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Conference 7.286::atarist

Title:	Atari ST, TT, & Falcon
Notice:	Please read note 1.0 and its replies before posting!
Moderator:	FUNYET::ANDERSON

Created:	Mon Apr 04 1988
Last Modified:	Tue May 06 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	1433
Total number of notes:	10312

480.0. "The World's Best Arcade Machine" by LEDS::ACCIARDI () Wed May 17 1989 02:53

    
    I guess this isn't the best conference to post this, but it may be of
    interest to Atari enthusiasts and games fanatics in general...
    
    I have seen and played the World's Best Arcade Game.
    
    I really mean it.  My socks are gone, I'm dazed and confused and words
    fail me.  Take the absolute best 3D graphics that you've ever seen on
    an ST or Amiga (like Starglider II or Falcon) and they look like the
    work of bumbling amateaurs programming on a Timex.
    
    I stumbled onto a new system at our local coin arcade called 'Hard
    Drivin' which is made by Atari Games Division (I don't think that
    they're directly affiliated with the home computer division).
    
    It's essentially a 3D driving simulator with a bucket seat, steering
    wheel, 4 speed gearbox, clutch, brake and throttle.  Before I describe
    the graphics, I'll explain the mechanics, which also happen to be a
    major breakthrough in realism.
    
    The steering effort is proportional to your road speed and steering
    angle.  The engine response is coupled to your clutch effort, ie; a
    poor takeoff causes the engine to bog.  Engine RPMs are directly
    proportional to throttle position and load.  In other words, the user
    interface mechanics are exactly like a real sports car.  This is a
    major breakthrough in arcade machines.
    
    Now the graphics... sigh... If you've ever seen clips of the simulators
    that the military or Boeing Aircraft used, you probably dreamed of
    someday being able to use such spactacular hardware/software yourself. 
    This system creates realtime 3D graphics that are as good as any of the
    simulators that I've ever seen on TV.  The frame rate must be 30 FPS. 
    The basic scenery is created by polygon rendering, but uses spectacular
    speed and real-time shading to create an uncanny feeling of motion. 
    The effect is so good that as you zoom over the jumps at high speed you
    actually get light headed.  You can feel your stomach coming up into
    your throat.  Folks, this is orders of magnitude better than anything
    out there.
    
    It would be pointless to try to explain any further how good this
    machine is.  I can only ponder how on earth Atari Games has made such a
    quantum leap over the competition (Sega, Bally, etc).  I actually think
    that they may be using a Transputer system, since I've only seen custom
    mainframes perform this well.  I think one can safely rule out any
    conventional microprocessor application.  Even a large MacII or 386
    system could never achieve even a fraction of this kind of graphics
    performance.
    
    The mechanical engineers deserve kudos for integrating many complex
    electro-mechanical servo loops with the software.  This was a major
    project, as the titles list about 50 engineers involved with the
    development.
    
    The per-play price is steep at $.75, but this is an experience that is
    not to be missed.
    
    Ed.

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
480.1	I'll second that !!	WOTVAX::KAYD	Some people's hot ....	`Wed May 17 1989 13:01`	19
	Got to agree with .0 - this one's a winner !! I played it for a long time at Blackpool (UK) - 30p a go and worth every penny !! One thing which .0 doesn't make too clear is the thing which I especially liked about the game - the steering wheel is actually motorised so that you get feedback from it ! As you skid around a corner you actually have to fight the wheel to keep the car on the track. This makes the whole thing very realistic - when you go over a jump the steering is very light, reflecting the fact that your tyres are no longer in contact with the ground :-) I know that this is off the subject of this conference, but who knows maybe someone will port it to the ST (complete with add-on motorised steering wheel !) If you see one give it a go Derek.
480.2	where is it?	NORGE::CHAD		`Wed May 17 1989 15:05`	7
	Ok .0, now that you've whetted our appetites, where was it you saw it? And have any other people seen it other places. I am sure it is an expensive machine and won't be at every arcade right away. Sounds good. Chad
480.3		LEDS::ACCIARDI		`Wed May 17 1989 15:26`	6
	I saw it at the arcade on Worcester Center Blvd in Worcester, MA. I'm not sure of the name of the place, it may be SilverBall or some such. Ed.
480.4		IAMOK::CROWLEY	know where you stand in a Hellhole!!	`Wed May 17 1989 16:36`	11
	There's also one at Fun N Games in Framingham MA, and one (or so I heard) at the Acton Bowladrome. $1 a pop! I only played once and it was fairly difficult to get the hang of. A friend of mine drove the thing like Mario Andretti. Of course he's broke now! :^) Ralph
480.5		LEDS::ACCIARDI		`Wed May 17 1989 16:48`	6
	I forgot to mention... if you're poor or a cheapskate, stay away from this thing! It will suck money out of your pocket like a vacuum cleaner. Ed.
480.6	Where in UK	CURRNT::WRIGHT	I AM a member of this company	`Thu May 18 1989 14:43`	6
	re .1 Derek Where in Blackpool did you play it? Tony
480.7	To the tower with him !!	WOTVAX::KAYD	Some people's hot ....	`Thu May 18 1989 16:10`	11
	Tony, The only place to go in Blackpool is Mr B's. It's cheaper than the other arcades and always has the latest games in. It's near the tower (it's the biggest arcade in Blackpool so you can't miss it). Well worth a visit - provided you're in the UK :-) :-) Cheers, Derek.
480.8		CURRNT::WRIGHT	I AM a member of this company	`Fri May 19 1989 16:12`	4
	is that the one with the bar and retaurant in it Tony (Stoke on Trent)
480.9		TALK::HARRIMAN	Cuisine Verite	`Mon May 22 1989 16:04`	10
	I tried this (in Burlington VT USA) this Saturday... Interesting, to say the least. Having the seat move with you on banks helps the realism a bit. My 75 cents got me about 50 seconds of time, which ended in a spectacular crash into a road sign. I don't understand the point system (does anyone?) /pjh
480.10	One more go !!	WAR750::KAYD	Some people's hot ...	`Wed May 24 1989 12:30`	23
	I'm not sure exactly how the points system works, but it's obviously related to the speed with which you complete (or not) the course. I went back to Blackpool last Sunday and had another few go's at this. My most successful tactic is as follows: Go for the speed track, not the stunt track. Remember that in the country where the game was written (USA??) people drive on the right of the road :-) Unless you're very fast you probably won't complete three laps (two and a half was my best), so after your second lap drive the stunt track for practice. If you get a fast enough lap then you get to challenge the current fastest lap on a head-to-head basis over the stunt track. If you win then future qualifiers race you ! Still hooked, Derek. P.S. I think that Mr B's has a bar, but I spent all of my time playing games so I'm not too sure :-)
480.11		LEDS::ACCIARDI		`Wed May 24 1989 12:34`	6
	I've heard that 'Hard Drivin' uses a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) to created the incredible graphics. These chips are fast little vector engines. Ed.
480.12	I'll believe it when I see it !	WAR750::KAYD	Some people's hot ...	`Wed May 31 1989 07:24`	7
	Well guess what ? This game is going to be rewritten for the ST !! I read in ST Action (a UK ST games magazine) that the rewrite has started, but there is no mention of an expected completion date. If it's like most conversions it should be ready for Christmas 1990 :-) Derek.
480.13		LEVERS::LANDRY		`Tue Jun 06 1989 16:43`	9
	New England Grand Prix in Tewksbury, Ma. has Hard Drivin'. I only played a couple of times but could easily be addicted! Best part there is when you're done with the game, you can go outside and get in the real cars! chris
480.14	also in Leominster, Ma.	MIDI::DAN	All things are possible	`Tue Jun 13 1989 12:27`	8
	Hi all, I just thought I'd mention that I saw Hard Drivin' at Dream Machine in the Searstown Mall in Leominster, Ma. I was in a bit of a rush so I didn't get to play it but it looks incredible. It should be for $1 a play - ouch! -- Dan
480.15	Oh no, he's started rambling	IOSG::HAYESJ		`Tue Jun 13 1989 14:02`	4
	Sorry to wander off the point, but do you call your Leominster 'Lemster'? Just idle curiosity. J.O.H.N
480.16		TALK::HARRIMAN	Cuisine Verite	`Tue Jun 13 1989 19:01`	13
	re: .-1 The natives say "Lemon-Stah". Leicester = "Less-stah" Worcester = "Wuh-stah". This has nothing to do with this conference, but it should clear up any confusion between English and New-English. /one_who_used_to_live_in_Central_MA_but_moved
480.17	Final lap is the best	GUCCI::HERB		`Sat Jun 24 1989 00:58`	11
	I just played this game in south carolina. It is pretty good. I still like Final Lap (which is also made by atari) because 4 people can race at the same time and each person has a seperate seat and screen. If they could have like 20 people play at th same time on hard drivin' that would be good (like each game hooked up to a phone line stretching to all the other arcades in the area.Sound interesting??). matt (I want a version for the amiga)