that post post above by alex was only half of what was written on alpha, to save you the bother of going all the way over there to read it, here it is
At this time, we were aware the render engine utilised within the games needed to be replaced to enable the visuals of the game to be competitive with other games in the market place and to match the quality of the rest of the game.
We therefore took the decision to change the renderer and also change the method used to create the circuits.
These changes result in a huge step forward for the game:
The GPS data provides the game with added reality - we know the track width, height, and camber. The data also provides the game with individual profiles for each individual kerb.
The new renderer handles so many more polygons than the previous system, enabling us to increase the amount of details in the cars and the tracks - details that are necessary to enhance the driving experience.
A fast, dedicated 3D renderer is not quick to create; GPS data does not come in a format that enables it to be placed straight into the game; and building 17 tracks from nothing is a huge undertaking.
We have considered enabling the player to drive their chosen car with the attributes of the real-life counterpart - i.e. race the Minardi with the attributes of a Minardi. Development wise this should be easy to implement, but we need to balance that with the amount of dedicated testing required. In truth the implementation of this will depend upon how trouble free development to Beta proves to be.
Launch control has been implemented into the game and works very well, though requires some refinement. Due to the way the launch control works with the clutch to limit the amount of power being transmitted to the drive wheels, it is possible to cause damage to the car by over using the launch control.
I am not really sure what Matti means by "2D track format". The tracks are created in 3D Studio Max as 3D models and rendered in game as the same. I know Matti did have a problem with the fact that our fences and tyre walls do not have tops to them. As I explained to Matti, while the new render engine is fast and we can throw more polygons into the tracks, this new capacity cannot be used frivolously and has been used to generate more detailed circuits with many more buildings and objects.
With regards to run off areas, having spent a fortune on GPS data and collating a 2001 season photographic survey containing over 30,000 images, I would be most surprised if most of the run-off areas in the game do not replicate those of real-life.
The trackside television screens will show a cut down version of the "director mode" throughout the race. However this is optional.
The audio in the game has been massively altered. We spent a vast amount of time and broke a large amount of recording equipment recording the true sound of the cars from the driver's perspective.
The sound of the cars from the external views is now very much improved over that of GP3. Infact I forget how often I have heard the word "awesome" when showing the external sound.
The helmet view did not come from jumping into an Arrows Formula One car when no-one was watching. It came from being in an Arrows Formula One car at the kind permission of The Orange Arrows team.
During the development of GP3 we wanted to ensure we portrayed the view the driver has from the cockpit as realistically as possible, and Arrows offered us some help. The helmet came as an extension of this.
The lower part of the helmet has been made more transparent to enable the player to see the information on the steering wheel.
We don't have big problems with the reflections in wet weather. However, we are still working on the rain effects for all tracks. Screen shots of the wet weather will become available soon.
We have not included hands on the steering wheel in the "cockpit" for a number of reasons including the fact the arms would obstruct the view of the steering wheel data. It could be argued that this is realistic, however, in the game you would not have any control over the position of your arms - something the real life drivers do.
LS's Tip of the weekESSENTIAL OILS aren't essential unless you're an engine, a gearbox or a twat