August 1999 Volume 80 Number 8 "serving the protectors"
Computers -IT Bits
By Mike Horsfall  mich@picknowl.com.au

Gaming Devices

Everyone’s getting into serious gaming - PC gaming. And why not? Gone are the days of the humble 486 processor and the 512-KB video card.

Today, many PC owners have systems that feature extremely fast processors and high-quality graphics cards. These requirements aren’t really necessary for those boring office-type programs - they’ll almost run on anything. But today’s high-quality systems are precision-built for serious gaming. Isn’t that why one purchases a PC?

To maximise your computer’s entertainment potential, consider introducing it to one (or more) of the latest Force-Feedback gaming devices now available. These devices include a wide range of game-pads, joysticks and steering wheels - all specifically designed for the PC.

The addition of force-feedback technology brings games to life, allowing us all to not only experience the visual and audible features, but also feel the action in our games.

Microsoft® is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers, and is now set to become a leader in hardware peripherals with its range of Sidewinder products.

Showing a commitment to making PC games more fun, the extensive range of gaming devices now features nine products, including the Sidewinder Force Feedback Wheel - designed to enhance gameplay in car racing and driving simulations.

Whether your driving casually through the streets of Chicago in Midtown Madness, sitting behind the wheel of an Indy Car in Precision Cart Racing, or going across country in Monster Truck Madness 2, be prepared to feel every rut, skid, and crash. You’ll even know if your car has a flat tyre as you struggle to keep it on course. Gone are the days of using a keyboard to simulate the operation of a motor vehicle, as are the days of using a steering wheel that delivers little realism and no sense of feel for the road.

To complement the driving experience, the Sidewinder Force Feedback Wheel comes complete with pedals for total control of acceleration and braking. The pedals work as determined by the game being played. In most games, the right pedal controls throttle while the left pedal controls braking. Nothing is left to chance - it’s you versus the elements.

Included with the Sidewinder Force Feedback Wheel is software that provides full control over customisation of the wheel and the eight programmable buttons, two of which are positioned behind the wheel for quick gear changes - it’s total control. Also bundled with the wheel are Monster Truck Madness 2 and Precision Cart Racing - games that take full advantage of the features of the force-feedback wheel. RRP for the complete package is $299, but shop around and you’ll find prices around $250.

During the Police Journal’s extensive testing of the force-feedback wheel no installation problems or difficulties were experienced, and no faults were detected. Testing included using the wheel on a variety of games over a full range of terrain. The young ones were also unleashed on the wheel - it survived!

The Sidewinder Force Feedback Wheel deserves serious consideration from those looking for a new addition to the home entertainment system.

Midtown Madness - Chicago Edition

A game that is guaranteed to please (and particularly suited to force-feedback wheels) is Midtown Madness. Yes, it’s here - a game where you can drive normal cars around normal streets. And being able to travel anywhere in a driving game adds a great touch of realism.

In Midtown, motorists can drive around the city of Chicago through red lights and over double yellow lines; they can fly past stop signs and side swipe other cars. One can break every law in the book with a rock-solid guarantee that no one will be hurt and no tickets will be issued.

No need to worry about pedestrians in this game - they’ll either dive out of the way or latch onto the sides of buildings as you approach. Although they might seem to be immortal, they will still yell taunting remarks about your driving skills, which adds to the fun.

Drivers can rocket over raising bridges just like in all those exciting car chase scenes in the ’70s movies. It can be done in style with a ’68 Mustang Fastback, or for the brut look a Freightliner Century.

Other vehicles include:

• A city bus.
• The new VW Beetle.
• Panoz GTR-1 Le Mans car.
• Cadillac Eldorado.
• Ford Mustang GT.
• Panoz Roadster.
• Ford F-350.
• Ford Mustang GT Police Cruiser.

There isn’t really a list of tracks, although there are four driving modes:

• Cruise - casually traverse the city streets.
• Blitz Race - get to each checkpoint within the time limit.
• Checkpoint Races - a timed Blitz Race.
• Circuit Races - complete laps of a closed circuit and beat your opponents.

The graphics are photographic with image reflections and every working light that you would see or use in real life. Overall, Midtown Madness is a superb game and Microsoft has really shone through in its effort to provide a game that will be great fun, regardless of players’ ages.

For full details of system requirements and pricing visit your local PC store.

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