Grand Prix 3 Q&A Posted

A Q&A has been posted on the official Web site for GP3 giving us our first insight into the title. Check it out below.

Q. What is Grand Prix 3?
A. Grand Prix 3 is the awaited sequel to the acclaimed GP2. GP3 will reset the benchmark against which all motor racing games will be measured. GP3 is developed under license from FOA, the official governing body of Formula 1.

Q. Is it just jump in and race?
A. The menu system for GP3 has been overhauled, making it easier to access all areas of the game, including the quick race option.

Q. Will there be any driver aids?
A. Formula 1 cars have a massive power to weight ratio and you have to be highly skilled to drive, let alone race one, therefore there are 8 optional driving aids to ease the player into the experience. The driving aids are: Auto Brakes, Auto Gears, Self-correcting Spin, Indestructible, Ideal Line, Suggested Gear, Throttle help and Steering help.

Q. How deep is it?
A. GP3 can be as deep as you want within playability reason. When setting up the car for each track, the player may utilise authentically represented car to pit telemetry information, including data on Speed, Steering Demand, RPM, Throttle, Brake, Gear Use, Ride Height (for each wheel), Suspension Travel (for each wheel),Wheel Spin (for each wheel) and longitudinal & lateral acceleration

Q. What can I set up?
A. Standard car set-up options includes Front/Rear wings, Brake balance and Gear ratios. Advanced Car Set up procedures include adjustments to Springs, Ride Height, Dampers and Anti-Roll Bars with full reference guide to show you what you are doing.

Q. What about weather?
A. Good news – realistic weather effects are in the game.

Q. What about multiplayer?
A. As well as supporting hot-seat and direct serial link, GP3 will also support a minimum of 4 players via LAN.

Q. What about system spec?
A. GP3 is designed to run in both software and 3D hardware, and will be fully scaleable to suit the hardware. The target minimum specification is a PII 266.

Q. What did the other games do?
A. It is the sequel product of best sellers: F1 Grand Prix (1992) and Grand Prix 2 (1996). All games have been created by Geoff Crammond. Grand Prix 2 has sold over 1 million copies worldwide and is currently available on Hasbro Interactive’s Classic Range.

Q. Is Geoff Crammond working alone?
A. The majority of the game has been designed and developed by Geoff Crammond. However, following a deal earlier this year between Simergy (Geoff Crammond) and Hasbro Interactive, a new team (MicroProse Grand Prix) has been formed to assist with the completion of GP3 and the furtherance of the GP brand. We are currently looking for high-calibre programmers and artists for PC and console to join this Chipping Sodbury team.

Q. What are our future plans?
A. Hasbro Interactive have an agreement with FOA to produce games covering the seasons 1998-2002. It is Hasbro Interactive’s intention to create a series of industry leading products for each of these seasons and to feature on as many game platforms as is commercially viable.