Arcade Time attacks - Help please!!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Polyphony001
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Polyphony001

Polyphony001

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The Arcade Time Attacks are the only thing preventing me from getting 100% and I'm really struggling with them now the Motorsport elise and MX5 ones are done. Can anyone offer any advice, besides just trying vast numbers of times?
 
Have you studied the demos? Not watched the, but studied them. ALso, you can save you best replay, load it into the analyzer, and see where you're loosing vast amounts of time. Compare two of your best replays, and you'll notice where points are that can help you.

While vast attempts are sure to help, knowing where you're loosing out, is better. Go back and rewatch the demo's and take advantage of the analyzer.

AO
 
I still haven't figured out how to use the analyzer. To me it just shows where I am accelerating and where I am braking. I only have the last two to do, but I can only get within around 10sec of the 1st place time (when I actually make it to the end!).
 
DQuaN
I still haven't figured out how to use the analyzer. To me it just shows where I am accelerating and where I am braking.
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Which is exactly what you need ;) I suggest reading that part in the manual, it's not all that tricky once you get used to it... (the analyzer, not reading the manual :lol: ) And quite useful as well..

But as AO said, watch the Demo and take mental notes on what line it's taking. Then Practice, Practice, Practice...

I found the Time Attacks to be very entertaining (as opposed to some of the other tests... :grumpy: )
 
I find it much easier to run my attempt against the demo ghost. I can then see were he runs the course better than me. This helps me know were I need to improve.
 
Check out the Time Trial thread in the OLR section:

https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=8200

You can click on the pics to view videos of some of the fastest times in the world. It should help you pick out some lines and techniques to get your times down. I work on them everynow and then, you'll see my name in the NTSC stats. If you have a Sharkport I can email you any replays to use as ghosts if you like. If not, watch the vids:tup:
 
How do you do that? I could never figure out how to load the demo car as a ghost.

I will amplify AO's excellent advice a little: in your replay settings, turn on the steering and throttle/brake indicators, so you can see what the inputs are at any given moment. Then watch the gold demo a half dozen times, concentrating on those indicators rather than on the view. Really try to get a feel for brake and turn-in points. You'll be amazed how much the tracks open up when you get the line just right. I wish I could get it just right more consistently, but I did manage gold on the TTs. I'm always a back marker in OLR competition, so I'm not that fast. You'll get it!
 
Polyphony001
Well, thanks for the help. I'd like to add a technique I do use though, and that is turning off the ghost.
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Aaagh! Don't fear the ghost, it can be distracting at times, but ask anyone who competes in the Online Racing weekly series and I bet 99% of us swear by it.
It helps you to see where you are gaining and losing time throughout a lap.
If you gain a second through 1 bend at the beginning of the lap on your previous best ghost, but then lose 2s on the last bend, then its very clear as the ghost overtakes you, and you'll know which bends you need more practise with.
Is there any test in particular you're struggling with?
 
Sorry i didn;t mean entirely. I meant temporarily, only turning it on periodically, but then i also use the mini-map and time display for that purpose. I can usually tell which corner i am losing speed on without the need for a ghost, but i do use it occasionally. I am having the most trouble beating KY at complex string.
 
Wow, that's certainly more in-depth than I was expecting, thanks a bunch, neon duke! Now there's only determination left to conquer... I owe you so much!!
 
Smallhorses
Aaagh! Don't fear the ghost, it can be distracting at times, but ask anyone who competes in the Online Racing weekly series and I bet 99% of us swear by it.
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Actually, you'll find out that very few fast racers use the ghost. When running constant, consistent laps in pursuit of an elusive 2/10ths of a second, the Ghost will be a constant distraction and detriment.

AO
 
Der Alta
Actually, you'll find out that very few fast racers use the ghost. When running constant, consistent laps in pursuit of an elusive 2/10ths of a second, the Ghost will be a constant distraction and detriment.

AO
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He speaks the truth here.

I only use my ghost to get warmed up.

Often times the ghost will only encourage you to use the same line as in the replay and because of that limit you to a slower time.

However, sometimes that same ghost can show you where the error is in your line thanks to that 1 run where you get it right and catch the ghost with ease.

My suggestions regarding a ghost...

Only use a ghost to warm up or learn where you made a mistake.

Switch back and forth between using a ghost and not using a ghost.

Also, try using 2 different car colors for a race if you know you will be using a ghost.
Record your best lap, then use a different color trying to match the ghost.

That's how I combat my biggest ghost related problems.

Usually when I run a ghost that has the same car color as what I am using there will be times where the 2 cars over-lay too well and cause me to lose a sense of exactly where my car is/ what my car is doing.

Good luck, and remember to use that ghost wisely.
Learning the track without a ghost can really help you to get the right line in the long run.
However, I do want to mention that using a ghost with the right line can really help you learn what you should or shouldn't be doing.
 
I almost never use the ghost, certainly not for my own runs. The overlap is too distracting. Plus, if he's in front, he blocks view of the apexes, and if he's behind, I drive in the mirror too much trying to stay ahead.

I have occasionally used a ghost of someone else's hot lap to follow, but they are usually too far ahead to do me any good...
:/
 
neon_duke
I almost never use the ghost, certainly not for my own runs. The overlap is too distracting. Plus, if he's in front, he blocks view of the apexes, and if he's behind, I drive in the mirror too much trying to stay ahead.

I have occasionally used a ghost of someone else's hot lap to follow, but they are usually too far ahead to do me any good...
:/
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I have never in my entire life had any of these problems, and am still baffeled as to how you can see when the cars overlap, I never have seen that before.
 
I drive in the first-person view. If you run consistent laps, taking the same line at the same speeds, the other car will wash in and out of your car. Sometimes it looks like you're driving from the back seat; sometimes it's just odd artifacts across the top or bottom of the screen; and sometimes it's the boot/bumper right in front of you, blocking your view of the turn-in or the apex.
 
Do a license test with the ghost turned on and drive 1st person view, B1 and B2 are good examples. Run your second run slightly slower than the first. I think you will understand what Neon is describing if you try it.
This actually shows the 1st person camera view is in car and not bumper cam as some suggest.
 
This may sound dumb but do the time attacks require a 1st place time to pass or just a 3rd place?
 
icemanshooter23
This may sound dumb but do the time attacks require a 1st place time to pass or just a 3rd place?
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The time attacks require a 1st place to qualify for the crucial fraction of a percentage that you need to reach 100% complete.

Apologies to Der Alta, Go Kents, Neon_duke et. al for implying they all use ghosts for improving lap times. :guilty: I myself, find I can sort of mentally tune the ghost out and happily drive through it like I was an AI Skyline attemping a passing manoeuvre! :lol: I leave it on most of the time just to be sure I'm running ahead of it, then there's no need to worry about it in the mirror, just worrying about getting the next bend spot on! :eek:
 
Neon, what I mean to say is I run my attempt against the demo after I completed the test. When you complete the test, run the demo. Your car will be the ghost, and the demo car is the normal car. Sorry if I confused you.

If that still doesn't work, check in "settings" to see if the ghost is on. I think it needs to be on.
 
Uncle Harry
Do a license test with the ghost turned on and drive 1st person view, B1 and B2 are good examples. Run your second run slightly slower than the first. I think you will understand what Neon is describing if you try it.
This actually shows the 1st person camera view is in car and not bumper cam as some suggest.
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I know all about this, but I meant my last post as more of a "I'm always faster than the ghost" statement. I usualy only spend about 3 or 4 laps on a lap attack, like OLR, because any more than that and I'd rather be doing CS100.
 
I see. Well, I'm not always faster than my ghost.

smallhorses, I didn't mean to contradict you. A lot of people definitely do find the ghosts useful, and I do too in some cases. I just tend to run fairly consistant laps - not very fast, unfortunately, but consistent - and so I find myself with my view restricted a lot.

Lifters - thanks. I didn't realize you could ever put your run directly up against the demo, even in a replay or the analyzer. I'll have to try that.
 
I ALWAYS use the ghost car when I am running for a hotlap record. I use a ghost that has a near perfect T1 section and falls off a bit somewhere in the middle of the lap. That way when I get ahead of it around T1 I know I'm onto something:tup: If I mess up by T1, why bother finishing the lap?

But I drive 3rd peson view with the DS/2, so it's much easier. The ghost can be a problem when I drive 1st person view (when I use the Driving Force Pro).
 
neon_duke
How do you do that? I could never figure out how to load the demo car as a ghost.
...
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I didn't see this question get answered... The way I think I did it if I recall correctly was: Right when you first enter the time trial before you give anything a go, watch the demo replay all the way through with ghost setting on automatic update... *poof* ...you have his ghost.

It's like FM radio was to some of us... (Freakin' Magic). :lol:

phattboy

EDIT: Now that I think about this, maybe that was in the license tests that worked. Shoot! Now I'm gonna have to check when I get home.
 
Yeah cheers. I'm currently on Laguna seca though, doing them in order, and i just can not seem to get a good blend of cornering and not failing. :mad:
 

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