From: ken@visix.com (Ken Mayer)
Subject: Re: Yes, there are VR video games
Date: Wed, 3 Jul 91 23:11:48 GMT
Organization: Visix Software Inc., Reston, VA



In article <1991Jul3.152600.27429@milton.u.washington.edu> lishka@cernvax.cern.ch (christopher lishka) writes:
   ... 
   In my humble opinion, these arcade driving simulators should be
   considered a type of virtual world.  It is obvious that the layout of
   the race courses is held in some form of database.  Small details
   (like a diner, train, cows, and mountains) have been included to make
   the simulation more realistic.  You also race against other cars, and
   some courses are on two lane roads so you are forced to contend with
   hazards like on-coming trucks.  The virtual worlds are "static" in
   that the player cannot add anything to them, 

Ahh! But you can! Well sort of, anyway. In Hard Drivin' if you have
the number one race time, you get to drive one extra lap. (I've only
seen this once, I think they called it the medallion round or
something.) That lap is recorded and becomes part of the simulation.
In order for someone to beat your time and become number one, they
have to race against your recorded lap and win. I watched someone do
this and then on the next game I saw his car zipping around (cutting
corners, going off the road, etc.). 

						but they still represent
   an attempt to immerse the player in an alternate reality, if only for
   the duration of the game.

							   .oO Chris Oo.

   -- 
   Christopher Lishka       It is not safe out here.  It is wonderous, with
   Wisconsin Group, CERN    treasures to satiate desires both subtle and gross.
   lishka@cernvax.cern.ch   But it is not for the timid. -- Q
--
--
Ken Mayer                            #__               ken@visix.com
Technical Support Engineer      \  //(_  /\/           ...!uunet!visix!ken
Visix Software Inc.              \// __)/ /\            703.758.8230
				       #
"If the car is basically sound (i.e., the body has not rusted away), is
is *always* cheaper to fix it." -- Click & Clack Magliozzi