NASCAR Thunder 2004 released today

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  • Rodster
    Banned
    • Mar 2003
    • 5709

    #16
    Re: NASCAR Thunder 2004 released today

    </font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
    griffy97 said:
    Thanks for the link; it was a pretty good read.

    I'm curious; he noted the rivals theme didn't seem to have much effect in the PC version. Also, that ImageSpace basically produced the game. Which is good. Will the Xbox version have the same enhancements and did ImageSpace (some former Papy programmers) also help develop the console versions? Sure hope so.

    Another question: have the graphics improved? Not that EA delivers bad graphics, but they always seem grainy, especially on the NASCAR titles. I hope they cleaned up this area for 2004.

    <hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

    All Thunder games for the consoles were produced by Tiburon the guys behind Madden. I agree with Randy the Rivals thingy was geared more for the console versions as the PC is geared towards the Sim crowd. The Console and PC versions basically share one thing "Career Mode" but the PC version adds the Simulation twist to Career Mode.

    As far as graphics go you asked if the graphics were improved. If you're asking about the PC version then, YES very much so. THe graphics are cleaner, crisper they now support Anti Alaising and Anisotropic filtering and with all graphics options maxed out in 1280x1024x32 with 4xAA and 2xAnisotropic filtering I get about 44 FPS in last place with no stuttering like last year. The graphics engine has been improved quite nicely.

    The XBOX is a mixed bag. The disk I bought had a defect as the game only loaded once and I noticed lots of pausing and lockups. I exchanged it and will try again. The Rivals feature is pretty cool as well as the revised drafting mode. You press 'A' and you can piggy back for the draft with the car in front and this builds up your Ally points as well. The XBOX graphics are average at best as it's quite evident this is a shoddy PS2 port. Yes their still is a grainy look to the graphics on the Xbox because it's a PS2 port. No doubt it will look slightly better and play a little smoother on the Xbox than the PS2 but don't expect to find this EA game looking or playing as smooth as Rallisport Challenge 2 from DICE.

    Feel free to ask anymore ?'s

    Comment

    • Darth_Dorn

      #17
      Re: NASCAR Thunder 2004 released today

      I picked the game up for the PS2 today. I've pretty much only done the Lightning Challenges, or whatever they're called. If the actual races race similar to this, then I'm going to be happy. Everything is very good in my book.

      Comment

      • Darth_Dorn

        #18
        Re: NASCAR Thunder 2004 released today

        I picked the game up for the PS2 today. I've pretty much only done the Lightning Challenges, or whatever they're called. If the actual races race similar to this, then I'm going to be happy. Everything is very good in my book.

        Comment

        • Darth_Dorn

          #19
          Re: NASCAR Thunder 2004 released today

          I picked the game up for the PS2 today. I've pretty much only done the Lightning Challenges, or whatever they're called. If the actual races race similar to this, then I'm going to be happy. Everything is very good in my book.

          Comment

          • Darkbandit
            Rookie
            • Jul 2002
            • 437

            #20
            Re: NASCAR Thunder 2004 released today

            The graphics on the Xbox version really haven't improved very much from Thunder 03. It's still grainy and there are jaggies abound, reminds me a little bit of a PS game.

            Comment

            • Darkbandit
              Rookie
              • Jul 2002
              • 437

              #21
              Re: NASCAR Thunder 2004 released today

              The graphics on the Xbox version really haven't improved very much from Thunder 03. It's still grainy and there are jaggies abound, reminds me a little bit of a PS game.

              Comment

              • Darkbandit
                Rookie
                • Jul 2002
                • 437

                #22
                Re: NASCAR Thunder 2004 released today

                The graphics on the Xbox version really haven't improved very much from Thunder 03. It's still grainy and there are jaggies abound, reminds me a little bit of a PS game.

                Comment

                • bbondsfan25
                  Pro
                  • Aug 2002
                  • 606

                  #23
                  Re: NASCAR Thunder 2004 released today

                  Are any of you playing in 480p? Thanks

                  Comment

                  • bbondsfan25
                    Pro
                    • Aug 2002
                    • 606

                    #24
                    Re: NASCAR Thunder 2004 released today

                    Are any of you playing in 480p? Thanks

                    Comment

                    • bbondsfan25
                      Pro
                      • Aug 2002
                      • 606

                      #25
                      Re: NASCAR Thunder 2004 released today

                      Are any of you playing in 480p? Thanks

                      Comment

                      • griffy97
                        *t's * 'B*rgh Th*ng!
                        • May 2003
                        • 364

                        #26
                        Re: NASCAR Thunder 2004 released today

                        Guys, I really appreciate the feedback!

                        So, I've got a few more questions, if you don't mind.

                        I still proudly own NR 2002, fully upgraded with mods, etc. Enjoy the hell out of it, EXCEPT, I don't have what you'd call a gaming computer. Now my specs aren't bad: 512 RAM, 128 MB GeForce FX 5200 card. Have to go with PCI because of integrated AGP (stupid). Now, at 1024 x 768 x 32 with most details on with a 43-car field I fluctuate between 25-50 FPS at most tracks. For some reason, FPS drops dramatically at tracks like New Hampshire. Even if I turn resolution down to 800 x 600 x 16, I don't notice a huge FPS upgrade. It's frustrating. Papyrus titles are resource hogs for graphics cards unless you have a top-end machine it seems.

                        Do you think the FPS will be better with Thunder 2004 on my PC? Is it THAT graphics intensive? I can play F1 with little problems with graphics settings maxed out. Sounds like the PC version may be the way to go for me if the frame rate isn't gonna be a problem.

                        As far as EA, though, they really irritate me! Why they have made the decision to base everything off an inferior system (PS2) and just port everything over dumbfounds me. I'm not a graphics wh*re, so to speak, but really? I have Pro Race Driver for the Xbox (which is an outstanding racer, I might add) and it's beautiful! Also races really tight. I'd wish I could get a NASCAR game for Xbox that looked and played that well. There should be no reason why we can't. Now, "rival" gameplay (which is also employed somewhat in PRD) sounds like fun, but if the rest of the console version lacks....

                        Comment

                        • griffy97
                          *t's * 'B*rgh Th*ng!
                          • May 2003
                          • 364

                          #27
                          Re: NASCAR Thunder 2004 released today

                          Guys, I really appreciate the feedback!

                          So, I've got a few more questions, if you don't mind.

                          I still proudly own NR 2002, fully upgraded with mods, etc. Enjoy the hell out of it, EXCEPT, I don't have what you'd call a gaming computer. Now my specs aren't bad: 512 RAM, 128 MB GeForce FX 5200 card. Have to go with PCI because of integrated AGP (stupid). Now, at 1024 x 768 x 32 with most details on with a 43-car field I fluctuate between 25-50 FPS at most tracks. For some reason, FPS drops dramatically at tracks like New Hampshire. Even if I turn resolution down to 800 x 600 x 16, I don't notice a huge FPS upgrade. It's frustrating. Papyrus titles are resource hogs for graphics cards unless you have a top-end machine it seems.

                          Do you think the FPS will be better with Thunder 2004 on my PC? Is it THAT graphics intensive? I can play F1 with little problems with graphics settings maxed out. Sounds like the PC version may be the way to go for me if the frame rate isn't gonna be a problem.

                          As far as EA, though, they really irritate me! Why they have made the decision to base everything off an inferior system (PS2) and just port everything over dumbfounds me. I'm not a graphics wh*re, so to speak, but really? I have Pro Race Driver for the Xbox (which is an outstanding racer, I might add) and it's beautiful! Also races really tight. I'd wish I could get a NASCAR game for Xbox that looked and played that well. There should be no reason why we can't. Now, "rival" gameplay (which is also employed somewhat in PRD) sounds like fun, but if the rest of the console version lacks....

                          Comment

                          • griffy97
                            *t's * 'B*rgh Th*ng!
                            • May 2003
                            • 364

                            #28
                            Re: NASCAR Thunder 2004 released today

                            Guys, I really appreciate the feedback!

                            So, I've got a few more questions, if you don't mind.

                            I still proudly own NR 2002, fully upgraded with mods, etc. Enjoy the hell out of it, EXCEPT, I don't have what you'd call a gaming computer. Now my specs aren't bad: 512 RAM, 128 MB GeForce FX 5200 card. Have to go with PCI because of integrated AGP (stupid). Now, at 1024 x 768 x 32 with most details on with a 43-car field I fluctuate between 25-50 FPS at most tracks. For some reason, FPS drops dramatically at tracks like New Hampshire. Even if I turn resolution down to 800 x 600 x 16, I don't notice a huge FPS upgrade. It's frustrating. Papyrus titles are resource hogs for graphics cards unless you have a top-end machine it seems.

                            Do you think the FPS will be better with Thunder 2004 on my PC? Is it THAT graphics intensive? I can play F1 with little problems with graphics settings maxed out. Sounds like the PC version may be the way to go for me if the frame rate isn't gonna be a problem.

                            As far as EA, though, they really irritate me! Why they have made the decision to base everything off an inferior system (PS2) and just port everything over dumbfounds me. I'm not a graphics wh*re, so to speak, but really? I have Pro Race Driver for the Xbox (which is an outstanding racer, I might add) and it's beautiful! Also races really tight. I'd wish I could get a NASCAR game for Xbox that looked and played that well. There should be no reason why we can't. Now, "rival" gameplay (which is also employed somewhat in PRD) sounds like fun, but if the rest of the console version lacks....

                            Comment

                            • TidePride50
                              MVP
                              • Jul 2002
                              • 1010

                              #29
                              Re: NASCAR Thunder 2004 released today

                              The graphics are not overwhelmingly better than last year, but you can definantly tell they have improved.
                              "They talk about the Alabama family not being reasonable and realistic. Well hell no, we're not supposed to be reasonable and realistic. We're Alabama, we're supposed to be the best."
                              -Ken Stabler

                              Comment

                              • TidePride50
                                MVP
                                • Jul 2002
                                • 1010

                                #30
                                Re: NASCAR Thunder 2004 released today

                                The graphics are not overwhelmingly better than last year, but you can definantly tell they have improved.
                                "They talk about the Alabama family not being reasonable and realistic. Well hell no, we're not supposed to be reasonable and realistic. We're Alabama, we're supposed to be the best."
                                -Ken Stabler

                                Comment

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