Let's talk driving games

[gordon0412]

I've never played video games, but have heard a number of autocrossers talk about various systems and games, and even being able to improve driving skills. I didn't make note of any details though. So, what are some of the most popular systems and games. X-Box and Grand Theft Auto(s)? I'd be planning on using the box with my entertainment system vs my PC. Am I right in thinking all I need to start is the box, the game, and a basic controller? I know there are setups where you have a steering wheel etc., but I want to ease into this. I'm a true gaming neophyte so any and all info, especially on driving games and setups will be greatly appreciated!

[LoCore]

Sony PS2
Gran Turismo 3 and 4
Logitech Force-Feedback Steering Wheel and Pedals (old model)

XBox
Project Gotham Racing 1 and 2
"Sam's Club Special" Logitech Steering Wheel (non-FF) and Pedals

Future Project
Logitech FF Wheel and Pedals (new version, full rotation)
Utilize the M3 Luxury seats sitting in the basement :-)

[ianacole]

XBox
Project Gotham Racing 1 and 2
"Sam's Club Special" Logitech Steering Wheel (non-FF) and Pedals


I would recommend Forza Motorsports and the Fanatec Speedster wheels for either the Xbox or Playstation: http://www.fanatec.com/

[gordon0412]

Thanks gentlemen. Ah yes, I recall hearing talk about Gran Turismo and how it works. Think my car is actually in it. And a quick check of Circuit City shows they sell an Xbox/Forza Motorsports combo, but of course without the wheel.

[tronic]

I really like Rallisport Challenge 2 on Xbox.
great physics, driveability, visuals, and gameplay. it'd be in the "cheap" bin these days, too.

[aurorasti]

PS 2
GT4 is the only way to go.
Logitec FF wheel/pedal

Love the physics of the game. Been playing the GT series since it cam out on the PS1 sometime last century. Waiting on PS3 and GT5!

[Captain_Solo]

gotta agree with aurorasti here. GT4 and the logitec pro wheel setup is awesome. 2.5 turns lock to lock, just like a real car, or at least more like a real car than other systems I've tried. Just make sure you can anchor it down nice and tight. I pulled the wheel right off my desk once while trying to correct a gnarly spin.:eek:

[gordon0412]

I've heard nothing but great things about GT4. But, a friend at work who just got a Xbox 360 is willing to sell his xbox for a pretty good price so I'll probably do that and give Forza a try. From what I've seen it looks pretty similar. I'm sure I'll end up wanting a wheel, but now for I'll start with the controller.

[LoCore]

Forza has a great online mode via Live, but I hated it; I could never find a car that seemed to have any brakes.

I like the physics of GT4 much better.

Hey Paul L--what was that game that you posted a preview about around a year ago? Had a video of a real Miata and a Miata in the game. It was supposed to be very realistic as well.

[gordon0412]

Picked up Xbox/Forza on Sat. Spent a few hours with it over the weekend. Nothing to compare it to, but it seems pretty awesome to me. Ran Nurburgring last night in about 10.5 mins in a prepared/modded Integra. Ooh, air time. Fun! The video playback is cool, and the modeling of the track physics is impressive, at least to me. Make a mistake and your off the track or in the tire wall. Kinda hard to steer as smoothly/precisely as I’d like with my left thumb so I’ve hit a few walls. :) The damage doesn’t seem realistic though – it’s too forgiving. Only frustration so far is the AI racers in the pro series are very aggressive, slamming you from behind knocking you off course if you brake too early and almost always in the last lap, but I guess that’s somewhat realistic.

[Scott Napier]

http://www.racer.nl

this is a FREE game you can download and play on your PC.... all controls are done with the mouse, and it is actually a very good teaching tool!!

The folks who came up with it are all serious physics geeks, and they take the realism seriously. There are tons of tracks and tons of cars... go try it out and have a blast!

Here is a hint on car control...

left button = upshift
right button = downshift
move the mouse "up" or "forward" = more throttle
move the mnouse "down" or "backward" = braking
steering is left ot right obviously... it takes some getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, the game is very fun and very real!

[ianacole]

Picked up Xbox/Forza on Sat. Spent a few hours with it over the weekend. Nothing to compare it to, but it seems pretty awesome to me. Ran Nurburgring last night in about 10.5 mins in a prepared/modded Integra. Ooh, air time. Fun! The video playback is cool, and the modeling of the track physics is impressive, at least to me. Make a mistake and your off the track or in the tire wall. Kinda hard to steer as smoothly/precisely as I’d like with my left thumb so I’ve hit a few walls. :) The damage doesn’t seem realistic though – it’s too forgiving. Only frustration so far is the AI racers in the pro series are very aggressive, slamming you from behind knocking you off course if you brake too early and almost always in the last lap, but I guess that’s somewhat realistic.

Have you smacked a wall hard enough that it throws off your alignment? When that happens I just start driving the wrong way on the track to see if I can run into other cars:D Although, on the ring that may take awhile.

[gordon0412]

Have you smacked a wall hard enough that it throws off your alignment? When that happens I just start driving the wrong way on the track to see if I can run into other cars:D Although, on the ring that may take awhile.

You bet. :) Turned my left wheel/strut red on the damage indicator and the car pulled left badly afterwards. So it will let you drive a course backwards. Hmmm, might have to try that!

[kwenzel]

http://www.racer.nl

this is a FREE game you can download and play on your PC.... all controls are done with the mouse, and it is actually a very good teaching tool!!

That sounds interesting - I'll have to try it out. Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I can't stand GT4 (or any of its predecessors). I love the graphics, of course, but the physics model just doesn't seem very realistic even in the most recent version (which, admittedly, I've played for just long enough to find that it didn't seem any better than GT3). I really don't like driving games where you basically just plow into corners, and that's what GT4 always feels like to me, even with a decent wheel.

Now, Grand Prix Legends - that's a good physics model! Maybe a little too realistic, but SO rewarding once you start to get the hang of it. Actually making it around the Nurburgring without wrecking really feels like an accomplishment in that game. :)

[Built-By-Bones]

Now, Grand Prix Legends - that's a good physics model! Maybe a little too realistic, but SO rewarding once you start to get the hang of it. Actually making it around the Nurburgring without wrecking really feels like an accomplishment in that game. :)

I must agree, Grand Prix Legends is the best game I have seen. It's problem is that the physics model is so true to life it takes many hours of practice to complete one lap without crashing. 450HP, no downforce, and skinny bias ply tires.

The modelling of the Kyalami circuit is so accurate even though that circuit has not exisited for 20 years. The bump going to the first turn is there even though you cannot see it.

And if you delve in the aftermarket world, GPL is limitless. There is even an autocross course, that you can customise to replicate any course you want. And you can tweak the grip available too, so you can practice on concrete or pavement.

GPL rules.

[SubaDrew]

if you got a pc that can handle games fairly well, GTR FIA racing is VERY realistic and serious. Also, Live for Speed is a good one that has a free demo (liveforspeed.net) and you can race with people online.

I got one of those rare logitech momo wheel and pedal setups for the PC and it work pretty well for curing my winter racing itch. Not sure if it's helping my actual racing though.

[gordon0412]

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions and info! Appreciate it. Somehow I knew this community would have knowledge and opinions on this :) I intend to eventually get around to trying all of these that I have the ability to run, but tendonitis limits the time I can spend playing games so it might take awhile.

[aurorasti]

When you do finally get to these games, then next thing in your vocabulary will be "Nintendo thumb". If you don't know what I mean, I am more than sure a few of these bench racers will be able to explain in painfull detail what it is.:D

[Eric Pollock]

Gordon,

If you play enough video games using a controller then you will know exactly what Brian is saying about "Nintendo Thumb". I got it major when doing endurance races in GT3 ;)

[gordon0412]

If you play enough video games using a controller then you will know exactly what Brian is saying about "Nintendo Thumb".

I can imagine! With tendonitis from work and having once sliced off about half of my left thumb above the knuckle I can only play for about an hour at a time until I get a wheel. My left thumb starts to hurt because it's basically nerve and bone, no tissue.

The nascar version is everywhere, but the logitech momo wheel is proving hard to find. Anyone know where to find one short of paying Logitech $20 to ship it across the pond?

[tronic]

TOCA Race Driver 3 is coming out soon for most/all platforms:

http://www.codemasters.com/tocaracedriver3/

looks pretty slick. "The Ultimate Racing Simulator" ?

[Dylans]

Collin Mcrae 2004/2005 are both really good games also. All rally racing but the physics engine is really good, especially if you like drifting through dirt and snow. I think it's made by Codemasters and were $20 brand new when they came out, should be able to pick them up for pretty cheap now.

[380SS]

Need to give Enthusa Professional Race Driver game from Konoma (sp) very a chance it drives very good. Came out in 05, so it's enexpensive. I bought mine at wall mart.

[JonathonBarton]

I must agree, Grand Prix Legends is the best game I have seen. GPL rules.

If you're in the GPL/GTR/LFS camps like Mr. Barklay and Mr. Little, check out Rfactor by ISI (same people that brought you the Gmotor1 engine used in GTR and GTL). It's $39 to buy, but it's also the first game that is deliberately open to modding. Granted, that has it's good points and it's bad points. The Mods are only as good as the Modders. The Porsche Carrera Cup mod initially came out with a physics set that modeled a Front Engine/Rear Wheel Drive car! *DOH*.
The up side is that the Physics files and such are text files so that people can look at them and then jump the developer's case to fix it... :)

Last night I raced an 880HP Stock Car around a Dover-clone.
Saturday night, I raced a SuperKart around the Nurburgring.
In a couple weeks, there will be a Car of Tomorrow released for the guys that like to go fast and turn left.
There's also F1 F3 F-Nippon, AeroWars '88, and a slew of other mods available.

There's even...this...thing... (coming soon)
http://www.jonathonbarton.net/Grab_047.jpg

http://www.rfactor.net
http://rfstockcars.com
http://www.jonathonbarton.net/SCE_Thunder.wmv (22mb)
http://www.jonathonbarton.net/SCE_ThunderHigh.wmv (80MB)

JB

[gordon0412]

Thanks yet again everyone for the suggestions. Wow, I had no idea there were so many games out there!

It’s far from perfect, but I’m enjoying Forza quite a bit. Have had great success in a modded up to A1 3rd gen RX7. Also done well in a prepared and further modded STi. Can’t drive a Vet at all it seems, I keep breaking it lose exiting corners though interestingly I do pretty well in a Viper and 911. I’ve also enjoyed the RSX and Mugen Integra quite a bit. Driving lots of different cars is definitely a big part of the fun of these games.

Do these games have any carry over to reality? I modded up an ’05 Mustang GT to A1, and I can consistently beat it’s times on any track in the A1 RX7. They’re both RWD so I believe it’s the 7’s lighter weight and probably superior suspension design that allows me to brake later and still hit the line whereas I have a harder time keeping the Stang on the line under heavy/late braking. I just wonder if I would find myself better able to drive a 7 in the “real world”. Of course the 7 was a prize car from a tuner and the Stang was purchased stock so that may be the difference as well.