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GRAN TURISMO 3 |
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Gran Turismo is the premier racing simulator created for the Play Station gaming system. Now in it's third iteration, GT3 is taking advantage of the Play Station 2's increased capabilities. Until this game can be played online, the only way to race more then 2 people is to use, what is referred to as, i.link. i.link is Sony's catch phrase for a 4 pin to 4 pin firewire cable to link individual PS2s. One cable can hook up 2 completely individual gaming setups, but the real fun begins when more enter in. The only way to do this is to use a hub. Up to 6 people can play at once using this system. Each using a PS2, GT3, and TV/monitor.
If you have it, please bring your own PlayStation 2, and your own GranTurismo 3 Game. We have some donated TV sets, but they're not the greatest. If you have a 19" - 21" TV set please bring that if you can. We also have an I.link hub, and 6 i.link cables.
Also the more people who come the more interesting the racing and the conversation. Even if you're not into "gaming" come on out and enjoy some good racing company. 8)
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"The Scoop..."
_______________________________________________________ "The plan is..."
_______________________________________________________ "Like are you doing this or what?"
_______________________________________________________ GT3 i.link battle #7 - September 20, 2003 - Results
What happened? GranTurismo 3 i.link battle
- "Slight-write"
After the hoop-la of hurricane weather a few days prior, this Saturday may have been more responsibly spent out-doors, cleaning up dead branches and leaves. However I spent my day in a basement, drinking beer, and racing with some friends. There were a total of 5 scheduled races, broken down into two heat races, A and B, then a main race. Each race was made up of 5 drivers, with the sixth PS2 recording the action. Hopefully I'll be able to put up some video soon... in fact I started off-loading some clips last night (9/24/03). The five races were, MR-Ses at Trial Mountain, WRXes @ Rome Circuit, NSXes at Special Stage 5, Type-Rs at Grandvalley II, and S-class NSXes and Skylines at Laguna Seca in honor of the Speed Touring race we watched @ 2:00 on Speed Channel. Alan Pozner was one of the first two arrive, lugging not just his Playstation 2 and game, but also his Dave Despain "bobble-head", his National Tour Trophy from Topeka, KS, and some video of Carrie Sparling and Mike Snyder's in-car video footage from previously mentioned event. Alan's camera also was able to snap a few excellent shots of the paddock area and what the lot is like in Topeka. While we tuned into watch the Touring race @ 2:00, some folks elected to practice for the upcoming races, all of which were written down on a wipe board. Each race was "sponsored" by a particular region or organization. In order of the above mentioned: Philly, SJ, autox4u.com, "the Pozner Cup", and nerdsracing.com. Food/beverage on hand: Vegetarian Chilli, Bagels and Lox, Tropical fruit tray, a variety of beer, soda and water. Also Grace Huntzinger was awarded a nerdsracing.com t-shirt for encompassing the spirit of nerdsracing with her willingness to help with timing at both the Philly and SJ regions.
It's all fun and games until... Someone puts you into a wall. One person in particular seemed to have pissed off a few people with his driving habits. By doing so, you have put me into an ackward position of having to police the event. Most folks can do this themselves or at least have been shamed into driving cleanly, but for some reason this wasn't the case this time. In case you didn't understand, we're trying to keep this as close to real racing as possible, not use walls, and other cars as your brakes and steering. There has to be a little bit of "pretend" going on here. Since damage is not being assessed by the game itself, you have to pretend that if you hit another car or a wall, that you will suffer damage. I don't want this to breakout into a hockey game! Rob brought up a good point, too. Since I'm handing out stuff, the racing format should be as fair as possible. I'm still experimenting with what is fair, and I want to be sure to give the newbies as much of a handicap as possible. I also want the racing to be as close as possible. I'm working out a new format now. _______________________________________________________
GT3 i.link battle #6 - August 2, 2003:
What happened?
GranTurismo 3 i.link battle
- "Slight-write"
Beautiful summer days aren't necessarily the best days to spend indoors racing computer games, but despite the smallish turnout the four of us who did "race" had a blast. The "case" on this particular Saturday, was beer and lots of it. Mark, Alan, Gayle and myself all bought a couple of six packs, and have a decent stock for the next event. Alan arrived spot on @ 12:00 noon baring gifts of, as before mentioned, beer and yummy food-stuff. We chatted for a while and then watch the Speed Channel's Touring Race. It was just the inspiration we need to start up our own simulated racing. Terry Zorich showed later, as he said he would, and we three NERDs were very glad he did. Adding a fourth to the mix, adds a nice ratio to GT3 racing. Terry was surprisingly fast despite the technical glitches with his pedals. No one was hurt, save maybe Terry's pedals, and perhaps a little less sleep for us all. The events never seem to end when scheduled. The phrase that seems constant is, "... just one more [race]".
We will turn on the catch up feature on, but to the less aggressive setting. This will allow closer racing, and a more fun and interesting event. We still have three trophies to hand out donated from the Philadelphia Region SCCA, courtesy of Rob Leone. We also have a few Hot Wheels cars that will be awarded as well. Bring your own Beverages, and Food. I will have some stuff on hand. We'll most likely order out and eat from 6-7.
Noon until 1:30, Free lapping sessions 2:00 - 6:00 Scored Road Racing 7:00 - 8:00 Road Warrior Racing
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GT3 i.link battle #5 - June 28, 2003: Because battle #4 was such a success, we're going to run this event in a very similar fashion. However, we may turn on the catch up feature on. This will allow closer racing, and a more fun and interesting event. We have three trophies to hand out donated from the Philadelphia Region SCCA, courtesy of Rob Leone. We also have a few Hot Wheels cars that will be awarded as well. Bring your own Beverages, and Food. I will have some stuff on hand. We'll most likely order out and eat from 6-7.
Noon until 1:30, Free lapping sessions 2:00 - 6:00 Scored Road Racing 7:00 - 8:00 Road Warrior Racing
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GT3 i.link battle #4 - Saturday; March 8, 2003 Results are posted on the NERDS_racing yahoo group
NERDS racing hosted its fourth GT3 i.link battle racing simulation day on Saturday, March 8th. Nine people completed on five PlayStation 2s. We ran one practice series consisting of 2 heat races and a B-Main and A-Main race. Then the last person showed, so we started the official races.
Awards South Jersey: Donated a t-shirt, and a ride along with Steve Ashcraft. (the ride along will be awarded to the top novice) Sam Resnick - #2 Event Winner Carrie Sparling - Top Novice
Philly: Region donated 2 first place trophies and 4 smaller tumbler glass trophies. Mike Snyder - #1 Event Winner Mark Yeck - 2nd Sam Resnick - 3rd
NERDS racing: Will award. - Top driver will get one free autocross. $25 value. Sam Resnick - overall NERDiest Racer
Never heard from, NNJ, Sus, and Sixfoottiger R/C racing. I may contact other organizations as I get time.
If you represent and organization and would like to donate some stuff for future GT3 i.link battles. Please contact me: emwavey@yahoo.com
_______________________________________________________ Previous Events...
GT3 i.link battle #3 Private event Five people attended. Racing was free, tire wear was turned on. After a while we did a team road warrior type race... much evil laughing occured. Food on hand was: Bagels, locks (sp?), cream cheese, OJ, cheese & crackers, beer, etc.
GT3 i.link battle #2 Saturday; January 11, 2003
Settings and Race Series: The format will remain pretty much the same as in the November meeting. There will be a series of races: 2 class C events, 2 class B events, 3 or more class A events and 4 or more class S events. During the class A events, tire wear will be turned on, and one of the S class events will be a two or more driver enduro, switching at one pitstop. Car selection also opens up as the speed increases, and color options become nil. Depending on how many people show, will determine whether or not we run heat races, and whether or not a novice group is formed.
Sample Schedule: PlayStations 1 through 6 will be identified. This will also indicate grid position. PlayStation #1 will do double duty. It will function partically as a sixth racing position, and periodically function as a video monitor for VHS recording. A two lap time trial will take place. This will determine starting position. "Gentile-people, take your seats" Racers will do a slight musical chair dance, sitting in the appropriate grid position. Once seated, each person will change the controller settings to suit them, then re-enter the race. Track is announced then Car options. Event or Heat race takes place.
Points: First = 10 pts. Second = 8 pts. Third = 6 pts. Fourth = 4 pts. Fifth = 2 pts. Sixth = 1 pt.
In the event that heat races are run, points will only be awarded for the main event/final races. Points will be tallied for each main event, and totaled at the end.
Depending on how many people show, will determine the groupings. If we have 6 people and 6 PS2 stations, we might terminate the recording device accept for the team races. If we have even one more person then PS2 stations, we will split the field into 2 groups.
Lessons Learned: In November we learned a few things about controller settings and which PlayStation acts as a dominant controller. However I'm still a little unsure on what the determining factor is on starting position. I think it is either the order in which the PlayStations are hooked up on the order in which each PlayStation initially starts up. In any event, once all the PS2s are hooked up, the number assigned remains the same until one is unplugged or turned off.
On January 11th we learned a bit more about scheduling when more people are present then PSs. We had six PS2s at first with 6 people. The issue came when the seventh person arrived. It seemed silly to do heat races, then a main event with only 7 people, so formality and strict competition was sacrificed for informal fun. However at one point we had 10 or 11 people interested in playing. I tried the heat/heat/final format and it seemed to work well. Six people sat for the first heat race that lasted for only 2 laps. The first 3 drivers advanced. For the second heat race, only 4 more drivers needed to battle it out, so the 4th and 5th place drivers from the first heat were granted a last chance to qualify for the final. The top 3 from each heat advanced. It seemed the most fair way to do it. For counting points. The heat races were not counted, if we were to actually count any point that is. This way those who had a the last chance couldn't rack up points by purposefully losing in the first heat.
Prizes? Not sure what we're going to do for prizes yet. I may contact each local SCCA region and private group about donating an item or two for prizes. This could also be a good opportunity to signing up new members?
What actually happened wasn't fair, but fun anyway. Participants were each given a South Jersey SCCA sticker (funded by nerdsracing). In general, the longer people stayed the more stuff they got. 3 matchbox cars, 1 nerdsracing license plate holder, 1 nerdsracing long sleeve T-shirt, and about 10 SJ SCCA stickers were given out as token gifts.
November 23rd attendees: (6) Kurt, Mark, Al, Alan, A.J., Dave
January 11th attendees: (12) Kurt S., Mark G.(6&8 stringer), Albert S., Dana S. Patrick, Alan P., Keith, Grace, Gayle, Sam R., Jim W., and Dave Results:? From what I could piece together from the tallies that were kept; Kurt basically took 1st, Alan and I were close for second, Mark G., wound up a close 3rd. As for the rest: I was very impressed by how everyone did, especially not having played this game before. Grace had the most difficult time, most likely because I confused her, and because if you've never played a driving game using a joy stick then it is very difficult to get the feel for it. If it's any consolation Grace, you made my wife, who also has a hard time with the game, feel better. She actually hates playing GT3. Alan would have to be considered the most improved player. During the first challenge I could easily kick his hide, but this time around he was very good competition for both Kurt and myself. The "Wheel Station", even though was a bit frustrating to put together, was very functional for the Steering Wheel that Kurt brought.
I'm really glad to see there are a few other grown-up kids out there who still like to play!
Special thank you to those who brought their, or someone else's, PlayStaion2, and to those who contributed to the edibles by way of bringing stuff, or monetarily. You guys RULE!
Join the nerdsracing yahoo group for other updates and trash talk. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NERDS_racing
-dave 8) |
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North East Recreational Driving Schedule (NERDS_racing) is an informal mailing list and listing of events. Currently "NERDS" lives as a yahoo group. It's purpose is to seek out driving and racing events where drivers can participate for little upfront cost, and with no need of a special license. While all events listed are purely for fun, some events are competitive while others listed are instructional in nature. It is the hope of the founder that the bi-product of participating in said events will make you a happier, safer, and more responsible driver. However NERDS makes no claims that this will happen. It is this group's belief that street racing is dangerous and completely stupid. A safe driver, races and learns participating in legal activities. Any activity you take part in is at your own risk. NERDS takes no responsibilty for your actions. Gran Turismo is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. All manufacturers, cars, names, brands and associated imagery featured in this game are trademarks and/or copyrighted materials of their respective owners. All rights reserved. © 2001 Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. "PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. |
