GAMEPLAY


BHMS - How real is the physics engine? Is it really based on F1 2002 and can you give us some examples?

Ed Martin - Yes, it is based off of the F1 2002 engine, modified, of course, for NASCAR.

BHMS - How did you model the tire wear and fuel usage? Will you actually be able to save fuel by rolling out of the trottle early, or is that already pre-set?

Ed Martin - It's not pre-set. The way you drive directly impacts your wear.

BHMS - How extensive is the damage modeling? Will there be random breakdowns, will the cars be able to catch fire if the situation allows?

Ed Martin - Fire is "realistic" but not exaggerated. Yes, random breakdowns will occur & the user can adjust the frequency up & down to their liking.

BHMS - Will Nascar Thunder 2003 have dirt, oil, marbles, and oil dry on the track like Nascar Racing 2003 supposedly will have?

Ed Martin - No.

BHMS - Will Nascar Thunder 2003 include dynamic weather where track conditions change throughout the race?

Ed Martin - Yes - it's user selectable (so it's up to them whether they want it to change or not). And, we even have rain on the road courses.

BHMS - What settings will we be able to change when setting up a car? Will there be different engines for qualifying and race?

Ed Martin - No, just like the real world, you have to use the same engine all weekend long.

BHMS - Have you included tips on building setups?

Ed Martin - We ship with some default setups but there's no "tips". God knows the community out there gets it enough to do great setups! :-)

BHMS - Will there be a career mode?

Ed Martin - Career Mode is on the PS2, Xbox & Gamecube but not PC & PSX.

BHMS - I have read that the Winston, Bud Shootout, and Gatorade 125's will be in the simulation. Can you tell us a bit more about them?

Ed Martin - Those are in the PS2, Xbox & Gamecube versions, not the PC & PSX.

BHMS - What can you tell us about AI in Nascar Thunder 2003? Will they learn, race hard in finishing stages, will they remember who nudged them and return the "favor"?

Ed Martin - We don't have any "memory" built into the AI but yes, they are aggressive. Of course, the user can adjust them to their liking.