Papyrus Founder Buys Back Source Code, Goes Racing

Thanks to The Pits messageboard for its post noting, via this month's PC Gamer magazine, that Papyrus co-founder Dave Kaemmer has bought back "all of the critical [PC racing sim] source code" from owner Vivendi Universal, following VU's closing-down of the Grand Prix Legends and NASCAR Racing developers. Kaemmer "teamed with Boston Red Sox owner John W. Henry" to launch this new venture, and intends to provide "high-end driving sims", seemingly involving personnel from the Project Wildfire NASCAR modding site.

GPL to be GPL'd?

[Usquebaugh]

Huh,

GPL, simply the best driving sim as was. Great physics engine, good graphics and modeled the best period in F1, well aside from all the deaths.

But seeing how he just paid for the source I bet he has other plans, rather than GPLing the source. Wonder if he's open to donations when it hits the purchase price he GPLs it?

Re:GPL to be GPL'd?

[_|()|\|]

I bet he has other plans, rather than GPLing the source.

I reckon so. The reference to "our service" makes it sound like the first outing will be on line, like Motor City (or Hawaii or TEN). Judging by the disparaging comments about retail, it won't likely be cheap, either.

I like Papy's games (especially Grand Prix Legends), but I wish they had spent a little more time on the gameplay. NASCAR Heat isn't half the sim that NASCAR Racing 4 is, but the challenges are fun, and require a much smaller time comm

GPL a moment to learn... a lifetime to master

[F1_Fan]

It's great to hear that there's life in the game engine still.

GPL suffered from maybe too much realism (although some minor aspects of the engine were lacking). The steep learning curve to drive high-horsepower (yet lightweight and no downforce aids) cars meant that most people likely deleted the demo and bought the latest Need for Speed game. Those of us who took the time to learn how to drive the cars were rewarded with an exceptionally fun simulation experience.

Re:GPL a moment to learn... a lifetime to master

[mutewinter]

This may appear to be a negative, but the realism is probably responsible for Grand Prix Legends longevity. [rscnet.org] With out a doubt, GPL is considered by a large portion of hardcore racing sim fans to be one of the best, if not the best, racing sim out there despite its age.

I don't really consider myself to be a "hardcore" racing sim fan, but I bought the full game less than a year ago. Its an absolute blast to play. You can download new graphics packs to update to high-resolution textures. Sure, it might not ha

Re:GPL a moment to learn... a lifetime to master

[Knos]

Of course you don't have the smell, the G, the wind noises, the risk. But there's a certain thrill, driving an unstable virtual car in a driving simulation is a bit like if you were driving with a lot of your senses muted. The amount of concentration needed makes it a real pleasure when you are "in the zone" and everything works subconciously.

The article's text, just in case

[MadChicken]

No idea if it was anywhere else, but that image might just be unavailable soon... PAPYRUS TEAM READY FOR NEW VENTURE Before we get too weepy-eyed over Vivendi Universal Games' decision to close down its Papyrus Racing Games subsidiary, we should all take comfort at how the development team that earned PC Gamer's racing game of the year award for three years running responded to those pink slips. They grabbed the wheel and took over the driving chores themselves! An official press release wasn't ready at

What else is out there?

[dave_f1m]

I try to look at reviews every now and then to figure out if there are any driving sims worth getting, but when GTA is considered "realistic", I don't know what is *really* realistic. What else, of at least GPL level of realism, is out there? Preferrably with IMSA/SCCA GT type cars.

Here's a guide.

[Blaede]

If it has guns, power-ups, no cockpit view, missles, no damage, "Type-R" customization, a character from a Nintendo game in it, draft meters, or anything like this, it's best to stay away from it.

Having said that, for GT type racing, you will want to check out the upcoming GTR by SimBin (demo available). Or try to find a copy of EA's F1 Challenge 99-02 and try out some of the GT mods available for it. Even F1 2002 will be good. Papyrus' NASCAR Racing 2003 is also a good candidae if you want to run some ge

Greatest gaming news in a looong time :)

[Knos]

It's so great to see papyrus reborn from the ashes. They've always shown a certain dedication, a non compromising stance in the creation of their games, that also attracted one of the most passionate scene of people playing, studying, modding their games. (Amazing cars, tracks, mods have been created since GPL was released initially)

To think I bought a GPL copy this week, after seeing it was now working in linux, see: http://www.zefix.tv/gpl_linux/FrontPage (for now only I have problems with making wine re