GP3 vs F1CS2k, my final verdict

Well, I've spent the past month messing around and goofing off with both GP3 and F1CS2k, and I've finally come to the desicison that GP3 wins. First off, GP3 runs much smoother than F1CS, I can actually start a race with more than 1 fps going to the first turn. The game runs as smooth on the start as it does in the actual race. Second, I find the car GP3 handles much more to my liking than in F1CS. Whether or not F1CS is more realistic doesn't concern, having never driving anything but a Hyundai Accent in my life. The car in F1CS is too jumpy for me, in GP3 I have more precise control. Its funny though, becuase if I still had my joystick instead of the wheel I have now I'd be saying the opposite. Third, allthough the graphics in F1CS are more detailed and smoother than GP3, I find them to a be a bit "cartoony", GP3 looks more realistic in my opinion, allthough they could be updated. And finally weather, GP3 just wins hands down. GP3 does have its downfalls. You can't hear your opponets next to you, the AI who keeps drifting into you, and no pit communications, but it appears that these will be taken care of with the upcoming expansion pack. Adios, Nick

Haven't you heard? Hyundai is starting an F1 team next year with an Accent entry. Should do well <g> "Careful with that axe, Nick" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > handles much more to my liking than in F1CS. Whether or not F1CS is > more realistic doesn't concern, having never driving anything but a > Hyundai Accent in my life. The car in F1CS is too jumpy for me, in GP3

What I'd like to see taken care of in the upcoming update is all the graphical glitches removed. In particular, there should be filtering on all the textures, including trees (or at least this should be optional). There should be mip-mapping on *all* textures, not just most. At the moment there isn't mip-mapping on the crowds, gravel traps and also on some of the grass. This makes these textures very messy, and of course slows the game down. Another problem is the lack of z-buffering, which means you occasionally see cars through sections of track, not to mention that z-buffering should speed the game up. Also, perspective correct texture maping is only used on textures within a certain distance, and not on distance objects. It's pretty easy to spot when it gets switched on as you approach scenery, plus when it's not on you can see the textures warp, which looks messy. The 'lines' in the sky where the sections of sky join need fixing, and this can also be seen on the backdrops at times. The 'plastic-wrapping' hi-lights on the tyres would be better removed. Also, I don't like the 25 fps limit. While there is a patch to get the frame rate above 25 fps, this takes the PO up into the 175-200% range at race starts, which means slow-mo (even on a decent PC). For me, the detail on the tracks and cars doesn't seem to justify the speed the 3d engine runs at when compared to other racing sims. Anyway, I just hope some of those things have been fixed. "Careful with that axe, Nick" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted text (24 lines)

> Well, I've spent the past month messing around and goofing off with both > GP3 and F1CS2k, and I've finally come to the desicison that GP3 wins. > First off, GP3 runs much smoother than F1CS, I can actually start a race > with more than 1 fps going to the first turn. The game runs as smooth > on the start as it does in the actual race. Second, I find the car GP3 > handles much more to my liking than in F1CS. Whether or not F1CS is > more realistic doesn't concern, having never driving anything but a > Hyundai Accent in my life. The car in F1CS is too jumpy for me, in GP3 > I have more precise control. Its funny though, becuase if I still had > my joystick instead of the wheel I have now I'd be saying the opposite. > Third, allthough the graphics in F1CS are more detailed and smoother > than GP3, I find them to a be a bit "cartoony", GP3 looks more realistic > in my opinion, allthough they could be updated. And finally weather, > GP3 just wins hands down. > > GP3 does have its downfalls. You can't hear your opponets next to you, > the AI who keeps drifting into you, and no pit communications, but it > appears that these will be taken care of with the upcoming expansion > pack. > > Adios, > > Nick >

The graphics are supposed to be improved, there are screenshots, you can get to them at http://www.bhmotorsports.com Nick Simon Brown wrote:

Quoted text (57 lines)

> What I'd like to see taken care of in the upcoming update is all the > graphical glitches removed. > > In particular, there should be filtering on all the textures, including > trees (or at least this should be optional). There should be mip-mapping on > *all* textures, not just most. At the moment there isn't mip-mapping on the > crowds, gravel traps and also on some of the grass. This makes these > textures very messy, and of course slows the game down. > > Another problem is the lack of z-buffering, which means you occasionally see > cars through sections of track, not to mention that z-buffering should speed > the game up. > > Also, perspective correct texture maping is only used on textures within a > certain distance, and not on distance objects. It's pretty easy to spot > when it gets switched on as you approach scenery, plus when it's not on you > can see the textures warp, which looks messy. > > The 'lines' in the sky where the sections of sky join need fixing, and this > can also be seen on the backdrops at times. > > The 'plastic-wrapping' hi-lights on the tyres would be better removed. > > Also, I don't like the 25 fps limit. While there is a patch to get the > frame rate above 25 fps, this takes the PO up into the 175-200% range at > race starts, which means slow-mo (even on a decent PC). For me, the detail > on the tracks and cars doesn't seem to justify the speed the 3d engine runs > at when compared to other racing sims. > > Anyway, I just hope some of those things have been fixed. > > "Careful with that axe, Nick" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:[email hidden]... > > Well, I've spent the past month messing around and goofing off with both > > GP3 and F1CS2k, and I've finally come to the desicison that GP3 wins. > > First off, GP3 runs much smoother than F1CS, I can actually start a race > > with more than 1 fps going to the first turn. The game runs as smooth > > on the start as it does in the actual race. Second, I find the car GP3 > > handles much more to my liking than in F1CS. Whether or not F1CS is > > more realistic doesn't concern, having never driving anything but a > > Hyundai Accent in my life. The car in F1CS is too jumpy for me, in GP3 > > I have more precise control. Its funny though, becuase if I still had > > my joystick instead of the wheel I have now I'd be saying the opposite. > > Third, allthough the graphics in F1CS are more detailed and smoother > > than GP3, I find them to a be a bit "cartoony", GP3 looks more realistic > > in my opinion, allthough they could be updated. And finally weather, > > GP3 just wins hands down. > > > > GP3 does have its downfalls. You can't hear your opponets next to you, > > the AI who keeps drifting into you, and no pit communications, but it > > appears that these will be taken care of with the upcoming expansion > > pack. > > > > Adios, > > > > Nick > >

Hmm, I wonder if I could drive? lol Nick Rob Adams wrote:

Quoted text (8 lines)

> Haven't you heard? Hyundai is starting an F1 team next year with an Accent > entry. Should do well <g> > > "Careful with that axe, Nick" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:[email hidden]... > > handles much more to my liking than in F1CS. Whether or not F1CS is > > more realistic doesn't concern, having never driving anything but a > > Hyundai Accent in my life. The car in F1CS is too jumpy for me, in GP3

Thanks for what appears to be a fairly even-handed and thoughtful review of the two, Nick. I'm pretty happy with GP3 and you've reassured me! By the way, the WRC Accent is a real beast, I was most impressed with them at Rally New Zealand last year (as a matter of interest, I almost hit Alistair McRae's Hyundai up the date when its transmission failed, leaving him stranded in the middle of the road around a tight bend on a transport stage). Maybe there's a chip and a suspension pack available, Hyundai did release the dress-up kit of spoilers and skirts. GMF

Thanks for the link :) In general I'm pretty impressed with the things they've added in the 2000 update (from what i've read on www.alphaf1.com/gp3 ). In particular, improved sound and replays should make a big difference. I just hope they've had chance to fix those graphical glitches, because although most of them don't affect gameplay, they do make GP3 look a little dated. Also, it seems to me they should be relatively easy to fix. For anyone who hasn't been keeping up with GP3 2000 updates, the add-on will include (taken from alphaf1)- * Season 2000 drivers, teams and graphics * 17 new and updated tracks from the 2000 season including Sepang and Indianapolis * Improved replay system * Improved sounds * Improved damage model * Improved FF effects * Improved physics * Improved pitcrew * Pit-car communication * A new game mode (yet unknown) * Some smaller fixes and improvements :) "Careful with that axe, Nick" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > The graphics are supposed to be improved, there are screenshots, you canget to > them at http://www.bhmotorsports.com > > Nick

Have you tried the "hardcore" version of the "All-Chassis patch" for F1CS2000? With this patch I haven't even thought about GP3... Of course I understand it's DEFINITELY a matter of personal tastes with these two games! Warlock! "Careful with that axe, Nick" wrote:

Quoted text (23 lines)

> Well, I've spent the past month messing around and goofing off with both > GP3 and F1CS2k, and I've finally come to the desicison that GP3 wins. > First off, GP3 runs much smoother than F1CS, I can actually start a race > with more than 1 fps going to the first turn. The game runs as smooth > on the start as it does in the actual race. Second, I find the car GP3 > handles much more to my liking than in F1CS. Whether or not F1CS is > more realistic doesn't concern, having never driving anything but a > Hyundai Accent in my life. The car in F1CS is too jumpy for me, in GP3 > I have more precise control. Its funny though, becuase if I still had > my joystick instead of the wheel I have now I'd be saying the opposite. > Third, allthough the graphics in F1CS are more detailed and smoother > than GP3, I find them to a be a bit "cartoony", GP3 looks more realistic > in my opinion, allthough they could be updated. And finally weather, > GP3 just wins hands down. > > GP3 does have its downfalls. You can't hear your opponets next to you, > the AI who keeps drifting into you, and no pit communications, but it > appears that these will be taken care of with the upcoming expansion > pack. > > Adios, > > Nick

On Tue, 06 Mar 2001 06:10:42 GMT, "Careful with that axe, Nick" <[email hidden]> wrote: >GP3 does have its downfalls. <snip> but it appears that these will be taken care >of with the upcoming expansion pack. >The graphics are supposed to be improved, there are screenshots, you can get to >them at http://www.bhmotorsports.com I'm amazed how you can come to a "final verdict" while relying so heavily on a supposed update, not to mention that you'll have to pay for those improvements ... Jan

I havn't based my decision on the update, I based it on what I have now, I'm just hoping that this update will improve the faults already in the game. Nick Jan Loebzien wrote:

Quoted text (14 lines)

> On Tue, 06 Mar 2001 06:10:42 GMT, "Careful with that axe, Nick" > <[email hidden]> wrote: > > >GP3 does have its downfalls. <snip> but it appears that these will be taken care > >of with the upcoming expansion pack. > > >The graphics are supposed to be improved, there are screenshots, you can get to > >them at http://www.bhmotorsports.com > > I'm amazed how you can come to a "final verdict" while relying so > heavily on a supposed update, not to mention that you'll have to > pay for those improvements ... > > Jan

I have, I still find the cars too jumpy for me. But I so intend to keep F1CS2k around when all the Le Mans cars are released for it. Nick Matt Lanzer wrote:

Quoted text (32 lines)

> Have you tried the "hardcore" version of the "All-Chassis patch" for > F1CS2000? > With this patch I haven't even thought about GP3... Of course I understand > it's DEFINITELY a matter of personal tastes with these two games! > > Warlock! > > "Careful with that axe, Nick" wrote: > > > Well, I've spent the past month messing around and goofing off with both > > GP3 and F1CS2k, and I've finally come to the desicison that GP3 wins. > > First off, GP3 runs much smoother than F1CS, I can actually start a race > > with more than 1 fps going to the first turn. The game runs as smooth > > on the start as it does in the actual race. Second, I find the car GP3 > > handles much more to my liking than in F1CS. Whether or not F1CS is > > more realistic doesn't concern, having never driving anything but a > > Hyundai Accent in my life. The car in F1CS is too jumpy for me, in GP3 > > I have more precise control. Its funny though, becuase if I still had > > my joystick instead of the wheel I have now I'd be saying the opposite. > > Third, allthough the graphics in F1CS are more detailed and smoother > > than GP3, I find them to a be a bit "cartoony", GP3 looks more realistic > > in my opinion, allthough they could be updated. And finally weather, > > GP3 just wins hands down. > > > > GP3 does have its downfalls. You can't hear your opponets next to you, > > the AI who keeps drifting into you, and no pit communications, but it > > appears that these will be taken care of with the upcoming expansion > > pack. > > > > Adios, > > > > Nick