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NASCAR Thunder 2003 v1.1 Patch

The version 1.1 patch will update your fresh install of...

  • Category Racing
  • Size 2.1 MB
  • Program by Electronic Arts

NASCAR Thunder 2003 v1.1 Patch

The version 1.1 patch will update your fresh install of NASCAR Thunder 2003 adding plenty of fixes and features. See more information for details.

Welcome to NASCAR Thunder(TM) 2003

Patch Read Me file (v1.1)

December 13, 2002

This README.txt file contains information on issues not covered by the manual and install guide.

It also contains information on features and bug fixes contained in the first patch.

Patch Information (v1.1)

- In Season mode, user's vehicle now uses special event paint schemes as appropriate (example: Jeff Gordon's "2002 Dupont 200th" at the Daytona 500(R)).

- Changed rear view mirror to be higher up, and have a wider field of view.

- Season: Backing out of race after Happy Hour no longer moves user to next race in season.

- Gamespy: "OK" symbol should now be visible on driver select screen when joining game.

- Moved the "Roof" camera to be on the roof, and added new onboard cameras.

- Prevented getting a wall-riding penalty while moving backwards.

- Reduced the temperature difference across your tires due to camber.

- Added a brake pressure gizmo in the garage.

- General physics enhancements.

- Please note: Replays are not compatible between versions.

SPLIT AXIS (or combined axis) vs. SEPARATE AXIS

For the most realistic simulation experience, it is crucial for the brake and gas pedals to be assigned to their own separate axes. This results in the best and fastest car control, by allowing multiple pedals to be pressed with proper individual pedal response at the same time.

In split axis (or combined) mode, the input from both pedals is sent as a single input to the game. As a result, you can effectively use only one pedal at a time. If you depress both pedals equally, the signals cancel each other out and the game responds as if the pedals are not depressed. Thus, full braking power only happens when the gas pedal is completely lifted, and vice-versa.

Conversely, in separate axis mode, the input from each pedal is sent separately to the game, so you can use both pedals at the same time. One pedal can be doing one thing, while the other can be applied to the desired effect without directly affecting the first pedals' input. You could brake while revving the engine, or use advanced driving techniques such as trail-braking which we will cover later on.

You can also see the difference between the two modes when you calibrate the controller in the game controller's control panel (access this by going to your control panel, clicking on Game Controllers, and selecting properties of your recognized and selected controller(s)). In combined axis mode, the gas and brake are calibrated on only one axis - when you press the gas it moves a single axis indicator one direction, and the brake moves it in the opposite. In separate axis mode, each pedal will reside on it's own axis. The gas and brake pedals will move two different axes their full length of travel. This illustrates another important benefit of separate axis mode: your pedals will have a greater, full range of input. Rather than sharing (and thereby halving) one axis, you will have much more fine control due to the broad, full range of axis movement.

Separate axis mode allows you to do a number of things:

- You gain full axis travel for finer control as discussed above.

- You can use both pedals at the same time.

- You can trailbrake. Trailbraking is a technique used by real race drivers to maximize their speed and control in cornering. It is a difficult technique to master, but once grasped and practiced results in a faster, more rewarding driving experience. While the general idea is to brake into a corner and completely come off the brake by the point of throttle application, you can use dabs of throttle to balance the car in mid-corner, or tap the brake to give the front tires grip to tuck into the apex. So separate axis becomes crucial to do this fine footwork on each pedal simultaneously.

- All of the above equals one thing - more speed. Ok, maybe a second thing - more fun.

GAME CONTROLLER AXIS SUPPORT

Not all controllers support separate axes. Check the control panel's game controller panel or your controller's manual to see if it supports separate axis. Here are three controllers which have varying support for split axis depending on your operating system:

Microsoft Sidewinder Precision Wheel (or the force feedback version)

Win98/ME: SPLIT AXIS and separate AXIS supported

WIN XP: SPIT AXIS only

Logitech MOMO

Win98/ME: SPLIT AXIS and separate AXIS supported

WIN XP: SPLIT AXIS and separate AXIS supported

*ACT LABS FORCE RS (or non-force)

Win98/ME: SPLIT AXIS only

WIN XP: SPIT AXIS only

System Requirements

Minimum System Specs

CPU: PIII 500MHz or equivalent

RAM: 128MB

Video: 32MB Direct3D capable video card with DirectX 8.1 compatible driver

Space: 740MB free hard disk space plus space for saved games and saved replays

Audio: DirectX 8.1 compatible sound card

Controller: Keyboard, Mouse

Recommended System Specs

CPU: PIII 900MHz or equivalent

RAM: 256MB

Video: 32MB Direct3D capable video card with DirectX 8.1 compatible driver

Space: 740MB free hard disk space plus space for saved games and saved replays

Audio: DirectX 8.1 compatible sound card

Controller: Steering Wheel, Analog controller

Required Operating Systems:

Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows XP or Windows 2000

Note that Windows 95 is not supported.

** The NASCAR Thunder 2003 CD is required in the CD-ROM drive in order to be able to start and play the game. This applies to both single and multiplayer games.

Known Video Issues

- ATI Xpert128 Video Card and Graphic Anomalies

Some users may experience graphical corruption when using the ATI Xpert128 video card with Compressed Textures enabled. This is a driver issue and is not a problem with your copy of NASCAR Thunder 2003. To resolve this issue you can disable Compressed Texture support from the Display Properties found in the Windows Control Panel.

- Matrox Millennium G400 and Graphic Anomalies

Windows XP users who have the Matrox Millennium G400 and run at a resolution of 1600x1200 with a 32bit color depth will notice that textures are missing from some objects. This problem can be fixed by lowering the resolution and color depth in your Display Properties.

Known Sound Issues

- Cracking and popping audio

If your audio cracks, or pops, try lowering the Hardware Acceleration option in your Sound Properties. The Sound Properties are found within the Windows Control Panel.

Other Known Issues

- Alt+Tab

NASCAR Thunder 2003 does not support the Alt+Tab functionality. Although task switching functions work properly in most cases, it may cause problems under certain conditions and is therefore not recommended.

- Alt+F4

If you exit the game by pressing the Alt+F4 keys you may experience problems restarting the game. This problem can be resolved by rebooting your system and launching the game again. To avoid this problem you must exit the game by pressing the ESC key or clicking on the Exit icon from the lower left of the Main Menu. When prompted to quit, press the Y key to exit the game.

- Force Feedback devices and Fatal Errors

When using the devices that support Force Feedback it is highly recommended that you do not turn the power off to these devices while in game. In some instances this may cause you to receive a Fatal Error message and/or lose the ability to control your car. If for some reason power is lost to your Force Feedback device immediately turn the power back on to prevent any of the above listed problems from occurring.

- Full Scene Anti-Aliasing Support (FSAA)

Full Scene Anti-Aliasing is not a supported feature for NASCAR Thunder 2003. If you encounter problems where the screen does not properly refresh, check your Video Display Properties found in the Windows Control Panel to ensure that the FSAA feature is disabled.

- Mouse Pointer Trails and Texture Drop-out

Users may experience texture drop-out in the NASCAR Thunder 2003 interface when mouse pointer trails are enabled. To resolve this issue, disable the "Show Pointer Trails" feature in the "Mouse" options found in the Control Panel.

- Swap File

NASCAR Thunder 2003 requires 150MB of swap file space. If you have less than the required 150MB you will need to increase the swap file size. Please refer to your Operating System manual for instructions.

Improving Performance

- 3D Setup and Optimal Settings

The 3D Setup application will determine optimal Audio and Video settings for your PC based on the current hardware configuration. Adjusting these options may adversely affect performance in game.

- High Resolution Support

The option of 1024x768, 1280x960 and 1600x1200 resolutions should only be used on high-end systems. These settings require a great deal of resources. Only high-end systems are recommended with Direct3D and resolutions higher than 800 X 600.

- 32-bit Color

Selecting 32-bit color will cause a huge performance decrease on older video cards. Use 16-bit color options if you find that you are getting slow frame rates or graphical problems. Graphical problems range from cars and tracks not having textures to corrupted textures on in-game banners.

Late Additions

- Race icons

Pressing the F9 key will display various race icons that will visually indicate events such as flags, network disconnects, session changes and car status. While none of these icons are necessary, these will be most useful in multiplayer games and during any race where all rules are enabled.

When there are two flag icons on the left side of the display, the top flag icon represents the track flag, while the lower, indented flag icon represents the player flag. Icons directly under the player's flag will further describe the meaning of the player flag.

Blue Flag with Yellow Stripe : Icon of blue flag with yellow stripe. Indicates a user should move over, faster cars are trying to lap you.

Black Flag : Icon of a black flag. Indicates a user has broken a rule. User must serve the penalty or be disqualified.

Black Flag with White X : Icon of a black flag with white X. Indicates a user is disqualified and is no longer being scored.

Checkered Flag : Icon of checkered flag. Indicates a race is finished.

Green Flag : Icon of green flag. Indicates the start of the race, or resume racing after a yellow flag.

White Flag : Icon of white flag. Indicates the final lap.

Yellow Flag : Icon of yellow flag. Indicates a Caution.

Follow Indicator : Icon of car with arrow behind it. User should stay behind the car indicated.

Longest Line : Icon of cars in two rows. User should move to the back of the longest line.

Low Fuel : Icon of gas can with yellow flare. Indicates fuel levels are low.

*Network Problems : Icon of disconnected network cable with yellow flare. Indicates the network connection has been lost.

*Next Session : Icon of curved arrow and stop watch. Indicates the Host has advanced race sessions.

*Next Track : Icon of curved arrow and oval. Indicates the Host has changed tracks.

*Pass Through : Icon of car with dotted lines passing through pits. Indicates user should pass through pits without stopping.

Pit Closed : Icon of gas can and wrench crossed out. Indicates that pit road is closed.

Pit Open - Gas can icon : Icon of gas can and wrench. Indicates that pit road is open.

Stop/Go : Icon of traffic light. Color determines whether player should stop / go.

"*" represents multiplayer only.

Customizing NASCAR Thunder 2003

** WARNING: EA and EA Sports are not responsible for any damage incurred while modifying the game. Users who modify the game files may not be eligible for Technical Support.

** CAUTION: Please note that before editing any game files, it is highly recommended that you make backups of the files you intend to edit.

- Removing Cars

To remove drivers rename the "*.VEH" file of the driver you wish to remove to "*.BAK". The .VEH files are located in the "Season03\Vehicles\" directory found in the installation path of NASCAR Thunder 2003.

- MP3 File Support

To listen to your own MP3's while in the front end, place the MP3 files in the "\Sounds\Music" directory found in the installation path of NASCAR Thunder 2003. Please note that some MP3's may not properly loop or continue to the next song.

- HDV Mismatch

When playing NASCAR Thunder 2003 online you may see the message "

*.HDV mismatch" as another player joins the game. This indicates the player has joined the game with an .HDV file that differs from the host machine. Modifications to this game file may allow some users to have an unfair advantage while racing.

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