A few readers asked me to give them a brief review of this
program, so here goes:
Background: I got the "bew" (1992) version last week. I used the
original version (1986 date) on a MacPlus and it was the ONLY non-work
program/game that I have ever used more than once. It was in B&W, but
quite quick for a 68000 running at 7.6Mhz!
Anyway, I just got a new multimedia Mac (LC 575, 68040 33Mhz, CD,
the works! 8-) with a color Sony and thought - I need a new race simulator
and I hope that that Ferrari GP program is still around and maybe upgraded!
Well, I was right. THe author, DOnald Hill (Bullseye Software
distributor) has completely rewritten the program, but the original feel
is still there (Which is great).
Description: Runs in 16 colors - must turn off 256 colors to run
- and the graphics are a bit primitive. I can handle the primitive
graphics (ie backgrounds are basic, cars do not have moving suspension
components when they pass you, etc - but check this out, they do have
exhaust flames when they back off, and sparks fly from the skid plates on
really fast straights - COOL). On a fast Mac, you get solid shapes, 8
cars, 2 minutes of action Replay, Helicopter views, in-car and off-car
camera angles (even view from other cars).
Your car is totally adjustable: wing angle, all 7 gear ratios,
tire compounds (qualifying, B-compound and C-compound). You qualify and
this determines your grid position. You can choose the mode of driving:
1. 1994 rules: manual shifting, braking - the gearbox is an
up/down box - only requires two keys - user describable). Quite hard to
do and not competitive for a long time.
2. Manual driving, infinite traction: the program calculates tire
slip and will let you drift corners and skid off the track if you choose.
This mode allows you to go aroung corners at 200mph if you can steer that
fast.
3. 1993 rules: auto shifting and braking - very relaxing and very
satisfying for the person who wants to race NOW!! Competitive out of the
box, and very impressive. Can still rip the carbon fibre out of the
bottom of the car though!
Action: The simulation is real time (a two hour Brazilian GP
takes 2 hours to race). The action is smooth and very realistic (IMHO).
THe sound is realistic. The beads of sweat are realistic too, as is the
elevated heart rate 8-). If you come up on another car you have to slow
down. Computer competitors will *block* you and take the line away in a
corner, no problems. You can turn on realistic crashes which is very
frustrating at first. If you go off course, or scrub tires around
corners, you will end up with no tires and the car handles like shit: you
can review tire wear and ask for new tires at the next pit stop. The car
lightens up as you use fuel!
Racing: All 16 courses from the 1991 season are available - which
includes the last USGP (I think?) They are very realistic. You can
design your own courses if you wish (difficult). All computer competitors
are adjustable - you can make them all Alain Prost/Ayrton Senna, or all
(fill in your worst nightmare). - by this I mean you can adjust their
specifications just as you can adjust those of your car (tires, wing,
etc). Racing at close quarters is quite harrowing. They block, cut, and
generally will not move aside when you want to pass. It takes some guts
and some tire wear to pass on the inside, and passing on the outside is
about as rare here as in the real world! Since races are real time (2
hours or less) it is only really satisfying if you make your competitors
realistic - you CAN walk away with the race if you want to, but it can
gget boring, trust me... You have to pit in a race, otherwise your tires
will wear so badly that you skid every corner. Pitting is real time, and
you have to get in fast and exit fast.
Enough: you got the flavor. Id be happy to talk more about it if you
want, but how about getting it so I can compare times and races with you?
(The program will accept a hard-wire connection of two Macs for a realtime
two up race - for those of you close enough)
phil ganderton (winner of USGP!)
