GPL - should I throw it away

I have spent a week practising at Watkins in a set-up Lotus and am making consistent 01 minute 8 second laps This is in the fastest car type (grand prix) but in a single race (novice damage mode) many of the other cars are qualifying at 1 minute 7 and come the race I don't have a hope in hell. And if I spin out (god forbid) then its no point even trying. I know that this game is difficult but this is ridiculous. Even if I was better at Watkins (say 1minute 6 , which is around time for the best hotlaps on the interenet) it would still be almost impossible to win a ***y race. should I be in one of the slower cars to start with (I never bothered with these) or should I bin this game and stick to TOCA2 and colin Mcrae rally -- Rich "The Jackal" Senior digital animator London UK Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Share what you know. Learn what you don't.

Doin a 1:08 at the Glen after one week of practice is not bad, but: The guys on the internet doin their 1:04 or 1:05, needed more than that time for sure to learn that! i am racing with GPL for nearly one year regularly, and i am still improving! Maybe there is one thing you should also know: The AI-drivers in GPL use a special tecnic to be always as fast as the human driver driving against them. As you told they to 1:07 while you doin 1:08. if you can improve to do 1:07, they will do 1:06 and so on. Its a special kind of AI papyrus developed for that. Keep on practicing! And try the other cars. Lotus is one of the hardest to control. TK Wretched Jackal schrieb:

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> I have spent a week practising at Watkins in a set-up Lotus and am > making consistent 01 minute 8 second laps > This is in the fastest car type (grand prix) but in a single race > (novice damage mode) many of the other cars are qualifying at 1 minute 7 > and come the race I don't have a hope in hell. And if I spin out (god > forbid) then its no point even trying. > I know that this game is difficult but this is ridiculous. Even if I was > better at Watkins (say 1minute 6 , which is around time for the best > hotlaps on the interenet) it would still be almost impossible to win a > ***y race. > should I be in one of the slower cars to start with (I never bothered > with these) or should I bin this game and stick to TOCA2 and colin Mcrae > rally > -- > Rich "The Jackal" > Senior digital animator > London UK > Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ > Share what you know. Learn what you don't.

one 'o' eights after 1 week of practise is really good.... After my first week I was doing 1:10's or something like that. Keep practising and you will be in the 1'06's before you know. You have the talent to do so... I just know it :) Download some hotlaps from the internet and watch which lines the fast guys are driving, it helps you alot. 1:06's are good enough to beat the AI en win races on VROC those 1:03's en 4's... well, don't think about these... they are out of reach for most of us. Regards, ___________________________________________ Sjon "MiXer" Stigter ___________________________________________ The Fast Lane Additional help [link lost in import] Everything you need for Grand Prix Legends !!! ___________________________________________ The year is 1968. It will go down as an historic year in auto racing. Wings were introduced for the first time to aid in keeping cars on the track and a host of rule changes have been implemented to cut down on driver fatalities.... Welcome to 1967. - Grand Prix Legends ___________________________________________

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> I have spent a week practising at Watkins in a set-up Lotus and am >making consistent 01 minute 8 second laps >This is in the fastest car type (grand prix) but in a single race >(novice damage mode) many of the other cars are qualifying at 1 minute 7 >and come the race I don't have a hope in hell. And if I spin out (god >forbid) then its no point even trying. >I know that this game is difficult but this is ridiculous. Even if I was >better at Watkins (say 1minute 6 , which is around time for the best >hotlaps on the interenet) it would still be almost impossible to win a >***y race. >should I be in one of the slower cars to start with (I never bothered >with these) or should I bin this game and stick to TOCA2 and colin Mcrae >rally >-- >Rich "The Jackal" >Senior digital animator >London UK >Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ >Share what you know. Learn what you don't.

>I know that this game is difficult but this is ridiculous. Even if I was >better at Watkins (say 1minute 6 , which is around time for the best >hotlaps on the interenet) it would still be almost impossible to win a >***y race. If only 1:06 was the fastest then I would be a happy man! The hotshots are in the 1:03s now!!!!! 2 reasons NOT to throw away GPL 1. The times WILL come down with practice. I find it impossible to put a finger on what I have learnt to go faster, just experience & practice gives you the feel for it. For me fast enough for close racing with the AI - but not for the internet hotshots :( 2. The imminent release GPaL will allow you to tweak the AI to match your speed at any track. This will allow for the close racing I am sure you are looking for, especially as you can close up the grid as well. Watch out for it! Cheers Tony

Just a thought, what hardware are you using? I was using a TNT and getting around 36 fps, but it was inconsistent. Switched it with a banshee from my other machine and I had a lot less spins, and a lot more fun. Greg.

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> I have spent a week practising at Watkins in a set-up Lotus and am > making consistent 01 minute 8 second laps > This is in the fastest car type (grand prix) but in a single race > (novice damage mode) many of the other cars are qualifying at 1 minute 7 > and come the race I don't have a hope in hell. And if I spin out (god > forbid) then its no point even trying. > I know that this game is difficult but this is ridiculous. Even if I was > better at Watkins (say 1minute 6 , which is around time for the best > hotlaps on the interenet) it would still be almost impossible to win a > ***y race. > should I be in one of the slower cars to start with (I never bothered > with these) or should I bin this game and stick to TOCA2 and colin Mcrae > rally > -- > Rich "The Jackal" > Senior digital animator > London UK > Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ > Share what you know. Learn what you don't.

It's not a 'pick up and race' type game. It requires a lot of time and effort but the rewards are worth it. I've played for months and my best was a second at Monza - I was on a high for ages. A good PC setup helps - I just got my PIII450, V3K yesterday moving from a P200. It's far easier to be consistent now. I have fun with CMR but can't get away with TOCA. If you can't or aren't willing to put in the time with GPL and your PC is decent, try a middle grounder like SCGT - apply the advanced options download, though. Some real nice tracks like Road Atlanta and Laguna Seca in there, too. Mark Reading, UK Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Share what you know. Learn what you don't.

>>I know that this game is difficult but this is ridiculous. Even if I was >>better at Watkins (say 1minute 6 , which is around time for the best >>hotlaps on the interenet) it would still be almost impossible to win a >>***y race. >2 reasons NOT to throw away GPL A third reason not to throw away GPL - who cares if you can't beat the AI? The sheer pleasure of driving these cars and the satisfaction of improving far outweighs any silly ego boost by winning at a simple computer game. Dave Ewing

I have bought a new computer (PIII 450, V 3 3000) on Thursday, assembled it and bought GPL on Friday, and on Saturday the spring of my T2 broke :( Since I haven't resolved this problem yet, I can't tell you very much about fast laps in GPL (still in the 'spinning phase'). But I'd have another question: Are you able to play CMR with the V 3 3000 ? If you are, PLEASE tell me, how ! CMR always sends me to desktop, when I try to play a stage. Peter Vienna, Austria

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> > I know that this game is difficult but this is ridiculous. Even if I was > > better at Watkins (say 1minute 6 , which is around time for the best > > hotlaps on the interenet) it would still be almost impossible to win a > > ***y race. > It's not a 'pick up and race' type game. It requires a lot of time and > effort but the rewards are worth it. I've played for months and my best

was > a second at Monza - I was on a high for ages. A good PC setup helps - I just

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> got my PIII450, V3K yesterday moving from a P200. It's far easier to be > consistent now. > > should I be in one of the slower cars to start with (I never bothered > > with these) or should I bin this game and stick to TOCA2 and colin Mcrae > > rally > I have fun with CMR but can't get away with TOCA. If you can't or aren't > willing to put in the time with GPL and your PC is decent, try a middle > grounder like SCGT - apply the advanced options download, though. Some

real

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> nice tracks like Road Atlanta and Laguna Seca in there, too. > Mark > Reading, UK > Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ > Share what you know. Learn what you don't.

I agree, I've been playing GPL since it came out, and I still haven't got under 1:10 at the glen. But I still enjoy driving the cars. The sheer thrill of speed is worth keeping it.

GPL adjusts the difficulty to how fast you are. If you run really fast laps, the AI will just get faster. It provides for a lot of competition no matter how fast you are. Just work on being consistent and try to cut back on spinning and the AI will adjust their speed to you and you can run with them.

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> I have spent a week practising at Watkins in a set-up Lotus and am >making consistent 01 minute 8 second laps >This is in the fastest car type (grand prix) but in a single race >(novice damage mode) many of the other cars are qualifying at 1 minute 7 >and come the race I don't have a hope in hell. And if I spin out (god >forbid) then its no point even trying. >I know that this game is difficult but this is ridiculous. Even if I was >better at Watkins (say 1minute 6 , which is around time for the best >hotlaps on the interenet) it would still be almost impossible to win a >***y race. >should I be in one of the slower cars to start with (I never bothered >with these) or should I bin this game and stick to TOCA2 and colin Mcrae >rally >-- >Rich "The Jackal" >Senior digital animator >London UK >Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ >Share what you know. Learn what you don't.

I think that's a good time for a week. It is very difficult to win. The AI are designed to adjust and give you a challenge wether you've been at it for one week, months or who knows? You can do something about it though. Yes. I beleive this is fundamentally a good thing - gpl is alot about racing and less about 'winning'. If you can manage consistent 1:08 at watkins in the lotus after a week then you should IMO stick at it. If you want to motivate yourself to learn to race *consistently* without silly mistakes messing up the averages, try some online racing. -- Suck The Goat

Same here with a V3 2000. Regards Javier Fernandez Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Share what you know. Learn what you don't.

> If you can manage consistent 1:08 at watkins in the lotus after a week > then you should IMO stick at it. If you want to motivate yourself to > learn to race *consistently* without silly mistakes messing up the > averages, try some online racing. Certainly if you can do 1:08 in one of the easier cars like the Coventry, then you have a very good chance of winning online races (as long as you're not up against the top drivers). It's a lot less stressful driving the Coventry, and you're much more likely to go through the race without spinning off. There's something very satisfying about chasing someone for a few laps, and seeing them spin off under pressure. You don't always have to make a passing move to gain a place!

I have been playing GPL for a little over a week also, and thanks to the tips in this thread I downloaded Alisons Ferrari setup and instantly knocked 4 seconds a lap off my times at Watkins. The best I have driven there so far is a 1.09.11, before that I only drove the Lotus and was getting consistent 1.12's. I like training mode better than single race at this point, it's a blast just trying to beat your record for each track. My question to those who have been playing for awhile is what is it like to go from GPL to an older race game like Grand Prix 2, is it even possible?? I haven't done it, but it seems like it would be arcadish at this point. Chris

> I have spent a week practising at Watkins in a set-up Lotus and am > making consistent 01 minute 8 second laps > This is in the fastest car type (grand prix) but in a single race > (novice damage mode) many of the other cars are qualifying at 1 minute 7> and come the race I don't have a hope in hell. And if I spin out (god was> better at Watkins (say 1minute 6 , which is around time for the best> hotlaps on the interenet) it would still be almost impossible to win a> ***y race. Mcrae> rallly No, no, no, NO!!!! do not throw it away. 1) You *will* get quicker, it just takes time, patience and practice......lots of practice.2) You can alter (if you really want to) one of GPL's files to change the speed of the AIto more closely match your own speed (cannot remember which file though?)3) The eagerly awaited patch (v1.1) and the GPaL program which should also be out soon willenable you to easily alter the AI's speed. Good God man, a week is but the blinking of an eye in GPL terms? GPL is *not* your average arcade game, or even your average sim? It is the best sim ever, period. As such it takes time (lots of it) to master controlling these monsters on wheels (remember this sim is emulating cars with awesome power, very little mechanical grip, and no downforce). They were hard to drive in real life, they are hard to drive in this sim at the highest level. (Remember you can use the trainers and the aids to make it easier, but easier = slower) I have owned GPL since the day it was available for sale. I also had the demo the day after it wasreleased on the internet (and subsequently also had the Monza demo). It has been months. I have notreally touched any other program since I got GPL. I've dabbled with GP2 (an old friend) and withTOCA2, but my main occupation for the last few months has been GPL. And what have I achieved in that time at WG? I have just barely got into the 1:06's (the currentfastest times for WG are in the 1:03's) But, I am extremely happy with that. I have (slowly) progressed from 1:15's, down to 1:10's where I was stuck for ages! Then as if by magic I broke the 1:10 barrier, and then got down to the heady heights of 1:09's and 1:08's, amazingly I managed 1:07's and then, one day a 1:06 (I've had a few more since too). I was in heaven. Me? slowest of the slow, and even *I* could do a 1:06 Believe me, if I can do it, anyone can do it.........with a little effort. 8-) *Peter* 8-)

Peter, My PIII450 arrived on Monday with a SB64PCI and some 8Mb gfx card that I can't remember. I swapped out the SB64 and put in a SBLive Value, bought a V3 3000 and put that in, too. I'm running win98 and have not yet had any problems with CMR. I only played one stage just to check it out, though. Maybe your supplier didn't get all of the drivers installed properly, or maybe if it's an OEM version, there's a difference somehow... All I can suggest is that you re-install CMR, re-apply the codemasters patch and make sure your drivers for sound and video are up to date. I remember on my P200 that sometimes CMR would hang the PC and I'd have to reset maybe a few times to get it working. Codemasters are console developers first and foremost, and it shows... Mark Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Share what you know. Learn what you don't.

No, don't toss it!!!! First, you should probably ditch the Lotus. Give all of the cars a serious chance. Depending on your style, you may be able to go faster in some cars. (And whatever car you get, download Alison Hine's setups for it...her setup for the Brabham INSTANTLY cut 7 seconds off of my time at Kyalami!!!!) I am personally forever in love with the Brabham...that and the fact that if/when I finally muster up the courage to do a full GP, it will most likely last :) -- Kirk Lane Tempe, AZ ICQ: 28171652 RMRL #119 > I have spent a week practising at Watkins in a set-up Lotus and am >making consistent 01 minute 8 second laps >This is in the fastest car type (grand prix) but in a single race >(novice damage mode) many of the other cars are qualifying at 1 minute 7 >and come the race I don't have a hope in hell. And if I spin out (god >forbid) then its no point even trying. >I know that this game is difficult but this is ridiculous. Even if I was >better at Watkins (say 1minute 6 , which is around time for the best >hotlaps on the interenet) it would still be almost impossible to win a >***y race. >should I be in one of the slower cars to start with (I never bothered >with these) or should I bin this game and stick to TOCA2 and colin Mcrae >rally >-- >Rich "The Jackal" >Senior digital animator >London UK >Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ >Share what you know. Learn what you don't.

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> I have spent a week practising at Watkins in a set-up Lotus and am >making consistent 01 minute 8 second laps >This is in the fastest car type (grand prix) but in a single race >(novice damage mode) many of the other cars are qualifying at 1 minute 7 >and come the race I don't have a hope in hell. And if I spin out (god >forbid) then its no point even trying.

Well, you're already better than me. I'm doing 1:08's and I've had the game since it came OUT(10 months?). Eldred __ Put your message in a modem, and throw it in the ***-sea... remove SPAM-OFF to reply.

>There's something very satisfying about chasing someone for a few laps, >and seeing them spin off under pressure. You don't always have to make >a passing move to gain a place! That's the ONLY way I've made a pass on VROC. Either they spin, or just disco. I've never been able to pass anybody on the track... :( __ Put your message in a modem, and throw it in the ***-sea... remove SPAM-OFF to reply.