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Papyrus Founder Buys Back Source Code, Goes Racing

Posted by simoniker on from the legends dept.

Thanks to The Pits messageboard for its post noting, via this month's PC Gamer magazine, that Papyrus co-founder Dave Kaemmer has bought back "all of the critical [PC racing sim] source code" from owner Vivendi Universal, following VU's closing-down of the Grand Prix Legends and NASCAR Racing developers. Kaemmer "teamed with Boston Red Sox owner John W. Henry" to launch this new venture, and intends to provide "high-end driving sims", seemingly involving personnel from the Project Wildfire NASCAR modding site.

2 of 13 comments (clear)

  1. GPL a moment to learn... a lifetime to master by F1_Fan · · Score: 3, Interesting

    It's great to hear that there's life in the game engine still.

    GPL suffered from maybe too much realism (although some minor aspects of the engine were lacking). The steep learning curve to drive high-horsepower (yet lightweight and no downforce aids) cars meant that most people likely deleted the demo and bought the latest Need for Speed game. Those of us who took the time to learn how to drive the cars were rewarded with an exceptionally fun simulation experience.

    1. Re:GPL a moment to learn... a lifetime to master by mutewinter · · Score: 2, Informative

      This may appear to be a negative, but the realism is probably responsible for Grand Prix Legends longevity. With out a doubt, GPL is considered by a large portion of hardcore racing sim fans to be one of the best, if not the best, racing sim out there despite its age.

      I don't really consider myself to be a "hardcore" racing sim fan, but I bought the full game less than a year ago. Its an absolute blast to play. You can download new graphics packs to update to high-resolution textures. Sure, it might not have the latest shaders or lighting effects -- perhaps we will see more updates now that the source code has be purchased.

      If you haven't played GPL, get a steering wheel and pedals, or a friend with one, and give it a shot. There is nothing more exciting than sliding around a corner at 100 miles an hour..