I've played CM5

[Rev Fred]

I was fortunate to be a guest at Codemasters a week or two ago and I had a good go on a development version of CM5. I also had various Codies show me how the game is built, and take me through the new features of the game.

The good news is that CM5 is brilliant. There are loads more tracks, tons more cars, and several innovative new features which take the series even deeper into the sim.

So . . . what would you guys like to know?

[spyros]

you are very lucky,btw let as know about physics engine and setups.I play RBR now and its pure sim but it has some major framerate problems(xbox)and the graphs are not so good.
I find the grip level too high in CMR4 so i dlike to know if codies change the handling,setups also are very important for those games.
Waiting news!

[commandguy]

So . . . what would you guys like to know?

Well,tell me some major improvements compared to CMR4.

[Rev Fred]

Originally posted by spyros
you are very lucky,btw let as know about physics engine and setups.I play RBR now and its pure sim but it has some major framerate problems(xbox)and the graphs are not so good.
I find the grip level too high in CMR4 so i dlike to know if codies change the handling,setups also are very important for those games.
Waiting news!

By "physics engine" I presume you mean how the car physically handles compared to in CM4. The good news is that it is significantly different because when I played the game I was rubbish at it. The game is generally much faster, in terms of the cars' speed through space, and the responsiveness. Also, several of the cars from CM4 are now much more fun to play with, in partiuclar the classic ford escort, which was brilliant because it was much faster.

The set-ups appeared to be essentially the same as in CM4, although there may be one new option, but I can't remember. Also, I think there are now more different types of tyres to choose from.

The graphics and frame rate are very high quality, but not a mega advance on CM4. In CM5 the cars now move through shadows cast by road side object, which is apparently a major programming advance on CM4. This feature does place the cars more accurately in the space and is quite cool.

Another cool new visual feature is blurring of the screen after an impact. It makes crashing seem more reaslitic some how.

In terms of the "grip" in CM5 compared to CM4 I think there is no major change in the way the surfaces behave. However, there are loads more cars now that have low levels of mechanical grip. For example, I tried a Lancia Stratos (I think) which slid all over the place, and spun its wheels at the slightest provocation. I think this car and others may provide the realism you are after.

[Rev Fred]

Originally posted by commandguy
Well,tell me some major improvements compared to CMR4.

OK. Changes not mentioned above in no particular order:

1. Instant hard steering. In CM4, and all previous driving games, when you push the joy pad all the way over to one side, the steering in the game responds by turning the car's wheels at a contstant slow rate, with the result that the cars seem to have an unrealistically large turning circle. In CM5 the cars respond in the same way, unless you push another button, which yanks the wheels all the way over immediately, just as if you had yanked the wheel in real life. This means you can throw the car around tight corners in a more realistic fashion. This improvement was introduced after a suggestion by CM himself.

2. One new country (Germany) and eight new stages for each country.

3. Adjustable weather, so you can play any stage in any weather condition. (Bring on dry Japan!!)

4. X-box live ghost car racing. Downloadable record ghost cars.

5. Tons of new cars, and better car categories. Notable vehicles include the Ford Seirra Cosworth, CM's Paris-Dakar Nissan, Lancia Stratos, Malcolm Wilson Ford Escort. Sadly no more 2CV. I think the categories are now World Rally, 2WD rally, Super 2WD rally, Classic, Group B and Paris-Dakar. I think there may be one other, which is something like two-wheel drive group B contempories. The mad Lancia from CM4 is in this group now, and not the Group B group.

6. One new view. "Bonnet Cam" I think its called.

I'm sure there is more but I can't remember anything else

you lucky sausage rev,sounds like its going to be great matey,glad to see the "Bonnet view" back again,did you get a look at any of the germany stages? mcrae o5 sounds like its going to be more realistic,g'ees i can't wait..btw rev i never did find out what you got for coming 2nd in the car competion,did you get a goodie bag ect..

[commandguy]

Thanks,Rev Fred .

[ReverendTed]

Originally posted by Rev Fred
By "physics engine" I presume you mean how the car physically handles compared to in CM4.

I would assume this refers to the "pivot point" physics employed by the CMR series.

[BeDevil]

There's 2 new views in CMR2005 [5 in total]

There's bonnet cam - as mentioned - plus the new far chase cam. So the list is:

Chase cam
Far Chase cam
Bonnet cam
Bumper cam
Incar cam

[BraveArse]

Are staggered starts available in the online mode?

I put a post about this elsewhere and a lot of us requested this back in the CMR05 wishlist thread. I'm hoping it's there...