GT4 (Warning: Large Image!)

[manic35]

I know that GT4 is not strictly another PC game but it is another game and I just heard that it is confirmed for September 2003 release. The world will stop as far as I'm concerned when this game is released!

Cheers



PS Any other TOG members PS2 fans???

[Father]

The idea of playing at 640x480 at 60hz in front of a TV doesn't grab me.

1600x1200 on a PC, the way gaming was mean to be. I can't help but feeling that consoles are a step backwards.
But that's just me, lots of ppl like em.

[manic35]

Originally Posted by Father

The idea of playing at 640x480 at 60hz in front of a TV doesn't grab me.

1600x1200 on a PC, the way gaming was mean to be.

You have a point with the 60hz but what about playing with your buddies (in the same room without have to setup a LAN and rearrange the entire house) on a 80 inch flatscreen. I have a 19 inch monitor but it dosn't even come close to my TV, (mind you I have a tv out port on my vid card).

That brings up another point, does anyone have one of those wireless internet stations. So you can move around your house and be connected to the net. Do they work with broadband?

Back to the topic at hand, I agree that nothing will ever replace the PC, but the console has its role and its nice to have both

Cheers

[Father]

If you talking Wirless lan its like any lan really.

In that scenario you would have your broadband router sitting there with a wireless connection on it or you put a wireless hub in front of it, there are a few possible combo's

You can then have a 802.11 PCMCIA card in your laptop and be on the net anywhere anytime.

Bluetooth is another story, will also work but the distance is a lot shorter. So a bluetooth connection on your PDA has to be fairly close to a laptop with bluetooth for example, it can then use the laptops wireline or wireless connection to go onto the net.
So you can browse the net with your PDA, all your mates will go wow that's cool and u'll never use it again. :P

[manic35]

lol

Cheers

[Janus]

Woohoo!

Gran Turismo 4! (And the brand new Impreza model too..)

Been hanging out for this one. The Gran Turismo games have just been getting better and better with each iteration - possibly with the exception of GT Concept 2002.. :P

I had been playing GT3 with the controllers for ages - until my luverley wife bought me a force feedback steering wheel and pedals. Took a bit of getting used to - but the game is absolutely awesome with the wheel.

Car placement and control (or sometimes the lack of it!) is so much more precise. Aim it right at the apex (late or early.. your choice), trail-brake into the corner, nail the throttle just before the exit, and catch and control the breaking rear-end with the wheel.

Not the quickest way around the corner, I know - but damn it looks good on the replays!

[Churchill]

Hi,

I have both a wireless Lan and Bluetooth set-up.

As Father has stated wireless lan is just like wired lan without the cables. Works in exactly the same method. In my case I run an ad-hoc connection between my tablet pc and my desktop and use internet connection sharing. I can walk about the house, lie in bed etc and access the net. The speed of the connection can vary from 1mbs to 11mbs depending on how close the connections are to each other and any physical barriers....works a treat.

I use bluetooth to sync my phone and outlook. Bluetooth, while it can be used to set-up network connections, is not as fast or IMHO not as reliable. Movement of bluetooth devices while connected can cause drop-outs etc. Also the distance between devices is limited. Bluetooth is good for temporary connections that involve passing small amounts of data. I understand the advantages come from the technical aspects of bluetooth...i.e. they are bloody small devices that don't have the power/size to use other forms of wireless coms.....

[manic35]

Originally Posted by Janus

Woohoo!
I had been playing GT3 with the controllers for ages - until my luverley wife bought me a force feedback steering wheel and pedals. Took a bit of getting used to - but the game is absolutely awesome with the wheel.

Car placement and control (or sometimes the lack of it!) is so much more precise. Aim it right at the apex (late or early.. your choice), trail-brake into the corner, nail the throttle just before the exit, and catch and control the breaking rear-end with the wheel.

Not the quickest way around the corner, I know - but damn it looks good on the replays!

Man, that is all that is important in GT3, looking good in the replays

I have used a wheel from time to time in stores and have loved it. With GT4 coming out I think it might be time to bite the bullet and purchase one. God knows that I will use it enough!

What percent of the game (GT3) have you completed? I done 93% and just can't be bothered completing the last enduro's etc. A two hour race for 0.2% of the game, crazy

Cheers

[Janus]

My wife bought me the wheel! What a woman!

Heh.. I think I've done about 60-70% - can't really remember
exactly.

New comptuer games - Generals, Morrowind - taking up more and more of my time!

[manic35]

Well that does it, GT4 will be released with an officiall GT4 steering wheel. Now I will have to get one, I just hope they release the wheel in OZ.

Here is what a reviewer at laser.com had to say about the new GT4 wheel:

> May 16, 2003

Logitech Driving Force Pro to Deliver 900 Degrees of Rotation

Officially Endorsed Force Feedback Wheel Will Offer More Than Three Times The Turning Radius Of Any Consumer Racing Wheel

Logitech (Nasdaq:LOGI)(Switzerland:LOGN) today announced and previewed its next-generation force feedback wheel for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system at the E3 tradeshow in Los Angeles. The Logitech(R) Driving Force(TM) Pro, specifically designed for use with Polyphony Digital's upcoming Gran Turismo(TM) 4 racing simulation game on PlayStation 2, will be available at the title's launch. Pricing is not yet available. "Our goal is to deliver the best driving experience yet for any console, with realism from beginning to end and a premium fit and finish," said Fred Swan, director of Marketing for Logitech's Audio and Interactive Entertainment Business Unit. "And once again, we're happy to be working closely with Sony Computer Entertainment and Polyphony Digital to create a full-featured force feedback wheel, designed from the ground up over a period of nearly two years, in order to enhance the driving experience in Gran Turismo 4. We believe that this tempting combination of high tech circuitry and eye popping graphics will have gamers reaching for a seatbelt."

900 Degrees of Rotation

The Logitech Driving Force Pro is the world's first force feedback steering wheel that mimics the dynamic turning radius of a real, performance-oriented streetcar. Previously, the degrees of rotation available in any gaming wheel were 300 degrees or less. When put into action, the Logitech Driving Force Pro engages its advanced rack and pinion steering system and seamlessly turns a full 900 degrees (2.5 turns, lock-to-lock) in games that support this feature. With this unprecedented steering system, the Logitech Driving Force Pro duplicates the true-to-life steering dynamics of today's racecars -- something that has never been seen before in a wheel for home use. Typical arcade racing systems that cost thousands of dollars offer infinite wheel rotation -- and are neither realistic nor beneficial to the gamer. For compatibility with older games, the Logitech Driving Force Pro wheel has an automatic legacy mode that reverts to 200 degrees of rotation. This allows gamers to play their existing force feedback games as they've been accustomed to and get the most out of new games with a single wheel.

There's More Under the Hood

Logitech has improved upon its state-of-the-art force feedback technology and added a host of other features to make Driving Force Pro a must-have for Gran Turismo 4 drivers. The force feedback is driven by stronger motors than others available for console, while the steering is given a smooth and solid feel by specially-designed steel bearings. This creates a much more true-to-life experience. The solid, 10" wheel is covered in leather-textured black rubber molding that provides a comfortable grip and helps ensure precise steering. On the aluminum center hub of the wheel, the world-reknowned Gran Turismo "GT" logo is featured, reminding the gamer that this is the "one and only" wheel endorsed by Gran Turismo 4. The Logitech Driving Force Pro also sports a right-side shift knob with precise sequential shifting action and a design inspired by Italian performance cars. For Formula-style racing fans, the wheel also features paddle shifters on the backside of the wheel. There are eight easy-to-reach, wheel-mounted action buttons on the wheel hub, and an on-board analog D-pad that controls car functions. Two other buttons -- "start" and "select" -- are conveniently placed toward the bottom of the wheel and make game navigation simple. A dual clamping system locks to prevent the base of the wheel from coming loose during game play, and allows it to be secured to different surfaces, such as a table or countertop. The weighted pedal base features large pedals with improved strength and stability. In addition, the wheel has Logitech's unique carpet grip system, which ensures that almost any amount of pressure on the gas or brake cannot push the pedals out of reach, and put the gamer out of action. To prevent slippage on hard surfaces, the bottom of the pedal base has non-slip pads as well.

You can find the article at the following URL:

http://www.the-laser.com/e3news82.htm

Blasts! Now I have to find a pic of the wheel.

Cheers