Grid Autosport

[XXXIV]

See you cats online soon .

Niceeeeeeee.

The more the merrier!

[pk500]

Just got my logi dfp steering wheel to work with my 360 and got this game so far so good but am i missing something ? Is there no customization for the controller sensitivity's at all? If not thats weak who would of thought Forza Horizon has adjustment but not this game.
Only done some open wheel so far and its very Toca isnt it?

Gonna try and tweak my wheel settings some more to see if i can just tighten it up a little.
See you cats online soon .

Can you get a G25 to work with a 360? I had no idea Logitech wheels were compatible. Spill some details here, Jimmy!

Thanks. Looking forward to racing with you, matey.

[DChaps]

Yes, please do tell. While I have a MS Wireless Force Feedback wheel thanks to 10spro, I have a Logitech G27 and Logitech Momo Red that are just sitting around right now.

PS - This game is really fantastic. I only wish that they had retained the pit stop options from TOCA 3, otherwise, it is the perfect end to Codemasters run on the 360. Too bad it took them so long. Also, it would be nice to have Symmons Plains!

[Jimmydeicide]

Im sure you could it would be the same principle but not without a small to medium investment. It may not be worth it if you dont have a device already.
I tried to ask Jcauthen about his chronus max but hes too busy ripping laps off i feel .
Chronus max would be a cheaper option @$50 i think.
What i have is a XIM3 keyboard and mouse emulator and it was 100 bucks way back when you need that and a usb trabsfer cable and a program called xemulate , change the config file and go race. what is really cool is you have adjustments with this software to dial in your wheel which you dont have with a controller or unsupported wheel in the game right?.
The down side is all my buttons dont work but they are supported (up to 30) you just got to figure out which button is which, i have all the a,b,x,y, rt,lt,rb,lb and dpad working its all i need really.

Im just not sure its worth an investment this close to buying a next gen console all it cost me was 10 bucks for the usb transfer cable (has to be a belkin)
There is a xim 4 in the works and it will give you interchangeable controllers between this gen and next gen all 4 consoles its pretty frickin' awesome for those with specialized controllers for every platform.

Just got to figure out the mic situation for poker nights im probly going to be silent during races and on mic between events as you can turn the controller off and on which cancels out the wired xbox controller which is required.
The wheel runs off the pc by the way not xbox so you would also need a pc close to console.

[Jimmydeicide]

Yes, please do tell. While I have a MS Wireless Force Feedback wheel thanks to 10spro, I have a Logitech G27 and Logitech Momo Red that are just sitting around right now.

PS - This game is really fantastic. I only wish that they had retained the pit stop options from TOCA 3, otherwise, it is the perfect end to Codemasters run on the 360. Too bad it took them so long. Also, it would be nice to have Symmons Plains!

I doubt its better than the MS wheel option you dont get ffeedback but the config file i used was from a momo.

[JackB1]

Finally got to play this some this weekend as I was able to get my gamefly copy to work for one extended run.
While waiting for my copy, I have been playing the first Grid and I have to say, I am surprised at how similar
Grid 1 and Autosport are, which is amazing considering the 2 games are half a decade apart. Yes, the driver
AI is better in GA and I do like some new little touches in GA, but I guess Codemasters pretty much nailed it with
Grid 1 and there wasn't much room for improvement with G2 and GA? Haven't had a chance to race online yet,
but playing Career mode solo in GA feels very much like it does in G1.

[TCrouch]

I think you couldn't be further off, personally. The handling model in Grid is designed to powerslide everywhere and bang off of everybody. If you don't, you aren't going fast enough on higher difficulties. It was their first move toward the highly arcade models in that generation.

Grid 2 was even further that direction, with the dreaded 'center pivot' handling model, where the car just seemed to kick out arbitrarily if you're going fast enough.

Grid Autosport is a jump all the way back to TOCA days on the previous generation, where precision will be faster and if you're chirping the tires and sliding around, you're going slower. The only thing similar between Grid and GAS' handling model is you're racing cars, but GAS is attempting to produce a much more real-world handling model. It's not "sim", but it's certainly very different from the first two Grids.

[JackB1]

I think you couldn't be further off, personally. The handling model in Grid is designed to powerslide everywhere and bang off of everybody. If you don't, you aren't going fast enough on higher difficulties. It was their first move toward the highly arcade models in that generation.

Grid 2 was even further that direction, with the dreaded 'center pivot' handling model, where the car just seemed to kick out arbitrarily if you're going fast enough.

Grid Autosport is a jump all the way back to TOCA days on the previous generation, where precision will be faster and if you're chirping the tires and sliding around, you're going slower. The only thing similar between Grid and GAS' handling model is you're racing cars, but GAS is attempting to produce a much more real-world handling model. It's not "sim", but it's certainly very different from the first two Grids.

I was talking more about the "overall game experience" than the specifics of the handling model. I am just a casual video game racer and definitely not as astute at noticing these things as you are and have only put in a couple hours in GAS so far. The thing that is disappointing to me so far with GAS, is that the only way to pass (at least for me) is to go into turns hot and play bumper cars with the AI to gain a few car positions. If I race cleanly and just try and take a clean racing line, it seems nearly impossible to gain ground on the leaders. On a positive note, I did notice the AI seems smarter in GAS and they don't randomly plow into you and take you out. They seem to back off when they don't have room to pass and they give you more racing room.

What is the overall impression of GAS vs. previous GRID's on the more hardcore racing forums?

[TCrouch]

But the first statement was a general blanket statement saying they barely improved it. The handling model is a major part of that.

And when you clarified your stance, you are on target. But that's what makes the handling model so much better--the fact that you don't have a bunch of slow cars out there waiting for you to pass them. They aggressively defend their position. You do NOT have to just slam into them and fly by, but that works if you drive that way.

That's where the new handling model is so much better. Where to cars actually pass each other on a real track? Out-braking another car, or getting a better exit from a corner and passing them down a straight. I've had lap after lap duels with AI cars attempting to set them up for passes, or try to out-brake them and overcook the corner, watching them do an outside-inside crossover on me coming out, etc.

The AI is a lot better overall, the handling model is better, etc. It's a great racing game, but it's not a pure sim game, so it's not really for the 'hardcore sim' crowd, either. It's a definite fence-straddler.

[JackB1]

But the first statement was a general blanket statement saying they barely improved it. The handling model is a major part of that.

And when you clarified your stance, you are on target. But that's what makes the handling model so much better--the fact that you don't have a bunch of slow cars out there waiting for you to pass them. They aggressively defend their position. You do NOT have to just slam into them and fly by, but that works if you drive that way.

That's where the new handling model is so much better. Where to cars actually pass each other on a real track? Out-braking another car, or getting a better exit from a corner and passing them down a straight. I've had lap after lap duels with AI cars attempting to set them up for passes, or try to out-brake them and overcook the corner, watching them do an outside-inside crossover on me coming out, etc.

The AI is a lot better overall, the handling model is better, etc. It's a great racing game, but it's not a pure sim game, so it's not really for the 'hardcore sim' crowd, either. It's a definite fence-straddler.

For me, I'm just not sure it warrants a purchase. I think I have more fun with a game like Forza Horizon, NFS Hot Pursuit or DiRT3.

What's also interesting, is that GAS got a lower average review score than the other 2 GRID games, according to Metacritic:
GRID: 87
GRID2: 78
GAS: 76

[TCrouch]

That's not surprising in the least, to me.

I fully understand my stance is the same as maybe 1 or 2% of the population. The general gaming public doesn't want what I want, and I am good with that. It's part of the reason I quit reviewing games at OS after 10 years. I realized I had gotten older or lost touch...whatever.

And if you have fun with games like Horizon or Dirt 3, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Those are two fabulous games. But I just felt it's a disservice to another fabulous game to say it's barely updated over Grid 1.

By the same token, I can have fun with a crappy baseball game because I don't notice the nuances of the sport. The intricacies of The Show have been lost on me for years. I can overlook the sh*tty aspects of Madden because I enjoy a football game. I wouldn't know the difference between NBA Live and NBA 2K14 except one has a bunch of slam dunks.

I notice a bunch of tiny little things in racing games because that's my niche that I choose to spend the majority of my time playing. Doesn't make my stance any more right (or wrong) than yours, really. But I definitely had to chime in when I read that GAS is essentially the same as Grid 1, is all

[fsquid]

finally picked this up, is there a club to join?

[pk500]

Thanks, matey, for the info. on the Logitech wheel workaround with the 360.

No dice for me. I'm not spending the dosh, and I don't have a PC. Went MacBook Air with new job in January -- no desire to return to Windows any time soon.

[JackB1]

That's not surprising in the least, to me.

I fully understand my stance is the same as maybe 1 or 2% of the population. The general gaming public doesn't want what I want, and I am good with that. It's part of the reason I quit reviewing games at OS after 10 years. I realized I had gotten older or lost touch...whatever.

And if you have fun with games like Horizon or Dirt 3, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Those are two fabulous games. But I just felt it's a disservice to another fabulous game to say it's barely updated over Grid 1.

By the same token, I can have fun with a crappy baseball game because I don't notice the nuances of the sport. The intricacies of The Show have been lost on me for years. I can overlook the sh*tty aspects of Madden because I enjoy a football game. I wouldn't know the difference between NBA Live and NBA 2K14 except one has a bunch of slam dunks.

I notice a bunch of tiny little things in racing games because that's my niche that I choose to spend the majority of my time playing. Doesn't make my stance any more right (or wrong) than yours, really. But I definitely had to chime in when I read that GAS is essentially the same as Grid 1, is all

Totally get it. My viewpoint is totally different from yours. You are the DSP racing guru and I am just a casual gamer who barely has any time for games anymore.
Glad you are enjoying it though!

[DChaps]

I would agree with everything Terry says. I enjoyed the first Grid for what it was, and hated Grid 2. In Grid 2 you can barely even recognixe a difference in handling from one car to the next. What Grid Autosport does so well is recreates what is great about motorsport (IMO) but not so hard core as to be inaccessible by the casual gamer. More real world tracks, more real world cars, believable handling model, realistic racing AI. Honestly I think they would have been better off not even calling it Grid.

[Jimmydeicide]

Yea, shoulda just called it Toca but understand why they didn't, who cares really we have our Toca back and i love it for it , simple enough handling and options and it lets you just concentrate on the racing and it is racing, I'm digging it so far.
I'm still just doing open wheel and on my second Caterham cup the yellow ones, grippy little bastards they are, fun as hell, loving the real world tracks, brands hatch brought back fond memories of Rfactor nights but im damned if they moved the starting grid or something it so much different looking and feeling with some scenery

[pk500]

I won't go so far as calling GRID Autosport "the new TOCA."

TOCA 3 had a the ultimate selection of real-world race cars and tracks. Plus it had a grip model that allowed a bit more four-wheel drifting through corners, especially in cars like Formula Fords, that was more fun than GRID Autosport.

But GRID Autosport is certainly the closest relative to TOCA 3 that has been released for the Xbox ecosystem. Its driving model is a large improvement over the promising GRID and the horrible GRID 2, and the AI remains the best I've seen in any console racing game.

[Macca00]

$25 on Steam until tomorrow.

[vader29]

Available for the 360 for $20.99 in This Week’s Deals with Gold sale.

http://majornelson.com/2014/09/23/weeks-deals-gold-11/

[wabash97]

Had a little time with this game now. Not sure if anyone else is playing, but thought I'd share a few thoughts:

Good

Handling is great. Cars are unique and fun to drive. I haven't delved much into setups.

AI is very good, although I have a few complaints in the bad section. I like the aggression (at times), and I like the personalities. I like that the focus is on racing and not hot lapping with drones.

Tracks seem fine. I agree with PK that car models are generic. Night lighting is so so.

Not good

The career mode is a grind. An absolute grind. I'm racing on hard (and maybe that's my problem), but adding to the leveling up system is the fact that literally one team is on front in every single race. Same goes for non-career races. Ravenswest Ravenswest Ravenswest. It is honestly taking the fun out of career mode for me. I like the idea of strong teams, but how about some variety? How about Ravenswest qualifying in 9th and needing to move up through the field? And I am already sick of running in slow cars with mid-pack objectives and nothing else to do. With three kids, I don't have a ton of time to devote to gaming, so it feels like five seasons (they're short seasons, but by the time I really learn the track and can put in a decent qualifying time ...) nets you nothing tangible. If there were a better storyline, etc., I would feel like that 3rd place really meant something.

AI cars do not lose enough speed when they break traction. I get sideways, I'm screwed. They get sideways, the catch it, jam the accelerator, and lose maybe half a car length.

If you do not qualify in the top 4 spots, you are subject to the ridiculous AI in the first turn at seemingly every track. There is more banging, even in endurance and open wheel, than at Martinsville with the cup cars in real life. Once in awhile would be exciting and realistic, but it is beginning to feel routine and almost pre-programmed.

I do like it overall, and I have enjoyed some of the custom cups I've set up and most of the career. Just wondering if other people are experiencing similar reactions.

[pk500]

Wab:

I encountered all of the same joys and frustrations with GRID Autosport. A very good game, but not quite the spiritual successor to TOCA 3 we all expected and wanted.

I've moved on to the Xbox One in the last month, so my GRID Autosport days are over.

You're in Tully these days? No longer in Oneonta? Dude, I'm in Marcellus - 25 minutes from you. I ski at Song at least once per week during the winter. We should get together sometime. Send me a PM with your contact details.