New sims and old tracks...

This is an issue which I've seen people dance around off and on over
the past year or so (with all the new sims announced and/or released-
rFactor, First, LFS, GTR et al.), but it's never been discussed
directly.

One advantage that an established sim, one which manages to
maintain a core audience beyond the first six months of release
(after which most games in most other genres go from being played
to being history) is all the add-on tracks that it has accumulated
through the efforts of dedicated fanatics. When deciding to try a
new sim over an older one, one has to consider whether it is worth
forgoing favorite tracks in favor of the base stock tracks which
come with the new game. For example if I buy GTR, I have to
say goodbye to such excellent NR2003/GPL tracks as Isle of
Man, Bullrun, Mosport, or Le Mans, at least until and if said
tracks are ported over to the new sim.

I am to understand that the Ring already has been, but it was of
mediocre quality, which brings me to my second topic: SHOULD
new sims be made with an eye to converting tracks from older
yet popular titles? Or will having to keep that door open hamper
the physics, visuals, and trackbuilding features of the new sim,
preventing it from taking simming to a whole new level, where
a conversion of an old title will be either impossible or look
hopelessly dated (if not glitchy) in comparison to the state-
of-the-art tracks which shipped with the new sim?

John DiFool

That is exactly the case for me. I'm just now really getting into NR2003
because of all the great short tracks that have been released in the last
few months, and the PWF ones. Short tracks are what I like and Nr2003 is
finaly getting close to the level of fun for me that N3 was. I personaly
don't have any thing more than a passing intrest in GTR or rFactor because
they don't simulate what type of racing I like to do. The new EA title
probably won't be of much use to me since the current NASCAR schedule only
has three short tracks on it. So I don't see NR2003 coming off my hard drive
any time soon. I now know how the GPL'ers feel.

As for converting tracks it would be great if there was an easy way to
convert them between games, but it will never happen. Even if it would be
possible to just convert the 3d model over with stuff like AI and the alike
having to be recreated would be a great start. Although I can see the bitch
about who takes credit for what all ready.

MadDAWG

>"John DiFool" > wrote
> I am to understand that the Ring already has been, but it was of
> mediocre quality, which brings me to my second topic: SHOULD
> new sims be made with an eye to converting tracks from older
> yet popular titles?


It's impossible, developpers have too many difference in the way they
architecture their data and information for either the 3d track model, objet
placement, textures on those objects, etc...


I've said it long ago, some company should have been formed and should have
"sold" tracks to developpers. How many versions of Donnington do you need?
I've seen almost a dozen version of it in various sims throughout the years.
Same for all the F1 games who model year after year the same tracks, Monaco,
Monza, Spa, etc... That's why, rFactor, why should I buy it when I'm gonna
have to wait 6 months until we have even average looking third-user tracks?





--
-- François Ménard <ymenard>
-- This announcement is brought to you by the Shimago-Dominguez
Corporation - helping America into the New World...

Not a bad idea (selling track models), but I bet the licensing would be
hell. And with a beancounter saying "why pay top dollar for a super
accurate version when we can cobble one together and nobody will be the
wiser" - would it even be viable?

I don't share your concerns about rFactor - I doubt it'll be 6 months
to get reasonable tracks. Anyone want to take bets on how long it
takes for every good F1C track to get ported to rFactor?

They could finally be taking the successful FPS-engine model into the
racing sim world - build a good core, and let other people mod it for
free, or have someone pay for the licensing and sell thier own sim.
That's practically what GTR is, apart from coming from an earlier
engine.

I do very few "release-day-1" purchases - I expect rFactor will be one
of them - that and Racing Legends .

Kendt

In article >,
says...
> That is exactly the case for me. I'm just now really getting into NR2003
> because of all the great short tracks that have been released in the last
> few months, and the PWF ones. Short tracks are what I like and Nr2003 is
> finaly getting close to the level of fun for me that N3 was. I personaly
> don't have any thing more than a passing intrest in GTR or rFactor because
> they don't simulate what type of racing I like to do. The new EA title
> probably won't be of much use to me since the current NASCAR schedule only
> has three short tracks on it. So I don't see NR2003 coming off my hard drive
> any time soon. I now know how the GPL'ers feel.
>
> As for converting tracks it would be great if there was an easy way to
> convert them between games, but it will never happen. Even if it would be
> possible to just convert the 3d model over with stuff like AI and the alike
> having to be recreated would be a great start. Although I can see the bitch
> about who takes credit for what all ready.
>
> MadDAWG
>
>
>

Hey, do you have a setup for North Wilkesboro 2004?

In article >,
says...
> That is exactly the case for me. I'm just now really getting into NR2003
> because of all the great short tracks that have been released in the last
> few months, and the PWF ones. Short tracks are what I like and Nr2003 is
> finaly getting close to the level of fun for me that N3 was. I personaly
> don't have any thing more than a passing intrest in GTR or rFactor because
> they don't simulate what type of racing I like to do. The new EA title
> probably won't be of much use to me since the current NASCAR schedule only
> has three short tracks on it. So I don't see NR2003 coming off my hard drive
> any time soon. I now know how the GPL'ers feel.
>
> As for converting tracks it would be great if there was an easy way to
> convert them between games, but it will never happen. Even if it would be
> possible to just convert the 3d model over with stuff like AI and the alike
> having to be recreated would be a great start. Although I can see the bitch
> about who takes credit for what all ready.
>
> MadDAWG
>

I forgot to mention that the setup should be for the CTS mod ...

wrote:
> I do very few "release-day-1" purchases - I expect rFactor will be one
> of them - that and Racing Legends .

If rFactor is released on April 1st you can make both purchases on the
same day.

Fred

> Hey, do you have a setup for North Wilkesboro 2004?

I'll send you what I have. I didn't actualy make it myself so I take no
credit or blame.

And yes its for the CTS mod. It about the only thing I run.

MadDAWG

Email me and I'll send it to you.

MadDAWG

Hi John,

I love those short tracks! Wilkesboro was always one of my favorites. I
have a setup for it posted on my web site if you're still looking for one.
I haven't had a chance to test extensively there yet, but it seemed to work
okay for me in the races I've run.

Good luck, let me know if you get to try it.

PeptoJoe
www.peptojoe.com


"John Simmons" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> says...
>> That is exactly the case for me. I'm just now really getting into NR2003
>> because of all the great short tracks that have been released in the last
>> few months, and the PWF ones. Short tracks are what I like and Nr2003 is
>> finaly getting close to the level of fun for me that N3 was. I personaly
>> don't have any thing more than a passing intrest in GTR or rFactor
>> because
>> they don't simulate what type of racing I like to do. The new EA title
>> probably won't be of much use to me since the current NASCAR schedule
>> only
>> has three short tracks on it. So I don't see NR2003 coming off my hard
>> drive
>> any time soon. I now know how the GPL'ers feel.
>>
>> As for converting tracks it would be great if there was an easy way to
>> convert them between games, but it will never happen. Even if it would be
>> possible to just convert the 3d model over with stuff like AI and the
>> alike
>> having to be recreated would be a great start. Although I can see the
>> bitch
>> about who takes credit for what all ready.
>>
>> MadDAWG
>>
>>
>>
>
> Hey, do you have a setup for North Wilkesboro 2004?