Developer : Electronic Arts
Release date : April 23, 1999
Synopsis :
Sports Car GT is a 1999 racing sim game based on GT racing. It was published by Electronic Arts (EA) and developed by Image Space Incorporated for Microsoft Windows, and Point of View for PlayStation. Both editions of the game feature co-development by Westwood Studios. The PC version received “favorable” reviews, while the PlayStation version received “mixed” reviews.
It features a range of cars including from BMW, McLaren, Porsche, Panoz, Vector, Mosler, Callaway, Lister and Saleen.
On PC if the graphics add-on is selected by the user to be installed for SCGT, the game will show off enormously improved graphics. If the add-on is not selected by the user to be installed, the game’s graphics show their age. It has various easily noticeable errors (many car’s tires sink into the ground, and the shadows sit slightly above it). Typical polygon counts are in the low thousands. A major gripe of SCGT players is that the headlights have no effect on the dashboard view.
In season mode (championship), the player has to race in four GT classes. Each of these classes have five race tracks (GT1 has four). The player starts in the GT qualifying class (GTQ), and progressly gets to GT3, GT2 and GT1 classes.
The player gets cash when they finish in the top three in each race. The player begins with $50,000 for the purchase of their first car. This gives the option to purchase an expensive car and hit the circuit, or purchase an inexpensive car and put extra money towards upgrades right away. The “paddock” is the garage area where the player will maintain and upgrade their cars. In the car shop, cars can be bought and sold.
All cars can be upgraded. The player can modify the car to increase its performance and value. Once a component has been upgraded, it can be installed or removed at any time. Components that can be upgraded are: brakes, suspension, exhaust, engine, gearbox, aero kit and the tires of the car. The player can tune their car; not in making a design to the car or spray with colour, but change the optimum performance of the car. Components that can be adjusted are: brakes, suspension, ride height, transmission, gearbox, downforce and the tires.
When a whole class is finished (all five races), the final results are shown. If the player has done well enough, there will be a special race held. The player can accept or not. If the player accepts, they will race against a car that has not been available. The player needs to beat the CPU player to win their car and $150,000.
The first race in the first class (GTQ) is Sebring International Short, with three laps. The final race of the first class (GT1) is Sebring International Raceway, with 20 laps. The player’s car does not get damaged but it can get slower from hitting other cars, people, or walls.
Paris GT1, a bonus class, is made available when a player has completely finished the GT1 class. The bonus class has the same cars as GT1 but different tracks, based in Paris, France. This bonus class has six laps per race on each of its tracks, like the GTQ and GT3 classes.
Source : Wikipedia
