, so nothing on the console side has ever held my attention for more than a casual spin now and then. Stephen

I'm with you, I haven't owned a console either, well except for the original playstation my daughters had, I never really played it though. I just don't see the need to have one, I would rather spend that money on pc hardware or peripherals. Don Burnette "Glaspak" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:a6n7h4$n0l$[email hidden]...

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> Help me understand this... > > Why would sim racer buy a console? > I understand that some good sims are being ported over, > but why would a person with a fast computer/video card be interested in a > console? > > What about FF controllers/clutch pedals, etc? > I know that Act-Labs have console "engines". > > I've never owned a console, but I guess that I equate Rally Champ 2000

with

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> the arcadish-style navigation. > When I checked out the TOCA2 demo, that same style really turned me off. > > Yet, it seems that many people in this forum play driving games on the > console boxes. > > With the X-box and a mutated WSC coming, it's forced me to ask... > > >

On Wed, 13 Mar 2002 11:58:11 GMT, "Don Burnette" <[email hidden]> wrote: >I just don't see the need to have one, I would rather spend that money on pc >hardware or peripherals. ...everytime a new gametitle appear...:? I can't see why it is necessary to upgrade the PC every f**** time a new gametitle reach the market...I have spent about 2000 USD the last 3,5 years on upgrading my "racing" PC... My "real" PC is still a PII-266 MHz with 64MB (1) and 6 GB HD (2) and it's working perfectly 4-5 hours every day with internet and boring financial/office - programs... (1+2) It was born with 32MB and 3.2GB...Upgraded it around x-mas 2001 with 32MB extra and a "new" 6 GB HD though..:)...and it got new life for a cost of 42 USD :) I'm seriously concidering a PS2 or X-box in the future...the missing link is the i-net connection for online racing though :( -- Med venlig hilsen / Best regards Thore Sorensen - DK-2700 Bronshoj

Glaspak wrote: > Help me understand this... > > Why would sim racer buy a console? > I understand that some good sims are being ported over, > but why would a person with a fast computer/video card be interested in a > console? Got me. Games that can't be patched or user modified, driven with your thumbs. If that was my only choice, I wouldn't race. IMHO. -- Fester "Beware the leader who bangs the drums of war in order to whip the citizenry into a patriotic fervor, for patriotism is indeed a double-edged sword. It both emboldens the blood, just as it narrows the mind. And when the drums of war have reached a fever pitch and the blood boils with hate and the mind has closed, the leader will have no need in seizing the rights of the citizenry. Rather, the citizenry, infused with fear and blinded by patriotism, will offer up all of their rights unto the leader and gladly so. How do I know? For this is what I have done. And I am Caesar." -- Julius Caesar

> I'm seriously concidering a PS2 or X-box in the future...the missing > link is the i-net connection for online racing though :( > The X-box has a built in Ethernet adapter. If there are no TCP/IP multiplayer racing games for it now, don't you think they will come soon? Jone

you can already do multiplay over the internet ... http://www.xboxgw.com Phillip "Jone Tytlandsvik" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:a6nhik$fneml$[email hidden]...

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> > > I'm seriously concidering a PS2 or X-box in the future...the missing > > link is the i-net connection for online racing though :( > > > > The X-box has a built in Ethernet adapter. If there are no TCP/IP > multiplayer racing games for it now, don't you think they will come soon? > > Jone > >

For football, baseball, wrastling, fighting, adventure games, at least that's why I bought one. Plus, you can have fun driving some games against your friends such as F12001 who don't have money to upgrade pcs all the time. I have an xbox, and I think it rocks! Phillip "Glaspak" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:a6n7h4$n0l$[email hidden]...

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> Help me understand this... > > Why would sim racer buy a console? > I understand that some good sims are being ported over, > but why would a person with a fast computer/video card be interested in a > console? > > What about FF controllers/clutch pedals, etc? > I know that Act-Labs have console "engines". > > I've never owned a console, but I guess that I equate Rally Champ 2000

with

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> the arcadish-style navigation. > When I checked out the TOCA2 demo, that same style really turned me off. > > Yet, it seems that many people in this forum play driving games on the > console boxes. > > With the X-box and a mutated WSC coming, it's forced me to ask... > >

"Glaspak" wrote ... > Help me understand this... > > Why would sim racer buy a console? I wouldn't buy one for myself, but it is kind of fun to play the latest Grand Theft Auto on the ps2 with my son. There's just something a little funny about picking up a hooker to gain "energy points". If you put this game on the pc, some yokel would come up with a cool graphics package that had a venereal disease hack included, and it just wouldn't be the same.

"Phillip Malphrus, Jr." . I have an xbox, and I think it rocks! > > Phillip Careful Phillip, I think this may be some sort of Salem Witch hunt....i.e... "We found a Console user may we BURN HIM???" Lets just hope they don't shun you now. :) dave henrie

Don Jennings wrote:

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> "Glaspak" wrote ... > >>Help me understand this... >> >>Why would sim racer buy a console? > > > I wouldn't buy one for myself, but it is kind of fun to play the latest > Grand Theft Auto on the ps2 with my son. There's just something a little > funny about picking up a hooker to gain "energy points". If you put this > game on the pc, some yokel would come up with a cool graphics package that > had a venereal disease hack included, and it just wouldn't be the same.

The Clap mod? That would be very cool! Might be worthwhile to get then! <g> Kinda like playing The Sims with the Nude Patch. :-P -- Fester "Beware the leader who bangs the drums of war in order to whip the citizenry into a patriotic fervor, for patriotism is indeed a double-edged sword. It both emboldens the blood, just as it narrows the mind. And when the drums of war have reached a fever pitch and the blood boils with hate and the mind has closed, the leader will have no need in seizing the rights of the citizenry. Rather, the citizenry, infused with fear and blinded by patriotism, will offer up all of their rights unto the leader and gladly so. How do I know? For this is what I have done. And I am Caesar." -- Julius Caesar

I'm just picking up a Dreamcast as MSR and F355 challenge are probably as good as it gets - bar GT3 ( which we have at work ) in terms of driving on Consoles (annd for �100 you can have a dreamcast, 2 controllers, and a LOT of games) DOug "Glaspak" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:a6n7h4$n0l$[email hidden]...

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> Help me understand this... > > Why would sim racer buy a console? > I understand that some good sims are being ported over, > but why would a person with a fast computer/video card be interested in a > console? > > What about FF controllers/clutch pedals, etc? > I know that Act-Labs have console "engines". > > I've never owned a console, but I guess that I equate Rally Champ 2000

with

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> the arcadish-style navigation. > When I checked out the TOCA2 demo, that same style really turned me off. > > Yet, it seems that many people in this forum play driving games on the > console boxes. > > With the X-box and a mutated WSC coming, it's forced me to ask... > >

In article <a6n7h4$n0l$[email hidden]>, "Glaspak" <[email hidden]> wrote: A few of reasons: There still isn't anything on the PC that compares to the Gran Turismo series in variety and type of cars offered. And the visuals in GT3 leave the PC world behind. The upgrade thing that has been mentioned. I recently bought a bargain $19.99 copy of F12k1 for my PC and found it won't work with my "antiquated" (ie less than 2 yr old) V3-2000. Yes, I've gotten out of the upgrade syndrome. It's fun for a quick play, travels easily, is accessible for hardcore and novices alike. The biggest negative to me is that it would require a whole new set of peripherals. I just use the std analog sticks. They actually work quite well (then again, I still use a joystick + pedals on the PC). Don't knock it till you've tried it. Not for everyone, but it does appeal to plenty of PC simmers. >Help me understand this... > >Why would sim racer buy a console? >I understand that some good sims are being ported over, >but why would a person with a fast computer/video card be interested in a >console?

The Clap Expansion pack lol x Box/PS2 are for having fum on, but they are not for serious sim racing. We play gotham racing at a Xmas party using a projector so the "screen" was about 6 foot tall. That was fun but it was far from serious. My biggest complaint with these games is having to unlock everything. Then if you don't have a memory card to keep track of where you are at you can't get any where. MadDAWG

In article <a6n7h4$n0l$[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

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> Help me understand this... > > Why would sim racer buy a console? > I understand that some good sims are being ported over, > but why would a person with a fast computer/video card be interested in a > console? > > What about FF controllers/clutch pedals, etc? > I know that Act-Labs have console "engines". > > I've never owned a console, but I guess that I equate Rally Champ 2000 with > the arcadish-style navigation. > When I checked out the TOCA2 demo, that same style really turned me off. > > Yet, it seems that many people in this forum play driving games on the > console boxes. > > With the X-box and a mutated WSC coming, it's forced me to ask...

Speaking for myself, I bought a PS2 not for racing games, but for other games such as SSX Tricky, Grand Theft Auto 3, Madden Football, etc. Since I am also a sim fan, I bought the Gran Turismo 3 pack which included GT3 with the PS2. It's a fun game but not a sim (we have had that discussion already.) The graphics in GT3 are stunning though and honestly, that is the main reason that I play it. Watching a replay is amazing, and far ahead of any graphics yet seen on the PC. To answer your question though, I don't think that sim racers buy consoles FOR racing sims. We buy them for other games and since we also have racing interests, end up buying those titles as well. -- __________________________ Todd Walker http://twalker.d2g.com __________________________

Damien Smith wrote:

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> > > Yet, it seems that many people in this forum play driving games on the > > console boxes. > > I love driving games of all sorts - except the ones that pretend to be sims > but aren't. > > eg. > Le Mans 24hr > Gran Turismo 1,2,3

You forgot to mention GP3. Gerry

SCGT is the only game on the PC that compares favorably with Gran Tourismo 3 on the PS2 with respect to variety of cars. SCGT is probably the racing game that I play the most of either console or PC racers, simply because I can tweak the individual car models physics model attributes,sounds, and addon numerous tracks and cars, and fiddle with the game in more ways than you can with any PC racer that I have ever owned, let alone console racers. This level of being able to modify and customize a racer to your personal preferences is a major advantage for PC games, but it may not always be exclusive to PC games. However , for the present time it is a significant reason why I still play PC sims moreso than console sims or arcade racers. Then there is the awesome physics modeling of PC sims like GPL and F1 2001, which are superior to physics modeling in any console game ever made, but with the advent of GT3 and F355 the gap has closed substantially with respect to physics modelling. Nonetheless,nothing on the PC really equals GT3 with respect to graphics on the replays, aside from a bit of a jaggy problem seemingly inherent to PS2 games, but fairly absent with the XBOX antialiasing. Bump mapped asphalt that glistens realistically with pebbly graininess in the sunlight or from colored street lighting as the rain falls . The most photorealistic car models in all of console or PC racing, highly detailed with the finest reflection mapping there is in any racer. Shadows within shadows, soft shadows and hard shadows that change realistically with sunlight elevation and direction. Cars which move realistically on there suspensions in replays, ( except when they collide with the brain dead A.I. cars or fences).A force feedback effect with the Logitech wheel that is as good as any PC sim short of GPL or F1 2001, and better than SCGT. Frame rates that are silky smooth under all situations. Landscape that just looks so much more real on a 36 inch TV than it could ever appear even on a high rez 19 inch monitor. You almost feel like ducking when you go through a tunnel or under a bridge. Dolby digital 5.1 sound on the XBOX in dedicated hardware, and through software on the PS2, sounds so much better through my stereo system than games sound over my pc's tiny subwoofer and 4 channel soundcard. Until you play GT3 or an XBOX racer you will not know what kind of graphic potential remains locked up in a Geforce 4 level card, hamstrung by the compromises of programming racers for the PC's varied and ever changing architecture. I love both PC and console racers equally well. My ego is not tied to what system I play games on, I just want to always have the widest possible options in choice of games, so I own a Dreamcast for Ferrari F355 the most difficult console sim, a PS2 for GT3 the best looking all around racer, an XBOX because of its potential, two PC's one with a fast Athlon and a good videocard for gaming and the other for general purposes. There's no way I would limit myself to just one format. Also, there are just too many other genres of games that are light years ahead graphically on the consoles compared to the PC. As far as not being able to patch games for the console, it is a two edged sword. First off, too many PC games are rushed out before they are truly ready because the makers can simply force you to patch them to get them to run correctly. It really should not be this way, and is sometimes frustrating and aggravating to have to search for or wait for a patch that will keep the game from crashing your system perpetually. On consoles, you almost will never have a game crash. I have only experienced 3 different games over the last 3 years that have crashed at all, and those crashes were so rare that it was shocking when they happened. Console games are simply super reliable and super stable. By contrast, I can barely remember any of my PC racing games that have NOT crashed at one time or another. As for the advantage of being able to enhance PC games with patches, this will no doubt NOT be exclusive to PC games in the future, since the XBOX has a highspeed DSL/Cable modem connector as well as a harddrive for storage, and the PS2 is coming out with an addon Harddrive/ modem option. Patches and upgrades to games will be offered at some point over the next year or two. Aside from those who are just PC centric snobs, there is no real reason not to explore your options. Besides, an XBOX or a PS2 do not cost that much, $250 to $299. If you buy one you can rent games for about a dollar a day, and never have to waste your money buying a game that you don't like or waste time getting a refund. You might even find that there is more to gaming than just PC racing sims, even for those of us who love racing sims its nice to play a little Madden football, NBA LIVE, ATV Offroad, Tekken 4, Castle Wolfenstein, etc. However, if you want to only play PC sims exclusively, then by all means hide your head in the sand and forever chant " all console racers are and always will be ARCADE " " all console racers are and always will be ARCADE " " all console racers are and always will be ARCADE ", and tell yourself that all console racers are for the " kiddies" or " the ingnorant unsophisticated masses ", and never ever ever cast your eyes on a console racer lest you be tempted to the DARKSIDE and find yourself a CLOSET CONSOLE RACER. Never able to admit your secret shameful perverted double life in this newsgroup. Always having to cover your admitting to having played a console game by saying, " well I bought a PS2 and an XBOX just so my kids would have something to play games on, and I might have dabbled around with one of their games for a minute or two, but I swear I didn't enjoy it, honestly " . "Dave" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:VWJj8.108532$[email hidden]... > In article <a6n7h4$n0l$[email hidden]>, "Glaspak"<[email hidden]> wrote: > > A few of reasons: > There still isn't anything on the PC that compares to the Gran Turismoseries > in variety and type of cars offered. And the visuals in GT3 leave the PC > world behind. > > The upgrade thing that has been mentioned. I recently bought a bargain$19.99 > copy of F12k1 for my PC and found it won't work with my "antiquated" (ieless

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> than 2 yr old) V3-2000. Yes, I've gotten out of the upgrade syndrome. > > It's fun for a quick play, travels easily, is accessible for hardcore and > novices alike. > > The biggest negative to me is that it would require a whole new set of > peripherals. I just use the std analog sticks. They actually work quite

well > (then again, I still use a joystick + pedals on the PC). > > Don't knock it till you've tried it. Not for everyone, but it does appealto

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> plenty of PC simmers. > > >Help me understand this... > > > >Why would sim racer buy a console? > >I understand that some good sims are being ported over, > >but why would a person with a fast computer/video card be interested in a > >console? > >

Why? Simple: no hardware conflicts to screw around with endlessly. And, with companies writing driving/racing titles for use with wheels (i.e. Gran Turismo 3 was written for use with a Logitec wheel, and I believe this wheel will also work with EA's F1 2001) and the line is already starting to blur. Also, the xBox is essentially a 12 month old Pentium computer with a TV output. So as time passes it will be easier and easier for game developers to release both their titles for PC users AND set console users (for xBox at least). For me personally, I'm really tired of dealing with all the hardware issues of PC racing. Every time a new game comes out, it seems like something needs to be upgraded or fiddled with ("Damn! Wheel wont calibrate ... What?! Now it's not seeing the peddles ... OK 2 hours later and I'm ready to race!"). Buying a console (and I haven't gotten one yet) allows a person to power the thing up, drop in a disc and start playing. A year from now, I could get the latest version of F1 2003 and do the same thing without worrying. And that makes owning a console a very attractive option for me. TB

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> From: "Glaspak" <[email hidden]> > Organization: MindSpring Enterprises > Newsgroups: rec.autos.simulators > Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 04:50:34 -0500 > Subject: Why would a sim-racer buy a console? > > Help me understand this... > > Why would sim racer buy a console? > I understand that some good sims are being ported over, > but why would a person with a fast computer/video card be interested in a > console? > > What about FF controllers/clutch pedals, etc? > I know that Act-Labs have console "engines". > > I've never owned a console, but I guess that I equate Rally Champ 2000 with > the arcadish-style navigation. > When I checked out the TOCA2 demo, that same style really turned me off. > > Yet, it seems that many people in this forum play driving games on the > console boxes. > > With the X-box and a mutated WSC coming, it's forced me to ask... > >

Brilliant quote from Julius Ceaser. Is it for real? TB

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> From: Uncle Fester <[email hidden]> > Organization: Giganews.Com - Premium News Outsourcing > Newsgroups: rec.autos.simulators > Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 12:42:40 GMT > Subject: Re: Why would a sim-racer buy a console? > > Glaspak wrote: >> Help me understand this... >> >> Why would sim racer buy a console? >> I understand that some good sims are being ported over, >> but why would a person with a fast computer/video card be interested in a >> console? > > > Got me. Games that can't be patched or user modified, driven with your > thumbs. If that was my only choice, I wouldn't race. IMHO. > > -- > > Fester > > "Beware the leader who bangs the drums of war in order to whip the > citizenry into a patriotic fervor, for patriotism is indeed a > double-edged sword. It both emboldens the blood, just as it narrows the > mind. And when the drums of war have reached a fever pitch and the > blood boils with hate and the mind has closed, the leader will have no > need in seizing the rights of the citizenry. Rather, the citizenry, > infused with fear and blinded by patriotism, will offer up all of their > rights unto the leader and gladly so. How do I know? For this is what I > have done. And I am Caesar." -- Julius Caesar >

lol, well I dont weigh the same as a duck so I should be ok ... "Dave Henrie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:aoJj8.31567$af7.26260@rwcrnsc53...

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> > "Phillip Malphrus, Jr." . I have an xbox, and I think it rocks! > > > > Phillip > Careful Phillip, I think this may be some sort of Salem Witch > hunt....i.e... > "We found a Console user may we BURN HIM???" > Lets just hope they don't shun you now. > :) > dave henrie > >

On Wed, 13 Mar 2002 13:45:32 +0100, "Jone Tytlandsvik" <[email hidden]> wrote: >> I'm seriously concidering a PS2 or X-box in the future...the missing >> link is the i-net connection for online racing though :( > >The X-box has a built in Ethernet adapter. If there are no TCP/IP >multiplayer racing games for it now, don't you think they will come soon? But if we now have popular sims that suffer from immature online racers (say NR2002), the maturity level will likely be even lower on a console platform. Will the console programmers give us options like password-protected races or kicking trouble-makers?... Online console racing may be coming, but *good quality* online console racing may be a bit longer than soon. "But in a way, fear is a big part of racing, because if there was nothing to be frightened of, and no limit, any fool could get into a motor car and racing would not exist as a sport." -- Jim Clark

Good points all around guys... I guess that, like a Mac, having the specs set-in-stone would allow much better code optimization. Unfortuantely, I didn't even consider the whole mod aspect. Collecting mods for my driving sims is a fetish. Nascar Heat, F1 2001, SCGT, Nascar Legends. I have 12! back-up CDs for SCGT alone. As far as "constant"upgrades to my PC, I buy a new computer about every two years. My last 733PIII/GeForce256 held it's age pretty good until a November 1600+AMD/GeForce3 Ti200. I never upgraded the PIII. And it served me well. Now it's a super stand-alone digital video editor. I don't see buying new hardware every six months just to run the latest game full-blown. Although, I wonder if I'll get the same longevity of the 256 with the GF3 Ti200. Thanks for all the feedback... _________________________ "Glaspak" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:a6n7h4$n0l$[email hidden]... > Help me understand this...

I bought an Xbox for a lot of different reasons, not just for driving games. But with reference to driving games, it's kind of fun being able to play them on the couch in my living room, and also it's the only way I can get my LAN buddies to play driving games with me, since they aren't interested enough to go out and buy driving games themselves. For a hardcore sim I guess I would still rather have it on a PC, but I also like arcade racers and playing 4 player split-screen Project Gotham Racing on the Xbox with my buddies is a blast. "Glaspak" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:a6n7h4$n0l$[email hidden]... > Help me understand this... > > Why would sim racer buy a console? > I understand that some good sims are being ported over, > but why would a person with a fast computer/video card be interestedin a > console? > > What about FF controllers/clutch pedals, etc? > I know that Act-Labs have console "engines". > > I've never owned a console, but I guess that I equate Rally Champ 2000with > the arcadish-style navigation. > When I checked out the TOCA2 demo, that same style really turned meoff.

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> > Yet, it seems that many people in this forum play driving games on the > console boxes. > > With the X-box and a mutated WSC coming, it's forced me to ask... > >

Heh, I guess I should have read the whole thread before I posted, I just put up essentially the same opinion. I agree with you 100%. There is room for both in my house. "Phillip Malphrus, Jr." <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > For football, baseball, wrastling, fighting, adventure games, at least > that's why I bought one. Plus, you can have fun driving some gamesagainst > your friends such as F12001 who don't have money to upgrade pcs allthe

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> time. I have an xbox, and I think it rocks! > > Phillip > > "Glaspak" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:a6n7h4$n0l$[email hidden]... > > Help me understand this... > > > > Why would sim racer buy a console? > > I understand that some good sims are being ported over, > > but why would a person with a fast computer/video card be interested

in a > > console? > > > > What about FF controllers/clutch pedals, etc? > > I know that Act-Labs have console "engines". > > > > I've never owned a console, but I guess that I equate Rally Champ2000 > with > > the arcadish-style navigation. > > When I checked out the TOCA2 demo, that same style really turned meoff. > > > > Yet, it seems that many people in this forum play driving games onthe

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> > console boxes. > > > > With the X-box and a mutated WSC coming, it's forced me to ask... > > > > > >

Tony Borroz wrote: > Brilliant quote from Julius Ceaser. Is it for real? As far as I know, yes it is. -- Fester "Beware the leader who bangs the drums of war in order to whip the citizenry into a patriotic fervor, for patriotism is indeed a double-edged sword. It both emboldens the blood, just as it narrows the mind. And when the drums of war have reached a fever pitch and the blood boils with hate and the mind has closed, the leader will have no need in seizing the rights of the citizenry. Rather, the citizenry, infused with fear and blinded by patriotism, will offer up all of their rights unto the leader and gladly so. How do I know? For this is what I have done. And I am Caesar." -- Julius Caesar

"Tony Borroz" wrote ... > Every time a new game comes out, it seems like something needs > to be upgraded or fiddled with > > Buying a console (and I haven't gotten one yet) allows a person to powerthe > thing up, drop in a disc and start playing. A year from now, I could getthe > latest version of F1 2003 and do the same thing without worrying. Except for the fact that the cool new F1 2003 game is made for the PS3, and just won't work on your PS2. No upgrade, right.

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> From: "Don Jennings" <[email hidden]> > Newsgroups: rec.autos.simulators > Date: Thu, 14 Mar 2002 04:13:02 GMT > Subject: Re: Why would a sim-racer buy a console? > > "Tony Borroz" wrote ... >> Every time a new game comes out, it seems like something needs >> to be upgraded or fiddled with >> >> Buying a console (and I haven't gotten one yet) allows a person to power > the >> thing up, drop in a disc and start playing. A year from now, I could get > the >> latest version of F1 2003 and do the same thing without worrying. > > Except for the fact that the cool new F1 2003 game is made for the PS3, and > just won't work on your PS2. No upgrade, right. > >

In that case yes, but from what I understand, the PS3 isn't coming out for quite a while. And, Sony seems to be on the track of backward compatibility for games. For instance, Colin McRea rally 2.0 can run on a PS2 (which is good, because there's no rally games for the PS in N America), so you should still be able to run PS2 games (F1 2001 etc) on a PS3. Anyway, I wouldn't mind buying a new console every 3 years, and on top of that, the xBox looks like it might be around for a while in it's current standard, so that should give some platform stability (which is an ironic statement concerning something from Microsoft). TB

"Glaspak" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<a6n7h4$n0l$[email hidden]>... > Yet, it seems that many people in this forum play driving games on the > console boxes. While it's not quite on par with GPL/N2002 or Rally Trophy, F355 on the Dreamcast is a great sim. It certainly compares favorably with F1 2001, and is the primary reason I bought a Dreamcast (the others being Jet Grind Radio and Virtua Fighter 3tb, both of which are fantastic =). The only problem I'm having is finding a good Dreamcast-compatible wheel. The ones I've tried so far have deadzones, which makes them useless imho. The Dreamcast versions of Le Mans 24 Hours and Cart Flag-to-Flag are both fun despite being arcadish. Pretty much everything else leans to the arcade side of Porsche Unleashed. Jason

In article <a6n7h4$n0l$[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says... > Why would sim racer buy a console? Uhm, because they're fun? Put in the disc, turn it on and sit back in the comfy chair? No drivers, conflicts, performance issues? Just to name a few. Cheers, Rod.

Glaspak wrote: > > Help me understand this... > > Why would sim racer buy a console? Because sometimes you just fancy a break and a console allows you to plug in a kick the crap out of someone on tekken or resident evil for a change. Also GT3, while perhaps not the hard core sim some people seem to think it is/should be, is ... er.......FUN! You don't have to worry about bump rubbers or diff settings, just load up the skyline and go for a blast. Kev

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> > eg. > > Le Mans 24hr > > Gran Turismo 1,2,3 > > You forgot to mention GP3. > > Gerry

Well, I was talking console games, but feel free to add GP3 to the list. -- Damien Smith [email hidden] ICQ: 77028579 F12001 rank: +21.435

> Glaspak wrote: > > Help me understand this... > > > > Why would sim racer buy a console? > > I understand that some good sims are being ported over, > > but why would a person with a fast computer/video card be interested ina > > console? > > > Got me. Games that can't be patched or user modified, driven with your > thumbs. If that was my only choice, I wouldn't race. IMHO. That's the problem with PC games - they're usually released unfinished and then some dodgy patch turns up a month later that causes invalid page faults on brand X mainboards etc.etc. Console games are very heavily beta-tested on identical hardware. The X-box, for example, only has one brand of graphics card. Programmers can squeeze every last drop of performance out of it (and the CPU) You can buy an X-box for less than the cost of a half-decent PC video card and you don't have to worry about upgrading in 6-12 months. For your US$300, you'll get cutting edge graphics for at least 3-4 years. Imagine how embarassingly old a PC would feel after 3-4years and only spending $300 on it. The X-box seems to be the first console aimed more at adults so I wouldn't be surprised if a few sim developers contribute to it. And FF wheels are on the way... I'm not about to buy one just yet - but if my predictions are correct, I'll be glad to see the back of my XP 2000+ and GF4 and it's endless upgrades. -- Damien Smith [email hidden] ICQ: 77028579 F12001 rank: +21.435

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> I bought an Xbox for a lot of different reasons, not just for driving > games. But with reference to driving games, it's kind of fun being able > to play them on the couch in my living room, and also it's the only way > I can get my LAN buddies to play driving games with me, since they > aren't interested enough to go out and buy driving games themselves. > For a hardcore sim I guess I would still rather have it on a PC, but I > also like arcade racers and playing 4 player split-screen Project Gotham > Racing on the Xbox with my buddies is a blast.

Wow. I'm in the exact same boat and agree 100%. Sometimes you scare me, Haqsau. You regularly sound like a parallel universe version of me. ?: |

Do yourself a favour and get hold of "Vanishing Point" It's arguably the most impressive game available on Dreamcast and has quite a sim feel to it though it's kind of a NFS clone (but much better). I also like F355 and I've noticed it feels quite similar to the GT mod for F12001 (not as bumpy though!)

On Wed, 13 Mar 2002 04:50:34 -0500, "Glaspak" <[email hidden]> wrote: >Why would sim racer buy a console? - Because I like driving games (not just sims) and other action games - Sometimes it's nice to just play, WITHOUT having to - install patches - maintain and upgrade system - tweak the hell out of a game and downgrade graphics to get a decent frame-rate, etc. - Better performance in general (consoles are optimized for 3D graphics, and the games are optimized for specific consoles - niether is true on PCs) - More choices of games >What about FF controllers/clutch pedals, etc? PS2 GT3 works great with the force-feedback wheel. You can even use one of the Logitech ones on both PS2 and PC.

On Wed, 13 Mar 2002 12:42:40 GMT, Uncle Fester <[email hidden]> wrote: >Got me. Games that can't be patched ... Sometimes I wish PC games had that same benefit. Console games WORK, out of the box, because they have to. Every PC developer should be made to develop at least one console game, to get some concept of real QA.

"Damien Smith" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:a6q2c2$flsse$[email hidden]... > > Sometimes you scare me, Haqsau. You regularly sound like a parallel > universe version of me. ?: | > Then we had better not ever meet, might destroy the universe or something. ;o)

I bought a Dreamcast, a Dreamcast Thrustmaster NASCAR wheel, F355 Challenge, Test Drive LeMans, Soul Calibur, and Dead or Alive 2, and two arcade stick controllers, all for less than $150 (US). F355 is a GREAT sim, and TDLM for the DC is MUCH better than the PC version -- very immersive! Plus, I get to kick back and kick @$$ with Soul Calibur and DOA2 -- my wife loves both games, and we've had some AWESOME tag-team matches in DOA2. Tons of fun for much less than a single GeForce4 card. My question is why WOULDN'T you buy a Dreamcast? ;-) -- JB "Glaspak" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<a6n7h4$n0l$[email hidden]>...

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> Help me understand this... > > Why would sim racer buy a console? > I understand that some good sims are being ported over, > but why would a person with a fast computer/video card be interested in a > console? > > What about FF controllers/clutch pedals, etc? > I know that Act-Labs have console "engines". > > I've never owned a console, but I guess that I equate Rally Champ 2000 with > the arcadish-style navigation. > When I checked out the TOCA2 demo, that same style really turned me off. > > Yet, it seems that many people in this forum play driving games on the > console boxes. > > With the X-box and a mutated WSC coming, it's forced me to ask...

The Xbox isn't just any old Pentium. It's a PIII-733 with an advanced nVidia Gforce3 chip onboard and a 10Gig HD + Ethernet card. Project Gotham Racing and Rally Sport Challenge (I own both for the Xbox) are awesome driving games. I also have a PC (ATI Radeon 7500, PIII-733) with a Logitech driving wheel. I also own F1-2001 and GPL for the PC. I think there's definitely room for both devices in my house. But guess what's getting played more lately? The Xbox. Dolby 5.1 and HDTV support are awesome, plus I can put up my feet on the couch. As mentioned, you drop in a disk, sit back and enjoy. It's the no fuss driving meal. "Tony Borroz" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:B8B4CBE3.25AA7%[email hidden]... : Why? : : Simple: no hardware conflicts to screw around with endlessly. : : And, with companies writing driving/racing titles for use with wheels (i.e. : Gran Turismo 3 was written for use with a Logitec wheel, and I believe this : wheel will also work with EA's F1 2001) and the line is already starting to : blur. : : Also, the xBox is essentially a 12 month old Pentium computer with a TV : output. So as time passes it will be easier and easier for game developers : to release both their titles for PC users AND set console users (for xBox at : least). : : For me personally, I'm really tired of dealing with all the hardware issues : of PC racing. Every time a new game comes out, it seems like something needs : to be upgraded or fiddled with ("Damn! Wheel wont calibrate ... What?! Now : it's not seeing the peddles ... OK 2 hours later and I'm ready to race!"). : : Buying a console (and I haven't gotten one yet) allows a person to power the : thing up, drop in a disc and start playing. A year from now, I could get the : latest version of F1 2003 and do the same thing without worrying. : : And that makes owning a console a very attractive option for me. : : TB : : : > From: "Glaspak" <[email hidden]> : > Organization: MindSpring Enterprises : > Newsgroups: rec.autos.simulators : > Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 04:50:34 -0500 : > Subject: Why would a sim-racer buy a console? : > : > Help me understand this... : > : > Why would sim racer buy a console? : > I understand that some good sims are being ported over, : > but why would a person with a fast computer/video card be interested in a : > console? : > : > What about FF controllers/clutch pedals, etc? : > I know that Act-Labs have console "engines". : > : > I've never owned a console, but I guess that I equate Rally Champ 2000 with : > the arcadish-style navigation. : > When I checked out the TOCA2 demo, that same style really turned me off. : > : > Yet, it seems that many people in this forum play driving games on the : > console boxes. : > : > With the X-box and a mutated WSC coming, it's forced me to ask... : > : > :