EA V8 Challenge

[Bangkok Bob]

I don't know how many people on this forum get into driving games on the net, but the recently released EA V8 Challenge is definitely one worth avoiding.

People I know in Aus who have plaed it said it was poretty bad but I finally managed to track down a copy of it in Bangkok and it has to be the worst driving game release in the past few years.

There is a lot of specualtion that the developers did not finish the game due to pressure to meet the release date.

An idea of how much it sucks includes the fact that the computer drivers all go for the same bit of road...sound normal? Not when it means that every single car is in a pileup on the first corner of every race. THe driving experience is incredibly dull, you are black flagged for the smallest misdemeanour.... the list goes on.

The good things about it are that the Bathurst track looks pretty good (and there is a Biante sign on the wall as you go up the hill!).

Codemasters (the makers of Toca Touring Cars) are bringing out a V8 Supercar game in the near future. Hopefully their game will be a lot better. Going on their past efforts, it should be (and considering that the EA game is so bad).

If you want my advice DO NOT BUY TH ELECTRONIC ARTS V8 CHALLENGE GAME....IT IS GARBAGE (lucky for me games are cheap in Thailand or I would have wasted a heap fo money:)).

[SmartyMarty]

There s no better game than Grand Prix Legends anyway!!!
Since i have that game i dont play any others(except Medal of honour ;-) You have heaps of updates and add ons etc which make a total different game out of it...very hard to drive but its worth practising...btw..the bathurst track is also available...
regards Marty

[Mark]

I was asking myself how much EA paid for using the Biante name..??

Anyway, I would have to say that this game is as bad as has been said. I have played it for about 60 min. Can't stand it.

I have heard GP Ledgends is good, but if you are after a tintop game on F1 tracks then you can't go past this;

http://www.simbin.com/

Get the FIA GT Mod V3 for EA's F1 2001. This is a Mod based on an EA game. Well worth it. They have re-done everything..!! Dusk tracks, night driving, Great car detail. Even down to cross drilled rotors for the brakes. Lambo's, Ferrari, Dodge.....

The car dinamic is really great. My brother was getting off on the fact the the brakes and tyres have to warm up before you get good grip and stopping.

There are one or two things that they will have to improve (No tyre howl as they breakaway etc) but for the price it is spot on.

IT IS FREE..!!!!

To think that EA did V8 Challenge by re-doing a DICE Swedish Touring car game and then not changing a 4 year old game is criminal. I have heard that most of the code is matching, all they did was re-skin the cars and add 4 tracks. Too see what the mod can do, for nothing, to one of their games is to see just how ripped off V8C customers really are.

Anyway have fun.

[Bangkok Bob]

Ahh, SmartyMarty, you too are a GPL Player. I find myself very impressed that a game that is now 4 (?) years old is still so popular (within the group of dedicated players) and playable.

You are right it is hard to drive, but the persistence is worth it. It would have to be the best race driving sim around. I was always surprised that it did not actually sell well in the games market, but I guess it is because it is more of a sim then a game and that not many people are ready to dedicate the effort required to become a good driver (I remember it taking hours just to succesfully complete a lap of Monza when I first started playing it).

The mods Mark mentioned for F1 2001 are very impressive. Someone at work just showed them to me a few days ago, and ever since I have been trying to track down F1 2001 (in Bangkok) so that I can try it out with the GT mods. Admittedly i could get a pirate one (Pirate software is absolutely everywhere here) but don't beleive in doing this when someone has put the effort into developing a good game (Hey, I'm a software developer too so it would be a bit hypocritical for me to buy pirate software).

Anyone reading this thread who likes driving games definitely give some thought to the comments by SmartyMarty and Mark....both mentioned driving games are worth the effort (GPL might be hard to find now...try second hand software shops).

[v8coupe]

Best racing game I have played so far is Gran Turismo 3 made by Polyphony.
Wish there were more aussie cars in it, besides Seton AU race car.
Looking forward to seeing this V8 Supercar game for the Playstation 2.
Heard it has been delayed to august and the same for Need 4 Speed.
EA Sports have never really made a good car game.
Wish Polyphony had made V8 Supercars.

[pdg666]

I would have to agree the EA V8 Challenge game for PC is very disappointing, mainly in relation to cars physics and AI. The graphics arent all that crash hot either. Now as for Great eye candy and car realism in a PC Sim. You would be hard pressed to go past F1 Championship by Ubisoft and Grand Prix 3 by microprose. Although these games are F1 car Sim's. In time im sure we will get a game worthy of our V8 Supercars.

My Two bobs worth

[WESTY]

Sorry guys I have .GPL. and Im not a big rap for it
I think mainly because I dont have a steering wheel im not sure
but it was just to hard and frustrating to drive, so I gave up.

My favorate game would have to be the TOCA racing series on
the playstation I just loved them.

again its all personal preferance.

:D

Still better than the old dot and paddles on the first computer games.

[Bangkok Bob]

Westy

I understasnd what you are saying about GPL, particularly if you were playing without a steering whell (impossible to get any enjoyment out of it without one). Even with a steering wheel, getting around the track without spinning is a challenge for some time.

It is a very difficult, but also very rewarding game when played with a steering wheel, after a lot of dedicated effort. I think the hardest part is learning to interpret the on-screen bahaviour of the car, without the aid of feeling the effects of inertia and G Forces.

Considering the cars in GPL were almost as fast as a modfern F1 car (up to about 290K's) with skinny crossplys and nothing really in terms of aerodynamic downforce, it is no wonder it is such a bugger to drive.

Toca is definitely a fun game. It seems to be an excellent blend of Arcade and Racing Sim. It is good to know that Codemasters (TOCA developers) are the ones creating a new V8 Supercars game, which would have to be better than the poor effort that EA have put on shop shelves.

[Road Runner 72]

"Best racing game I have played so far is Gran Turismo 3 made by Polyphony."


Yes its a great game v8coupe, also cant wait for the v8 supercar game for the playstation 2 " Think this game will be called Toca championship in other countries" as well.
But hearing the vibe on Gran Turismo 4, yes 4, that will blow us away v8coupe, I have heard it will have the bonus of 'CAR DAMAGE'. and some more car manufactures that have not been in the past games.
keep you ears open for more news on this game in the future.

I didnt get the EA V8 Challenge, and thanks for the info bob & others, I wont get it.....

Well its back to my playstation2 I have a 2hour race to complete, now where did I put the keys to my R34 GTR Skyline, or i might just jump in my Supra, "God I love the 3rd place".....

Cheers

[Martin Thomas]

Project gotham racing is my favourite. Although it is street cars on street circuits. The way the cars handle differently, car damage (try racing through SanFransisco at night with no lights) and the drivers actions (looks in the rear vision mirror before going backwards, head snaps around during crashes and hands move for turning and gear changes).

Its pretty challenging with heaps of different challenges. Excelent graphics/effects (actual radio stations from the various cities-including bad reception in tunnels).

I still have to reach the real flash cars, but. My missus usually sits and watches as she is blown away by the graphics. My only complaint is that there isnt a camera view from inside the car (drivers point of view).

Cant wait for the V8 supercar game to come out on Xbox.

[thekid_600]

the EA V8 game is seriously wrong....... there's something wrong with the physics of the game!!!
hehe, you're right bob. here's a tip - when you do a race at bathurst, don't bother wasting time qualifying. just start from the back of the grid, and let the cars pile up in front of you, and then driver around them. it works everytime. :D
the codemasters game had better be perfect after the bad experiences with dick johnson's v8 challenge and now EA V8......

[Hati]

Just a personal opinion: DJ V8 Challange was actually more drivable (after the patch has been applied) then V8 Challange. I still pull it out every now and then and improve on my lap times on the aussie tracks, just so I get some value back for my money.

[biante3413]

I was looking forward to this game; too bad it's so bad! Thanks for the heads up. I guess I'll keep playing SCGT. I have the V8 Supercars patch . It has Bathurst, Phillip Island and some guys are doing more tracks from the V8 circuit. But my all time favorite is GP3, and am eagerly awaiting GP4.

[chups]

if you want more variety for your racing games, check out this site.
http://aussiemuscle.totalnfs.net/

they have aussie cars for most racing games on the market
scgt, nfs3 HP, NFS4HS, Re-Volt, Viper racing, GHG, Insane, F1-2001, GTA2 and V8 challenge.

they range from racing a radio controlled FJ or Brock 28c torana around a toy shop in re-volt, strip down an re-build holdens, fords and chargers in gearhead garage, or just racing astras, new, old, street,and touring cars in scgt, nfs3 hp or nfs4hs

i recomend you check it out if you like your racing games and aussie cars.

[SmartyMarty]

Aaaahh...nice to see that some guys play racing games too...i started with the first atari...still have a cbs colegovision(with steering wheel and gas pedal..but NO brakes hehehe) the PS1 of course and my friend has the PS 2. I also think one of the greatest racing games ever is Gran Tourismo...all 3 parts...the physics are great....the only thing i don t like is that there s no damage on the cars and the other drivers arent very intelligent.
Toca is also very good...except the bad graphics..but the fights with the others are great!!!
These games are all arcade games...easy to drive and fun...but what really interests me are the simulations...its just more fun if you can drive your car right...ferrari challenge on the Dreamcast was a very good simulation..also possible to play online but there were only about 10 ppl in the whole world playing that game...much better is GPL...a huge online community with heaps of drivers...its a pleasure to go online and drive with 19 or 20 other drivers!!!!!!! And its so easy to enter a game...ummm hey Bangkok Bob..what about an online race at the Nürburgring ;-)
(or bathurst..hehehe)

[Bangkok Bob]

SmartyMarty

I'd love an online race at Nurburgring (not too many laps though...man that is one long track) or Bathurst (I quite liked the Bathurst track done for GPL), but unfortunately do not have my steering wheel with me in Bangkok (it is back in Aus). I am also using a laptop here, which is okay for most games (its a pretty new one 1.1Ghz PIII, 16Meg Video etc), but I beleive GPL can be a bit narky about laptops. I might have to try it and see how it goes.

If i want to get a GPL fix, I have to go over to my friends house and use his steering wheel, but at the moment he doesn't have an internet connection. He does have a hyperstimulator on its way to him (he bought it last year, but it has taken this long for him to ship it here to Thailand from Sydney..mostly due to complications of organising it). This should hit Bangkok next week so I am really looking forward to trying it out with GPL (I assume you know what the Hyperstimulator is, but if not try the site at http://www.hyperstimulator.com/). THis might mean I have to spend a lot more time at his house:)

If I can get GPL running on my laptop, I might hav to give some consideration to buying a steering wheel here. I will let you know if I do and we can most certainly have a race then:)

[timbo]

I have just come home from the Canberra 400 and have seen a sample of the PS2 V8 Supercar game. They had two PS2 game consoles, allowing you too race around the streets of Canberra. The Graphic's and speed of the game is great. Will be the best driving Sim available.

[Bangkok Bob]

Sounds good. But it is a bit of a bummer for me....my PS2 is also back in Australia...I knew I should have brought it over with me!:(

[SmartyMarty]

JESUS CHRIST!!!!!! I ve never seen a hyperstimulator....but now i want one!!!! Even lotus and Brabham etc....GREAT!!!!! If I start saving money now i should have one in about..ummm..15 years..
Damn expensive but it would be race-heaven to sit in one and drive GPL....sigh.If i sit in one you have to bomb me out cos i wont leave it free will... Ive been to several LAN sessions where they all play GPL.They meet every 4 weeks and come from all over germany(a bit smaller than australia) but they all have selfmade cockpits..some are really well done...but none reaches the hyper stimulator lol...hehehe..i m still giggling and smiling.
Btw...im still driving GPL with a pad!!! Can t afford the sidewinder wheel at the moment but i have tried with one and it s heaps better and easier with a wheel.have to get one soon...my pc doesn t work at the moment..have to format c that %&§§$"")=?
machine...when this is done im looking forward having a race or 2...or 3 with you ( or 4 ...5..6...):p
so far....*waving* Marty

[thekid_600]

does anyone know is the codemasters V8 game will have all the tracks? including the streets of surfers paradise?

[Hati]

Originally posted by thekid_600
does anyone know is the codemasters V8 game will have all the tracks? including the streets of surfers paradise?
Nope.
There is not enough players in Australia to warrant a complete set of tracks. They would not be able to recover their development costs. So they say.

[thekid_600]

ive love to do a race at canberra. ive been a fan of it ever since the 2000 event. nice and narrow..... :)

[Mark Wicks]

A mate of mine has a hyperstimulator (actaully, he's got two, great for racing head to head) and after driving that - with GPL and NASCAR 4(?) - I'll never waste my time on anything else other than the real thing.

As for Playstation, TOCA touring cars etc etc, they pale to total insignificance...