GT3 6 player Ilink Questions

[JA]

Hi All,

I have just purchased a 6 port firewire hub and cables to play
6 player GT3. The manual does not give away much info on this topic
and it would be great if you could supply some feedback on the following questions so I can avoid any teething problems.

1. I have played 1vs 1(two machines) with no glitching or slowdown. Does the game perform as well with 6 players?
2. For each PS2 to access all tracks and cars within arcade mode, does each PS2 need to have a memory card with access, or the 1st PS2 automatically gains access for all other machines?
3. Is there many GT3 players out there linking 6 machines? How good is the racing? Is it worth the extra cost?
4. I there any word from Sony or 3rd parties allowing ilink races to gain access to your garage?
(So far this is my biggest frustration with the game! Any moron let alone Sony should know that GT3 ilink racing would only be half complete without having access to players garages!)

 

[Jordan]

Although I can't answer your questions (I've never used my PS2's iLink), let me be the first to welcome you to GTPlanet!

 

[Rbyteman]

I have personally linked 4 ps2's so far, we're trying to get more people interested, hopefully we'll link 6 soon. All the ps2's need memory cards, hopefully with all the tracks and cars opened up. If you only have 1 card that is opened up you can boot up all the games with it.The only thing we've noticed is everyone has to enter I Link at the same time, it may take a few attempts. Once you're linked you shouldn't have to exit out.

The racing is hands down the best there is in the game, it can become fairly rough, but rubbins racing.I haven't noticed any slowing down of the game, it seems as fast as usual. The rally tracks are closed with any link greater than 2. It does suck that you can't use your garage, the s class cars are very entertaining. hoppefully in the next game we'll be able to use our own cars.

We use a point system for the racing, if there are 4 of us, 4 pts for first 3 for 2nd and so on. We also give points for fastest lap, if you win and have fast lap it's worth 1 pt, if your not 1st its worth 2 pts. This tends to keep everyone honest. Sometimes the last place car will turn around and play the spoiler, it's decided many races.

I hope this answers your questions and lets you link to the best racing in the game Keep on racing, Nick

 

[NocturnalPS]

Originally posted by Rbyteman
I have personally linked 4 ps2's so far, we're trying to get more people interested, hopefully we'll link 6 soon. All the ps2's need memory cards, hopefully with all the tracks and cars opened up. If you only have 1 card that is opened up you can boot up all the games with it.The only thing we've noticed is everyone has to enter I Link at the same time, it may take a few attempts. Once you're linked you shouldn't have to exit out.

The racing is hands down the best there is in the game, it can become fairly rough, but rubbins racing.I haven't noticed any slowing down of the game, it seems as fast as usual. The rally tracks are closed with any link greater than 2. It does suck that you can't use your garage, the s class cars are very entertaining. hoppefully in the next game we'll be able to use our own cars.

We use a point system for the racing, if there are 4 of us, 4 pts for first 3 for 2nd and so on. We also give points for fastest lap, if you win and have fast lap it's worth 1 pt, if your not 1st its worth 2 pts. This tends to keep everyone honest. Sometimes the last place car will turn around and play the spoiler, it's decided many races.

I hope this answers your questions and lets you link to the best racing in the game Keep on racing, Nick

wow man that sounds fun. I want to get myself a few extra ps2's and do this.

 

[Tom M]

Hello, and welcome to GTPlanet!

I have only played 2 player linked mode, so I can't help you beyond that , but I do know that all you really need is 1 memory card. If player 2 has nothing unlocked, then have player 1 choose the track. The downside is that the person without the memory card doesn't have access to the extra unlocked cars.
Anyway, happy hunting

 

[JA]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I linked three PS2's on the weekend without any problems. I booted all three machines with the same memory card(arcade tacks and cars unlocked). The only trick there after is all players need to click the Ilink option at the same time. Next time I plan to link 4-5 PS2's.

The racing is the best I have experienced in GT3 so far. I had a 16 hour racing session and my mates and I wanted to carry on but muscles were starting to cramp! A 6 player session would be the ultimate.

Our setup included 68cm or bigger TV's, cockpit seating type setup, Logitech driving force wheels and good headphones to lock you into the game. Once setup properly, multiplayer racers at the arcades do not even come close to the quality of GT3 racing.

We played 6 race championships with points awarded for placing and best lap. This was really good as long and everyone selected similar performance cars. By the end of our session we discovered a much more challenging, competitive and fun format.
S class cars only(no GT1's allowed), 12 laps with tyre wear. Using tyre wear we discovered how most of the S class GT cars are evenly matched. The Dodge Viper, Skyline, Supra and Honda NSX are all just as quick as each other by 12 laps if you drive them properly. Each car performs better different parts of the tack and at different times of the race. This meant by the finish line there was usually hundreds of a second difference from 1st to 2nd. Also depending on driving style and car 1 to 2 pit stops are required. Anyone involved in GT3 multiplayer should try this format. The racing is incredible.

Summarising if you haven't played multiplayer you have not experienced the best part of GT3 yet. Invest some time and money and just do it!

 

[LoudMusic]

Originally posted by JA
Thanks for the feedback guys.

I linked three PS2's on the weekend without any problems. I booted all three machines with the same memory card(arcade tacks and cars unlocked). The only trick there after is all players need to click the Ilink option at the same time. Next time I plan to link 4-5 PS2's.

The racing is the best I have experienced in GT3 so far. I had a 16 hour racing session and my mates and I wanted to carry on but muscles were starting to cramp! A 6 player session would be the ultimate.

Our setup included 68cm or bigger TV's, cockpit seating type setup, Logitech driving force wheels and good headphones to lock you into the game. Once setup properly, multiplayer racers at the arcades do not even come close to the quality of GT3 racing.

We played 6 race championships with points awarded for placing and best lap. This was really good as long and everyone selected similar performance cars. By the end of our session we discovered a much more challenging, competitive and fun format.
S class cars only(no GT1's allowed), 12 laps with tyre wear. Using tyre wear we discovered how most of the S class GT cars are evenly matched. The Dodge Viper, Skyline, Supra and Honda NSX are all just as quick as each other by 12 laps if you drive them properly. Each car performs better different parts of the tack and at different times of the race. This meant by the finish line there was usually hundreds of a second difference from 1st to 2nd. Also depending on driving style and car 1 to 2 pit stops are required. Anyone involved in GT3 multiplayer should try this format. The racing is incredible.

Summarising if you haven't played multiplayer you have not experienced the best part of GT3 yet. Invest some time and money and just do it!

That sounds like a serious rush! I've only got a couple friends right now that have GT3, but I think there are more on the way (: This could be loads of fun.

~LoudMusic

 

[Blakmoun]

JA,

where are you located. I'm in the NYC area. Anyone around here wanna try Ilinking.

Blakmoun

 

[squadjot]

Originally posted by JA
Thanks for the feedback guys.

I linked three PS2's on the weekend without any problems. I booted all three machines with the same memory card(arcade tacks and cars unlocked). The only trick there after is all players need to click the Ilink option at the same time. Next time I plan to link 4-5 PS2's.

The racing is the best I have experienced in GT3 so far. I had a 16 hour racing session and my mates and I wanted to carry on but muscles were starting to cramp! A 6 player session would be the ultimate.

Our setup included 68cm or bigger TV's, cockpit seating type setup, Logitech driving force wheels and good headphones to lock you into the game. Once setup properly, multiplayer racers at the arcades do not even come close to the quality of GT3 racing.

We played 6 race championships with points awarded for placing and best lap. This was really good as long and everyone selected similar performance cars. By the end of our session we discovered a much more challenging, competitive and fun format.
S class cars only(no GT1's allowed), 12 laps with tyre wear. Using tyre wear we discovered how most of the S class GT cars are evenly matched. The Dodge Viper, Skyline, Supra and Honda NSX are all just as quick as each other by 12 laps if you drive them properly. Each car performs better different parts of the tack and at different times of the race. This meant by the finish line there was usually hundreds of a second difference from 1st to 2nd. Also depending on driving style and car 1 to 2 pit stops are required. Anyone involved in GT3 multiplayer should try this format. The racing is incredible.

Summarising if you haven't played multiplayer you have not experienced the best part of GT3 yet. Invest some time and money and just do it!

please tell what kinda hub you bought (link to dealer would be apreciated!!!=)

 

[Viper_Maniac]

Originally posted by squadjot


please tell what kinda hub you bought (link to dealer would be apreciated!!!=)

Yeah me too. Reading all this stuff has got me wanting to get one of those plus a couple PS2's.

 

[autocrosser]

We have hooked up 4 systems. We had a 5th but for some reason that one machine threw all the others out of whack. It made them all load extremely slow and they all tried to grab the ID 1, even with just two machines this machine caused problems. With the other 4 though it worked AWESOME!

 

[JA]

Blakmoun
Unfortunately I live in Sydney Australia. Maybe we could race once GT goes online.

On that note, is there anyone interested in Sydney Australia playing GT3 up to 6 player? I have two spare ilink connections available at the moment. You must have your special licence, use a Steering wheel, bring TV, PS2,headphones, GT3 game and be a good sport.


squadjot
I went through the same frustration locating a hub. Sony Entertainment Australia and my local computer shops could not supply any info or support at all. After some research I discovered that IEE1394 signal is called "firewire" in the IT industry. Apple developed the signal, which is manly used for video cameras and Apple computers.
Contact your local Apple computer retailer and they should have one in stock. Just ask for a 6 port firwire hub and 6 to 4 pin firewire cables(2m or 5m in length). It's not cheap hardware but well worth it. I split the cost between my mates. The hub cost me $190AUD + $44AUD each 5m cable.

JA

 

[JA]

Autocorsser

Your ilink problem does not sound good. I've noticed certain machines take priority when ilinking. My mates is always machine #1, mine is alway's the last ID# number and others "so far" fit in between.
Have you been able to sort out the problem?

Has anyone succussfully linked 6 machines yet?

JA