GPL 2000 Re-release

It occurred to me when reading the digital sports second look review, posted by High Gear, that perhaps there could be an argument for Sierra re-releasing GPL with a few enhancements. Here's why: An entry level system nowadays is a Celeron 466 - this is sufficient CPU power. The latest patches have much improved set-ups and addition of force-feedback. Heres the other features they'd need to add if they want to make it the top seller it deserves to be: 1)Much improved open GL support - if they can get GPL to run as well as a voodoo3 on the TNT 2 cards which are so ubiquitous, and also GE Force cards it would be a big sales boost imho. Probably the biggest thing that limited sales was restricting the game to those with rendition and voodoo cards. 2)An AI speed slider - and lets people have a fast race option where they can choose to be pole starter. 3)With a bit of negotiation, WINVROC should come on the CD. 4)Good default set-ups for those that want them - its a hard enough game without making it impossible for people that arent into tinkering in the garage. 5) A few additional tracks -once again -perhaps they can just negotiate with those that have already produced them. 6) Perhaps a bit of a graphics update - thinking mainly of improved cockpits aka GPLEA here And thats it really -no major changes - except perhaps support of other video cards - if this could be economic to do - the game still stands well enough on its merits today - to warrant a re-release. Julian -- Free audio & video emails, greeting cards and forums Talkway - http://www.talkway.com - Talk more ways (sm)

Also look out for the newspaper headline "PIG LEARNS TO FLY!" ;-) Chris * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet's Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet - Free!

On Sat, 15 Apr 2000 01:45:23 -0700, Chris Bloom <[email hidden]> wrote:

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>Also look out for the newspaper headline "PIG LEARNS TO FLY!" > >;-) > >Chris > >* Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet's Discussion Network * >The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet - Free!

apperently sierra/papy have dumped the project, they are apparently concentrating their efforts on nascar 4. if only they could do one last thing for it, and make a patch for the rs-shifter. oh well :(( Rich http://come.to/rs-shifter

juliant wrote in message ... >It occurred to me when reading the digital sports second look review, >posted by High Gear, that perhaps there could be an argument for Sierra >re-releasing GPL with a few enhancements. >Here's why: >An entry level system nowadays is a Celeron 466 - this is sufficient >CPU power. You mean that that is what your computer is, not the entry level compuer. Although I'm going to have to update very soon, I don't think I'll be able to for a while. In the mean time, I'm still using the equivilent of a P400 (K6-2/350). **I'll guess** the "entry level" computer would be closer to a P75. That P75 wont be able to do much in the Sim world but it's still the cheapest computer still on the market (I think). In any case, unless you have some good numbers to back up your claim I guess I'm out of luck and probably many others for another good 6-8 months. just guessing, Mike

I'd like to add to the point Mike Barlow makes. Even in a 466 Celeron is the current entry level machine it doesn't mean that everyone has a computer this fast. I got my P2 350 early last year when a 450 was tops. I have steadily upgraded it since then and I am back to the stage where I will need a faster CPU to make any real differance. I can't afford to upgrade my CPU every year and I will wait till I am able to afford as fast a CPU as I can, this will only be when new releases won't run on my present system. Chris In article <PZZJ4.5931$[email hidden]>, "Mike Barlow" <[email hidden]> wrote: > > > >juliant wrote in message ... >>An entry level system nowadays is a Celeron 466 - this issufficient >>CPU power. > > You mean that that is what your computer is, not the entrylevel >compuer. Although I'm going to have to update very soon, Idon't think I'll >be able to for a while. In the mean time, I'm still using theequivilent of >a P400 (K6-2/350). **I'll guess** the "entry level" computerwould be >closer to a P75. That P75 wont be able to do much in the Simworld but it's >still the cheapest computer still on the market (I think). Inany case, >unless you have some good numbers to back up your claim I guessI'm out of

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>luck and probably many others for another good 6-8 months. > >just guessing, >Mike > > > >

* Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet's Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet - Free!

In article <5e5e33b049%[email hidden]>, Richard Walker <[email hidden]> writes:

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>In message <[email hidden]> > [email hidden] (EldredP) wrote: > >> I just got parts for a K63-400 and Celeron500. > >Mmmnnn... could you please post with some speed comparisons? I'm >interested to know which is quicker.

Sure, if I ever get around to BUILDING them...<g> Give me about a week or so... Eldred -- Tiger Stadium R.I.P. 1912-1999 Own Grand Prix Legends? Goto http://gpl.gamestats.com/vroc Never argue with an idiot. He brings you down to his level, then beats you with experience... Remove SPAM-OFF to reply.

In article <PZZJ4.5931$[email hidden]>, "Mike Barlow" <[email hidden]> writes:

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> You mean that that is what your computer is, not the entry level >compuer. Although I'm going to have to update very soon, I don't think I'll >be able to for a while. In the mean time, I'm still using the equivilent of >a P400 (K6-2/350). **I'll guess** the "entry level" computer would be >closer to a P75. That P75 wont be able to do much in the Sim world but it's >still the cheapest computer still on the market (I think). In any case, >unless you have some good numbers to back up your claim I guess I'm out of >luck and probably many others for another good 6-8 months. >

Mike, what kind of frame rates do you get on GPL with full graphics? Or, in SCGT with FRAPS at the starting line. My current system is a K62-350, with a V3 3000. In SCGT, which I just tried today, I got 10 fps from the back of the field, increasing to about 17 as the field disappeared in the distance(1024x768, high graphics). In 640x480, it was 11 at the line, increasing to 19... I've forgotten the GPL stats that I posted last week... Eldred -- Tiger Stadium R.I.P. 1912-1999 Own Grand Prix Legends? Goto http://gpl.gamestats.com/vroc Never argue with an idiot. He brings you down to his level, then beats you with experience... Remove SPAM-OFF to reply.

In article <F2TJ4.2478$[email hidden]>, "juliant" <[email hidden]> writes: >It occurred to me when reading the digital sports second look review, >posted by High Gear, that perhaps there could be an argument for Sierra >re-releasing GPL with a few enhancements. >Here's why: >An entry level system nowadays is a Celeron 466 - this is sufficient >CPU power. Entry level? I just got parts for a K63-400 and Celeron500. One system is barely above entry level, and the other is BELOW??? That sucks... Eldred -- Tiger Stadium R.I.P. 1912-1999 Own Grand Prix Legends? Goto http://gpl.gamestats.com/vroc Never argue with an idiot. He brings you down to his level, then beats you with experience... Remove SPAM-OFF to reply.

Well, at any PC store here, if you're buying a new system, the cheapest model is a celeron or AMD 466/450mz system -they simply dont offer anthing below that. The point is that these processors are very cheap compared with a year ago, and they're enough to reach the 36fps required by GPL in conjunction with a voodoo2 or 3. Julian -- Free audio & video emails, greeting cards and forums Talkway - http://www.talkway.com - Talk more ways (sm)

>> > >Mike, what kind of frame rates do you get on GPL with full graphics? Or,in >SCGT with FRAPS at the starting line. My current system is a K62-350, witha >V3 3000. In SCGT, which I just tried today, I got 10 fps from the back ofthe >field, increasing to about 17 as the field disappeared in the >distance(1024x768, high graphics). In 640x480, it was 11 at the line, >increasing to 19... I've forgotten the GPL stats that I posted lastweek... I have Track texture, Specular highlights, and all the extras (skids dirt and such) turned off to have 36 FPS at all times. Sound at 8 and details between 1/3 to 1/4 from the left at 640x480. The start of every race the frame rate drops to about 28 at the lowest and averages 33, depending on the track. K6-2/350 with a 12 meg Creative Blaster V2 and SB Live. The converted tracks I get 36 FPS with everything on, Sound maxed out, and details maxed out. That's even at the start and at 800x600. O-Ring is the only one where I can't find a good set of setting to have 36 fps everywhere on the track. At the start I get about 22 fps and heading to the last right before the first left I get between 19 and 22. I've even tried the lowest res. of 5xx-x-3xx(?). There are other odd spots like that at the O-Ring but they are too short to say much about. In any case, My system is considered (by me) the very basic setup to run any of the current sims. If I knew there would be a dramatic increase of performance I'd grab a K6-2/500 (I think the K6-2 goes that high). They are like $50.00 I think. But, I don't think the performance would increase enough to worent it. The Sponsors I have do a great job for me but they can't help me with a whole new system. I guess I'll have to look for more help :-)

In message <[email hidden]> [email hidden] (EldredP) wrote: > I just got parts for a K63-400 and Celeron500. Mmmnnn... could you please post with some speed comparisons? I'm interested to know which is quicker. -- Richard. "Love, love me do. You know I love you. I'll always be true."