I'm reposting this since it got virtually no response. I'm
assuming the article didn't propogate well. Or else everyone already
knew that and its no big deal... :)
----------
I've been doing a bit of experimenting with GPL online and have
come to an interesting conclusion: frame rate matters. Not in the
conventional sense of better gameplay, but it actually affects your
lap times!
I'm running a C300A/V1000 and with minimum detail online, I'm
getting 29-36 fps. Good, but not good enough. I hooked up tonight
with a friend (he was hosting on a cable modem, I'm on a 48K modem
connection) and we were racing default Eagles at Monza. I'm racing in
arcade mode, so I can watch the speedo and see I'm doing a good speed,
but my lap times were off. Hot laps were reported as 1:36s, when they
should be 1:33s or so. When we raced head to head, he could beat my
top speed easily (he spun and was surprised how quickly he caught up).
I disconnected, rebooted to 450MHz, reconnected and ran some more
laps. My frame rate was now pretty steady at 35-36, with the odd 33.
My first hot lap was a 1:33.6. Later in a race, I was able to clock a
1:32.19, 0.10 sec off my personal best (so my computer was up to full
speed). Our top speed was pretty much equivalent now.
I had noticed this sort of slow-motion with some other online
connections, but that was with more graphics and much slower frame
rates (20ish, so I wasn't that surprised). It seems as if the server
is locked at 36 frames per sec - if your client can't handle them in
one second, well, it will get it done in a bit more real time.
This is distressing. First, it brings back the memories of the
biggest flaw of GP2 (lack of real-time correlation on slower
processors). Second, if you don't have a fairly stout system (one
that can produce 36 fps online in *some* graphics configuration),
you'll be left behind.
Has anyone else noticed this? (I know Alison's FAQ says you
*really want* 36 fps online, but doesn't mention this *major* side
effect. BTW, I've tuned up my DUN as per her instructions.) I hope
I'm wrong, but it seems to be true.
NAR Northeast Regional Contest Board site - points and more...
> I've been doing a bit of experimenting with GPL online and have
>come to an interesting conclusion: frame rate matters.
I just got home with my new P2 300 (w/ 12MB Voodoo2 and gobs of RAM),
replacing my old P200. Within five minutes I'd beaten my best W.Glen
time by a second. But, in my case I'm prety sure this is due to better
control over the car - the thing is WAY WAY easier to drive at 36 fps
than it was at 25. I have recovered from problems that would be
GUARENTEED spin outs on my old rig, and that's just with 10 minutes of
driving on the new system.
I would suggest people with < P2 systems simply to not bother with
GPL. It is so much better with a powerful system it's not even funny.
Running GPL on a slower system just makes a "very hard" game nearly
impossible.
Joe
I cannot corroborate your results.
MM
Quoted text (46 lines)
> I'm reposting this since it got virtually no response. I'm > assuming the article didn't propogate well. Or else everyone already > knew that and its no big deal... :) > ---------- > I've been doing a bit of experimenting with GPL online and have > come to an interesting conclusion: frame rate matters. Not in the > conventional sense of better gameplay, but it actually affects your > lap times! > I'm running a C300A/V1000 and with minimum detail online, I'm > getting 29-36 fps. Good, but not good enough. I hooked up tonight > with a friend (he was hosting on a cable modem, I'm on a 48K modem > connection) and we were racing default Eagles at Monza. I'm racing in > arcade mode, so I can watch the speedo and see I'm doing a good speed, > but my lap times were off. Hot laps were reported as 1:36s, when they > should be 1:33s or so. When we raced head to head, he could beat my > top speed easily (he spun and was surprised how quickly he caught up). > I disconnected, rebooted to 450MHz, reconnected and ran some more > laps. My frame rate was now pretty steady at 35-36, with the odd 33. > My first hot lap was a 1:33.6. Later in a race, I was able to clock a > 1:32.19, 0.10 sec off my personal best (so my computer was up to full > speed). Our top speed was pretty much equivalent now. > I had noticed this sort of slow-motion with some other online > connections, but that was with more graphics and much slower frame > rates (20ish, so I wasn't that surprised). It seems as if the server > is locked at 36 frames per sec - if your client can't handle them in > one second, well, it will get it done in a bit more real time. > This is distressing. First, it brings back the memories of the > biggest flaw of GP2 (lack of real-time correlation on slower > processors). Second, if you don't have a fairly stout system (one > that can produce 36 fps online in *some* graphics configuration), > you'll be left behind. > Has anyone else noticed this? (I know Alison's FAQ says you > *really want* 36 fps online, but doesn't mention this *major* side > effect. BTW, I've tuned up my DUN as per her instructions.) I hope > I'm wrong, but it seems to be true. > NAR Northeast Regional Contest Board site - points and more...> I'm reposting this since it got virtually no response. I'm
>assuming the article didn't propogate well. Or else everyone already
>knew that and its no big deal... :)
I didn't see the message the first time around.
[snip]
This might be a really stupid idea, but did you calibrate your wheel
both in Win9x and GPL every time after switching (especially after
switching from 450 to 300)? I did some testing with different bus
speeds and noticed that changing the speed from 66 to 75 MHz
apparently does not confuse my calibration completely. Steering is
still fine, but I experience a "braking and gas help" effect: no more
locked tires, no excessive wheelspin. I'm sure this would affect
topspeed too.
I hope the problem lies there.
--
Wolfgang Preiss \ E-mail copies of replies to this posting are welcome.
