Grand Prix 2 ************ Firstly the name, the "Formula One" seems to have been dropped and the sequel is now simply "Grand Prix 2". The latest release date for PC version is Summer 1996, although it is not impossible that this date could change (as we've seen many times). In fact it has been reported the release data is now the end of April! As far as I know it will require at least a fast 486 PC (a Pentium is recommended though), CD-ROM drive and 8Mb RAM! However, I have seen some screenshots and reviews on the Internet and the game looks bloody amazing. It seems even more realistic with even more car setup options (30 variables for suspension alone!), and you can enable different levels of mechanical failures. The only downer seems to be that the game is based on the 1994 season :-( It is clear that MicroProse have no intention of converting it to the Amiga as in reality they don't develop Amiga games any more. About the only hope is if Amiga Technologies get their act together and release a reasonably priced Power Amiga which will knock the socks of any Pentium PCs. Then MicroProse have no real excuse not to convert it to the Amiga. More importantly, such a machine may drag Geoff Crammond away from the PC - after all, it was the increased processing power and speed available in expensive PCs which dragged Geoff away from the Amiga! Roll on the PowerPC upgrade cards. The other option is for another developer to take on the conversion, as it is obvious that AGA Amigas can handle such a game (especially accelerated ones), but this will require negotiations with Geoff and MicroProse. Here is an article from the Internet I read last year: ============================= begin ================================== From: Steven Rennocks Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.games Subject: Re: F1GP2?? Date: Tue, 31 Oct 1995 19:11:17 GMT Organization: OTM F1GP 2 is being considered as a possible project by OTM, obviously licencing would need to be sorted out with Microprose and Geoff Crammond, but Amiga owners deserve this game and if we can sort things out we'd love to hand this over to one of our best development teams to take this on. Most of the PC versions graphical options would be kept, but severe hardware would be needed on the Amiga to run it at anywhere near maximum detail and at playable speed. All we really need to know is how much interest there is out there for F1GP 2 on the Amiga ?? Let us know. -- Steven Rennocks Systems Director OTM ---------------------------------------------------------------------- OTM Publications & Promotions Ltd. 5 Albert Road, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B79 7JN, UK Tel. 01827 312 302 Fax. 01827 670 10 Email. OTM@OTMltd.demon.co.uk ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ================================ end ================================= Don't get too excited though, as it is not as easy is it may seem. OTM are not having much luck getting an answer out of MicroProse regarding the matter and it is a fact that Geoff Crammond is not the easiest person to find (massive understatement). So, Amiga F1GP 2 for is currently "on hold" - possibly indefinitely :-( If at this point you are asking yourself: "Who are OTM?", then the answer is the company that published Virtual Karting. OTM made further postings to the same newsgroup and keep mentioning what they would do. They seem to think that they could make the Amiga version near perfect to the PC version. A500/A600 versions were mentioned to me as a possibility although a 68020 accelerator would be needed. Detail levels would be more customizable than the PC version - to get the same graphics level as the maximum graphics level on the PC a 68060 accelerator will be needed. Basically, it could cater for all Amigas. This is all pure speculation though - nothing has been arranged with MicroProse / Geoff Crammond yet, and I suspect it never will :-( So we will have to wait and see. I just hope Amiga Technologies get their act together and help put the Amiga back were it should be. I'm not a great AT fan at the moment - I think they should be doing far more.