GT4 BMW 1-series Virtual Drive Disc
Discussion
Thanks to my Local BMW dealership (Hi Sara) I managed to get my mits on a copy of the "BMW 1-series Virtual Drive Disc".
It's meant as a small demo of the 1 series but actually is more a preview of the GT4 code.
2 cars to choose from (120Dse & 120i) and 3 tracks, New York, Cirt and more importantly, The old Nurburgring track.
First up New York. This track is far improved over GT4P, the graphics are fresher, the tarmac looks far more 'real' and there are extra bumps here and there that feel very real (we tried GT4P, then put this disc in straight away to make sure we werent mistaken)
Costa di Amalfi (Capri). Quite a challenging circuit really that climbs up into the hills then spirals down very fast. Couple of tight corners that can easily catch you out too.
The Ring. What I have seen and driven of this track (see gripe below) is awsome. the graphics are really up a notch and the track graffiti really makes this track stand out. Its bumpy, challenging and pretty quick until you realise its caught you out (again lol). Top marks.
The new physics engine. OUTSTANDING. Forget Prologue, this is totally different. All the nasty understeer from GT4P has virtually gone (you can still understeer, but only if you go nuts into a corner). The car actually feels like its gripping the road and slides are much more natural and become second nature after a short learning period. The car seems to handle wieght transfer under braking and acceleration very realistically (ask my mate after his very high speed 'tanks slapper'). Lovely feel when cresting bumps, expecially the little 'yump' at the start of the ring (forget the name). Really feels like the car has left the ground and landed again.
This really does go, turn and stop far better than Prologue, GT3, GT3C, the lot. Polyphony have deffinately moved the physics up a notch since GT4P.
BIG MINUS POINT: -
There is a 3min time limit on each track. Not a problem on New York or Capri, but a majour downer on the 'ring. . . . . . But this is the only negative in this 'demo'.
Want GT4 to arrive even more now. Beg, Borrow, promise sexual favours, do whatever you can to get this disc. Its well worth it.
*Still think the car is ugly though. Which does mean its growing on me. I used to find it hideously offensive [
]
It's meant as a small demo of the 1 series but actually is more a preview of the GT4 code.
2 cars to choose from (120Dse & 120i) and 3 tracks, New York, Cirt and more importantly, The old Nurburgring track.
First up New York. This track is far improved over GT4P, the graphics are fresher, the tarmac looks far more 'real' and there are extra bumps here and there that feel very real (we tried GT4P, then put this disc in straight away to make sure we werent mistaken)
Costa di Amalfi (Capri). Quite a challenging circuit really that climbs up into the hills then spirals down very fast. Couple of tight corners that can easily catch you out too.
The Ring. What I have seen and driven of this track (see gripe below) is awsome. the graphics are really up a notch and the track graffiti really makes this track stand out. Its bumpy, challenging and pretty quick until you realise its caught you out (again lol). Top marks.
The new physics engine. OUTSTANDING. Forget Prologue, this is totally different. All the nasty understeer from GT4P has virtually gone (you can still understeer, but only if you go nuts into a corner). The car actually feels like its gripping the road and slides are much more natural and become second nature after a short learning period. The car seems to handle wieght transfer under braking and acceleration very realistically (ask my mate after his very high speed 'tanks slapper'). Lovely feel when cresting bumps, expecially the little 'yump' at the start of the ring (forget the name). Really feels like the car has left the ground and landed again.
This really does go, turn and stop far better than Prologue, GT3, GT3C, the lot. Polyphony have deffinately moved the physics up a notch since GT4P.
BIG MINUS POINT: -
There is a 3min time limit on each track. Not a problem on New York or Capri, but a majour downer on the 'ring. . . . . . But this is the only negative in this 'demo'.
Want GT4 to arrive even more now. Beg, Borrow, promise sexual favours, do whatever you can to get this disc. Its well worth it.
*Still think the car is ugly though. Which does mean its growing on me. I used to find it hideously offensive [
] Alex
Talk to your local dealer. they should be all getting a limited amount of copies on the 18th of this month for the launch (got mine early . . cant say how
).
I'm even considering trading in Prologue if I find a way to turn off the countdown timer, I cant see me playing it again.
The physics make this demo a very different (and 5 times more enjoyable) game.
Talk to your local dealer. they should be all getting a limited amount of copies on the 18th of this month for the launch (got mine early . . cant say how
). I'm even considering trading in Prologue if I find a way to turn off the countdown timer, I cant see me playing it again.
The physics make this demo a very different (and 5 times more enjoyable) game.
yup.
The driving model is totally different (read 100% better). Gear change wise it is much quicker (very noticable).
But the most important thing is, the suspension and tyres work!!!
Ie, it turns in instead of understeers, and actually rides the curbs properly rather than seemingly smoothing them out (The 2 things that totally ruined GT4P for me).
The driving model is totally different (read 100% better). Gear change wise it is much quicker (very noticable).
But the most important thing is, the suspension and tyres work!!!
Ie, it turns in instead of understeers, and actually rides the curbs properly rather than seemingly smoothing them out (The 2 things that totally ruined GT4P for me).
S2gonzo said:Unlike PGR2, doughnuts were impossible in GT4P too, not what you expect from a simulator.
yup.
The driving model is totally different (read 100% better). Gear change wise it is much quicker (very noticable).
But the most important thing is, the suspension and tyres work!!!
Ie, it turns in instead of understeers, and actually rides the curbs properly rather than seemingly smoothing them out (The 2 things that totally ruined GT4P for me).
hmmmmm....
Well if you put the road tyres on the car is incredibly understeery unless you get your corner entry speed just right.
I've actually played this disc (quite extensively) and i firmly beleive it is more realistic then Prologue.
Polyphony digital have already said openly that GT4P is a preview of early game code and is not representative of the final project (I've heard mention of "Early acrade physics" in several web interviews). The physics in this game are far better in every respect.
Not just how the car goes and stops (frankly it dives far too much under 'emergency braking' and becomes very tail happy, very easy to spin it if pressing on too hard, acceleration is cr*p) but how it feels.
The lift off oversteer, power on understeer, dive, body roll, everything is improved in this disc.
As for the acusation that Kazunori Yamauchi (Mr. Gran Turismo) bowing down and making a BMW promotional special with super nice handling?
If you've ever watched or read an interview with this guy on his thoughts for the series you would laugh as much as I am now. I dont beleive he would do it for one second. (He already had BMW signed long ago, so its not as if he needs to butter them up). It goes against everything the guy says he beleives in. . . . . Besides, why write a whole new physics model for one demo disc that is only ever going to be available in limited supply?
We shall see as time goes on, I'm hoping this really is a prequal to the final game.
*For the record I think GT4P has far too much understeer. I've driven some of the cars in there and they do NOT understeer as much in real life as they do in GT4P. Several times I've had understeer in the Elise turning into the slow corners on the first track. Looking at the speed i was shocked how slow I was going. and yes I have driven an elise and it was endowed with far better turn in than the virtual version.
EDITED TO ADD :-
After much seaching round the net I found a website with a very good review of this disc and an intervew with Kazunori Yamauchi about the latest E3 code and the virtual drive series (there has been a couple in the states already, 1 for toyota and not sure what the other was).
According to Mr.Yamauchi the code found on this disc IS near to final. And prologue was just an "Early arcade model". when the site reloads (getting a page not found) I will link it here. . . .
http://cars.ign.com/articles/519/519206p1.html
>> Edited by s2gonzo on Wednesday 1st September 21:28
>> Edited by s2gonzo on Wednesday 1st September 21:36
Well if you put the road tyres on the car is incredibly understeery unless you get your corner entry speed just right.
I've actually played this disc (quite extensively) and i firmly beleive it is more realistic then Prologue.
Polyphony digital have already said openly that GT4P is a preview of early game code and is not representative of the final project (I've heard mention of "Early acrade physics" in several web interviews). The physics in this game are far better in every respect.
Not just how the car goes and stops (frankly it dives far too much under 'emergency braking' and becomes very tail happy, very easy to spin it if pressing on too hard, acceleration is cr*p) but how it feels.
The lift off oversteer, power on understeer, dive, body roll, everything is improved in this disc.
As for the acusation that Kazunori Yamauchi (Mr. Gran Turismo) bowing down and making a BMW promotional special with super nice handling?
If you've ever watched or read an interview with this guy on his thoughts for the series you would laugh as much as I am now. I dont beleive he would do it for one second. (He already had BMW signed long ago, so its not as if he needs to butter them up). It goes against everything the guy says he beleives in. . . . . Besides, why write a whole new physics model for one demo disc that is only ever going to be available in limited supply?
We shall see as time goes on, I'm hoping this really is a prequal to the final game.
*For the record I think GT4P has far too much understeer. I've driven some of the cars in there and they do NOT understeer as much in real life as they do in GT4P. Several times I've had understeer in the Elise turning into the slow corners on the first track. Looking at the speed i was shocked how slow I was going. and yes I have driven an elise and it was endowed with far better turn in than the virtual version.
EDITED TO ADD :-
After much seaching round the net I found a website with a very good review of this disc and an intervew with Kazunori Yamauchi about the latest E3 code and the virtual drive series (there has been a couple in the states already, 1 for toyota and not sure what the other was).
According to Mr.Yamauchi the code found on this disc IS near to final. And prologue was just an "Early arcade model". when the site reloads (getting a page not found) I will link it here. . . .
http://cars.ign.com/articles/519/519206p1.html
>> Edited by s2gonzo on Wednesday 1st September 21:28
>> Edited by s2gonzo on Wednesday 1st September 21:36
Appolgies to yourself Dobbo. Re-read my post and it does come out totally 'wrong' in its wording. oops. And my initial description of the Virtual drive doesnt make any mention of the road tyre handling, sorry'bout that.
If you've got the GT4P disc there is a small interview with Mr.GT on the free DVD. Its worth watching. Hes very passionate about his baby and is pretty interesting to listen too (well ok, read the subtitles of)
Tried again late last night with the road tyres, it is FAR more realistic with the understeer thresh hold. You can push that little bit harder on them, but they are also far more slippery to drive on than the sport tyres. Get the corner speed right and they hook up nicely though and you can apply a gentle amount power through the bend like most normal cars.
I find GT4P to be very 'greasy' in its grip levels. Get the car to finaly turn in and even the lightest touch of the throttle either lights the tyres or causes cronic understeer (even in the Lotus). Love the game, really dislike the 'tuning'.
Having this preview disc has made me hate GT4P even more.
If you've got the GT4P disc there is a small interview with Mr.GT on the free DVD. Its worth watching. Hes very passionate about his baby and is pretty interesting to listen too (well ok, read the subtitles of)
Tried again late last night with the road tyres, it is FAR more realistic with the understeer thresh hold. You can push that little bit harder on them, but they are also far more slippery to drive on than the sport tyres. Get the corner speed right and they hook up nicely though and you can apply a gentle amount power through the bend like most normal cars.
I find GT4P to be very 'greasy' in its grip levels. Get the car to finaly turn in and even the lightest touch of the throttle either lights the tyres or causes cronic understeer (even in the Lotus). Love the game, really dislike the 'tuning'.
Having this preview disc has made me hate GT4P even more.
Fair enough, I have to say that I found prologue to offer much more grip than in GT3, and this did seem less realistic.
I just can't wait for the nurburgring - it's the top of a long list of reasons that I want GT4.
Nurburgring in PGR2 on xbox was good, but because you can't modify the cars, it really limits it's appeal.
I just can't wait for the nurburgring - it's the top of a long list of reasons that I want GT4.
Nurburgring in PGR2 on xbox was good, but because you can't modify the cars, it really limits it's appeal.
cerbman said:
When I play GT1, 2,3 and C games I use manual transmission using R1 and R2 buttons. On GT4P this isn't possible, has this changed back on your demo?
Don't know what GT4P you've been using, but I have used manual transmission every time I've played it. It's in the settings before you start to drive. You can alter it.
Or have I missed something?
racefan_uk said:
cerbman said:
When I play GT1, 2,3 and C games I use manual transmission using R1 and R2 buttons. On GT4P this isn't possible, has this changed back on your demo?
Don't know what GT4P you've been using, but I have used manual transmission every time I've played it. It's in the settings before you start to drive. You can alter it.
Or have I missed something?
You can use manual but not R1 and R2 as I like, you have you use L1 and R1.
>> Edited by cerbman on Friday 3rd September 13:01
got my disc this morning 
fantastic so far, the handling is very good so far, much better than prologue. whats the furthest people have gone around the 'ring the right way? ive made it to 6.40km. but cant seem to get any further no matter how hard i push!
many thanks to my local bmw dealer for the disc.
**update**
just managed to do 6.75km around the 'ring! trying for further.
>> Edited by whittaker52 on Saturday 18th September 17:32
fantastic so far, the handling is very good so far, much better than prologue. whats the furthest people have gone around the 'ring the right way? ive made it to 6.40km. but cant seem to get any further no matter how hard i push! many thanks to my local bmw dealer for the disc.
**update**
just managed to do 6.75km around the 'ring! trying for further.
>> Edited by whittaker52 on Saturday 18th September 17:32
Righty, will have to see if I can get hol of this tomorrow...
Is it just me, or is the BMW 1-series a nice change from all the other boring cars out there?? (Perhaps you need to see an ex-michelin design award winning entry to understand how/why the lines along the side work so well?)
Is it just me, or is the BMW 1-series a nice change from all the other boring cars out there?? (Perhaps you need to see an ex-michelin design award winning entry to understand how/why the lines along the side work so well?)
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