Is EA Giving PC Players "the horn" in NT2004?

Stolen from IGN: "If you've read the ads that talk about "Race the pack, not the track", they are not really aimed at the PC version. There are no apparent "allies" or "enemies" on the track. It's a pretty straightforward sim from that standpoint. So while you definitely feel like you spend more time racing the pack, the driving is not something you can just ignore." http://pc.ign.com/articles/450/450285p2.html What's the deal with this? Yeah, it's nice that EA added a career mode for folks who like the gaming aspects. But no friends/enemies system? Do they not realize that they're basically offering NT2003 from the consoles to PC players? If that's all there is, then there really isn't a reason (IMO) to pick up the PC version. I was a bit excited to see the changes they made to the title. While my opinion doesn't mean a thing, the only money I'll be spending on it is for the PS2 version. Or is it still there, yet cloaked? Can anyone validate this for me, please? -Will

"William Bradshaw" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> Stolen from IGN: > > "If you've read the ads that talk about "Race the pack, not the track", > they are not really aimed at the PC version. There are no apparent > "allies" or "enemies" on the track. It's a pretty straightforward sim > from that standpoint. So while you definitely feel like you spend more > time racing the pack, the driving is not something you can just ignore." > > http://pc.ign.com/articles/450/450285p2.html > > What's the deal with this? Yeah, it's nice that EA added a career mode > for folks who like the gaming aspects. But no friends/enemies system? Do > they not realize that they're basically offering NT2003 from the > consoles to PC players? If that's all there is, then there really isn't > a reason (IMO) to pick up the PC version. >

So the lack of friends/enemies overshadows the much improved handling/physics (the CORE)? I suspect they're offering a version of the game more suitable for it's audience: a mature, simulation-style PC crowd. The friends/enemies thing is a console gimmick which I believe has no place on the PC version. I can't see it being subtle (blocking you - rubbing doors) so the AI probably risks it's life to get back at you - not very realistic or fun. > I was a bit excited to see the changes they made to the title. While my > opinion doesn't mean a thing, the only money I'll be spending on it is > for the PS2 version. > Then you're missing the superior version. I've read plenty of reviews/posts that put the PC version on top of the heap for it's sim qualities and gameplay. I certainly appreciate the handling/look/feel of NT2004. Regardless of your opinion, it's no re-hash of NT2003. This is a brand new, polished game that is heading in the right direction. -- Joe M.

Joe M. wrote:

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> "William Bradshaw" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:[email hidden]... > >>Stolen from IGN: >> >>"If you've read the ads that talk about "Race the pack, not the track", >>they are not really aimed at the PC version. There are no apparent >>"allies" or "enemies" on the track. It's a pretty straightforward sim >>from that standpoint. So while you definitely feel like you spend more >>time racing the pack, the driving is not something you can just ignore." >> >>http://pc.ign.com/articles/450/450285p2.html >> >>What's the deal with this? Yeah, it's nice that EA added a career mode >>for folks who like the gaming aspects. But no friends/enemies system? Do >>they not realize that they're basically offering NT2003 from the >>consoles to PC players? If that's all there is, then there really isn't >>a reason (IMO) to pick up the PC version. >> > > > So the lack of friends/enemies overshadows the much improved > handling/physics (the CORE)? >

It's just my opinion, but yes. Anyone who knows NASCAR sims realizes that Papy is king of the hill in regards to physics. It'll be years, I speculate, until anyone gets close to what they have. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to start a NASCAR Racing vs. NASCAR Thunder thread. Instead, EA should've offered something different from what's currently on the market (that is, Papy NASCAR sims). And that should've been to make a great single player game. The career mode was a good step, if late. > I suspect they're offering a version of the game more suitable for it's > audience: a mature, simulation-style PC crowd. The friends/enemies thing is > a console gimmick which I believe has no place on the PC version. I can't > see it being subtle (blocking you - rubbing doors) so the AI probably risks > it's life to get back at you - not very realistic or fun. I have to disagree about it being a gimmick. If anything, it could help virtual drivers from screwing the pooch on the track. If they piss a AI driver off, then they'll learn not to do it again. Honestly, I'd think people would've been happy with "more human" AI. Instead of just racing and avoiding you, it adds a tad more realism to the game. Yet I do believe they're trying to toss in some action. Driver vs. driver drama. Something you have to pretend on the PC, while on the console it's in your face.

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> > >>I was a bit excited to see the changes they made to the title. While my >>opinion doesn't mean a thing, the only money I'll be spending on it is >>for the PS2 version. >> > > > Then you're missing the superior version. I've read plenty of reviews/posts > that put the PC version on top of the heap for it's sim qualities and > gameplay. I certainly appreciate the handling/look/feel of NT2004. > Regardless of your opinion, it's no re-hash of NT2003. This is a brand new, > polished game that is heading in the right direction. > > -- > Joe M. > >

In terms of gameplay (career mode), it is basically a rehash of the console versions of NT2003...is it not? Yeah, it may have better physics and be graphically better than the last version, but c'mon. To close this up; if I wanted to merely race, I'd do so with a Papy product. For gameplay, I have to look at a console to fill my needs. Yep, I was spoiled by the console version of NT2003 and it's career mode...and why would I want to do it all over again, lock stock and barrel? Will wants a new feature to play with, and doesn't mind arcade physics if the game is just plain fun. Though it would have been great to see the PC version make players not only battle the track, but the AI. Sorry about the disjointed comments and whatnot, I've been awake since 5PM yesterday. :) -Will

"William Bradshaw" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > Joe M. wrote: ><snipped>

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> In terms of gameplay (career mode), it is basically a rehash of the > console versions of NT2003...is it not? Yeah, it may have better physics > and be graphically better than the last version, but c'mon. > > To close this up; if I wanted to merely race, I'd do so with a Papy > product. For gameplay, I have to look at a console to fill my needs. > Yep, I was spoiled by the console version of NT2003 and it's career > mode...and why would I want to do it all over again, lock stock and > barrel? Will wants a new feature to play with, and doesn't mind arcade > physics if the game is just plain fun. Though it would have been great > to see the PC version make players not only battle the track, but the AI. > >

Good point, I didn't think of it this way. I'm coming from the "this is what we have so keep making it better" perspective. Since Papy is out, I'm hoping ISI keeps taking this simulation towards realism with good AI for offline racers like myself so that NT 2005 or 2006 might finally be the Papy killer and we are happily playing the "new" king of Nascar - with up to date graphics (instead of re-living the GPL situation with N2003 as the only true sim for the next 5 years). > > Sorry about the disjointed comments and whatnot, I've been awake since > 5PM yesterday. :) > Not bad for sleep deprivation. Most people aren't this coherent with 8 hours rest. ;) -- Joe M.