Need recommendations for simulators

My wife and I were critically injured in a horrible head on collission last September. Wife is not yet able to drive due to slow reaction times from brain injury. I know nothing about driving simulators! Looking for suggestions on hardware (wheel and pedals) and software that might give her practice in responding to driving situations. Any info appreciated. Braking probably a more important skill at this point than steering.

On Thu, 22 Jul 1999 11:54:27 -0400, I would probably buy Microsoft Midtown Madness and a Force Feedback steering wheel/pedals. Microsoft's wheel/pedals would be fine. In the game, you can choose to simply drive around all over a detailed representation of the city of Chicago and it's traffic, etc. -- * rrevved at mindspring dot com * unit.26 - s.p.u.t.u.m. * http://www.cabal.net * http://www.sputum.com

Either that, or perhaps Driver. Its in the same vein, haven't played it yet, but it might be a good game to just get back in the flow of things and it also has very detailed city scapes to drive within.

I don't have any idea how good it is, but go to http://www.sierra.com and look up their driving simulation. It's meant to help teach students how to drive and handle traffic...but I don't know how good of a sim it is. Maybe there's a demo. Randy

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>Either that, or perhaps Driver. Its in the same vein, haven't played it >yet, but it might be a good game to just get back in the flow of things and >it also has very detailed city scapes to drive within. >> I would probably buy Microsoft Midtown Madness and a >> Force Feedback steering wheel/pedals. Microsoft's wheel/pedals >> would be fine. In the game, you can choose to simply drive around >> all over a detailed representation of the city of Chicago and >> it's traffic, etc. >> -- >> * rrevved at mindspring dot com >> * unit.26 - s.p.u.t.u.m. >> * http://www.cabal.net >> * http://www.sputum.com

Randy Magruder http://members.home.com/rmagruder

Midtown Madness is probably a good bet. It's a racing game in a realistic city environment, but you don't have to race, you can just drive around. Get a nice FF wheel like the Logitech Formula Force. Joe McGinn ========================================== Staff Writer for the Sports *** Network [link lost in import: /***.com/] ==========================================

>Either that, or perhaps Driver. Its in the same vein, haven't played it >yet, but it might be a good game to just get back in the flow of things and >it also has very detailed city scapes to drive within. Driver looks good, but is not yet out for the PC (I know you know that Chris, just wanted to let the original poster know). Joe McGinn ========================================== Staff Writer for the Sports *** Network [link lost in import: /***.com/] ==========================================

hmmm though the LWFF wheel is really nice to handle, I think there's too little tactile feedback from the pedals for someone who's recovering. MSFF is (in this case) the better solution IMO. Jan. ------

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>,snip>. Get a nice FF wheel like the Logitech Formula Force. >Joe McGinn >========================================== >Staff Writer for the Sports *** Network >[link lost in import: /***.com/] >==========================================

Exactly what I was thinking, she does not need to be presented with a racing type of situation, since she needs to relearn controlling a car period with other autos around. Good Job Randy. Dave

This looks like the ideal choice. It's called Driver's Education '99. I'm halfway curious enough to buy it myself (which is odd, as I already have a driving licence and live in Belgium ;-)). http://www.sierra.com/sierra/driversed99/ No demo I could find and no FF support. There is, however, a bundle deal which includes a TM Nascar Pro (a nice wheel as well). Jan. ------

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>I don't have any idea how good it is, but go to http://www.sierra.com >and look up their driving simulation. It's meant to help teach >students how to drive and handle traffic...but I don't know how good >of a sim it is. Maybe there's a demo. >Randy ><snip>

Well ,you could buy for example a Madcatz wheel and pedal system ,or a Saitek one (good) or a Logitech Wingman (red wheel).Some systems exist with Force Feedback ,which means you have to counter act the action of the wheel when turning (it is acted with motors inside the wheel).Saitek has one model like that,and Logitech also which is Logitech Force Feedback (it's probably the best).You can go to www.simracingnews.com and click on "Links" to find the internet adresses of some hardware builders. Concerning softwares,the best simulation is "Grand Prix Legends" (GPL) which recreates very good physics of the cars handling (cars are formula 1 of 1967).It's quite tough to go quick but i think maybe interesting for you.Easier is Need For Speed 4 which is more "ARcade" game .You should just try ,but i find your idea very good. For those games you need a good PC (mini PII 350 and video card 3dfx 2 for example). Hope it helped.Be patient and good luck. > My wife and I were critically injured in a horrible head on collission last > September. Wife is not yet able to drive due to slow reaction times from > brain injury. I know nothing about driving simulators! Looking for > suggestions on hardware (wheel and pedals) and software that might give her > practice in responding to driving situations. Any info appreciated. > Braking probably a more important skill at this point than steering.

I've never tried it, but Sierra has a driving school type of program, including real-world on-the-road driving simulation. I think they even bundle it with a steering wheel. Go to www.sierra.com and check under Sierra Home (I think). Sorry to be vague. A good "game" to try out for your needs might be Microsoft's Midtown Madness. A large chunk of Chicago is simulated, and the game can be played in various modes, including just driving around and obeying the various traffic signals if you like, or you can work on reflexes by doing one of the various races. It can certainly get quite hectic, and your wife would have more than enough opportunity to use the brakes. I believe it also supports force feedback. For morale boost, you can drive a New Beetle. Sorry to hear about the accident. Good luck and let me know how things go - I have more than a passing interest in rehab sciences. Stephen : Well ,you could buy for example a Madcatz wheel and pedal system ,or a Saitek : one (good) or a Logitech Wingman (red wheel).Some systems exist with Force : Feedback ,which means you have to counter act the action of the wheel when : turning (it is acted with motors inside the wheel).Saitek has one model like : that,and Logitech also which is Logitech Force Feedback (it's probably the : best).You can go to www.simracingnews.com and click on "Links" to find the : internet adresses of some hardware builders. : Concerning softwares,the best simulation is "Grand Prix Legends" (GPL) which : recreates very good physics of the cars handling (cars are formula 1 of : 1967).It's quite tough to go quick but i think maybe interesting for you.Easier : is Need For Speed 4 which is more "ARcade" game .You should just try ,but i : find your idea very good. : For those games you need a good PC (mini PII 350 and video card 3dfx 2 for : example). : Hope it helped.Be patient and good luck. :> My wife and I were critically injured in a horrible head on collission last :> September. Wife is not yet able to drive due to slow reaction times from :> brain injury. I know nothing about driving simulators! Looking for :> suggestions on hardware (wheel and pedals) and software that might give her :> practice in responding to driving situations. Any info appreciated. :> Braking probably a more important skill at this point than steering.