C.A.R.S. - Community Assisted Racing Sim

[NoDubJustYet]

I'm wondering if I should invest in this game or hold out for the new SimBin game?

[IDdubber]

read the thread - it's been discussed as to why and what the project is all about. Sign into the WMD forums and read up on it.

I'd say it's a good deal to get in on Pcars, Simbin will release a solid product, though. They always do.

[Sump]

This might help

[Elbows]

I think SimBin will probably end up with a game just as technically sound (if not moreso) than PCars, but they have never ever put any emphasis behind graphics, weather, changing time, the absurd amount of tracks/vehicles etc. that PCars is set to deliver.

Just playing the current version, it's been well worth my $52 or whatever I paid. I'm set. My buddies are finally starting to download it.

PS: I have no idea how they're going to cram this game's eventual content into an Xbox 360 or PS3 title...

[Elbows]

Updates:

Just downloaded the latest Build --- they've introduced the Monaco track, and the Formula Rookie (Formula Ford) car...pretty slick.

Monaco is going to be incredible (it's a blank build right now). I've seen some of the art they've been crankin' out.

[rpmk4]

can't believe i haven't seen this before. looks like i need to get something put together and get this.

[NoDubJustYet]

That video is quite impressive...

[Sump]

That video is quite impressive...

That's game footage too. My computer isn't super high powered and I'm still blown away every time I play as to how good it looks.

[Elbows]

Not to mention it's perhaps a year out from final product - so you can see a lot of minor glitches (and most of the car models don't have damage models developed yet) etc. It's only going to get better.

[Big Morgan]

Formula Ford is a blast, makes me want one IRL.

Taking a bit of a break until I can get a better controller set up, I've hit the limit of the fun I can have with the brake and gas pedals being an on/off switch. Until then (hopefully only a day or two more...) I've dusted off FSX.

[Elbows]

I love the Formula Ford car. Shame they used the old model, and not the sexy new one.



It's definitely a handful compared to the easy Radical. I find the new Lotus 49 (sans wing) much more enjoyable...and they're getting closer to quality sound.

[Sump]

What level membership do you need for that build and is it 0234?

Love the Atom V8

[Elbows]

Just the standard "Full Member" or whatever. I downloaded the patch yesterday. It's not the car I posted the picture of though - it's the older Formula Ford that they modeled (referred to as Formula Rookie in the car list).

[IDdubber]

if you are in the lower levels you will get all the content the first friday of next month. Content is not withheld from users...it is only delayed ie lowest members get monthly releases to play, higher get weekly. By the first friday of each month everyone is on level playing ground, so to speak.

The highest level get daily - which is crazy.

[Elbows]

Yeah, I saw some highest level guys talking about running at Monaco...was jealous.

[Sump]

Cool thanks for the info guys.

[Elbows]

Sump, as good as you are at these games, I think you'd be bored with the Formula Rookie. It's pretty slow (four speed box, tops out around 120), but it's a hoot not having aero.

[Sump]

Sump, as good as you are at these games, I think you'd be bored with the Formula Rookie. It's pretty slow (four speed box, tops out around 120), but it's a hoot not having aero.

Ha I'm not that good at this one yet. Cars are tough with no assists. Can't drive Formula A or B at all yet.

Although I had a hoot doing a 25 lap race at Imola (Bologna in the game?) with a 24 car grid with the 1967 Lotus F1 car.

I've been watching all the old F1 season reviews since about 1965 or so (up to 1976 so far) and can finally imagine was it was like to drive those old F1 cars.

Can't wait for same real multi-player racing.

[Elbows]

Yeah, I'm waiting patiently for multiplayer. I run minimal assists (ABS, and low traction control). It doesn't help me not spin out all the freakin' time. I love that they removed the wing on the Lotus 49 as well.

I tried to drive it around Monaco earlier, and it damn near doesn't make the hairpin. I haven't messed with car settings though, so I don't know if you can adjust steering racks in the menu. I also can't drive the Atoms very well, particularly the V8 model.

[Sump]

Atom V8 is a handful for sure, that 67 Lotus is easier to drive. But the Atom V8 also does a buck80.

[Elbows]

Passing on the outside of a hairpin? But of course!

[Sump]

Apollo I forgot is AWD. Super fun to rip around and learn the tracks, really nice to control.

[Elbows]

Is it really? Hmmm. I have a hell of a time in that car because I prefer to run in-cockpit, and that thing is claustrophobic (particularly at night). It pales in comparison to the R18's though.

[IDdubber]

I will race on the bonnet cam (allowing me to at least see the front of the car) or the hood cam...it gives decent spacial awareness and lets you see where you're going in those hard to see out of vehicles. I have messed with the cockpit cam A LOT on some of them and will switch every few laps. As much as I love the in car and helmet cams, I like being able to see where I'm going even more

[Sump]

Is it really? Hmmm. I have a hell of a time in that car because I prefer to run in-cockpit, and that thing is claustrophobic (particularly at night). It pales in comparison to the R18's though.

Yeah I do hood/above the car on enclosed vehicles and cockpit on open cars. I just can't friggin see anything inside the car on the Apollo.

I think the TQ split on the Apollo is something like 10-15% front and 80-90% rear. It's still easy to get the ass out, but it def. has some power going to the front.

[Elbows]

My buddies and I are already planning stuff...such as:

1) A 1-2 hour race, using accelerated time, to replicate a 24-Hour event at LeMans or Nurburging. We'll run real fuel/damage etc...should be fun. Though we'll force inside cockpit regardless of the car, just to make it significantly more exhausting/difficult. Run a field of 30-40 AI cars as well.

2) A go-kart run at the Nurburgring in the rain...

[Big Morgan]

I haven't experimented with it much, but what may be helpful on the "claustrophobic" cars is repositioning the camera.

I forget the default keystrokes for the camera controls, but you can move it around and about the cockpit quite a ways.

[Sump]

I haven't experimented with it much, but what may be helpful on the "claustrophobic" cars is repositioning the camera.

I forget the default keystrokes for the camera controls, but you can move it around and about the cockpit quite a ways.

Yeah I think the brackets ( [ ] ) change FOV when in views.

[Elbows]

Yep, you can also adjust the field of view in the options menu --- I can cope with most of them, except the R18...it's impossible.

[Big Morgan]

So I got my adapter to use a Playstation 2 controller with PC. It works wonderfully, feels just like Gran Turismo 4 / 5. Much better for me than an X360 controller because I prefer to use buttons for brake / gas than the triggers and the Playstation controllers have those slick pressure-sensitive buttons.

I had basically taught myself to drive "wrong" at this point in pCARS so I have to re-learn now that the brakes and throttle aren't merely an on-off switch but I'm pretty confident I can put off buying a Fanatec for a few more months at this point. Highly recommend www.motioninjoy.com for anyone who prefers the feel and versatility of the PS controller over the X360 controller for racing games.

[IDdubber]

if you want to try and customize it even more, I recommend joytokey...lets you REALLY setup joysticks for games. Use it with all my sports games and FPS that I don't use WSAD with.

[Elbows]

By the way, if anyone has NOT driven it - the 90's NASCAR in (Road) guise is probably one of the most fun cars in the game. I am technically faster in some of the other cars, but none of them are nearly as fun. Big, rolly, large tires, and huge noise.

I really hope more cars similar to it come around. It's an absolute hoot to drive, particularly on the point-to-point stages.

[Sump]

Just learned you can use WASD to move your seat position in cockpit view. Gets a great view for the open cockpit cars. Had a ton of fun using my wheel and an F1 car last night. Finally getting the hang of it.

[Elbows]

Yep, the seat adjustments are super helpful...though creepy if you scoot back too much, because if you look down, you see your headless body! (also if you go too far back, under G-forces, your view disappears as you sink into the headrest!)

[Elbows]

They just got licensing for Formula Gulf (small, motorcycle powered single-seat open wheel cars), and a New Zealand track called Ruapana?