Forza 4: Catch-All

LiquidMantis wrote:

The CSP FFB doesn't work on consoles right now anyway. Sounds like the CSPs come with Hall effect sensors though, assuming that's what they mean by "contactless". Either way they should last longer and be smoother than pots.

That's not completely accurate. The CSPs do give brake vibration under lock in Forza 3 if the CSPs are connected to a Fanatec wheel by the PS2 cable.

MisterStatic wrote:

That's not completely accurate. The CSPs do give brake vibration under lock in Forza 3 if the CSPs are connected to a Fanatec wheel by the PS2 cable.

Ah, ok, I'll defer to you then. I had just read "Please note that the vibration function on the brake is not supported on gaming consoles so far." on the bottom of the description page after Zero said he passed on the function.

LiquidMantis wrote:
MisterStatic wrote:

That's not completely accurate. The CSPs do give brake vibration under lock in Forza 3 if the CSPs are connected to a Fanatec wheel by the PS2 cable.

Ah, ok, I'll defer to you then. I had just read "Please note that the vibration function on the brake is not supported on gaming consoles so far." on the bottom of the description page after Zero said he passed on the function.

I think on PCs the software interfaces directly with the pedals and thus can control the FFB as it sees fit. On consoles the software can't interface with the pedals in the same way, so the wheel fakes it for you based on a setting in the wheel itsef -- you tell the wheel what braking percentage it should start sending FFB signals to the pedal, and it does, but it really doesn't have anything to do with what the software is doing, just how much you've pressed the pedal. (As I said, I did a LOT of research very recently. )

I just tried the demo with my Fanatec GT2. It worked beautifully at 900 in sim mode with all 4 cars in the demo. I wonder what problems are reported?... especially since the only wheel with 900 degrees for an Xbox is Fanatec. The CSR basic is really just a re-costumed GT2 so anyone with that should not have a problem with the demo...I would think.

What people are saying (with GT2s, as well as the MSWW and some Logitech stuff) is that after you go full lock in one direction, it then turns the steering assists back on as you turn back the other way, no longer mapping your controller input 1:1 with steering in game. As a result, they say they get a very confusing behavior from the game when trying to control/recover from slides.

zeroKFE, you are right about the console implementation, that is why it needs a Fanatec wheel.. The only PC implemetation I use is a rFactor plug-in and a well made iRacing plug-in. However, the effect is pretty minimal because when it kicks in is exactly when you are applying most pressure to the pedal which inhibits vibration from the small motor they use..

In testing the wheel on Forza 4 demo, I didn't ever need to extend the wheel past about 150 deg. any direction (fairly straight track) and I didn't spin out of control. So that is why I didn't have the issue I guess.

As I said, loving the tire physics. FFB with the GT2 seems "meatier" than Forza 3. Lighting and cockpit movement are certainly better as well.

DP.

As I said, loving the tire physics. FFB with the GT2 seems "meatier" than Forza 3. Lighting and cockpit movement are certainly better as well.

Man, I can't wait to get home and give it a try -- the MSWW will do just fine for now.

EDIT: Assuming they manage to fix Xbox Live before I get home, that is.

I just placed an order for the Forza wheel and the CSR Elite pedals from Fanatec. They said it would ship in 2-5 days? Should I be skeptical? I thought it would take 2-5 months.

speeddokken wrote:

I just placed an order for the Forza wheel and the CSR Elite pedals from Fanatec. They said it would ship in 2-5 days? Should I be skeptical? I thought it would take 2-5 months.

Not for the CSR wheel and pedals (no need to be skeptical that is). The December+ estimate is for the CSR-Elite wheel and the ClubSport Wheel.

Confusing, I know.

Their webshop is not very high tech -- I think that's just a standard shipping message. I got the same thing when I placed my preorder over a week ago.

The latest info is that the preoorder products are in the process of clearing US customs and should ship from their distribution center in California sometime this week.

Thanks for the info. Now I just have to worry about the duty fees.

Looks like the Forza 4 demo is live right now for Gold subscribers.

Too bad Live is having troubles today.

Hmmm:-)

I love the Rivals mode. I need to increase the friends list with the commuity though.

Played the demo today. It's marvelous, although they seem to have turned down the difficulty from Forza 3.

CptGlanton wrote:

Played the demo today. It's marvelous, although they seem to have turned down the difficulty from Forza 3.

What difficultly were you playing at? I had found that Medium was sometimes a pushover but Hard was often too hard, and wished there was something in-between—and later found out that was a common complaint. I'd be happy if they dialed Hard down and had another couple of difficulty levels above that.

I did a few on medium and ran away with it with no trouble. One race on hard, and I finished fifth (this was with the S class). I felt like I could tweak the settings and practice until hard was winnable.

No Kinect head tracking support in the demo.

Looking forward to getting the full version. Demo has just enough to make me really get that craving, including the lack of available tweaks. The game is silly dark in parts of the track, and I'd like to remap the up shift button to A, but minor complaints aside I'm really digging the updates and changes we can see.

BAH!

The impossible was happening and I was keeping ahead of Lupus' ghost for the first two thirds of the 458 Italia rivals lap, and then I got to the tricky downhill section and got caught up in traffic, putting me half a second behind at the end of the lap. Then try as I might I couldn't even come close after that.

This rivals mode could be a dangerous, dangerous thing.

EDIT:

And on another note, damn, simulation steering definitely adds a new layer of challenge. Even with the WRX I had to be on the ball all the time to avoid losing control. Very interested to see how it feels once I can move from the MSWW to the CSR.

zeroKFE wrote:

And on another note, damn, simulation steering definitely adds a new layer of challenge. Even with the WRX I had to be on the ball all the time to avoid losing control. Very interested to see how it feels once I can move from the MSWW to the CSR.

You are going to love it. Really a whole new world.

zeroKFE, you are a scholar and a gentleman.

zeroKFE wrote:

the last car that will import is the HKS Time Attack Evo, which will be a unicorn in Forza 4. I think that might have been one of the VIP gift cars, because I know I had it but I don't remember specifically buying it and it wasn't one of the driver level reward cars.

The HKS Time Attack is buyable, and it's part of the base game, not a VIP car (since I have it and didn't buy the VIP DLC).

Sorry if I wasn't clear there -- the HKS is definitely buyable and not from the VIP DLC, but I think it was one of the cars that they gave to VIP members in a specially tuned form. (The Forza VIP programs have two parts: exclusive DLC, and periodic gift cars which generally have a special livery and paintjob, but are otherwise a standard car from the main disc collection.)

Alright, CSR wheel and Clubsport pedals ordered. Maybe I'll end up passing on the the CSR-E. The comparison chart doesn't really highlight any major differences between the two wheels, other than another 550 motor for FFB. If the main differences are the aluminum chassis, porn window, and CF wheel I think I can do without. It would make more sense to get a CSW for a high-end PC wheel and just keep the standard CSR for the 360.

Zero: How is your Rennsport stand? I've looked at those style mounts for a while but was worried about lateral stability. I could get some sort of cockpit setup for the basement, but I'm preferring to game upstairs these days where there isn't room for one. I'm considering building something similar to those stand style mounts, or ordering one outright.

Ah okay, gotcha.

I downloaded the demo yesterday, and: that new lighting? Wow. I mean wow. F3 looks great for detail, but something about the graphics just made the cars look like they're made of plastic. Well they look absolutely stunning in that bright garage now (which itself is a small stroke of genius). I even had to look at that American cow of a car and have to admit chrome really benefits from the new look.

Then I spent like half an hour crashing the cars to see how much damage they'll take. Pile-ups with those city cars are fun.

LiquidMantis wrote:

Alright, CSR wheel and Clubsport pedals ordered. Maybe I'll end up passing on the the CSR-E. The comparison chart doesn't really highlight any major differences between the two wheels, other than another 550 motor for FFB. If the main differences are the aluminum chassis, porn window, and CF wheel I think I can do without. It would make more sense to get a CSW for a high-end PC wheel and just keep the standard CSR for the 360.

Zero: How is your Rennsport stand? I've looked at those style mounts for a while but was worried about lateral stability. I could get some sort of cockpit setup for the basement, but I'm preferring to game upstairs these days where there isn't room for one. I'm considering building something similar to those stand style mounts, or ordering one outright.

I am liking the feel of my GT2 so much in the demo that I am likely to go straight up to the CSW for PC as well. As I have pointed out several times, the CSR is really just a GT2, so you should be plenty happy with your decision.

MisterStatic wrote:

I am liking the feel of my GT2 so much in the demo that I am likely to go straight up to the CSW for PC as well. As I have pointed out several times, the CSR is really just a GT2, so you should be plenty happy with your decision.

Glad to hear it. I know it'll be an insane improvement over the MS wheel as it is.

Zero: How is your Rennsport stand? I've looked at those style mounts for a while but was worried about lateral stability. I could get some sort of cockpit setup for the basement, but I'm preferring to game upstairs these days where there isn't room for one. I'm considering building something similar to those stand style mounts, or ordering one outright.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with it. My main complaint would be that the materials/build quality don't quite feel commensurate with the price, but it has held up perfectly fine for the two years I've had it. Other than that, it's highly adjustable so it's not hard to get it tuned into whatever seating situation you have -- I've had no trouble setting it to a comfortable place on two different couches and an office chair -- although it should be said that it can't exactly be adjusted on the fly. You'll need to stop your game if you decide you need to change one of the angles, because while you won't need any tools to do so, you will need to do a lot of turning of hand screws.

It is, however, quite easy to fold up even with the wheel attached, and when folded it isn't hard at all to fit into a closet for long term storage. Also, I've found it light and manageable enough to move into and out of place for each play session, so for short term storage when I'm playing a game with the wheel every day I just move it behind the couch when I'm done playing. So while the price might be a tad on the steep side, it does offer some nice conveniences that a DIY stand/cockpit setup probably wouldn't. If I had a dedicated spot in the house where I didn't mind having a permanent setup I'd maybe try for a DIY stand, but as long as I have the constraint of needing to be able to pack the wheel away and not have it be a permanent fixture I'll happily stick with the RennSport stand (and would buy it again if the situation arose).

EDIT: As for stability, that's been fine so far. I actually don't usually fully tighten it on the axis where it folds down, since that makes it easier to fold when I need to, and that small amount of play hasn't been a problem for me. That might change when I have a shifter hanging off the side though, but I won't know for sure until my new kit arrives.

(It's also worth noting that it doesn't come with a pedal stopper -- that is sold separately, if you want it. I got by fine without it when using the MSWW pedals, but I ordered the stopper along with my new CSR gear just in case.)

The RWS v2 comes with the pedal stopper, hopefully they've tweaked the quality too. Reviews all seem good, including SimHQ's, so Fanatec just took more of my money. Forza 4 is costing me as much as DCS: A-10 did.

The RWS v2 comes with the pedal stopper, hopefully they've tweaked the quality too.

Ah, well that's good. I must have bought before the update.

After many issues with Xbox Live and my internet I was finally able to get the trial late last night. Only had time for about three races but damn I needed that

Agree completely with the difficultly conversation. I went into my very first race with what I would call medium settings (sim-steering, ABS on, TCS on, STM on, Sim damage, medium AI) which is pretty much what I played Forza 3 at and dominated against the AI. Bumping the AI difficulty made it a bit tougher and that is probably the setting I will race at most of the time.

One thing I can't wait for in the real version is the option to turn the music off. I've been doing this since the first Gran Turismo, which had a great soundtrack that got old quickly. The music in the demo really just struck me as generic dance crap. Nothing like just the sound of the cars and the road IMHO.

One thing I can't wait for in the real version is the option to turn the music off. I've been doing this since the first Gran Turismo, which had a great soundtrack that got old quickly. The music in the demo really just struck me as generic dance crap. Nothing like just the sound of the cars and the road IMHO.

If you open your Xbox guide and start a custom playlist and then pause it, you'll find that the music will be gone in the demo.

That said, my wife loves house and drum and bass music, and as a result of that I've grown a bit of a taste for it and think it makes pretty good driving music. I'll probably end up mostly playing without it anyway (even the best soundtrack does indeed get old in a racing game), but for now I'm happy they've stuck with the same music aesthetic as Forza 3.