Video game news and reaction

[Krensky]

EA drops online passes.

[Sletchman]

Maybe (maybe) "We'll do better" wasn't just corporate PR speak.

[RusVal]

Trucker Parking Simulator

Really.  This exists.

[Valentina]

Trucker Parking Simulator

Really.  This exists.

As someone who drove semi-trucks for a living for a time, that actually makes 100% sense.
Poor turns, particularly while backing up, are a consistent source of damage to the truck, obstacles encountered, and freight.
While there's no real substitute for feeling the vehicle and the terrain through actually being in the cab, virtually leaning vehicle control is a great idea.

[MilitiaJim]

Trucker Parking Simulator

Really.  This exists.

As someone who drove semi-trucks for a living for a time, that actually makes 100% sense.
Poor turns, particularly while backing up, are a consistent source of damage to the truck, obstacles encountered, and freight.
While there's no real substitute for feeling the vehicle and the terrain through actually being in the cab, virtually leaning vehicle control is a great idea.

I would pay good money for a well done simulator that let me fly around the local streets and highways without having to worry about damage when I bugger it up and crash because I was doing something stupid like flying up the BQE* at 140mph.

*Interstate 278 through Brooklyn and Queens is called the BQE.  One must look diligently to find a worse highway.

[Blankbeard]

What you need is a racing game like the Forza series that can generate topography from USGS data and streets from Google Maps.  These guys are extracting 3d models of cities from Street View data and I don't see why they wouldn't extract textures at the same time. 

So it could happen.  They'd probably make it an MMO though :/

[MilitiaJim]

Part (most?) of what I want is a seat where I can park my tucchus and actually get a feel for the road.  A good arcade rig really, though I've yet to encounter one that gets the feedback on a manual transmission and clutch right.

[Blankbeard]

Disclaimer: I haven't driven a real manual since I sold my 93 grand am around 2000.  Also, I suck at racing games.

If it's the feel of the physical controller that bothers you and not the way the software handles the shift AND you are handy with tools, do this:

Build your own.

Except that rod he's using for a shifter and the plastic shift plate, replace that with a real shifter.  If you need a 7 speed, you'll probably have to wait for the new corvettes to start showing up in junkyards.  Shouldn't have to wait long.

You can do the same thing for the pedals, use pressure sensitive switches as I know the games on PC support them.  No idea on consoles. 

I mean, if you want a decent cockpit, you're going to have to build it yourself.  Plans are available online.

[Sletchman]

As a general fan of kitbashing and other improvisation / homebrew type projects, that link makes me happy.  Like you though Blankbeard, I suck at racing games.  The exceptions seem to be GTA and Mario Kart.

[foproy]

see if you can find the manual for the old gran turismo games. they actually have some good references for proper racing line ect.

[MilitiaJim]

Disclaimer: I haven't driven a real manual since I sold my 93 grand am around 2000.  Also, I suck at racing games.

If it's the feel of the physical controller that bothers you and not the way the software handles the shift AND you are handy with tools, do this:

Build your own.
...

I'll keep those instructions in mind, for when I have an apartment with actual space in it. 

I also don't care much about racing computers on it, just driving around stupid fast without traffic, something rather like what those guys at IEEE Xplore are doing.