Automatic gearboxes in games?

[Codefaster]

Hi all,

Can anyone recall a driving game that has attempted to simulate an automatic gearbox correctly? The closest I can think of was Interstate '76 on the PC, which used to change gear dependent on throttle as well as engine speed.

It would be a nice feature for a TDU type game to have (a game in which you're not always on 100% throttle). I'm not talking SMG here, I'm talking about power-sapping autos.

Cheers ~

ps. This isn't a work-related thing, I'm just curious.

[LukeBird]

I don't think I've ever encountered a game with one!
It'd be a fantastic idea in TDU with, say, the SL65. Ooodles of torque and no kickdown!
Pretty much all games on the PC I play in manual (don't with DiRT though), as GTR2 etc. are no fun in auto, I like being able to control the car. Never use manual on consoles though (Playing GT4 at the moment) as I don't like it without paddles etc.
It'd certainly be an interesting idea.
Any game with an 'auto' function is too willing to drop gears etc.

[Mattt]

Wow - I remember that, great game!

[OllieBirmingham]

Always thought this would be a great idea, and a perfect handicap for people who can't get to grip with manual changes on games like Forza/GT etc. It should be realistic with say reduced number of ratios, simulated torque converter etc....

[timbob]

I seem to remember the old PC game Driver having big old yank muscle cars with autoboxes in them.

[Steve Evil]

OllieBirmingham said:

Always thought this would be a great idea, and a perfect handicap for people who can't get to grip with manual changes on games like Forza/GT etc. It should be realistic with say reduced number of ratios, simulated torque converter etc....

Aren't people who don't use manual in a racing game already handicapped enough? They lack all the flexibility of a manual system which is why the developers make them behave as much like a manual as possible, punishing casual gamers by giving them a poor automatic comparison is even more of a reason for non racing game devotees to not bother entirely.

[Codefaster]

Steve Evil said:

OllieBirmingham said:

Always thought this would be a great idea, and a perfect handicap for people who can't get to grip with manual changes on games like Forza/GT etc. It should be realistic with say reduced number of ratios, simulated torque converter etc....

Aren't people who don't use manual in a racing game already handicapped enough? They lack all the flexibility of a manual system which is why the developers make them behave as much like a manual as possible, punishing casual gamers by giving them a poor automatic comparison is even more of a reason for non racing game devotees to not bother entirely.

I agree Steve - I wouldn't advocate replacing pseudo-auto in modern racers. Speaking as a car enthusiast though, I would love to buy an old auto 500SEL in the next version of TDU, and then do courier missions with it loping around at 2000rpm like the barge that it is.

Maybe I'll have a go at writing an automatic gearbox simulation, I guess it's probably quite tricky to get the behaviour right.

[Mekon]

Not that it's got it completely right, but GTA 4 (and the previous iterations if my memory isn't playing tricks on me) does have kickdown. Definitely feels like a slush box, but they hobbled the driving model making it feel like the cars very little torque and no lsd. Still a blast to drive in the same way the Driver 1 was on the ps1.

[Mr Will]

I'd like to see this in something like forza, a gearbox choice when you buy the car,(ccording to what is available in real life i.e. some cars are manual only, some are auto only, only a few have SMG, etc (with varying prices obviously)

Even if you allowed users to turn on an assist which shifted the manual/SMG boxes automatically, it would still add a bit more of the feel of the real cars

Same with traction control, abs, etc (i.e. TVRs will only be for the brave, some cars won't let you switch them off, ferraris have about 5 settings, etc)