Sports Car GT

Sports Car GT

Cover art
Developer(s) Image Space Incorporated
Publisher(s) Electronic Arts
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows, PlayStation
Release date(s)
  • NA April 30, 1999
Genre(s) Sim racing
Mode(s) Season, arcade, time trial, head to head

Sports Car GT (SCGT) is a racing game based on GT racing. It was published by Electronic Arts (EA) and developed by Image Space Incorporated for Windows, and Point of View for PlayStation. The game was released in April 1999. Both editions of the game feature co-development by Westwood Studios.

PlayStation overview

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PlayStation Magazine2.5/5[1]

Season mode

In season mode (championship), the player has to race in four GT classes. Each of these classes have five race tracks (GT1 has four). The player starts in the GT qualifying class (GTQ), and progressly gets to GT3, GT2 and GT1 classes. The player gets cash when he or she finishes in the top three in each race. The player begins with $50,000 for the purchase of their first car. This gives the option to purchase an expensive car and hit the circuit, or purchase an inexpensive car and put extra money towards upgrades right away. The "paddock" is the garage area where the player will maintain and upgrade his or her cars. In the car shop, cars can be bought and sold.

All cars can be upgraded. The player can modify the car to increase its performance and value. Once a component has been upgraded, it can be installed or removed at any time. Components that can be upgraded are: brakes, suspension, exhaust, engine, gearbox, aero kit and the tires of the car. The player can also tune his or her car. Not tuning in making a design to the car or spray with colour, but change the optimum performance of the car. Components that can be adjusted are: brakes, suspension, ride height, transmission, gearbox, downforce and the tires.

When a whole class is finished (all five races), the final results are shown. If the player has done well enough, there will be a special race held. The player can accept or not. If the player accepts, they will race against a car that has not been available. The player needs to beat the CPU player to win their car and $150,000.

The first race in the first class (GTQ) is Sebring International Short, with three laps. The final race of the first class (GT1) is Sebring International Raceway, with 20 laps. The player's car does not get damaged but it can get slower from hitting other cars, people, or walls.

Paris GT1, a bonus class, is made available when a player has completely finished the GT1 class. The bonus class has the same cars as GT1 but different tracks, based in Paris, France. This bonus class has six laps per race on each of its tracks, like the GTQ and GT3 classes.

Arcade mode

The "arcade" race is a stand-alone challenge that the player can configure in a number of ways. Adjustable parameters are: the player's car, the track, race length and the opponent's GT class car.

Time trial

The "time trial" mode lets the player take the customised car saved in "season" mode and go after the track records.

Multiplayer

(In this case, two-player)

Windows overview

If the graphics add-on is selected by the user to be installed for SCGT, the game will show off enormously improved graphics. If the add-on is not selected by the user to be installed, the game's graphics show their age. It has various easily noticeable errors (many car's tires sink into the ground, and the shadows sit slightly above it). Typical polygon counts are in the low thousands. A major gripe of SCGT players is that the headlights have no effect on the dashboard view.

In 2005 the developers of Sports Car GT released the popular multi-class sim rFactor and the successor to the popular GMotor 1 engine first used in Sports Car GT for Windows. While it has no official FIA GT license, its massive modding base, extensive multi-class (non F1/single seater exclusive) content, proper bug and patch support and upgrade options mean many view it as Sports Car GT's spiritual successor.

Cars

PlayStation

GTQ

GT3

GT2

  • BMW M3 (team PTG #6),
  • Callaway C7 (grand touring)
  • Callaway C12 (sport touring)
  • Lister Storm (grand touring)
  • Mosler Raptor (grand touring)
  • Porsche 911 (Team Roock Racing #55)
  • Porsche 993T (Team Schumacher)
  • Saleen Mustang (Team Saleen/Allen)
  • Vector M12 (grand touring)
  • Vector M12 (American Spirit)

GT1

  • Callaway C7R (Callaway Competition)
  • Callaway C12 (grand touring)
  • Lister Storm (NewCastle United)
  • Mosler Raptor (Team Mosler)
  • Panoz GTR-1 (grand touring)
  • Panoz GTR-1 (Panoz Motor Sports)
  • Panoz GTR-1 (Visteon Racing)
  • Panoz Q9 (Visteon Racing)
  • Porsche 911 GT1 (Team Rohr)
  • Porsche 911 GT1 (Champion Porsche)
  • Porsche 911 GT1 (Team Porsche AG)

Windows

SCGT as originally sold featured a variety of cars; the Porsche 911 Carrera, Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche 911 GT2, and Porsche 911 GT1, BMW M3, Panoz Esperante and Esperante GT-R, Saleen-modified Ford Mustang, Vector M12, Lister Storm, McLaren F1 GTR, Callaway C12, Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR, Mosler Raptor, and two "fictional" cars; the Wiggler Motors Rattlesnake (Dodge Copperhead) and GTR (Plymouth Prowler).

Tracks

Windows

PlayStation

References

  1. Sports Car GT game review, Official UK PlayStation Magazine, Future Publishing issue 46

External links