Good racing sim?

[Red October1984]

Didn't want to clog up the AC thread....that one looks great...but it's a little iffy on the specs for my PC. What's the best alternative out there? I'm not looking for a Burnout Paradise type of game...more like a sim would be best.

Also, would it be a good investment to get a racing wheel? :hmmm:

Ever since I saw Need for Speed last week, i've been hitting the Fast and the Furious movies pretty hard. All i need now is a sim.

[Schroeder]

Need for Speed + Sim = Doesn't compute...:doh:

I've actually no idea what is hot right now in the real sim world but you should get a wheel regardless of the title. It makes the driving experience much better.

[Snarf]

one of my buddies at work plays iracing online, looks pretty neat, very realistic graphics.

[Kptlt. Neuerburg]

I'd recommend Race 07 and a couple of add-ons for it, it's no AC but it is a decent alternative. As for a steering wheel, get one you'll find it much better and easier to play a racing game with one. It might take some tweaking but it's totally worth it.

[Red October1984]

Need for Speed + Sim = Doesn't compute...:doh:

I've actually no idea what is hot right now in the real sim world but you should get a wheel regardless of the title. It makes the driving experience much better.

Well...the movie got me pumped up to do some racing.

I have Need for Speed Hot Pursuit 2 and Burnout Revenge/Paradise on consoles....but PC is just...better.

---

Race 07 caught my eye. I might look at that one.

Are there any demos out there for me to try?

[Kptlt. Neuerburg]

Well...the movie got me pumped up to do some racing.

I have Need for Speed Hot Pursuit 2 and Burnout Revenge/Paradise on consoles....but PC is just...better.

---

Race 07 caught my eye. I might look at that one.

Are there any demos out there for me to try?
Yep, Race 07 does have a demo there on Steam if your interesting in giving it a try.

Edit: While I'm thinking about there's also Codemasters DiRT games, it's a rally game but it's still racing only thing is that last I looked DiRT 2 used Games for Windows Live (which is a bunch of junk).

[Herr-Berbunch]

Maybe Grid or NetKarPro (in before Sky), Grid's not a full on sim but it's far enough away from the NFS/Burnout arcade franchises and has a reasonable single player element.

[Red October1984]

Yep, Race 07 does have a demo there on Steam if your interesting in giving it a try.

I need a bigger hard drive....

As soon as I can, i'll definitely give it a try.

[seaniam81]

There's always GRID 2, or some F1 action with F1 2013.

[Skybird]

If AC cannot be done for you due to the specs, then get GTR2 or rF1. Of the simBin titles, GTR2 is the best there is (with full weather and day and night cycle), later incarnations all had more or less serious disadvantages compared to GTR2. Good AI (still so!), an for the standards of when it came out very good driving model. Also, at NoGripRacing there is practically no track or car that cannot be had has a mod. Some of them really look extremely good.

When GTR2 came out, I was very enthusiastic about it. It's just that simulation technology has gone beyond those old standards form back then. Against iR, AC and probably also rF2, it stands no chance.

In principle, I recommend AC. For older hardware, I recommend GTR2. NFS and such titles I do not take as serious attempts of simulating something.

GTR2 can be had for less than 5 bucks by now. Watch out for the opportunity.

P.S. Evolution and Race 07 have no night-day cycle and no weather.

P.P.S. You can check for GSC2013. It uses the graphics engine from the first rFactor, just has much better physics, and a nice Nordschleife mod. How could I miss to list that? GSC2013 is the way to go, no doubt, if hardware specs allow it for yo9u. Check this thread and its videos, the karts are GREAT FUN and are very well done, physics wise.

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=211174&page=2

This is their official specs:

Minimum configuration: 1.4 Ghz Processor / Windows XP or superior / 1GB RAM / Directx 9.0c compatible video card with 256MB Video RAM / 4 GB free hard disk space / Internet connection for online activation
Recommended configuration: 2.6 Ghz Processor / Windows XP or superior / 2GB RAM / Directx 9.0c compatible video card with 512MB Video RAM / 4 GB free hard disk space / Internet connection for online activation


PPP.S
As Herr Berbunch said, there also is netKart Pro, very cheap by now. Good physics but - if you do not do MP, you will race alone, since there are no AI cars. It looks dated by now, however. A solid track collection can be build via free downloads. The guys behind nKp are the same who now do AC.

[Red October1984]

If AC cannot be done for you due to the specs, then get GTR2 or rF1. Of the simBin titles, GTR2 is the best there is (with full weather and day and night cycle), later incarnations all had more or less serious disadvantages compared to GTR2. Good AI (still so!), an for the standards of when it came out very good driving model. Also, at NoGripRacing there is practically no track or car that cannot be had has a mod. Some of them really look extremely good.

Isn't GTR2 part of the same series that Race 07 does? :hmmm:

In principle, I recommend AC. For older hardware, I recommend GTR2. NFS and such titles I do not take as serious attempts of simulating something.

I could try out AC....maybe...I don't want to buy it and then not be able to run it. AFAIK there's no demo.

With my rig, certain things will run and certain things won't. I've found that the graphics reqs never count towards my pc running it. I can run stuff up to 512mb sometimes.

GTR2 can be had for less than 5 bucks by now. Watch out for the opportunity.

Noted. :up:

P.S. Evolution and Race 07 have no night-day cycle and no weather.

That changes my opinion on Race 07. Right now all i've got to play is Burnout Paradise....I might dig up Hot Pursuit 2...but I want something as close as I can get to an AC type of game.

P.P.S. You can check for GSC2013. It uses the graphics engine from the first rFactor, just has much better physics, and a nice Nordschleife mod. How could I miss to list that? GSC2013 is the way to go, no doubt, if hardware specs allow it for yo9u. Check this thread and its videos, the karts are GREAT FUN and are very well done, physics wise.

Checking out this right now. :yeah:

This is their official specs:

Minimum configuration: 1.4 Ghz Processor / Windows XP or superior / 1GB RAM / Directx 9.0c compatible video card with 256MB Video RAM / 4 GB free hard disk space / Internet connection for online activation
Recommended configuration: 2.6 Ghz Processor / Windows XP or superior / 2GB RAM / Directx 9.0c compatible video card with 512MB Video RAM / 4 GB free hard disk space / Internet connection for online activation


That one honestly looks doable for me. :hmmm:

PPP.S
As Herr Berbunch said, there also is netKart Pro, very cheap by now. Good physics but - if you do not do MP, you will race alone, since there are no AI cars. It looks dated by now, however. A solid track collection can be build via free downloads. The guys behind nKp are the same who now do AC.


MP is going to be hard for me. We blow through our 10gb limit in like two weeks....so half a month I have fast internet...other half is very very slow.

[Herr-Berbunch]

There's always GRID 2, or some F1 action with F1 2013.

I'd personally take Grid over Grid 2, 2 isn't as 'sim' as the original (and I know that's not exactly sim either!). Plus I don't think Red's specs will run Grid 2. Or F1 2013.

I keep telling him he needs a better PC (and interweb) but he doens't listen. :03:

[Skybird]

Isn't GTR2 part of the same series that Race 07 does? :hmmm:
It is the predecessor, but did almost all things better than the later titles. It's weired, but many people say so. There was GTR, GTR2, GTR Legends, and then GTR Evolution, Race 07.


I could try out AC....maybe...I don't want to buy it and then not be able to run it. AFAIK there's no demo.

Demo announced for once 1.0 is released. But if you do not have a decent modern combo, I seriously doubt that you can run it. It needs good hardware.


That changes my opinion on Race 07. Right now all i've got to play is Burnout Paradise....I might dig up Hot Pursuit 2...but I want something as close as I can get to an AC type of game.

The charms of getting GSC2013 is that it is not demanding due to the old engine, but that it puts this engine to better use than it was ever done before. But you get better physics, which are also better, I think, than GTR2. The AI in GTR2 I remember to have liked more, but GSC is not bad.

MP is going to be hard for me. We blow through our 10gb limit in like two weeks....so half a month I have fast internet...other half is very very slow.
Then netkart would offer you only practice and hotlapping, no races.


I got GSC2013 only for the nordschleife, since the Schleife hits AC not before autumn. netKart is still installed becasue of the wonderful Trento-Bondone hillclimb. It will be included in AC in 1.0, and then I will have no reason anymore to stay with nKp. I bought Evolution and Race07 in the christmas cheap deal at Steam, due to the Niordschleife, but I did not like the pohysics, and I was annoyed from seeing that also weather and day-night-cycle was gone. I then found GSC2013, and loved it due to the Nordschleife mod. It has day-night cycles, and the Interlagos default track looks nice as well. Also, the karts are really very recommendable.

If your rig can run it, I recommend GSC, if that is too much for your hardware, then GTR2.

Free track mods for GSC

http://www.nogripracing.com/files.php?subcat=134

Some of these GSC2013 can run, too.

http://www.nogripracing.com/files.php?subcat=126

GTR2 has very many free track mods. It'S an argument.

http://www.nogripracing.com/files.php?subcat=46

[Red October1984]

I keep telling him he needs a better PC (and interweb) but he doens't listen. :03:

:doh: It's not that I won't listen...I just don't have the money.

I don't make a lot of money as it is...it'd take a while to save up for a PC.

If your rig can run it, I recommend GSC, if that is too much for your hardware, then GTR2.

Alrighty then. I'll do some looking around. :salute: Thanks

[les green01]

iracing online is neat can be alot of fun and sometimes if your lucky you can race against the real pro drivers

[Red October1984]

Okay...so let's talk about the F1 series for a second.

F1 2010 made the list of "best racing games" that i'm reading...course 2012 and 2013 are on there too...but I doubt I can run those. 2010 though, maybe.

Would the F1 series be worth looking into or does GTR2 still take the cake? Maybe an older F1 would be better?

Also, as far as hardware goes. What brand/model of racing wheel do you guys recommend. I found one that immediately caught my eye and immediately stole my heart but it's a little expensive.

Logitech G27 Racing Wheel (http://gaming.logitech.com/en-us/product/g27-racing-wheel)

Authentic steering wheel, paddle shifters, six speed gearshift, clutch pedal... :o

*want*

[Skybird]

Just for the sense of completeness:

http://www.netkar-pro.com/main/

Free tracks:

http://www.drivingitalia.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=49407#entry594190

For 4 bucks, it is worth it, if for no other reason that the default Trneto-Bondone hillclimb, and the mod of the Nordschleife, looking old, but driving it with this title is fun.

As for your questions, on F1 I cannot answer with own experience, but the title has the reputation of being no hardcore simulation, and feeling arcadish.

On wheels, racing simulations with xbox controllers is like planes without wings: it does not compute. You can be fast, yes: but you never have the feeling of actually driving something, instead you control something with an exotic alien device in wq somewhat queer manner, that happens to look like a car.

Next, FFB is a must. Good simulations just provide too much info via the steering, which is especially true for the latest generation of sims like AC.

Next is the wheel rpotaiton angle. Chepaer models offer 250°, and good ones can be had for 150 Euros on. I had the Ferrari 430, and I love dit, it had very good manufacturing quality, and a nice heavy, solid feeling.

I upgraded from there - for AC - to the G27. Main difference is that this wheel rotates 900°. Also, it has a clutch pedal, and the manual shifter. In buttons oin the wheel (quality, number) ,it is inferior, also, the paddle of the 430 felt better, more solid. However - I never regretted the additional investment, those 900° make all the difference.

Wheel of 900° and even 1050° can be had for much more money. Yu can spend almlost a thosuand dollars for Wheel, pedals, shifter, and even more. Seen that way, the G27, with reaosnmable quality and good performance, imo offers the best bang-for-the-buck ratio on the market. In Germany, it can be spotted for 230-250 euros occassionally, sometimes for 280-300.

If you can get it for 250 Euros, get it, it is an okay price.

If you go for second hand, keep in mind that FFB wheels have wear and tear, you then should secure some sort of a warranty in case the wheel shows to be dysfunctional soon. If there is some clearance/tolerance of the wheel's axis centre, well, some is okay, too much obviously is not. Do not buy second hand without being able to check the item before with your own hands and eyes. Usually, people report happily about the longevity of the wheel.

If you can afford the price, the G27 is a good choice, therefore. It's worth to save a little for it. If you pay 120 for something less, I would say you waste money. If you feel like that, try to find a 430 for around 130-150 Euros, for the above reasons I mentioned. also: it looks nice and has this cool feature, the Manettino switch :cool:

I just checked US Amazon for the 430. Boy that thing is expensive over there! Forget it. I got mine some years ago for 150 euros, it now costs 330 dollar. The G27 is cheaper with US Amazon!

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-941-000045-G27-Racing-Wheel/dp/B001NT9TK4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396690534&sr=8-1&keywords=G27

244 dollars, that is 178 Euros. For German market conditions, that would be sensationally cheap.

[Skybird]

iracing online is neat can be alot of fun and sometimes if your lucky you can race against the real pro drivers
If you are so alien that you can keep up with them. ;)

[les green01]

aye but still fun and good pratice now if i can get my buddy to believe i have race aginst jr and some of the other nascar drivers

[Red October1984]

Just for the sense of completeness:

http://www.netkar-pro.com/main/

I had looked at that...but a game with MP only opponets just turns me off. I would maybe be able to play it twice a month until the Summer comes around.

I tried out the demo of Race 07 on Steam. I really like it other than the fact that it's impossible to drive a manual transmission with a keyboard. For some reason, when you kill it, you cannot start it again. I messed with it for a while. It's good fun...I can drive around the demo tracks pretty good at around 75 mph. If GTR2 is a better version of this, i'm sold on it.

I can easily see that a wheel, clutch pedal and shifter would be so helpful.

As for your questions, on F1 I cannot answer with own experience, but the title has the reputation of being no hardcore simulation, and feeling arcadish.


I had read that the 2010 version is like....the comprehensive F1 simulator on the market and that the series, recently, had been putting out great stuff. I'm not convinced on it.

244 dollars, that is 178 Euros. For German market conditions, that would be sensationally cheap.

I am going to have to be really working this summer if I want one of these. I really do. That would be awesome. I can see that it also works with a PS3....maybe eventually when they drop in price I can use it for console racing if and when I have some money.

How does the shifter/clutch match up to a real car? That's my only real question. I can deal with an unrealistic gas/brake/wheel....but the clutch and gearbox....I can't expect it to feel like a real car :hmmm:

EDIT: There's a cheaper, older model of the G27 out there. The Logitech G25. That looks like a more reasonable price at around 200$

[Skybird]

Less buttons, louder, and the shifter can be switched between two modes, but that is not really all welcomed. simHQ com had an indepth hardware review comparing the two. Check their archives.

If you are low on money I wonder why you maintain two platforms, PC and console. I would focus on just one then.

A good eye-candy title is the upcoming Project cars. I tried it in early October, that build lo90oked nice, but I think of the title being hopelessly inferior in physics to AC. However, that could change, if they work on it. Depends on where their focus is. Sounds also are slightly inferior. But the looks are really good, and they currently lead in the day-and night cycle department, and weather, both will hit AC not before a later, unspecified date.

All those titles however have download volumes in the two digit GB-range. If your internet connection is bad, well, you will need to download for days. AC default lists 30 GB for 1.0. I already have I think 11 GB in skins adding up to that...

I have no idea what your situation is, how old you are. Are you already working for a living, or are you still at school, and jobbing over the holidays? It hits me that since over a year people tell you to save money and buy a decent system first, and then invest in more games, instead of investing into old games all the time. You asked for older stuff in the flight forum and general games, too. One thing shoukld be clear to you: wheel or not, GSC or Race or GTR2 in no way compare to AC. You said early in this thread you want the racing sim that comes closest to AC. Well, none of the mentioned titles does.

Maybe think about priorities,a nd the right order in which to do stuff. Basics first. Bonus content later. Bonus is of no use if the basics cannot maintain it. Compromises on and on sooner or later raise more anger and disappointment than satisfaction. Maybe be patient, save, and do it right, over a longer period of time if necessary...?!

[Skybird]

http://www.simhq.com/_technology2/technology_153a.html

[Red October1984]

Less buttons, louder, and the shifter can be switched between two modes, but that is not really all welcomed. simHQ com had an indepth hardware review comparing the two. Check their archives.

:up:

If you are low on money I wonder why you maintain two platforms, PC and console. I would focus on just one then.

I really like both. They both have great things to offer.

I have no idea what your situation is, how old you are. Are you already working for a living, or are you still at school, and jobbing over the holidays? It hits me that since over a year people tell you to save money and buy a decent system first, and then invest in more games, instead of investing into old games all the time. You asked for older stuff in the flight forum and general games, too. One thing shoukld be clear to you: wheel or not, GSC or Race or GTR2 in no way compare to AC. You said early in this thread you want the racing sim that comes closest to AC. Well, none of the mentioned titles does.

Maybe think about priorities,a nd the right order in which to do stuff. Basics first. Bonus content later. Bonus is of no use if the basics cannot maintain it. Compromises on and on sooner or later raise more anger and disappointment than satisfaction. Maybe be patient, save, and do it right, over a longer period of time if necessary...?!

As this thread keeps going along that's what i'm thinking.

"Wait, get a better system and come back."

Internet connection won't change....it's always going to be slow here. I live in the woods.

Which, that's been my goal for a while now...save money and get a new PC. I'm a high school student working a part time job at a grocery store. Saving money isn't easy working 5 hours a week. I've always been one to get the most bang for my buck.

For priority on my money saving...this is a good 3rd/4th on the list. So it may be a while...

At this point, I'm seriously just considering getting a Forza Motorsport title for a couple dollars and holding off for now. Because racing simulation can get expensive. :hmmm:

This is why I get opinions and ask questions.

[eddie]

Nothing wrong with asking questions Red, its the only way you'll learn about these games. I stick with rFactor, still many nice mods coming out for it. Project Cars and Ac look wonderful BTW, but you have to ask yourself, how long will you stick with the game? I use most games from the casual user catagory. Not so serious a user that a certain game will suck up every dollar I have. I don't need a G27 wheel, nothing wrong with it, just don't want to tie up so much money when I won't use it all the time. Whats the point? If you use driving sims all the time, then its a must have! But, if you are a casual player like me, you don't need a wheel like that.
Project Cars is coming out for the console near Christmas this year, don't know if AC will be for the console or not? If you are going to get Forza, from what I've been reading about it, get Forza 4, it has many more cars in it, the Forza 5.
:)

[Red October1984]

I stick with rFactor, still many nice mods coming out for it. Project Cars and Ac look wonderful BTW, but you have to ask yourself, how long will you stick with the game?

That's the thing. I really really like what I see...but how long will I stick with it and how much further will this genre go?

I'm not ready to pay 800$ for a new PC and for racing apparatus. :hmmm:

Project Cars is coming out for the console near Christmas this year, don't know if AC will be for the console or not? If you are going to get Forza, from what I've been reading about it, get Forza 4, it has many more cars in it, the Forza 5.

I've done a bit of research on Forza. I can get 3 pretty cheap. 4 seems to be the better deal though. With it's number of cars and features, it sounds a lot more realistic than what I've been playing.

The way I see it, I should stick with console games for now, and if I want to go further in the future, I have the PC as an option.

[les green01]

Red i ask myself three things anymore when it comes to money do i need it do i want it do i got to have it and the last one anymore wins out

[Red October1984]

Red i ask myself three things anymore when it comes to money do i need it do i want it do i got to have it and the last one anymore wins out

Exactly. :)

Right now, most of my money is going to helping a friend with gas and eating on the go.

I guess it's either not have a ride anywhere and not eat and save up....or get where I need to go and eat.

[les green01]

there you go red:) last thing i bought that i wanted was 1847 walker repica from cabelas

[Skybird]

Nothing wrong with asking questions Red, its the only way you'll learn about these games. I stick with rFactor, still many nice mods coming out for it. Project Cars and Ac look wonderful BTW, but you have to ask yourself, how long will you stick with the game? I use most games from the casual user catagory. Not so serious a user that a certain game will suck up every dollar I have. I don't need a G27 wheel, nothing wrong with it, just don't want to tie up so much money when I won't use it all the time. Whats the point? If you use driving sims all the time, then its a must have! But, if you are a casual player like me, you don't need a wheel like that.
Project Cars is coming out for the console near Christmas this year, don't know if AC will be for the console or not? If you are going to get Forza, from what I've been reading about it, get Forza 4, it has many more cars in it, the Forza 5.
:)

They hinted at a possible console port of AC. Sales of Early Access apparently overtook their expectations tremendously, also the amount of interest they got from the US, considering that it is a quite euro-focussed package so far.

Forza , Gran Turismo, and by what I saw in that autumn build: Project Cars, should not be compared to iRacing, Assetto Corsa and rFactor 2. Realism is not just looks, but physics and the feeling to realistically drive a real car. And realism is what differs at least these groups.

Ideally, the playxer must notr find out how to behave in a sim to make it doing what he wants, but the sim should behave like the real thing and the player just treats the sim like the real thing as well. this is where AC scores so heavily, and why I just hotlapped dozens of hours and was happy, before AI came. I still prefer hotlapping or practicing, simply because the feel of driving. That is satisfaction in itself.

I agree that the financial investment for a wheel only makes sense when you make use of it that justifies that investment. That is a question of time, and taste. I personally have two wheel now due to my upgrade, and would have paid three times the price for AC, that much I play it and like it. The occasional arcade gamer maybe not necessarily needs a wheel and financial costs mounting indeed.

[Skybird]

Red, at youtuibe there is a guy called Empty Box (or Emptybox, I do not remember), and he has posted PLENTY of cockpit videos from all racing sims of the past couple of years, dozens of videos. Find his channel.

then check for some older videos about netKar and Nordschleife in the rain, older GTR-2 videos, and GSC 2013. By that you get good impressions of what each title is looking like and what it offers you.

NetKar and GTR-2 can be had at 5 Euros or less. Many mods out there for free, cars, tracks, sounds. That may be money you are able to afford, and maybe one can have fun from using the console controller you now have (I assume). An interim solution that maybe saves you from spending more money for a wheel that maybe is not really justified in your situation. Just a thought.

And an alternative: Richard Burns Rally. Racing that is difficult and very demanding, but thus: rewarding. And it is very different, really. A top title, and still the best rally sim out there, after ten years. It made me curse more than any other.

Also still an alternative if you can secure a cheap deal: Papyrus NASCAR 2003. Very intense pack racing, and one of the best AIs in racing sim history. But like richard Burns: it is difficult, and takes time to get into the hang of things. It cured my from my European belief that driving in circles is boring, and pointless. :) Boy, I did not know how much sweat I could produce in what a short amount of time. A real nail biter if the field gets close.


Emptybox made videos on these two games, too. Watch them.

Oh, and look at youtube for "netKar Trento Bondone". I have the strong impression you underestimate how much fun you can get from not racing AI, but doing certain tracks like hillclimbs or the Ring all alone. Before AC, my last racing game was netKar and GTR2. I hotlapped the Schleife for the past years, and almost exclusively. Races I did almost never.

[seaniam81]

Red, take a look at Grid
http://store.steampowered.com/app/12750/
I ran it back in the day on a pentium D. I had a lot of fun with it. It's not sim more closer to a middle ground between the NFS and GT series. If your PC can handle it check out the F1 series. My favorite was 2012. But the earlier ones were just as good. And while your looking the Dirt series was pretty good too.

[Red October1984]

Red, at youtuibe there is a guy called Empty Box (or Emptybox, I do not remember), and he has posted PLENTY of cockpit videos from all racing sims of the past couple of years, dozens of videos. Find his channel.

Doing it as I type. :)

NetKar and GTR-2 can be had at 5 Euros or less. Many mods out there for free, cars, tracks, sounds. That may be money you are able to afford, and maybe one can have fun from using the console controller you now have (I assume). An interim solution that maybe saves you from spending more money for a wheel that maybe is not really justified in your situation. Just a thought.

I actually don't even have a console controller for PC....my xbox controllers are wireless and aren't compatible with PC. I can buy one for about 20$ though.

A 25$ investment for GTR2 and a console controller compatible with PC is more my price range.

Also still an alternative if you can secure a cheap deal: Papyrus NASCAR 2003. Very intense pack racing, and one of the best AIs in racing sim history. But like richard Burns: it is difficult, and takes time to get into the hang of things. It cured my from my European belief that driving in circles is boring, and pointless. :) Boy, I did not know how much sweat I could produce in what a short amount of time. A real nail biter if the field gets close.

Pack racing...that's one that I could never really get in to. Here's 30 cars....here's one group...they're all going the same speed and same movements for 4 hours.

Emptybox made videos on these two games, too. Watch them.

:salute:

Oh, and look at youtube for "netKar Trento Bondone". I have the strong impression you underestimate how much fun you can get from not racing AI, but doing certain tracks like hillclimbs or the Ring all alone. Before AC, my last racing game was netKar and GTR2. I hotlapped the Schleife for the past years, and almost exclusively. Races I did almost never.


I had a bit of fun this morning just driving the BMW around the Swedish demo track in the Race 07 demo. :hmmm: Worth a look...this racing "alone"

[eddie]

I enjoy good realism in a race simulation Sky, just hard to find one like that,lol My pc is a bit better in what it takes to run Project Cars, but not enough for Assetta. I hope its as good as you say, but for the amount of racing I do, improving my pc is not high on my list at the moment. I'm retired so don't have a lot of extra money to spend.
I have had NASCAR 2003 since it first came out, have all the seasons from 1983 to 2014, have upgraded the AI with a new program and yes, you sweat buckets when you are in the middle of a pack going 185 miles an hour!:D
I don't race online, don't care for it. I usually crash a lot by myself at Targa Florio in rFactor:haha: I like taking special cars I like from the 60's through the 80's and see how long it takes me to get around a certain track. I like to take on Porsche 917's at LeMans in my Ford GT40 Mark IV, makes for some fun racing

[Skybird]

I was not aware that the specs of PC are lower than that for AC - are they? Visually, PC looks the same (cars), the environment maybe even better. IUt's the physics were it lacks, at least in last autumn when I could drive it for one and a half hour or so on a friends rig (I do not have PC myself). I also do not own iR or rF2, but test drove them on other people's computers. I do not know if the physics in PC maybe get improved, and to what degree.

Soundwise, AC has dth ebetter car sounds, I think. Judging by several comparisons you can tune in to on youtube. And they confirmed that the sound engine in AC is not even the final one, but will see a huge overhaul.

Prime argument for AC, is the feeling to drive. That it does even better than iR, I think. You do not need to learn how to treat the sim in order to make it behave like a car - you treat the sim like you would treat the real car, and that's why the sim rewards you. A greater compliment cannot be given, I think.

The reason I do not drive online, too, is three-fold. First, I am not good enough to keep up with the really ambitioned drivers out there. Second, newbies and a-holes on wheels have fun by ruining the race for others when driving either too incompetently and wrecking people, or intentionally wrecking people. Third, I have principally no interest in playing online, not even my beloved Steel Beasts.

Good advise is to either ace online only via iR with their tight regulations that ban chaos-devils, or only to race with a proven trusted gang of folks, at least with nobody who has not collected let's say at least one hundred hours offline with the simulation being used.

I really feel sympathy for reinstalling Nascar 2003 again and do a Daytona nightime. Dogfighting on wheels. Red, you do know nohting if you think pack racing in circles is not attractive - it is pure drama, insanity, and terror! :D

Maybe I should try to find some of the mods you mentioned, eddie, AI and maybe also better cockpits. Any hints? Have there also been tweaked physics worth to be tried?

[AngusJS]

I second Richard Burns Rally. It's a lot of fun and the graphics are still nice. Only problem is, I just searched for it and only found PS2 versions for sale.

There is also Grand Prix Legends, but it was so difficult and lacked aids like a racing line that I never could get into it.

As for a wheel - my first and only wheel I picked up at a thrift store for 5 bucks, and it works just fine, except for the force feedback, which is broken. It's the Interact V3 Advanced FX.

[Red October1984]

Today I'll pop into a retro/used/slightly older gaming store on the way home from baseball in the park.

I'll probably get Forza 3 or 4...but I'll keep an eye out for some of these other ones. Last I remember, they have a decent sized PC game section.

[Skybird]

If you do not mind Steam, over here they offer GTR2 for 6 Euros. US Amazon has it as download for 7 Dollars.

[Lionclaw]

GTR2 on Steam don't have the Porsche and Ferrari cars if I remember correctly. :doh:

[eddie]

I don't remember Lionclaw if they come with GTR2 or not. But if you want them in, the Street mod has been converted for GTR2, and these are the cars in it-

This Cars in the Streetcar Mod:
Alfa Romeo 2300 Touring Spider
Aston Martin One77
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
Audi 80 GTE
Audi R8 (V8, V10, V10 TwinTurbo)
Audi S6 / S6T (Normal- / Tunned Version)
Audi Sport quattro
Audi TT RS
BMW M1
BMW M3
BMW M6
Bugatti 51 Sport
Bugatti EB110 SS
Bugatti Veyron 16.4 / SS 16.4
Corvette ZR1
Dodge Viper ACR
Dodge Viper SRT10
Ferrari 308/328 GTB
Ferrari 348TB
Ferrari 355 F1
Ferrari 458 Italia
Ferrari 512 BB / 512 BBi
Ferrari 512 Testarossa
Ferrari 550 Maranello Coupe
Ferrari 575M Maranello
Ferrari 599 GTB
Ferrari Enzo
Ford 40 Cabriolet
Ford 40 HodRod Coupe
Holden Efijy Concept
Honda S2000
Jaguar XJ220
Jaguar XJS
Koenigsegg Agera
Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4
Lamborghini Countach LP400+LP500 v1.2
Lamborghini Countach Quattrovalvole
Lamborghini Diablo SV
Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera
Lamborghini Murcielago LP640
Lexus IS-F
Maserati GranTurismo S
McLaren MP4-12
Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR (W196S)
Mercedes-Benz 500SEC Koenig Specials
Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series
Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG / SL65T AMG (Normal- / Tunned Version)
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss
Mercedes-Benz SLS
Mercedes-Benz SSK
Panoz Esperante JRD Teams
Porsche 911 Carrera RS
Porsche 911 GT1 EVO
Porsche 911 Sport Classic
Porsche 911 Turbo 3.3L
Porsche 911 GT2 (997) / 911 GT2 Tunned (997)
Porsche 918 Spyder
Porsche 928 S4 / 928 GTS
Porsche 944 Turbo
Porsche 959 Sport
Porsche Cayman S
Porsche Panamera TURBO S
Saleen S5S Raptor
Ultimate SCC Aero / SCC Aero TT
VW Golf I GTi
VW Golf V GTi
VW Scirocco I GTi
VW Transporter
Wiesmann MF3 Roadster

Race Cars:
Mercedes-Benz SLR 722 GT
VW Golf V GTi RS

Plus a few tracks! You will be downloading for a while though, main mod is just over 2.17 GB, the patch is almost 800 MB! Good thing is they break it down in parts, so you aren't dling the whole thing at one time.

Like Sky said, NoGripracing is a good place to find mods for GTL, GTR2, rFactor,etc. But, there are others too, NoGrip has a 100 MB a day limit on dls, unless you subscribe to the site, pay monthly and you can dl as much as you want. At Trackoholics Den, you can get mods for GTL and GTR2, and no limits on dls.

http://trackaholics.nstars.org/

F1 Classic is the same way, but also have mods for tracks and cars for rFactor, GTL, GTR2, Race07, Assetta (just some new paint schemes Sky!!) even for F1C, lol

Have to register at both sites to be able to dl anything, no big deal , I haven't had any problems with either site.

http://f1classic.your-talk.com/

Have fun!
:)

[Skybird]

Most mods for rF1 have been converted to GTR2, and the other way around. Both sims are probably the most modded racing games there are.

I miss some tracks from GTR2 in AC or GSC. Zandvoort, Brands Hatch, Suzuka, to name the three that interest me most. Melbourne, Adelaide, Barcelona, to name three more.

There were some very good fantasy tracks in rF and converted to GTR2, too. But once one got a taste of AC's physics and driving model, you just cannot go back to GTR2 again, you just cannot.

[eddie]

Here you go Sky, the A.I. Mod for N2003, in the first post of this thread.

http://www.revampedreloaded.net/revamped/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=2&id=2219&Itemid=18

Just below that is a list of newer tracks this works great on. The mod this was made for can be found here, they do have a link for the dl in Europe, so shouldn't be hard to download. Its the Generation 6 mod, the cars they race now! It has all the paint schemes they use too!

http://bigdonlinemotorsports.com/Sprintcupseries.html

The A I mod has great instructions on how to install it, you should have no problem.

[eddie]

Most mods for rF1 have been converted to GTR2, and the other way around. Both sims are probably the most modded racing games there are.

I miss some tracks from GTR2 in AC or GSC. Zandvoort, Brands Hatch, Suzuka, to name the three that interest me most. Melbourne, Adelaide, Barcelona, to name three more.

There were some very good fantasy tracks in rF and converted to GTR2, too. But once one got a taste of AC's physics and driving model, you just cannot go back to GTR2 again, you just cannot.

They are converting cars from Forza 4 for rFactor! Look and run real well too!

[Red October1984]

Well no dice on the PC games but I got a really good deal on Forza 4.

[eddie]

That's good Red, hope you enjoy it! I have the 1966 Impala in rFactor already,lol

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v138/Thony/Imp_zps62d32602.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Thony/media/Imp_zps62d32602.jpg.html)

[Red October1984]

That's good Red, hope you enjoy it! I have the 1966 Impala in rFactor already,lol

I'm sure I will.

Going to try it in a while. I didn't see a cheap(er) xbox controller of any kind much less a racing wheel at the store...so i'm just going with the normal xbox controller.

[Skybird]

Thanks, Eddie, its bookmarked. But first I must find a way to make NC2003 compatible with W7, the compatability mode for XP alone and then some file tweaks i found via Google did not work when I tried this late afternoon. I remembered then that for that reason I already failed to install NC2003 longer time ago when I moved from XP to W7. The usual instructions of how to tweak the installation to make it run, work for many people, unfortunately not for all, and I seem to be one of the unhappy winners.

[eddie]

It installed on Win7 just fine here Sky. It installed it self on my C drive, not Program Files or Program File(x86) Folder is called Papyrus, inside is N2003. I also used the 4 GB exe patch on the N2003 exe.

You could create a folder on your C drive and name it games. Direct the installer into that folder and see what happens. Once it is installed, run the graphics configurator. Also, don't forget the patch which is 1.2.1

You can get both patches here. The original patch and the small fix for it.

http://www.simracingdesign.com/dlcat-nr2003-patches-sierra-papyrus-92/

Patch the gamw first before you use the 4 GB patch. The is a graphic tweaker for N2003 to use the modern graphic cards, I see if I can find a link fir it and the 4 GB patch. That 4 GB patch sure helps with older games on Win7.

[eddie]

Here's the link for the 4 GB exe patch-

http://www.ntcore.com/4gb_patch.php

Here's the graphics tweaker file, without it, the game won't run. Patch the game, then run this proggy, then the 4 GB exe patch. It should darn well run then. The graphics tweaker works on the game, not on anything on your system.

http://www.simracingdesign.com/downloads/nr2k3-utilities-editing-tools/174/nr2003-graphics-tweaker-2367/

[Skybird]

The game patches I knew, but the 4GB patch thing IS new to me. Will try again with that.

The game does install over here. It just does not launch, no matter which compatability mode was tried.

[Lionclaw]

I don't remember Lionclaw if they come with GTR2 or not. But if you want them in, the Street mod has been converted for GTR2, and these are the cars in it-

The disc version of GTR2 have Ferraris and Porsches though. :yep:

[Red October1984]

Final Verdict on Forza 4...

I like it. :cool: It's a great game for a small price. Paid $12.95 for the Essentials Edition.

[Skybird]

Eddie, I owe you one - it works! I assume the manual tweak I tried to work around the SECUROM issue that now is dealt with in the second patch, was the problem.

The graphics tweaker however refuses to work, the path to the installation folder does not get accepted by it. What exactly does it do? The GFX menu in game is fully accessible already now.

I now would like to get this new car cockpit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzNXkc1qH9Q

Better gauges. Any idea what package that is and where to get it?

Will look into your AI files next.

Again thanks. One of the very best racing sims ever created works again for me. Nice little dogfighter on wheels. :D

[Skybird]

Forget my last question about the cockpits, I finally managed to sort out how to install the pack you earlier linked to, its in there. :up:

[Skybird]

Eddie, also ignore my question on the gfx tweaker. Apparently I got a corrupted download. Redownloading it and using it, solved it.

[eddie]

Eddie, I owe you one - it works! I assume the manual tweak I tried to work around the SECUROM issue that now is dealt with in the second patch, was the problem.

The graphics tweaker however refuses to work, the path to the installation folder does not get accepted by it. What exactly does it do? The GFX menu in game is fully accessible already now.

I now would like to get this new car cockpit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzNXkc1qH9Q

Better gauges. Any idea what package that is and where to get it?

Will look into your AI files next.

Again thanks. One of the very best racing sims ever created works again for me. Nice little dogfighter on wheels. :D

Glad you got it working Sky! On some of the smaller tracks, its like flying a jet fighter inside a bath tub,LOL

The 4 GB exe patch makes older games that run on 32 bit systems, work on 64 bit systems. But now that you have it up and running, probably don't need it.

I tried the early version of NASCAR 2013 from Steam, its nothing but rubbish! The never got it patched right, then they decided to come out with NASCAR 2014, and its the same rubbish! Not worth any amount of money! I think NASCAR 2003 is the best for offline racing. Iracing is great if you do online, but I don't do any online stuff.

[Skybird]

Already had a 40 ,aps race at Daytona at night, and the same old magic did its tricks again. This sim got programmed 12-13 years ago, and it still is so unbelievably good! The mods seem to have tweaked not just AI, but also the physics feel a bit more forgiving, the cars do not as easily spin off after even a minor contact, and steering also is a bit smoother, kinder. As usual I messed up the pitstops I nevber find the eight place or I start speeding in pitlane...), but since the field after 20 rounds was wide apart and several mini-packs duelled it out and the whole track was burning at all corners, it did not matter what position I was in: I always was in a dogfight somewhere. The AI indeed feels differently, more aare, and more agile, dynamically reacting - and this although already the default one was very good and very competent.

AC rules, but I will come back to NC2003 every once in a while, no doubt, now that it is working again. To GTR2 I cannot return, the driving feeling is too inferior and also too different, weired, but with NC that discrepancy is not that extreme.

The amount of action at Daytona, was crazy, totally crazy! And still: believable, I saw no kamikaze manouvers, no AI failure, no stupid idiocy (except my own). And still something was smoking somewhere all race long, it seemed... :haha:

[Herr-Berbunch]

The 4 GB exe patch makes older games that run on 32 bit systems, work on 64 bit systems. But now that you have it up and running, probably don't need it.


Not quite, it lets x86 (i.e. 32-bit) stuff use up to 4 GB on x64 (64-bit) architecture instead of the default 2 GB.

If only Daniel Pistelli had named it more appropriately. :doh:

:O:

[eddie]

Final Verdict on Forza 4...

I like it. :cool: It's a great game for a small price. Paid $12.95 for the Essentials Edition.

Thats great Red!! Sounds like you are enjoying it!

[eddie]

Not quite, it lets x86 (i.e. 32-bit) stuff use up to 4 GB on x64 (64-bit) architecture instead of the default 2 GB.

If only Daniel Pistelli had named it more appropriately. :doh:

:O:

Thanks for the explanation, couldn't quite figure out how to explain it to Sky,lol

[Skybird]

Did another race, 50 laps at the Eight Bowl. So much drama, so much fun - so much sweat.... 25% race length and tires and fuel consumption increased to 3x works nice. Resulted in 32 laps in Daytona and 50 laps in the Bowl, 3 regular pitstops. I reduced the difficulty a bit, however, so that I must not mess around with the setups.

It's so good to have this jewel back on duty.

I wish this title would have AC's looks and physics. Or AC would have NC's AI. That combination would sweep the market for race simulations, dwarfing any other title there is currently.

[Red October1984]

Already had a 40 ,aps race at Daytona at night, and the same old magic did its tricks again. This sim got programmed 12-13 years ago, and it still is so unbelievably good! The mods seem to have tweaked not just AI, but also the physics feel a bit more forgiving, the cars do not as easily spin off after even a minor contact, and steering also is a bit smoother, kinder. As usual I messed up the pitstops I nevber find the eight place or I start speeding in pitlane...), but since the field after 20 rounds was wide apart and several mini-packs duelled it out and the whole track was burning at all corners, it did not matter what position I was in: I always was in a dogfight somewhere. The AI indeed feels differently, more aare, and more agile, dynamically reacting - and this although already the default one was very good and very competent.

AC rules, but I will come back to NC2003 every once in a while, no doubt, now that it is working again. To GTR2 I cannot return, the driving feeling is too inferior and also too different, weired, but with NC that discrepancy is not that extreme.

The amount of action at Daytona, was crazy, totally crazy! And still: believable, I saw no kamikaze manouvers, no AI failure, no stupid idiocy (except my own). And still something was smoking somewhere all race long, it seemed... :haha:

Thats great Red!! Sounds like you are enjoying it!

I enjoyed it the other night. I'm finally back home so there's more racing to do...but Sky's description of this Nascar game sounds pretty cool.

[eddie]

He keeps running around Daytona, I want him to run a 50 lap race at Martinsville or Bristol! Then let us hear what he has to say,lol

[Skybird]

NASCAR 2003:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smIw73FK7SY

nKp - Trento-Bondone:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12PIxX1sIns

RBR:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEqD54mWPGo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYMQ1ZMGtLE

heavily modded RBR:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycoyx4SaMDw

[MH]

Live for speed
http://www.lfs.net/

[MLGathome]

Grand Prix Legends, GPL for short, is the racing sim I drive the most. The community is still alive and has made several MOD's and over 500 tracks.

Enjoy the: 65F1, 66F1, Original 67F1, 67F2, 67 Sports Car, 69F1, Thundercars, Lancia Stratos and 71CanAm.

More to read on this site: http://srmz.net/

Greetings, Marcel