Bob

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  • #289547
    Bob
    Participant

    Apart from the usual demands for better graphics, sound design, AI, and car handling model?
    I’m basing these suggestions on the last F1 game I played (F1 2011), so I’m not sure what improvements have been made since then, and if my ideas are still applicable.

    – A better post-race replay and review system, maybe something along the lines of the Theatre modes seen in the FIFA or Halo games
    – Variability in team performance through the R&D race – the cars almost always adhere to the generally accepted running order in terms of pace and AI finishing position. It would be nice for the in-game R&D system to more tangibly translate into altered car performance and competitiveness. More than that, opponents could become more/less competitive as the season progresses. This means you could start the season fighting STRs, and finish the season chasing the Williams cars; meanwhile, the AI McLaren team slowly slides out of contention as their car development stalls, swinging the championship in your favour (or something to that effect).
    – More “realistic” contract negotiation simulation, which might include haggling for lead driver status (and hence preferential allocation of R&D parts, pit strategy, and such), exit and performance clauses, dueling new prospects in test drives, or courting sponsors through good race performances to help your chances with prospective employers.
    – I liked the idea of the “Classic” mode in F1 2013. The games would to well to dip further into the heritage of the F1 license. Include old F1 legends like the BT49, the MP4/4 or the F2002 as rewards to be unlocked, and allow their use in time trials. More heritage tracks: Kyalami, Zandvoort, Watkins Glen, etc.
    – More variety in the pre and post-race animations. The driver does the same celebration climbing out of the car every single time. Maybe they could mix it up a bit by including snippets of the actual podium ceremony, interaction with the pit crew, and so on. Come to think of it, greater variety in sound clips would be nice too. The pit radio is astoundingly repetitive.
    – The option of driving the parade lap and/or cool-down lap for the race itself. Improves immersion in the grand prix setting, and adds a layer of strategic play in terms of how well the player can manage tyre and engine temperatures.
    – Game updates that reflect mid-season driver/livery changes.

    #276132
    Bob
    Participant

    The comparison between Hamilton and Button has been brought up before. As I recall, Hamilton’s points total was skewed by his car’s mechanical unreliability – Singapore 2012 comes to mind, when his gearbox dropped him out of a likely win.

    Even as a Button fan, I have to admit that, very broadly speaking, Hamilton often had the edge in terms of raw speed; whereas JB was better at long-run tyre preservation (in 2011 at least) and making canny strategic calls.

    #248208
    Bob
    Participant

    I like it. Lower-pitch, guttural, certainly not as bad as the naysayers were predicting, in my view.

    #243138
    Bob
    Participant

    @matt90 – From some web searches on the design of engine test stands, it seems that they only fit a very rudimentary exhaust setup, often nothing more than a series of gas lines, to the engine while it’s on the rig. Assuming that’s the case with this recording, a tuned, race-spec exhaust should sound better.

    #243136
    Bob
    Participant

    It should sound different (and hopefully less vacuum-like) once it’s installed in an actual car with a race exhaust. From what we’ve heard so far, though, I’m cautiously optimistic – I like the guttural lower pitch. Here’s hoping the end result is something along the lines of the 1980s turbo engines.

    #242749
    Bob
    Participant

    Is the RB9 a good race car? Yes. But is the RB9 truly unbeatable, in that any given driver behind the wheel will instantly win? No. Indeed, the Red Bull car itself has been beaten numerous times – that’s why Webber sits 5th in the championship at the moment, and has never finished as championship runner-up.

    Extending the line of flawed logic that “Vettel is unbeatable only because of the car”, dismissing drivers based on the dominance of their car would mean disregarding Hakkinen (who only ever won races in fast McLarens) and all of Schumacher’s championships (well-designed Benettons and dominant Ferraris). That’s ludicrous.

    F1 is, and always has been, about the combination of car and driver. You can’t dismiss the driver’s contribution, given it takes a competent workman to make the most of his tools.

    #238587
    Bob
    Participant

    In my view, from most deserving to least deserving:
    1. Alonso winning his 3rd WDC – Not a fan of his, but even I have to concede Alonso has been consistently impressive even in slightly inferior equipment, especially his valiant 2012 campaign.
    2. Vettel winning his 4th consecutive WDC – He’s hardly put a foot wrong this year, and almost always gotten the job done.
    3. Raikkonen winning his 2nd WDC – He has the gutsy determination and experience to do it. He’s performed solidly since his comeback.
    4. Hamilton winning his 2nd WDC – Hamilton most certainly has the speed, and he did have some awful luck in 2012.
    5. Button winning his 2nd WDC – Speaking as a Button fan, his performances have generally been underwhelming as of late.

    Slightly off topic, in response to @fastiesty:

    With RB always spending the most money every year

    Not quite. From what figures I’ve been able to find, Ferrari spends the most each year, 240 million Euros, compared to 180 million Euros for RBR (both figures for the 2012 season).

    #238615
    Bob
    Participant

    One foot for each pedal. The limited legroom in the cockpit prevents them from resting their foot anywhere or moving around too much.

    #229360
    Bob
    Participant

    Vettel on Webber, seconded.

    #228780
    Bob
    Participant

    Best Driver: Kimi Raikkonen
    Worst Driver: Pastor Maldonado
    Best Team: Ferrari
    Worst Team: McLaren
    Best Overtake: Webber on Di Resta
    Best Funny-moment: Nil
    Most Surprising Result: Adrian Sutil managing to hold back the frontrunners for as long as he did
    Least Surprising Result: Another solid race from Alonso
    Special Mentions to: Lewis Hamilton and Jules Bianchi
    Race Rating: 8/10

    #228184
    Bob
    Participant

    1. Vettel
    2. Alonso
    3. Hamilton
    4. Webber
    5. Raikkonen
    6. Grosjean
    7. Rosberg
    8. Button
    9. Maldonado
    10. Massa

    #228081
    Bob
    Participant

    From a business point of view, I’d be inclined to say 1995. That was the year FOM took control of the commercial rights to F1, thereby establishing the political system/hierarchy of teams that could constitute the “modern era”.

    #225712
    Bob
    Participant

    The concept of “freedom” seems highly subjective. For example, the United States, a country that scores highly (1) in the Freedom House index, is itself responsible for violations of freedom such as Guantanamo Bay and the PATRIOT Act. India, scored somewhat free (3), continues to grapple with social issues including but not limited to the caste system. Conversely, countries like the UAE and Malaysia, judged not as politically free (6 and 4), enjoy an otherwise high standard of living and quality of life.

    However, it is an accurate observation that F1 has been attracted toward countries with less civil liberties but more than adequate finances. It is a consequence of races being treated less as purely sporting events, and more as political showcases or commodities.

    #225371
    Bob
    Participant

    Excellent compilation. I think you can add ExxonMobil to the list under “Oil and Gas”. (They sponsor McLaren through their Mobil 1 brand)

    #225237
    Bob
    Participant

    @freelittlebirds – I believe they show it on BBC America. If that’s not available/applicable, it shouldn’t be long before the interview segment is uploaded online. The official Top Gear YouTube channel has lots of content from the show as well.

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 127 total)