Overview:

The State of the Art

by Alison Hine

There are many computer-based racing sims on the market, but they can be broadly divided into two categories: arcade-style games, and realistic simulations. My interest lies entirely with the latter, so I will leave the discussion of arcade games to others.

Two software companies have produced the most popular realistic racing simulations in the past few years. Papyrus, recently acquired by Sierra, recently released NASCAR Racing 2, and also includes a new variant of IndyCar Racing 2 with its Screamin' 3D video accelerator card. Microprose/Spectrum Holobyte released Grand Prix 2 last summer.

All of these sims provide incredibly realistic racing. All of them also allow racing against a friend, via modem or null modem. NASCAR Racing 2 (henceforth I'll call it NASCAR2) also allows racing against up to 8 real live opponents via an IPX network, and with some third party software, it also allows racing against opponents on a TCP/IP network - in other words, the Internet. You can race against people anywhere in the world - and I've done it!

The Simulations: IndyCar Racing 2

Your Equipment: The Racing Platform

Send email to Alison Hine