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Rec.Autos.Simulators Archive

Gran Turismo 3

discussed in 32 posts, 2000-2004 · overall tone positive

Posts per month

2000-11: 1 posts2000-12: 0 posts2001-01: 0 posts20012001-02: 0 posts2001-03: 1 posts2001-04: 0 posts2001-05: 0 posts2001-06: 0 posts2001-07: 0 posts2001-08: 1 posts2001-09: 0 posts2001-10: 0 posts2001-11: 0 posts2001-12: 0 posts2002-01: 0 posts20022002-02: 0 posts2002-03: 0 posts2002-04: 0 posts2002-05: 6 posts2002-06: 1 posts2002-07: 0 posts2002-08: 0 posts2002-09: 0 posts2002-10: 0 posts2002-11: 0 posts2002-12: 3 posts2003-01: 1 posts20032003-02: 4 posts2003-03: 0 posts2003-04: 0 posts2003-05: 0 posts2003-06: 0 posts2003-07: 1 posts2003-08: 0 posts2003-09: 0 posts2003-10: 0 posts2003-11: 5 posts2003-12: 1 posts2004-01: 0 posts20042004-02: 0 posts2004-03: 0 posts2004-04: 0 posts2004-05: 0 posts2004-06: 2 posts2004-07: 3 posts2004-08: 0 posts2004-09: 2 posts

Key threads

  • Gran Turismo 3 release: sim or arcade? 2001-07-08 · 92 posts
    A poster anticipating Gran Turismo 3 on PS2 called it the next generation of racing sims. Most regulars rejected that, citing the lack of a cockpit view and rubber-band AI, while others defended it as great fun with good physics for a console game. The debate widened into which PC titles count as serious sims and how to judge physics models.
  • Did any sim racers buy a PS2 for GT3? 2001-07-13 · 83 posts
    A poster asked whether RAS regulars had bought a PS2 just for Gran Turismo 3. Some had, while others refused to own consoles or saw no reason to pay that much for one game. Later, Radical Entertainment designer Joe McGinn argued with Christopher Johnson over whether GT3 qualifies as a sim, and much of the thread was family banter.
  • Gran Turismo 3 impressions and graphics debate 2001-07-13 · 75 posts
    Olly Greenfield praised Gran Turismo 3's graphics as the best ever seen in a racing game. Others agreed it looked stunning and drove reasonably well, but criticised the lack of a cockpit or hood view, slow-car boost and no visible damage. The thread also covered PS2 i-Link multiplayer, Le Mans versions on different consoles and the PS2 as a DVD player.
  • Is Gran Turismo 3 a sim or an arcade racer? 2002-03-07 · 44 posts
    A poster asked whether Gran Turismo 3 on the PS2 deserved to be called a sim, citing no true cockpit view, no damage and unrealistic fast cars. Most called it a sim-like game that is not a true sim, though several argued it is far from arcade and rewards proper driving technique in time trials. Side discussions covered F1 2001 on the PS2, Dreamcast titles like F355 Challenge, and whether consoles could run GPL-level physics.
  • Console versus PC sims: World of Outlaws Sprint Cars 2002-05-21 · 40 posts
    RB praised Ratbag's World of Outlaws Sprint Cars 2002 on PS2 as rivalling Papyrus's PC sims. This set off a long console-versus-PC debate: some argued consoles were killing true sims and that Gran Turismo was not a sim, while Nick, JM and BH defended GT and console racers as legitimate driving simulations.
  • Do PS2 racing games have realistic physics? 2001-10-26 · 23 posts
    A new PS2 owner found Gran Turismo 3 cars sliding as if on ice and its force feedback weak. Jonny Hodgson said Vanishing Point's realistic tyre modelling felt similar, Stephen Ferguson criticised GT3's unrealistic airborne pitching, and others discussed aerodynamic causes. Doug Milliken noted that Atari's Hard Drivin' arcade games used real Corvette tyre data his company supplied.
  • Gran Turismo 4 screenshots and console versus PC 2003-05-03 · 92 posts
    Posters were impressed by near-photorealistic Gran Turismo 4 screenshots, though some suspected they were pre-rendered. The long thread debated GT3's handling, poor AI and small fields against PC sims like NR2003 and GTR2002, along with planned GT4 online play and Sony and Microsoft's console strategies.
  • Xbox price cut rumour and best console racing games 2002-09-06 · 62 posts
    Larry asked which Xbox racing game was best after rumours of a $149 price cut. Suggestions included NASCAR Heat 2002, Sega GT 2002, RalliSport Challenge and Project Gotham, while Steve Smith, researching a Motor Trend story, rated Gran Turismo 3 on PS2 the best console title despite criticism of its AI. The thread drifted into Linux on the Xbox, the DMCA, HDTV and the console wars.
  • PS2 or Xbox for racing and sports games 2003-02-11 · 47 posts
    Larry asked whether to buy a PS2 or Xbox for racing and sports. Steve Smith, citing his Motor Trend piece, favoured the PS2 for force feedback wheel support and Gran Turismo 3, while others preferred the Xbox for graphics and Xbox Live online play. The thread turned into a debate about Xbox Live subscriber numbers and Microsoft's console losses.
  • Do PS2 racing games compare with PC sims 2002-10-13 · 46 posts
    Rick Sweeney asked whether PS2 racing titles compared with PC sims on his new HDTV. Most said none matched PC sims in depth, though Gran Turismo 3 and NFS Hot Pursuit 2 were praised as fun, and Steve Smith, author of GPL's Four Wheel Drift guide, rated GT3 highly for gameplay. A newcomer's insults drew rebukes, and side posts covered installing the SSM mod's Le Mans track in F1 2002.
  • Gran Turismo 3 praised as more fun than PC sims 2001-07-25 · 40 posts
    A poster declared GT3 far more fun than N4 or GPL after playing it with a wheel. Responses were mixed: some agreed it is enjoyable, while others criticised its on-rails AI and similar-feeling cars, and discussed PS2 wheel compatibility. Debate also touched on whether N4 is boring and its lack of accelerated tyre wear.
  • Xbox or PS2? Project Gotham versus Gran Turismo 3 2002-03-21 · 33 posts
    Steve Crook-Dawkins asked whether to buy an Xbox or PS2 instead of upgrading his PC. Opinions split: some preferred the Xbox hardware and games like Project Gotham and RalliSport, while others found the PS2 had more good games. Most agreed that GT3 is 'sim-lite' while Project Gotham is an arcade racer, and Steve Smith mentioned writing a Motor Trend article on car games.
  • First screenshots of Gran Turismo 3 on PS2 2000-10-02 · 31 posts
    Screenshots of Gran Turismo 3 for the PlayStation 2 impressed some users, while others pointed to jaggies and said NASCAR Heat on a GeForce2 looked as good. Radical Entertainment's Joe McGinn said the PS2 could do antialiased 640x480 without flicker. The lack of an in-car view and of damage, said to be due to manufacturer licensing, were criticised.
  • Should Gran Turismo come to the PC? 2002-12-11 · 31 posts
    A poster argued that Gran Turismo deserved a PC version and dismissed existing PC sims in rambling posts. Others explained that GT sells PlayStations for Sony and defended GPL, NR2002 and GTR2002, and the poster was widely treated as a troll and insulted. Side debates covered Falcon 4 versus IL-2 and GT3 versus Ferrari F355.
  • Best games console for racing 2002-06-30 · 29 posts
    A casual gamer asked which console had the best racing games. Recommendations favoured the PS2 with Gran Turismo 3 and the Logitech force feedback wheel, with Xbox options such as Project Gotham, RalliSport Challenge and NASCAR Heat. Randy Magruder later added advice about PS2 wheels.
  • Console racing game with the most realistic physics 2003-02-10 · 29 posts
    Posters named Ferrari F355 Challenge on Dreamcast and PS2 as the console racer closest to sim physics, though it had permanent ABS and the PS2 version had a bad steering dead zone. Opinions split on Gran Turismo 3, Project Gotham Racing and Sega GT 2002, while Steve Smith recommended World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars.
  • Wishing for a Gran Turismo 3-style street car sim on PC 2001-04-11 · 29 posts
    Alain lamented that PC sims lacked a street car equivalent of Gran Turismo 3. Replies suggested Need for Speed Porsche Unleashed as a sim-lite option, debated whether GT3 is really a simulation, and expected WSC to fill the gap.
  • Gran Turismo 3 multi-display support versus World Sports Cars 2001-04-25 · 26 posts
    An anonymous poster noted that Gran Turismo 3 supports multiple linked PS2 displays, contrasting it with the upcoming World Sports Cars. Regulars dismissed GT3's AI and lack of cockpit view, pointed out that GPL could already do multi-screen via networked PCs, and debated whether there is room to enjoy both arcade racers and hardcore sims. A side argument concerned posting anonymously.
  • Is a PS2 worth buying for GT3? GeForce3 debate 2001-08-05 · 25 posts
    A poster asked whether a PS2 was worth buying for Gran Turismo 3 and Le Mans. Opinions were mixed, with several saying GT3 is mostly a prettier GT2. The thread turned to Xbox and GeForce3 performance claims, with Simon Brown doubting marketing polygon figures.
  • How a PS2 compares with a PC for GT3-level graphics 2002-01-18 · 24 posts
    Steven Crook-Dawkins asked what PC specification would match a PS2 running Gran Turismo 3. Replies noted the PS2's low resolution and lack of filtering, causing texture shimmer that an S-video cable reportedly removes, and argued console optimisation does the rest. Opinions on GT3's physics varied, and the thread drifted into a debate about CISC and RISC processors.
  • Gran Turismo 3 versus Project Gotham Racing for a console newcomer 2002-07-03 · 24 posts
    A non-gamer asked whether to buy a PS2 with Gran Turismo 3 or an Xbox with Project Gotham Racing. Most respondents favoured GT3 for its polish and depth, while others argued PC sims offer more longevity through online play and mods. The original poster ended up buying the Xbox and PGR, and the thread drifted into Microsoft's losses on Xbox hardware and the delay of GT4.
  • Enjoying Gran Turismo 3 reignites the sim-or-not argument 2002-04-02 · 22 posts
    kafooey described having fun with Gran Turismo 3 on the PS2 again. Replies criticised its scripted AI and lack of damage, while others argued that all such titles are games and enjoyment matters more than labels. The original poster called the group anal, and the thread became a light spat.
  • Will GT3 or Project Gotham Racing come to PC? 2002-01-04 · 22 posts
    Jim asked whether Gran Turismo 3 or Project Gotham Racing would come to PC, impressed by their graphics. Replies said GT3 would never leave PlayStation, PGR might be ported, and both lacked a cockpit view, which several regulars called a deal-breaker. Others credited console visuals to good lighting and reflections, and noted the physics were simplified.
  • Rumoured PC version of Gran Turismo 3 2002-01-09 · 21 posts
    Kirk House relayed a web report that Sony was working on a PC version of Gran Turismo 3 alongside GT4. Sceptics expected a rushed console port and noted the rumour had circulated for a long time without official word. Others debated whether GT3 counts as a sim, with several saying it drives much better with a force feedback wheel than a gamepad.
  • Steve Smith tries GT3 and asks about PS2 wheels 2002-05-29 · 21 posts
    Steve Smith, preparing a racing game review for Motor Trend, described his first console experience with GT3 and asked about wheels. Replies explained that the PS2, not the Xbox, supports USB wheels such as the Logitech Wingman FF GP and Thrustmaster Ferrari, and that a wheel improved GT3.
  • Project Gotham Racing on Xbox versus Gran Turismo 2002-05-17 · 21 posts
    A poster praised an Xbox demo of what turned out to be Project Gotham Racing, comparing it favourably with GT3. Others found it shallow beyond multiplayer, argued over whether PGR or Gran Turismo handled better, and listed upcoming console racers. The thread ended with questions about TVs versus monitors for consoles.

Sentiment by year

Each post that discussed the sim was rated from −2 (very negative) to +2 (very positive).

YearPostsPositiveNegativeTone
2000110very positive (+1.00)
2001211mixed (+0.00)
20021063positive (+0.60)
20031262positive (+0.33)
2004711mixed (-0.00)

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