I love racing games with realistic physics models. The more realistic
the better. I also like racing against intelligent human opponents. So
it seems that I need to buy myself a high spec PC, Graphics, get GPL
and get online?
However, I'm a bit concerned that I'm gonna spend more time messing
about with PC settings, sound cards, modems, device driver upgrades
and bad connections than I am actually racing. I wanna race, not spend
my leisure time configuring and upgradin a PC . I have this concern
for two reasons.
1) I've spent 14 years in IT
2) I've been looking at the content of this forum
Can someone tell me I'm wrong? Or should I got back to my PS2 with
it's one simple on/off button and per to peer I-Link cable?
Adrian Thomson
Newcomer asks about getting into GPL online racing
Adrian Thomson asked what hardware he needed for GPL online and later planned a workplace LAN racing club. Replies said GPL ran fine on modest PCs and suggested LAN racing, cheap wheels, NR2002 and F1 2002. Side topics included the unlikely GPL2, open-sourcing GPL, and the lack of spotting aids beyond mirrors.
Automated summary.
I've got an Athlon 1.1 200Mhz FSB machine, with GEForce2 Ultra card, 512Mb
PC133 Ram (it's cheap!) and a 30Gb UDMA100 drive.
Not the latest spec PC I think you'd agree.
Anyway, GPL runs like a dream on that machine in DirectX mode, and I've not
even got the latest drivers for the graphics card (too scared about breaking
the PC again!).
As for all the mods, can't comment, but more/larger textrures will slow it
down a little I guess, but hey, I think you'll not need the top end spec PC
you think you might (it's a good game!).
As for getting on-line, as you'll be aware, a fast PC does not a fast
connection make, so that's really up to what connection you're planning.
Just my 2p's worth.
AndyC
"Adrian Thomson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
Quoted text (18 lines)
> I love racing games with realistic physics models. The more realistic > the better. I also like racing against intelligent human opponents. So > it seems that I need to buy myself a high spec PC, Graphics, get GPL > and get online? > > However, I'm a bit concerned that I'm gonna spend more time messing > about with PC settings, sound cards, modems, device driver upgrades > and bad connections than I am actually racing. I wanna race, not spend > my leisure time configuring and upgradin a PC . I have this concern > for two reasons. > > 1) I've spent 14 years in IT > 2) I've been looking at the content of this forum > > Can someone tell me I'm wrong? Or should I got back to my PS2 with > it's one simple on/off button and per to peer I-Link cable? > > Adrian Thomson[email hidden] (Adrian Thomson) writes:
When GPL was released "everyone" ran it with computers at around 300
MHz and a 28.8 modem online. I don't think there should be a hardware
concern about GPL anymore unless you want some of the seriously detailed
graphical enhancements made by 3rd party guys.
--
Olav Malmin
remove .spam when replying
Quoted text (16 lines)
> I love racing games with realistic physics models. The more realistic > the better. I also like racing against intelligent human opponents. So > it seems that I need to buy myself a high spec PC, Graphics, get GPL > and get online? > > However, I'm a bit concerned that I'm gonna spend more time messing > about with PC settings, sound cards, modems, device driver upgrades > and bad connections than I am actually racing. I wanna race, not spend > my leisure time configuring and upgradin a PC . I have this concern > for two reasons. > > 1) I've spent 14 years in IT > 2) I've been looking at the content of this forum > > Can someone tell me I'm wrong? Or should I got back to my PS2 with > it's one simple on/off button and per to peer I-Link cable?
"Olav Malmin" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
Exactly, you'd think the 14 years in IT would have been enough to know that
one! ;-)
Probably a P.M.
Quoted text (10 lines)
> [email hidden] (Adrian Thomson) writes: > > When GPL was released "everyone" ran it with computers at around 300 > MHz and a 28.8 modem online. I don't think there should be a hardware > concern about GPL anymore unless you want some of the seriously detailed > graphical enhancements made by 3rd party guys. > > -- > Olav Malmin > remove .spam when replyingAn aging AMD 700 GF2 and it runs great here. As for your worries, the
enjoyment of racing online far, far outweighs the downsides of the odd
disconnect and the hunt for patches and mods and the like. Been playing it
since 98 and still my favourite game (next to GTA3/Vice City :)
"Adrian Thomson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
<snip>
<snip>
Depends if your 14 years in IT was anything to do with computers :)
Any current gaming system should run fully patched GPL without problems
- the exception probably being some sound cards and accelerated audio.
(I humbly guess that this has to do with some soundcards being bus
hogs and slowing everything else down)
When GPL came out, the highest end intel processor was a P2-450.
I think most people ran 300-450mhz for the first year with a voodoo2
or tnt1/2 card. Any current system should peak framerates pretty
easily.
iksteh
Quoted text (8 lines)
> However, I'm a bit concerned that I'm gonna spend more time messing > about with PC settings, sound cards, modems, device driver upgrades > and bad connections than I am actually racing. I wanna race, not spend > my leisure time configuring and upgradin a PC . I have this concern > for two reasons. > > 1) I've spent 14 years in IT > 2) I've been looking at the content of this forumGuys,
Thanks for all the feedback. I'm actually thinking of setting up 2, 3
or maybe 4 decent machines here at my place of work as a GPL racing
club. I'm assuming that you can play on a LAN? Or with a straight COM
port connection?
I'm also planning to purchase wheels, pedals, driver cockpits, big
screens etc to produce a permanent race room. Any recommendations on
any of that stuff?
And finally, if realistic physics is top priority (as it is for me),
then is GPL still the best? And what is the latest version to
purchase? I hear much talk about patches but no mention of GPL 2.0.
Which seems a little odd after 4 years.
Adrian
ps. I used to be techie but am now guilty of drifting in to PM!
"iksteh" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...
Quoted text (26 lines)
> "Adrian Thomson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:[email hidden]... > <snip> > > However, I'm a bit concerned that I'm gonna spend more time messing > > about with PC settings, sound cards, modems, device driver upgrades > > and bad connections than I am actually racing. I wanna race, not spend > > my leisure time configuring and upgradin a PC . I have this concern > > for two reasons. > > > > 1) I've spent 14 years in IT > > 2) I've been looking at the content of this forum > <snip> > > Depends if your 14 years in IT was anything to do with computers :) > > Any current gaming system should run fully patched GPL without problems > - the exception probably being some sound cards and accelerated audio. > (I humbly guess that this has to do with some soundcards being bus > hogs and slowing everything else down) > > When GPL came out, the highest end intel processor was a P2-450. > I think most people ran 300-450mhz for the first year with a voodoo2 > or tnt1/2 card. Any current system should peak framerates pretty > easily. > > ikstehAdrian, buddy, pal, mate,
Lan is the best way to go. Best quality racing because of no latency to
speak of. As for wheels, it depends on your budget. I got my brother in
law started on one of the cheap wheels sold as " Blue racing wheels" It
looks by construction to be a TM Nascar Pro. For a price of $12 USD it's
very functional. If your budget goes to the upper regions, you could buy a
bunch of the new Logitech Momo's.
On word of caution, be prepared for a significant change in lifestyle.
You could end up like me. Out of work, separated, working on your Monster
Rank or trying to take seconds off a lap at Nurburgring for weeks.
Good Luck,
Jeff H.
"Adrian Thomson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
-snipped-
Quoted text (19 lines)
> Guys, > > Thanks for all the feedback. I'm actually thinking of setting up 2, 3 > or maybe 4 decent machines here at my place of work as a GPL racing > club. I'm assuming that you can play on a LAN? Or with a straight COM > port connection? > > I'm also planning to purchase wheels, pedals, driver cockpits, big > screens etc to produce a permanent race room. Any recommendations on > any of that stuff? > > And finally, if realistic physics is top priority (as it is for me), > then is GPL still the best? And what is the latest version to > purchase? I hear much talk about patches but no mention of GPL 2.0. > Which seems a little odd after 4 years. > > Adrian > > ps. I used to be techie but am now guilty of drifting in to PM!On 13 Nov 2002 02:15:19 -0800, [email hidden] (Adrian
Thomson) wrote:
>And finally, if realistic physics is top priority (as it is for me),
>then is GPL still the best?
Yes and no. Best open-wheeled sim by a wide margin, but it you don't
mind driving stock cars you should try nascar 2002. Ovals get old,
but there is a wonderful conversion utility that will allow you to
race the road circuits from GPL and ICR2/Cart Racing, if you don't
mind parting with $25.
>nd what is the latest version to
>purchase? I hear much talk about patches but no mention of GPL 2.0.
>Which seems a little odd after 4 years.
GPL 2.0 would sell like hotcakes. No one in a position to financially
support the sim wants to hear that, tho.
Jason
> And finally, if realistic physics is top priority (as it is for me),
> then is GPL still the best? And what is the latest version to
> purchase? I hear much talk about patches but no mention of GPL 2.0.
> Which seems a little odd after 4 years.
If you're on a LAN, then F1 2002 is hard to beat in terms of physics. The
system requirements are much steeper than GPL, but the racing experience on
a LAN is (arguably) much more compelling. Both games require quite a large
commitment from all drivers in that they require a lot of practice to get
good at. You'll also need to hunt around for various mods, patches,
graphics & sounds updates etc to get the most out of each sim. Nascar
Racing 2002 is also excellent if you're into Nascar.
Jason Moyer wrote:
> GPL 2.0 would sell like hotcakes. No one in a position to financially
> support the sim wants to hear that, tho.
>
> Jason
I bet that's what they thought when they made GPL. Truth is it didn't.
GPL2 would mainly only sell to people who have GPL which means they
still won't sell that many. There's an online petition for GPL2 and
that's only got about 6000 responses.
The GPL community wants GPL2. Unfortunately it's not financially viable
to make it.
Here's an odd idea...
I wonder if Papy could ever be convinced to release the GPL code to open
source ?
Hey, you never know :)
-Larry
"Kevin Clark" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
Quoted text (17 lines)
> Jason Moyer wrote: > > > GPL 2.0 would sell like hotcakes. No one in a position to financially > > support the sim wants to hear that, tho. > > > > Jason > > I bet that's what they thought when they made GPL. Truth is it didn't. > GPL2 would mainly only sell to people who have GPL which means they > still won't sell that many. There's an online petition for GPL2 and > that's only got about 6000 responses. > > The GPL community wants GPL2. Unfortunately it's not financially viable > to make it. > > >Ok - so now I'm torn between GPL and F1 2002. Which F1 2002 is that.
Who is that by? Also another important factor for a racing game to be
worth the investment and long term commitment is that you need to have
some way of knowing who is around you. Something to suppliment your
lack of peripheral vision.
Solutions such as:
1. Multiple physical screens (Sega F355 arcade game)
2. On screen radar view (Sega F355 console port)
3. Rear view mirrors (various)
4. Ability to look left, right, behind (various)
5. Car behind indicator (TOCA Pro Race Driver with it's big red arrow)
What do GPL and F12002 offer in support of this requirement.
Adrian
"Andrew Williams" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<aqup3v$crr4k$[email hidden]>...
Quoted text (12 lines)
> > And finally, if realistic physics is top priority (as it is for me), > > then is GPL still the best? And what is the latest version to > > purchase? I hear much talk about patches but no mention of GPL 2.0. > > Which seems a little odd after 4 years. > > If you're on a LAN, then F1 2002 is hard to beat in terms of physics. The > system requirements are much steeper than GPL, but the racing experience on > a LAN is (arguably) much more compelling. Both games require quite a large > commitment from all drivers in that they require a lot of practice to get > good at. You'll also need to hunt around for various mods, patches, > graphics & sounds updates etc to get the most out of each sim. Nascar > Racing 2002 is also excellent if you're into Nascar.
"Adrian Thomson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
Mirrors and sound and look left/right. Beleive me, the last thing you
want to be doing in GPL is checking some radar screen whilst trying to set
up for a corner. I can't even afford to use the left right keys...can't
give up that much direction-view time.
I will offer this advice tho...IF you race at Monza against the AI, and
if you get quick enough to be mid pack or higher halfway through the first
lap...you MUST check your mirrors...as you approach the last turn(THe
Parabolica) There will be a certain White Honda(Murasama) that will come
barreling down into your backside....if you don't know where Surtees is, he
will find you!!!
F1 2002 is the lastest by ISI(SCGT) and sold via EA Sports and has the
same indicators as GPL.
Neither has floating onscreen track maps nor big red arrows pointing out
the next turn or the following opponet. Both have had patches privately
created that produce unique engine notes for each car so, with a little
practice you can tell who's around you just by ear.
dave henrie
Quoted text (17 lines)
> Ok - so now I'm torn between GPL and F1 2002. Which F1 2002 is that. > Who is that by? Also another important factor for a racing game to be > worth the investment and long term commitment is that you need to have > some way of knowing who is around you. Something to suppliment your > lack of peripheral vision. > > Solutions such as: > > 1. Multiple physical screens (Sega F355 arcade game) > 2. On screen radar view (Sega F355 console port) > 3. Rear view mirrors (various) > 4. Ability to look left, right, behind (various) > 5. Car behind indicator (TOCA Pro Race Driver with it's big red arrow) > > What do GPL and F12002 offer in support of this requirement. > > AdrianF1 2002 is $19.95 or less. GPL is like $10 when you can find it.
Buy and enjoy both :)
-Larry
"Adrian Thomson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
news:<aqup3v$crr4k$[email hidden]>...
> > > And finally, if realistic physics is top priority (as it is for me),
> > > then is GPL still the best? And what is the latest version to
> > > purchase? I hear much talk about patches but no mention of GPL 2.0.
> > > Which seems a little odd after 4 years.
> >
> > If you're on a LAN, then F1 2002 is hard to beat in terms of physics.The
> > system requirements are much steeper than GPL, but the racing experienceon
> > a LAN is (arguably) much more compelling. Both games require quite alarge
> > commitment from all drivers in that they require a lot of practice toget
> > good at. You'll also need to hunt around for various mods, patches,
> > graphics & sounds updates etc to get the most out of each sim. Nascar
> > Racing 2002 is also excellent if you're into Nascar.
Quoted text (19 lines)
> Ok - so now I'm torn between GPL and F1 2002. Which F1 2002 is that. > Who is that by? Also another important factor for a racing game to be > worth the investment and long term commitment is that you need to have > some way of knowing who is around you. Something to suppliment your > lack of peripheral vision. > > Solutions such as: > > 1. Multiple physical screens (Sega F355 arcade game) > 2. On screen radar view (Sega F355 console port) > 3. Rear view mirrors (various) > 4. Ability to look left, right, behind (various) > 5. Car behind indicator (TOCA Pro Race Driver with it's big red arrow) > > What do GPL and F12002 offer in support of this requirement. > > Adrian > > "Andrew Williams" <[email hidden]> wrote in messageGPL doesn't need a high end PC to run nicely.
Also I consider GPL as quite troubleless (installation) compared to other sims.
Go ahead, get something like XP 1600, GF3, cheapo Soundcard, a good wheel and
there you go.
Have fun :-)
JensSchumi
On 11 Nov 2002 08:43:28 -0800, [email hidden] (Adrian Thomson) wrote:
>I love racing games with realistic physics models. The more realistic
>the better. I also like racing against intelligent human opponents. So
>it seems that I need to buy myself a high spec PC, Graphics, get GPL
>and get online?<snip>
---------------------------------------------
LWFF Ball Bearing conversion at:
http://jensschumi.bravepages.com/
GPLRank: -14.82
Monsters of GPL: sub 95
Can I join your company? <g>
GPL is still top notch (stating it's the best could start a flame-war)
GPL2 we should not count on.
Anyhow, with all those bells and whistles available nowadays GPL doesn't look
too old to me :-)
Cya
JensSchumi
On 13 Nov 2002 02:15:19 -0800, [email hidden] (Adrian Thomson) wrote:
<snip>
---------------------------------------------
LWFF Ball Bearing conversion at:
http://jensschumi.bravepages.com/
GPLRank: -14.82
Monsters of GPL: sub 95
Quoted text (7 lines)
>Guys, > >Thanks for all the feedback. I'm actually thinking of setting up 2, 3 >or maybe 4 decent machines here at my place of work as a GPL racing >club. I'm assuming that you can play on a LAN? Or with a straight COM >port connection? >gpl is a bit behind in seeing your competetors though, nascar 2002 has a lot
of improvements which could be put in gpl+ or gpl2.
"JS" <[email hidden]> schreef in bericht
news:[email hidden]...
look
> too old to me :-)
>
> Cya
> JensSchumi
>
> On 13 Nov 2002 02:15:19 -0800, [email hidden] (Adrian Thomson)wrote:
Quoted text (7 lines)
> Can I join your company? <g> > > GPL is still top notch (stating it's the best could start a flame-war) > > GPL2 we should not count on. > > Anyhow, with all those bells and whistles available nowadays GPL doesn'tQuoted text (15 lines)
> > >Guys, > > > >Thanks for all the feedback. I'm actually thinking of setting up 2, 3 > >or maybe 4 decent machines here at my place of work as a GPL racing > >club. I'm assuming that you can play on a LAN? Or with a straight COM > >port connection? > > > <snip> > --------------------------------------------- > LWFF Ball Bearing conversion at: > http://jensschumi.bravepages.com/ > > GPLRank: -14.82 > Monsters of GPL: sub 95On Thu, 14 Nov 2002 14:03:24 GMT, Larry wrote:
Good idea, even if TOFU'ed. Make GPL GPL! Now there's a slogan!
I guess we would also see a linux port in no time, given that
most papy sims support opengl. Oh, the possibilities...
Uwe
--
mail replies to Uwe at schuerkamp dot de ( yahoo address is spambox)
Uwe Schuerkamp //////////////////////////// http://www.schuerkamp.de/
Herford, Germany \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ (52.0N/8.5E)
GPG Fingerprint: 2E 13 20 22 9A 3F 63 7F 67 6F E9 B1 A8 36 A4 61
Quoted text (8 lines)
> Here's an odd idea... > > I wonder if Papy could ever be convinced to release the GPL code to open > source ? > > Hey, you never know :) > > -LarryOn 14 Nov 2002 06:13:43 -0800, Adrian Thomson wrote:
...
> 2. On screen radar view (Sega F355 console port)...
I wonder if it could be possible for some clever GPL-hacker to implement some
sort of radar view patch. If I had only known that there were those two
Coopers behind that Honda which was overtaking me at Lesmo on lap 1 at
the last online race...
--
<[email hidden]=@X@[email hidden]=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=->
< Tero Turtiainen | Icarus Racing - Where Eagles dare! >
< turtiain at iki.fi | http://www.icarusracing.com/ >
<-=-=-=-=- @ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=->
NOTE: When replying, make the obvious change to my email-address. spam@sucks
Quoted text (7 lines)
> Also another important factor for a racing game to be > worth the investment and long term commitment is that you need to have > some way of knowing who is around you. Something to suppliment your > lack of peripheral vision. > > Solutions such as: >The rearview mirrors work for most of us.......
Tero Turtiainen <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:vALB9.110$[email hidden]...
Quoted text (10 lines)
> I wonder if it could be possible for some clever GPL-hacker to implement some > sort of radar view patch. If I had only known that there were those two > Coopers behind that Honda which was overtaking me at Lesmo on lap 1 at > the last online race... > -- > <[email hidden]=@X@[email hidden]=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-> > < Tero Turtiainen | Icarus Racing - Where Eagles dare! > > < turtiain at iki.fi | http://www.icarusracing.com/ > > <-=-=-=-=- @ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-> > NOTE: When replying, make the obvious change to my email-address. spam@sucksOn Sun, 17 Nov 2002 18:55:07 GMT, Biz wrote:
> The rearview mirrors work for most of us.......
Oh really? With the default bandwidth settings you only see *one car*
behind you so there can be (and has been) some quite nasty surprises.
Also the blind spots in the left and right can sometimes be quite
fatal... ICR2 had quite nice magic mirrors, I wish those could be fitted
to my Eagle :-P
--
<[email hidden]=@X@[email hidden]=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=->
< Tero Turtiainen | Icarus Racing - Where Eagles dare! >
< turtiain at iki.fi | http://www.icarusracing.com/ >
<-=-=-=-=- @ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=->
NOTE: When replying, make the obvious change to my email-address. spam@sucks
