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why gps?	22 Jul, 2012
51Wizard	(25 comments, 3554 views)
Hmmm, maybe not a qualified Blog subject, just a personal grumble of mine really.. it relates to the adding of GPS to a track and why some authors feel the need to add what looks to me to be just another fancy Outro. Remember the way it was in TM1 with the choice of cam for your gps being in-car, behind etc etc? This was simple and straightforward, and anyone downloading your map could watch the gps run and see exactly the route to drive (rpg tracks excluded of course). But lately it seems that many more uploaders are adding really fancy (and imho excessive) gps MT which does little to help me see the way through. When i choose to watch a gps run i want to see the track ahead of me, and begin to memorize the best way to drive my car.. surely this is what we all want right? Is this a legitimate point? What do others feel about this?

Comments

25 comment(s).

stevenamtaan writes ...	23, Jul, 2012
My personal feelings are that a guide/demonstration (GPS) are very important especially on more technical style tracks and tracks that can be difficult to place signs exactly to give correct direction. I never normally watch the GPS at first , but when some maps become quite tricky then the GPS is essential to determine the correct path using cam #1,#2 OR #3 but definitely not custom camera for as you say its more an outro than a guide and the soul purpose for a GPS should be to give guidance/demonstration for a track. I usually use multiple cars in a DEMO with the "behind or default" view so that those who are perhaps having some probs can watch and see the various lines each car takes and to give the driver clear indication for the best line to drive. Anyhow - thats my thoughts
metoxys writes ...	23, Jul, 2012
eyebo says: If I saw such a GPS in an MTC, I'd surely give a lower MT score because of it. That's what I had to do multiple times as far as I remember
wait writes ...	22, Jul, 2012
seems that as we all agree that a GPS is only needed on special tracks which are a rarity to find so why watch gps? 1. you´re lost or missed a CP 2. you´re on a server and want to eat or drink - gps always comes in handy then - bit of MT show for entertainment 3. you have to watch it because you test somebody else´s or your own track for functionality 4. you weren´t able to catchup with the author time and want to see how it´s supposed to be driven(doesn´t work mostly) 5. you don´t award maps without GPS so at least u take a look - and if fancy MT show is present you´re completly out of control and press the award button 6. you can´t find an easter egg and hope for some hint 7. the author has made one really can´t think of more reasons - the decision to do a GPS or not only one and the information to put in it depends on the builders intentions and capabilities - maybe the above list helps to decide what GPS you need to present next
haenry writes ...	22, Jul, 2012
good point. I myself never watch a gps, but when I would, I'd sure prefer to have a cam 1/2/3 gps. Nothing with custom camera, as it is too unclear. And I prefer the option "wait X seconds for GPS", as it is the fastest way to activate a GPS. Taking a custom route to a finish takes way longer. And time is important, even watching the GPS itself steals you the time of one complete run
51Wizard writes ...	22, Jul, 2012
it's good to read your different comments here, and i guess most of the time we don't need to even watch the gps run, thinking that we will soon pick it up after a few laps etc. But when we do choose to watch it, i think we should have a pretty good idea (after watching it once) where we need to go.. Nothing wrong with adding some nice gps mt with cool views of car and scenery, but us n00bs don't always benefit from it in the way it was intended, and like you said eyebo, it can easily becomes just another ingame Outro. Certainly wouldn't want people to change thier style or anything, because variety is a key to enjoying this game, but there are definately times when a track is full of scenery and/or the signs aren't clear when a good solid gps makes it easier.. (for me anyway) lol @ Falkers.. the type of gps we choose (countdown or drive-in) will often depend on how we build the track? Personally, after making a map i often fall into the trap of thinking "hmmm no room to drive anywhere for gps here" and am forced to use the countdown method. Is true for others too?
Nesrally writes ...	22, Jul, 2012
Hans Holo says: I totally agree with you gigpig. I would even go further and say that a track should not need a GPS at all, because a really well built track is driveable just by watching the signs and following the route. ...but we all know, that there are awesome tracks, that need a little look at the GPS (and it's worth then). So my opionion on this subject is "it depends" (like so much else in TM and life). Totally agree this Hans ! I feel there is to many map who does not need any GPS, coz it is pretty straight forward, but the builder does it anyway, coz they feel it is a must....which imo, is a misunderstanding..... @Falkers; Imo, 2 is best, coz it is simple..... 1 sucks, coz sometimes i want to use double 7 to have a scan over the map area, and thus force me to drive the car out of the start area to do it......
eyebo writes ...	22, Jul, 2012
I haven't noticed this trend; probably because I hardly ever watch the GPS on tracks. I do agree that a GPS should be used to show the route though, and if the cameras and FX are flying everywhere and ruining the view, then the GPS simply becomes an in-game outro and loses its purpose. If I saw such a GPS in an MTC, I'd surely give a lower MT score because of it. @Falkers I prefer #2 or #3. I don't like the GPS to start automatically.
Falkers writes ...	22, Jul, 2012
I'm guilty of adding a Gps that looks like a fancy outro But doing so i try to make the Gps so the tricky parts is still very much easy to see where to go, or to spot the "race line". But i agree it's much better with a simple Gps replay than a fancy Gps from several angles just to make it look more like a "MT Show". Something i have been wondering is what kind of GPS start is the best to use? 1.Wait X seconds for it to auto start?(usually 3-5 sec, this is my fav.) 2.Drive Backwards for GPS to start? 3.Drive forward to a place where the GPS starts, often highlighted with a GPS sign?
mlokan writes ...	22, Jul, 2012
I did think that the gps map is informational only. Each player must figure out for himself,what is the fastest way
Hans Holo writes ...	22, Jul, 2012
I totally agree with you gigpig. I would even go further and say that a track should not need a GPS at all, because a really well built track is driveable just by watching the signs and following the route. ...but we all know, that there are awesome tracks, that need a little look at the GPS (and it's worth then). So my opionion on this subject is "it depends" (like so much else in TM and life). Hans

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